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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2005

Registration No. 333-124007


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

x     PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

¨     POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.


APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


9 West 57 th Street

New York, NY 10019

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 515-3200

 

Gordon E. Swartz

c/o Apollo Investment Corporation

9 West 57 th Street

New York, NY 10019

(212) 515-3200

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


Copies of information to:

Margery K. Neale

Thomas J. Friedmann

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022-6069

(212) 848-4000

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:     From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement. If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a distribution reinvestment plan, check the following box.   x

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

x when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

¨ This [post-effective amendment] designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
¨ This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is            .

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


Title of Securities Being Registered   Amount Being
Registered
 

Proposed Maximum
Offering Price

Per Unit

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
  Amount of
Registration Fee
 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share(2)

                     

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share(2)

                     

Warrants(3)

                     

Debt Securities(4)

                     

Total

          $ 900,000,000(5)   $ 105,930 (1)

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement. $23,540 previously paid.
(2) Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of common stock or preferred stock as may be sold, from time to time.
(3) Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of warrants as may be sold, from time to time, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
(4) Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be sold, from time to time. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $900,000,000.
(5) In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $900,000,000.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.



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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

June 20, 2005

 

$900,000,000

 

LOGO

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

 

Apollo Investment Corporation is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We invest primarily in middle-market companies in the form of mezzanine and senior secured loans, each of which may include an equity component, as well as by making direct equity investments in such companies. We can offer no assurances that we will continue to achieve our objective.

 

We are managed by Apollo Investment Management, L.P., an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., a leading private equity investor. Apollo Investment Administration, LLC provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

 

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $900,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities”. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

 

Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “AINV”.

 

This prospectus, and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website at www.sec.gov where other information about us is available.

 


 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities in “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus.

 


 

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

 


 

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


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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional information, or information different from that contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus or such prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Summary

   1

Fees and Expenses

   4

Risk Factors

   6

Use of Proceeds

   17

Dividends

   18

Selected Condensed Consolidated Financial Data

   19

Forward-looking Statements

   20

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   21

Price Range of Common Stock

   30

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   30

Business

   31

Management

   39

Certain Relationships

   50

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

   51

Portfolio Companies

   52

Determination of Net Asset Value

   56

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

   57

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

   58

Description of Our Capital Stock

   64

Description of Our Preferred Stock

   70

Description of Our Warrants

   71

Description of Our Debt Securities

   72

Regulation

   85

Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent, Registrar and Trustee

   90

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

   90

Plan of Distribution

   91

Legal Matters

   93

Independent Registered Public Accountants

   93

Available Information

   93

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, up to $900,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with any exhibits and the additional information described under the headings “Available Information” and “Risk Factors” before you make an investment decision.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus. In this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “Apollo Investment” refer to Apollo Investment Corporation; “Apollo Investment Management” or “investment adviser” refers to Apollo Investment Management, L.P.; “Apollo Administration” refers to Apollo Investment Administration, LLC; and “Apollo” refers to the affiliated companies of Apollo Investment Management, L.P.

 

Apollo Investment

 

Apollo Investment is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the “1940 Act.” Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We intend to invest primarily in middle-market companies in the form of mezzanine and senior secured loans, as well as by making direct equity investments in such companies. From time to time, we may invest in public companies that are thinly traded.

 

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in long-term subordinated loans, referred to as mezzanine loans, and senior secured loans of private middle-market companies, and from time to time include equity interests such as common stock, warrants or options. Our targeted investment typically ranges between $10 million and $100 million, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes. In this prospectus, we use the term “middle-market” to refer to companies with annual revenues between $50 million and $1 billion.

 

At March 31, 2005, our portfolio consisted of approximately 51% in subordinated loans and corporate notes, 3% in common stock or warrants, 42% in senior secured loans and 4% in cash equivalents. At March 31, 2005, the weighted average yield on our invested capital was 10.9%, the weighted average yield on our invested capital including cash equivalents and after expenses was 7.6%, the weighted average yield on our subordinated debt was 13.7% and on our senior secured debt was 8.2%. Our first lien and second lien senior secured debt investments yielded 6.4% and 9.8%, respectively. Yields are computed using interest rates as of the balance sheet date and include amortization of loan origination fees, original issue discount and market premium or discount, weighted by their respective costs when averaged.

 

While our primary focus is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through investments in loans, we may invest a portion of the portfolio in opportunistic investments in order to seek to enhance returns to stockholders. Such investments may include investments in high-yield bonds, distressed debt, foreign securities, private equity or securities of public companies that are not thinly traded. We expect that these public companies generally will have debt securities that are not investment grade.

 

About Apollo

 

Founded in 1990 by Leon Black, Michael Gross, John Hannan and three other co-founders, Apollo is a recognized leader in private equity investing, having invested more than $12 billion in over 150 companies since its founding. Apollo traditionally has focused on companies that it believes are undervalued yet have successful business models, strong cash flows and prospects for value creation. The Apollo investment professionals’ disciplined, value-oriented strategy has sought to identify opportunities in all investment environments, selecting from a range of approaches, such as traditional or corporate partner buyouts, distressed debt buyouts or more liquid, non-control distressed debt investments. The Apollo investment professionals have sought through this strategy to provide investors with attractive returns while minimizing the risk of capital loss throughout economic cycles.

 

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Apollo’s active private investment funds focus on making either control-oriented equity investments or distressed debt investments of $100 million or more, either for control or non-control positions. In contrast, Apollo Investment seeks to capitalize on the significant investment opportunities emerging in the mezzanine segment of the lending market for middle-market companies, which it believes offers the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns. Apollo Investment is currently the only Apollo-related investment vehicle focused primarily on investing in mezzanine and senior secured loans of middle-market companies, and currently the only publicly traded investment vehicle managed by an affiliate of Apollo.

 

About Apollo Investment Management

 

Apollo Investment Management, our investment adviser, is led by two managing partners, Michael S. Gross (our Chairman and CEO) and Arthur H. Penn (our Chief Operating Officer), who have a combined 37 years of experience, and is supported by Apollo’s team of approximately 37 investment professionals. In addition, Apollo Investment Management has hired nine additional investment professionals since its initial public offering in April 2004 and expects to add additional professionals in the future. Apollo Investment Management draws upon Apollo’s 15-year history and benefits from the Apollo investment professionals’ significant capital markets, trading and research expertise developed through investments in 23 different industries and over 150 companies in the United States and Western Europe.

 

Operating and Regulatory Structure

 

Our investment activities are managed by Apollo Investment Management and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of Apollo and its affiliates. Apollo Investment Management is an investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the “Advisers Act.” Under our investment advisory and management agreement, we pay Apollo Investment Management an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

 

As a business development company, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we cannot invest in any portfolio company in which Apollo or any of its affiliates has a pre-existing investment (although we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of Apollo Investment, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures). Also, while we are permitted to finance investments using debt, our ability to use debt is limited in certain significant respects. See “Regulation.” We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or a RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the “Code.” For more information, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Determination of Net Asset Value

 

The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined quarterly by dividing the value of our total assets minus our liabilities by the total number of our shares outstanding.

 

In calculating the value of our total assets, we value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market price is not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Because there is no readily available market value for a significant portion of the investments in our portfolio, we value these portfolio investments at fair value.

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material. Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates not susceptible to substantiation by auditing

 

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procedures. Accordingly, under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements. For more information, see “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

 

Use of Proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which includes investing in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and repaying indebtedness, if any, incurred under our senior credit facility. Pending such investments, we will invest in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment and other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering. For more information, see “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Dividends

 

We intend to continue to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. Our quarterly dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. For more information, see “Dividends.”

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

We have adopted an ‘opt-out’ dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividend distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not ‘opted out’ of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends. A registered stockholder must notify our transfer agent in writing if they wish to ‘opt-out’ of the dividend reinvestment plan. For more information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

Plan of Distribution

 

We may offer, from time to time, up to $900,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.

 

Securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The supplement to this prospectus relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee and commission or discount arrangement or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. In compliance with the guidelines of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), the maximum compensation to the underwriters or dealers in connection with the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus may not exceed 8% of the aggregate offering price of the securities as set forth on the cover page of the supplement to this prospectus.

 

We may not sell securities pursuant to this prospectus without delivering a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities. For more information, see “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Our Corporate Information

 

Our administrative and executive offices are located at 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019, telephone number (212) 515-3200. Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “AINV”. Although we currently do not maintain a website, we may establish a website in the future.

 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

 

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you”, “us” or “Apollo Investment”, or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Apollo Investment.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses:

      

Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)

   —   %(1)

Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of offering price)

   —   %(2)
    

Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

   —   %(3)

Estimated annual expenses (as % of net assets):

      

Management fees

   2.01 %(4)

Incentive fees payable under investment advisory and management agreement (20% of net realized capital gains and 20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income)

   0.00 %(5)

Interest payments on borrowed funds

   None (6)

Other expenses

   0.58 %(7)
    

Total annual expenses (estimated)

   2.59 %(4)(5)(7)

(1) In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load.
(2) The related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price.
(3) The related prospectus supplement will disclose the offering price and the total stockholder transaction expenses as a percentage of the offering price.
(4) Under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, the management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of our gross assets. In the table above, estimated annual expenses are based on annualized actual amounts for the period ended March 31,2005 and are calculated as a percentage of net assets, which results in a slightly higher percentage than the percentage attributable to gross assets. See “Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” and footnote 5 below.
(5)

We expect to invest all of the net proceeds from securities registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part within two years or less of the date of the initial registration and may have capital gains and interest income that could result in the payment of an incentive fee to our investment adviser in the first year after completion of this offering. However, the incentive fee payable to our investment adviser is based on our performance and will not be paid unless we achieve certain goals. As we cannot predict whether we will meet the necessary performance targets, we have assumed a base incentive fee of 0% in this chart as there have been no incentive fees paid through March 31,2005. The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part, which is payable quarterly in arrears, is based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to the hurdle rate of 1.75% quarterly (7% annualized). Our net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee (see footnote 4 above). Accordingly, we pay Apollo Investment Management an incentive fee as follows: (1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (2) 100% of our 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 rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter. These calculations are appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. You should be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income. The second part of the incentive fee will equal 20% of our realized capital gains for the calendar year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital

 

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depreciation (and incorporating unrealized depreciation on a gross investment-by-investment basis) and is payable in arrears at the end of each calendar year. For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

(6) We currently do not have any borrowings outstanding; however, we plan to incur indebtedness and may therefore pay interest in respect thereof in the future under a senior secured credit facility. For more information, see “Risk Factors—We intend to borrow money, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

     Assuming we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to 40% of our net assets and that the annual interest rate on the amount borrowed is 4%, our total annual expenses (estimated) would be as follows:

 

         Total
Assets


    Net
Assets


 
   

Management fees

   2.00 %   2.80 %
   

Incentive fees payable under investment advisory and management agreement (20% of net realized capital gains and 20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income)*

   0.71 %   0.99 %
   

Interest payments on borrowed funds

   1.14 %   1.60 %
   

Other expenses

   0.45 %   0.63 %
   
  

 

   

Total annual expenses (estimated)

   4.30 %   6.02 %
 
  * To compute the incentive fees, we have assumed a portfolio yield of 9.3%, which reflects the weighted average yield on our entire portfolio at March 31, 2005.

 

(7) Includes our estimated overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement based on our projected allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Apollo Administration in performing its obligations under the administration agreement. See “Management—Administration agreement.” Such expenses are based on actual amounts for the period ended March 31, 2005.

 

Example

 

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no leverage and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

 

     1 year

   3 years

   5 years

   10 years

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $ 26    $ 81    $ 138    $ 292

 

While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the investment advisory and management agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. This illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation in any of the indicated time periods. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Before you invest in our shares, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline or the value of our preferred stock, debt securities or warrants may decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE

 

We are a new company with limited operating history.

 

We were incorporated in February 2004 and have conducted limited operations to date. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we may not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment could decline substantially. We anticipated that it would take us up to two years to invest the majority of the net proceeds of our initial public offering in April 2004 in mezzanine debt and senior secured loans. Immediately following our initial public offering, we invested a portion of the proceeds largely in temporary investments, such as cash equivalents, which earn yields substantially lower than the interest income that we anticipated receiving in respect of investments in mezzanine and senior secured loans. We have recently begun to make investments in mezzanine and senior secured loans. Dividends that we pay prior to being fully invested may be substantially lower than the dividends that we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested in mezzanine and senior secured loans.

 

Our investment adviser and its senior management have limited experience managing a business development company.

 

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies. For example, business development companies are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of private or thinly traded U.S. public companies, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our investment adviser’s and its senior management’s limited experience in managing a portfolio of assets under such constraints may hinder their ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective. In addition, even though Apollo Investment Management is led by senior investment professionals of Apollo who apply the value-oriented philosophy and techniques used by the Apollo investment professionals in their private fund investing, our investment strategies differ from those of other private funds that are or have been managed by the Apollo investment professionals. Further, investors in Apollo Investment are not acquiring an interest in other Apollo funds. Further, while Apollo Investment may consider potential co-investment participation in portfolio investments with other Apollo funds, any such investment activity is subject to, among other things, independent board member approvals, the receipt of which cannot be assured, and compliance with existing regulatory guidance and applicable allocation procedures. Accordingly, we can offer no assurance that Apollo Investment will replicate Apollo’s historical success, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by those private funds.

 

We are dependent upon Apollo Investment Management’s key personnel for our future success and upon their access to Apollo’s investment professionals and partners.

 

We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior management of Apollo Investment Management. For a description of the senior management team, see “Management.” We also depend, to a significant extent, on Apollo Investment Management’s access to the investment professionals and partners of Apollo and the information and deal flow generated by the Apollo investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. The senior management of Apollo Investment Management evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes and monitors our investments. Our future success depends

 

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on the continued service of the senior management team of Apollo Investment Management. The departure of any of the senior managers of Apollo Investment Management, or of a significant number of the investment professionals or partners of Apollo, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. In addition, we can offer no assurance that Apollo Investment Management will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Apollo’s partners and investment professionals or its information and deal flow.

 

Our financial condition and results of operation depend on our ability to manage future growth effectively.

 

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends, in part, on our ability to grow, which depends, in turn, on Apollo Investment Management’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria.

 

Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of Apollo Investment Management’s structuring of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. The senior management team of Apollo Investment Management has substantial responsibilities under the investment advisory and management agreement, as well as in connection with their roles as officers of other Apollo funds. They may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies as principals of our administrator. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, we and Apollo Investment Management need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

 

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Additionally, because competition for investment opportunities generally has increased among alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, those entities have begun to invest in areas they have not traditionally invested in, including investments in middle-market companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities at middle-market companies has intensified and we expect that trend to continue. Many of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this existing and increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

 

We do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer.

 

We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.

 

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC.

 

To qualify as a RIC under the Code, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute

 

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at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. Because we expect to use debt financing in the future, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are in private companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

 

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

 

For federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to Apollo Investment’s overall investment activities, or increases in loan balances as a result of payment-in-kind arrangements are included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash.

 

That part of the incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible.

 

Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the tax requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation as a RIC.”

 

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

 

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a business development company, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.

 

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock, or sell warrants, options or rights to acquire such common stock at a price below the current net asset value of the stock, if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of Apollo Investment and its stockholders, and our stockholders approve Apollo Investment’s policy and practice of making such sales. In any

 

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such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount).

 

In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. This could include the sale of interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment grade loan pools, and we would retain a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy, and could decrease our earnings, if any. Moreover, the successful securitization of our loan portfolio might expose us to losses as the residual loans in which we do not sell interests may tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses.

 

If we issue debt securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

 

    We will be exposed to increased risk of loss if we incur debt to make investments. If we do incur debt, a decrease in the value of our investments would have a greater negative impact on the value of our common stock than if we did not use debt.

 

    Our ability to pay dividends would be restricted if our asset coverage ratio were not at least 200% and any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for dividends to our common stockholders.

 

    It is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility.

 

    We, and indirectly our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities.

 

    Any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock.

 

We intend to borrow money, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.

 

Borrowings, also known as leverage, would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. We intend to borrow from institutional banks and other lenders and entered into a credit agreement in April 2005 to facilitate such borrowing. In the event that we incur such borrowings, our lenders would have fixed dollar claims on our consolidated assets that are superior to the claims of our common shareholders. If the value of our consolidated assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our consolidated assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our consolidated income in excess of consolidated interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our consolidated income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock dividend payments. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.

 

Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

 

Because we intend to borrow money to make investments, our net investment income would depend upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could

 

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reduce our net investment income. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with equity and long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We have analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income net of interest expense. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, a hypothetical immediate 1% change in interest rates would have affected our net income by less than 1% over a one-year horizon. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of our sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size and composition of the assets on the balance sheet and other business developments that could affect net increase in net assets resulting from operations, or net income. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by this estimate.

 

You should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income.

 

We need to raise additional capital to grow because we must distribute most of our income.

 

We may need additional capital to fund growth in our investments. We have issued equity securities and plan to borrow from financial institutions. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. We must distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, to our shareholders to maintain our regulated investment company status. As a result, such earnings are not available to fund investment originations. We expect to continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional debt and equity securities. If we fail to obtain funds from such sources or from other sources to fund our investments, it could limit our ability to grow, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities. In addition, as a business development company, we are generally required to maintain a ratio of at least 200% of total assets to total borrowings, which may restrict our ability to borrow in certain circumstances.

 

Many of our portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

A large percentage of our portfolio investments are in the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. However, we may be required to value our securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors to the extent necessary to reflect significant events affecting the value of our securities. Our board of directors utilizes the services of two independent valuation firms to aid it in determining the fair value of these securities. The types of factors that may be considered in fair value pricing of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.

 

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

 

We generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of

 

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our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or an affiliated manager of Apollo has material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

 

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could impact our investment returns.

 

Our executive officers and directors, and the partners of our investment adviser, Apollo Investment Management, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, Mr. Gross, our president, chief executive officer, chairman of the board of directors and a managing partner of Apollo Investment Management, is a founding partner of Apollo with management responsibilities for other Apollo investment funds. In addition, Mr. Penn, our chief operating officer, is also a managing partner of Apollo Investment Management and a senior partner of Apollo DIF Management, an affiliated investment manager to Apollo Distressed Investment Fund, an affiliated private investment fund. Moreover, we note that, notwithstanding the difference in principal investment objectives between Apollo Investment and other Apollo funds, such other Apollo sponsored funds, including new affiliated potential pooled investment vehicles or managed accounts not yet established, have and may from time to time have overlapping investment objectives with those of Apollo Investment and accordingly invest in, whether principally or secondarily, asset classes similar to those targeted by Apollo Investment. As a result, the partners of Apollo Investment Management face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities to other Apollo funds. Although Apollo Investment Management endeavors to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by investment managers affiliated with Apollo Investment Management. When the partners of Apollo Investment Management identify an investment, they will be forced to choose which investment fund should make the investment.

 

We do not invest in any portfolio company in which Apollo or any affiliates has a pre-existing investment. We have in the past and expect in the future to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of Apollo Investment, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures.

 

In the course of our investing activities, we pay management and incentive fees to Apollo Investment Management, and reimburse Apollo Investment Management for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our common stock invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in, among other things, a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. As a result of this arrangement, there may be times when the management team of Apollo Investment Management has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

 

Apollo Investment Management receives a quarterly incentive fee based, in part, on our pre-incentive fee income, if any, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. This incentive fee is subject to a quarterly hurdle rate before providing an incentive fee return to the investment adviser. To the extent we or Apollo Investment Management are able to exert influence over our portfolio companies, the quarterly pre-incentive fee may

 

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provide Apollo Investment Management with an incentive to induce our portfolio companies to accelerate or defer interest or other obligations owed to us from one calendar quarter to another.

 

We have entered into a royalty-free license agreement with Apollo, pursuant to which Apollo has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive license to use the name “Apollo.” Under the license agreement, we have the right to use the “Apollo” name for so long as Apollo Investment Management or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. In addition, we rent office space from Apollo Administration, an affiliate of Apollo Investment Management, and pay Apollo Administration our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Apollo Administration in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs, which can create conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.

 

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.

 

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws at the local, state and federal levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations could have a material adverse affect on our business.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INVESTMENTS

 

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

 

When we invest in mezzanine or senior secured loans, we have and may continue to acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

 

Our portfolio is concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies, which subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt securities.

 

As of March 31, 2005, we had invested in 37 companies. A consequence of this limited number of investments is that the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Beyond our income tax diversification requirements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.

 

Our investments in prospective portfolio companies may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

Investment in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

 

    these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;

 

    they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

    they are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us; and

 

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    they generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, our executive officers, directors and our investment adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies.

 

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

 

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we or one of our affiliates may have structured our interest as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

 

An investment strategy focused primarily on privately-held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.

 

We have invested and will continue to invest primarily in privately-held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of the members of Apollo Investment Management’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Also, privately-held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than larger competitors. These factors could affect our investment returns.

 

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

 

We have invested and intend to invest primarily in mezzanine and senior debt securities issued by our portfolio companies. The portfolio companies usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal

 

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basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company. In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.

 

Our incentive fee may induce Apollo Investment Management to make certain investments, including speculative investments.

 

The incentive fee payable by us to Apollo Investment Management may create an incentive for Apollo Investment Management to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee payable to our investment adviser is determined, which is calculated as a percentage of the return on invested capital, may encourage our investment adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our common stock, including investors in offerings of common stock, securities convertible into our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, the investment adviser receives the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, the investment adviser may have a tendency to invest more in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

 

The incentive fee payable by us to Apollo Investment Management also may create an incentive for Apollo Investment Management to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature. Under these investments, we would accrue the interest over the life of the investment but would not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our investment fee, however, includes accrued interest. Thus, a portion of this incentive fee would be based on income that we have not yet received in cash.

 

We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to Apollo Investment Management with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each stockholder of Apollo Investment will bear his or her share of the management and incentive fee of Apollo Investment Management as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which Apollo Investment invests.

 

Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

 

Our investment strategy contemplates that a portion of our investments may be in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

 

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Although most of our investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency are subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency may change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we can offer no assurance that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk or, that if we do, such strategies will be effective.

 

If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transaction may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

 

While we may enter into transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

 

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter and our bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of Apollo Investment or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board of directors, including approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board of directors does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act acquisitions of our common stock by any person. If we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the Control Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

 

We have also adopted other measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter classifying our board of directors in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our charter authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, and to amend our charter, without stockholder approval, to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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RISKS RELATING TO THIS OFFERING

 

Investing in our securities may involve an above average degree of risk.

 

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive, therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with a low risk tolerance.

 

There is a risk that investors in our equity securities may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time and that investors in our debt securities may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.

 

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions.

 

The market price of our securities may fluctuate significantly.

 

The market price and liquidity of the market for our securities may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

 

    significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;

 

    changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or business development companies;

 

    loss of RIC status;

 

    changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

    changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;

 

    any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

 

    departure of Apollo Investment Management’s key personnel;

 

    operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

    general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

    loss of a major funding source.

 

We may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree.

 

We have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of this offering and may use the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of our securities may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of our securities, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our securities. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from selling securities pursuant to this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which includes investing in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and, pending such investments, investing in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment and other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering.

 

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus will be used for the above purposes within two years, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. Our portfolio currently consists primarily of senior loans and mezzanine loans. Pending our investments in new debt investments, we plan to invest a portion of net proceeds in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment and other general corporate purposes. The management fee payable by us will not be reduced while our assets are invested in such securities. See “Regulation—Temporary investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

 

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DIVIDENDS

 

We intend to continue to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. Our quarterly dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

 

We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. To maintain our RIC status, we must distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31st and (3) any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains ( i.e. , net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment. In such event, the consequences of our retention of net capital gains are as described under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make dividends and distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends and distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make dividends and distributions due to the asset coverage test for borrowings when applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in future credit facilities. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our RIC status. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any dividends and distributions or dividends and distributions at a particular level.

 

With respect to the dividends paid to shareholders, income from origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees associated with investments in portfolio companies was treated as taxable income and accordingly, distributed to shareholders. For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, these fees totaled $4.5 million.

 

The following table lists the quarterly dividends per share since shares of our common stock began being regularly quoted on The Nasdaq National Market.

 

Year Ending March 31, 2005


   Declared Dividends

First Fiscal Quarter (period from April 8, 2004* to June 30, 2004)

     —  

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 0.045

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 0.180

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

   $ 0.260

* Commencement of operations

 

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SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The Statement of Operations, Per Share and Balance Sheet data for the period ended March 31, 2005 are derived from our financial statements which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus.

 

Statement of Operations Data:


  

For the Period

April 8, 2004* through

March 31, 2005

(dollar amounts in thousands, except
per share data)


 

Total Investment Income

   $ 47,833  

Total Expenses

   $ 22,380  

Net Investment Income

   $ 25,453  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains

   $ 18,692  

Net Increase in Stockholders’ Equity Resulting from Operations

   $ 44,145  

Per Share Data:

        

Net Asset Value

   $ 14.27  

Net Investment Income

   $ 0.410  

Net Increase in Stockholders’ Equity Resulting from Operations

   $ 0.711  

Distributions Declared

   $ 0.485  

Balance Sheet Data:

        

Total Assets

   $ 1,733,384  

Total Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 892,886  

Other Data:

        

Total Return (1)

     15.3 %

Number of Portfolio Companies at Period End

     35  

Amount of Loan Originations and Equity Investments

   $ 894,335  

Principal Amount of Loan Repayments and Exits

   $ 71,730  

Weighted Average Yield on Invested Capital at Period End

     10.9 %

Weighted Average Yield on Invested Capital and Cash Equivalents at Period End

     10.2 %

* Commencement of operations
(1) Total return is based on the change in market price per share, assuming an investment at the initial offering price of $15.00 per share. Total return also takes into account dividends and distributions, if any, reinvested in accordance with Apollo Investment’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return is not annualized.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

    the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

    our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

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

 

    the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

    our expected financings and investments;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and

 

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

 

We generally use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

OVERVIEW

 

Apollo Investment was incorporated under the Maryland General Corporation Law in February 2004. We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. As such, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private or thinly traded public U.S. companies, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, for federal income tax purposes we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Pursuant to this election and assuming we qualify as a RIC, we generally do not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any income we distribute to our stockholders. On April 8, 2004, we completed our initial public offering as an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. We commenced operations on April 8, 2004 upon receipt of $870.2 million in net proceeds from our initial public offering of common stock.

 

Investments

 

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital available to middle market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make. Over the last twelve months, we believe that the availability of senior debt capital from banks for middle market companies has generally increased and has put downward pressure on interest rate spreads at the same time that base interest rates have risen. We do not expect this increased availability of capital to impair our ability to make longer-term investment allocations with our capital. We remain steadfast with our investment discipline in selectively investing in appropriate risk-reward opportunities within the middle market.

 

As a business development company, we must not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). If we invest in an issuer that, at the time we make the investment, has outstanding securities as to which a broker or dealer may extend or maintain margin credit or “marginable securities,” these acquired assets cannot normally be treated as qualifying assets. This treatment results from the definition of “eligible portfolio company” under the 1940 Act, which in part looks to whether a company has outstanding securities that are eligible for margin credit. Amendments promulgated in 1998 by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to Regulation T under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, expanded the definition of marginable security to include any non-equity security. These amendments have raised questions as to whether a private company that has outstanding debt securities would qualify as an eligible portfolio company. We note that under applicable self-regulatory organization rules that govern the ability of brokers and dealers to extend margin credit, many non-equity securities issued by private companies may not be effectively marginable.

 

To address these questions, the SEC proposed amendments to the 1940 Act to expand the definition of eligible portfolio company in a manner that would promote the flow of capital to small, developing and financially troubled companies. These amendments would define eligible portfolio company with reference to whether a company has any class of securities listed on an exchange. We continue to monitor this issue closely and intend to adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of these amendments if they are adopted or of any other future administrative position, judicial decision or legislative action.

 

Our board of directors approved an amendment to our investment policy to eliminate the 5% limitation on investments in foreign securities. This change was implemented as of August 14, 2004 and any such investments are included as non-qualifying assets.

 

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Revenue

 

We generate revenue primarily in the form of interest income from the debt securities we hold and capital gains, if any, on investment securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. Our investments, whether in the form of mezzanine or senior secured loans, generally have a stated term of five to ten years and bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate usually determined on the basis of a benchmark LIBOR or prime rate. While subordinated debt and corporate notes typically accrue interest at fixed rates, some of these investments may include zero coupon, payment-in-kind (“PIK”) and/or step bonds that accrue income on a constant yield to call or maturity basis. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semiannually. In some cases, some of our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and, if applicable, consulting fees, etc.

 

Expenses

 

All investment professionals of the investment adviser and their staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of that personnel which is allocable to those services are provided and paid for by Apollo Investment Management. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to:

 

    investment advisory and management fees;

 

    expenses incurred by Apollo Investment Management payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies;

 

    calculation of our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

 

    direct costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs;

 

    costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC;

 

    interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;

 

    offerings of our common stock and other securities;

 

    registration and listing fees;

 

    fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments;

 

    transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

    taxes;

 

    independent directors’ fees and expenses;

 

    marketing and distribution-related expenses;

 

    the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing and postage costs;

 

    our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

 

    organization and offering; and

 

    all other expenses incurred by us or Apollo Administration in connection with administering our business, such as our allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

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We expect our general and administrative operating expenses related to our ongoing operations to remain generally stable or decline slightly as a percentage of our assets in future periods. Incentive fees, interest expense and costs relating to future offerings of securities would be additive.

 

Portfolio and Investment Activity

 

The total portfolio at fair value at March 31, 2005, was as follows:

 

Schedule of Investments

(in thousands, except warrants/shares)

 

Portfolio Company(1)


  Industry

  Par Amount

  Cost

  Fair Value(2)

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes—50.3%                

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 13.00%,
3/15/13 ¨

  Publishing   $ 16,000   $ 15,841   $ 16,000

AMH Holdings II, Inc., 13.625%, 12/01/14 ¨

  Building Products     45,000     44,002     45,000

Anthony Inc., 13.50%, due 09/01/12 ¨

  Manufacturing     9,561     9,427     9,561

Invista, 9.25%, due 05/01/12 ¨

  Chemicals     35,000     35,000     38,238

Language Line Holdings, Inc., 0% / 14.125%, 06/15/13

  Business Services     27,678     15,993     15,846

Language Line Inc., 11.125%, 06/15/12

  Business Services     20,646     20,683     21,678

Latham Manufacturing Corp., 14.00%, 06/30/11

  Leisure Equipment     31,179     30,570     31,179

Lexicon Marketing (USA), Inc., 13.75%, 01/02/12

  Direct Marketing     27,168     26,641     27,168

National Waterworks Holdings, Inc., 12.50%, 01/01/14 ¨

  Distribution     37,000     36,285     37,000

N.E.W. Holdings I, LLC, 12.50%, 08/17/11

  Consumer Services     26,680     23,454     26,680

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies Inc., 14.00% Convertible, 08/17/13

  Consumer Services     8,320     8,320     12,218

Playpower Holdings Inc. 15.50%,
11/30/12 ¨

  Leisure Equipment     60,775     60,775     60,775

Pro Mach Merger Sub Inc., 13.75%, 06/15/12

  Machinery     19,000     18,630     19,000

Source Media Holdings Inc., 13.00%,
11/30/12 ¨

  Publishing     17,000     16,632     17,000

T/Y Merger Corp., 14.75%, 02/26/10

  Logistics     17,916     17,635     17,916

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 13.67%, 12/31/14

  Consumer Products     12,528     12,528     12,528

WDAC Intermediate Corp., 13.75%,
06/01/15*

  Advertising   33,000     44,326     41,235
             

 

Total subordinated debt/corporate notes

            $ 436,742   $ 449,022
             

 

Common Stock/Warrants—2.4%       Shares/Warrants

       

Latham Acquisition Corp.

  Leisure Equipment     30,000 shs.   $ 3,000   $ 3,000

LM Acquisition Ltd.

  Direct Marketing     10,000 shs.     10,000     10,000

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc.

  Consumer Services     1,105,961 wts.     3,404     6,031

Pro Mach Coinvestment, LLC

  Machinery     150,000 shs.     1,500     1,500

T/Y Merger Corp.

  Logistics     250,000 shs.     2,500     900
             

 

Total common stock/warrants

            $ 20,404   $ 21,431
             

 

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt (3)—41.2%                

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 03/05/10

  Publishing   $ 5,000   $ 5,000   $ 5,038

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 03/07/11

  Publishing     19,000     19,000     19,380

Amerco Corp., 02/27/09

  Transportation     14,850     15,069     15,221

American Safety Razor, 03/12/12

  Consumer Products     2,000     2,000     2,040

 

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Portfolio Company(1)


  Industry

  Par Amount

  Cost

  Fair Value(2)

 

American Safety Razor, 09/21/12

  Consumer Products     13,500     13,500     13,736  

Anthony International, 09/01/11

  Manufacturing     13,000     12,880     13,000  

C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Inc., 10/22/11

  Building Products     10,000     9,952     10,163  

Charter Communications, 04/21/11

  Cable TV     24,812     24,812     24,946  

Cygnus Business Media, Inc., 07/13/09

  Media     14,963     14,895     15,037  

Cygnus Business Media, Inc., 01/12/10

  Media     10,000     9,913     9,975  

Directed Electronics, 06/17/10

  Electronics     4,859     4,859     4,932  

EuroFresh, 05/14/10

  Agriculture     25,000     24,692     25,438  

Goodyear Tire & rubber Co., 04/30/10

  Tires     10,000     10,000     10,000  

Grand Vehicle Works Holding Corp., 07/23/11

  Manufacturing     10,000     10,000     9,000  

Language Line Inc., 06/11/11

  Business Services     6,453     6,437     6,528  

MGM/LOC Acquisition Corp., 04/08/12

  Leisure     25,000     25,000     25,000  

Mueller Group Inc., 11/01/11

  Industrial     17,000     17,000     17,255  

NES Rentals Holdings Inc., 08/17/10

  Equipment Rental     24,875     24,875     25,528  

Phillips Health, LLC, 08/23/10

  Vitamins, Supplements     12,353     12,293     12,415  

Phillips Health, LLC, 08/20/11

  Vitamins, Supplements     14,963     14,817     15,037  

Ranpak Corp., 05/26/10

  Packaging     5,739     5,739     5,747  

Ranpak Corp., 03/17/11

  Packaging     10,000     10,000     10,150  

Rayovac Corp., 02/06/12

  Electronics     10,000     10,000     10,162  

Sealy Mattress Co., 04/08/13

  Consumer Products     10,000     10,000     10,188  

Source Media Inc., 11/30/12

  Publishing     10,000     10,000     10,131  

Supresta Holdings, Inc., 07/20/11

  Chemicals     6,948     6,948     7,086  

Trout Coal Holdings, Inc., 03/23/11

  Mining     4,000     4,000     4,060  

Trout Coal Holdings, Inc., 03/23/12

  Mining     4,000     4,000     4,080  

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 12/31/13

  Consumer Products     3,500     3,500     3,526  

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 06/30/14

  Consumer Products     3,000     3,000     3,030  

United Site Services, Inc. 06/30/10

  Environmental     10,000     9,905     10,000  

Wyle Laboratories, Inc., 07/28/11

  Aerospace     10,000     10,000     10,200  
             

 


Total Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt

            $ 364,086   $ 368,029  
             

 


Total Investments

            $ 821,232   $ 838,482  
             

 


Cash Equivalents—97.8%                  

U.S. Cash Management Bill, 2.70%, 04/15/05

  Government   $ 800,000   $ 799,171   $ 799,171  

U.S. Treasury Bill, 2.70%, 04/21/05

  Government     74,000     73,890     73,885  
             

 


Total Cash Equivalents

            $ 873,061   $ 873,056  
             

 


Total Investments & Cash Equivalents—191.7% (4)

            $ 1,694,293   $ 1,711,538  

Liabilities in excess of other assets—(91.7%)

                    (818,652 )
                   


Net Assets—100.0%

                  $ 892,886  

(1) None of our portfolio companies is controlled or affiliated as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) Fair value is determined by or under the direction of Apollo Investment’s board. For more information, see “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Critical accounting policies—Valuation of portfolio investments.”
(3) Represent floating rate instruments that accrue interest at a predetermined spread relative to an index, typically the LIBOR (London Interbank Offer Rate) or the Prime Rate.
(4) Aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes is $1,698,651,000.
  ¨ These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act. These securities may be resold only in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 * Denominated in Euros (“€”)

 

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During the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, we invested $894.3 million in a variety of mezzanine loans, subordinated debt and senior secured debt, some of which included debt or equity co-investment components. At March 31, 2005, our net portfolio consisted of 35 portfolio companies and was invested 51% in subordinated debt and corporate notes, 42% in senior secured loans, 3% in common stock or warrants and 4% in cash equivalents.

 

At March 31, 2005, the weighted average yield on our invested capital was 10.9% and the weighted average yield on our invested capital including cash equivalents and after expenses was 7.6%. The weighted average yield on our subordinated debt was 13.7% and on our senior secured debt was 8.2% at March 31, 2005. Our first lien and second lien senior secured debt investments yielded 6.4% and 9.8%, respectively. Yields are computed using interest rates as of the balance sheet date and include amortization of loan origination fees, original issue discount and market premium or discount, weighted by their respective costs when averaged.

 

Investment Ratings and Quality of Investments

 

In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, Apollo Investment Management uses an investment rating system to characterize and monitor our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use an investment rating scale of 1 to 5. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

 

Investment
Rating


  

Summary Description


1

   Capital gain expected

2

   Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, with the portfolio company performing in accordance with our analysis of its business

3

   Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, but the portfolio company requires closer monitoring

4

   Some loss of interest, dividend or capital appreciation expected, but still expecting an overall positive internal rate of return on the investment

5

   Loss of interest or dividend and some loss of principal investment expected, which would result in an overall negative internal rate of return on the investment

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Operating Income

 

For the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, gross investment income totaled $47.8 million, all of which represented interest income. Origination, closing and/or commitment fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are accreted into interest income over the respective terms of the applicable loans. Our gross income for the fiscal year also reflects income earned from a significant amount of short-term U.S. Government securities and other temporary investments held during the ramp-up period of our portfolio since our initial public offering. Accordingly, our gross income is generally lower than what would normally be earned had we been more fully invested for the entire fiscal year. As we continue investing the net proceeds from the initial offering, we expect to continue generating additional income at rates greater than the rates we receive on cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we may, from time to time, generate income from other sources other than interest income.

 

Operating Expenses

 

For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, operating expenses totaled $22.4 million. This amount consisted of investment advisory and management fees, insurance

 

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expenses, administrative services fees, professional fees, directors’ fees and other general and administrative expenses. It also included a non-recurring charge of $252,300 in expenses related to the organization of Apollo Investment. For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, our investment advisory fees totaled $17.3 million, and represented the base fee as provided for in the investment advisory and management agreement. In addition, Apollo Investment Administration was reimbursed $987,500 for expenses incurred under the Administration Agreement. No incentive fees were paid or owed to Apollo Investment management, our investment adviser, for the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31,2004.

 

Net Operating Income

 

For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, our net operating income was $25.5 million.

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments and Cash Equivalents

 

At March 31, 2005, net unrealized appreciation totaled $18.2 million, of which $3.9 million was attributable to net unrealized appreciation on our bank debt/senior secured loans, $12.3 million was attributable to our subordinated debt/corporate notes, $1.0 million was attributable to our equity investments and $1.0 million was attributable to unrealized appreciation on a forward foreign currency contract used to hedge our foreign exchange rate risk on our investment in WDAC Intermediate Corp.

 

Net Realized Gains/Losses

 

For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, we had total principal repayments and exits of $71.7 million and total net realized losses of $658 on our investments. Furthermore, we realized $640,200 from the settlement of our forward foreign currency contract in March 2005 and we incurred net realized losses on the sale of our U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $144,400 during the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005.

 

Net Increase in Stockholders’ Equity From Operations

 

Our operations generated a total net increase in stockholders’ equity resulting from operations of $44.1 million for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005. Based on our weighted-average shares outstanding, our net change in stockholders’ equity from operations was $0.71 per share for the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Prior to this offering, we generated cash primarily from the net proceeds of our initial public offering and cash flows from operations, including interest earned on subordinated notes and senior secured loans as well as from our temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We plan to generate additional cash from borrowings under our senior secured multi-currency revolving credit facility. In April 2005, we entered into a senior credit facility having the term of five years and providing for borrowings of up to $800 million. The Credit Agreement will also provide for the ability of Apollo Investment to seek additional commitments from lenders thereunder in an aggregate amount of up to $400 million. Apollo Investment has not yet borrowed any amounts under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate generally applicable to borrowings under this senior credit facility will be LIBOR plus 100 basis points. This facility will be secured by a security interest in virtually all of our portfolio investments (including cash and hedge transaction value), subject to certain exceptions. The senior credit facility contains covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. In the future, we may also securitize a portion of our investments in mezzanine or senior secured loans or other assets. Our primary use of funds are expected to be investments in portfolio companies, payment of fees and other operating expenses and cash distributions to holders of our common stock.

 

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From April 8, 2004, when we commenced operations, through March 31, 2005, our net cash provided by financing activities was $848.7 million, including primarily the net proceeds of our initial public offering of common stock, and our net cash used by operating activities was $29.5 million. At March 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $43.4 million (as adjusted for unsettled trades at year-end), which we intend to use in our operations. From time to time we expect to raise capital in the form of new debt or equity capital, including by way of offerings of securities pursuant to our shelf registration.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We consider our principal business risk to derive from credit risks attributable to our portfolio companies. We also incur market risk due to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency rates. Some loans in our portfolio have floating rates. However, we may face potential losses in future earnings, fair values or cash flows for any loans in our portfolio which have fixed rates. We may hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments. During the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, we did not engage in interest rate hedging activities. See “Risk Factors—Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.”

 

We may also face potential losses in future earnings, fair values or cash flows for any investments in our portfolio which are in foreign currencies. For more information, see “Risk Factors—Our investments in foreign debt securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.” On December 3, 2004, we entered into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge our exposure to the currency risk associated with our investment in WDAC Intermediate Corp.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We have entered into two contracts under which we have future commitments: the investment advisory and management agreement, pursuant to which Apollo Investment Management has agreed to serve as our investment adviser, and the administration agreement, pursuant to which Apollo Administration has agreed to furnish us with the facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations and provide on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance. Payments under the investment advisory and management agreement are equal to (1) a percentage of the value of our gross assets and (2) a two-part incentive fee. Payments under the administration agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Apollo Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent, technology systems, insurance and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. Either party may terminate each of the investment advisory and management agreement and administration agreement without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other.

 

At March 31, 2005, we did not have any off-balance sheet liabilities or other contractual obligations that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, other than the investment advisory and management agreement and the administration agreement.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. In addition to the discussion below, our critical accounting policies are further described in the notes to the financial statements.

 

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Valuation of Portfolio Investments

 

As a business development company, we generally invest in illiquid securities including debt and equity securities of middle market companies. Under procedures established by our board of directors, we value investments, including certain subordinated debt, senior secured debt and other debt securities with maturities greater than 60 days, for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. We obtain these market values from an independent pricing service or at the mean between the bid and ask prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer). Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. Such determination of fair values may involve subjective judgments and estimates. Investments purchased within 60 days of maturity are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates value. With respect to unquoted securities, our board of directors, together with our independent valuation adviser, values each investment considering, among other measures, discounted cash flow models, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public and other factors.

 

When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, our board will use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate and/or assist us in our valuation. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for many of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value many of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

 

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

    Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

    Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our senior management;

 

    Independent valuation firms engaged by our board of directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

    The audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuation of our investment adviser and that of the independent valuation firms and responds and supplements the valuation recommendation of the independent valuation firm to reflect any comments; and

 

    The board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee.

 

For more information, see “Business—Investment selection—Valuation process.”

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We record interest income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and debt securities with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance that generally becomes due at maturity, we will not accrue PIK interest if the portfolio company valuation indicates that the PIK interest is not collectible. We do not accrue as a receivable interest on loans and debt securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. Loan origination fees, original issue discount, and market discount are capitalized and then we amortize such amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan origination fees are recorded as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income when we receive such amounts.

 

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Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation

 

We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, but considering unamortized upfront fees and prepayment penalties. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.

 

Within the context of these critical accounting policies, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different amounts being reported.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

 

Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “AINV”. The following table lists the high and low closing bid price for our common stock, the closing bid price as a percentage of net asset value, or NAV and quarterly dividends per share since shares of our common stock began being regularly quoted on The Nasdaq National Market. On June 15, 2005, the last reported closing price of our common stock was $17.99 per share.

 

        Closing Sales Price

               
    NAV(1)

  High

  Low

  Premium of High
Sales Price to
NAV(2)


    Discount Premium
of Low Sales Price
to NAV(2)


    Declared Dividends

Year Ending March 31, 2005

                                   

First Quarter (period from April 8, 2004* to June 30, 2004)

  $ 14.05   $ 15.25   $ 12.83   109 %   91 %     —  

Second Quarter

  $ 14.10   $ 14.57   $ 13.06   103 %   93 %   $ 0.045

Third Quarter

  $ 14.32   $ 15.13   $ 13.43   106 %   94 %   $ 0.180

Fourth Quarter

  $ 14.27   $ 17.62   $ 14.93   123 %   105 %   $ 0.260

(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 NAV.
* Commencement of operations.

 

Our common stock continues to trade in excess of our net asset value. There can be no assurance, however, that our shares will continue to trade at a premium to our net asset value.

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth the ratio of our earnings to fixed charges for the period ended March 31, 2005. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent income from continuing operations before fixed charges and taxes. Fixed charges represent interest expense, amortization of capitalized interest and such portion of rental expense that represents an appropriate interest factor.

 

     Year Ended
March 31, 2004


 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   —   *

* As of March 31, 2005, we had no fixed charges.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Apollo Investment

 

Apollo Investment is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We intend to invest primarily in middle-market companies in the form of mezzanine and senior secured loans, as well as by making direct equity investments in such companies. From time to time, we may also invest in public companies that are thinly traded.

 

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in long-term subordinated loans, referred to as mezzanine loans, and senior secured loans of private middle-market companies, and may include equity interests such as common stock, warrants or options. Our targeted investment typically ranges between $10 million and $100 million, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes.

 

While our primary focus is to generate current income through investments in loans, we may invest a portion of the portfolio in opportunistic investments in order to seek to enhance returns to stockholders. Such investments may include investments in high-yield bonds, distressed debt, foreign securities, private equity or securities of public companies that are not thinly traded. We expect that these public companies generally will have debt securities that are non-investment grade. We may also invest in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less.

 

About Apollo

 

Founded in 1990 by Leon Black, Michael Gross, John Hannan and three other co-founders, Apollo is a recognized leader in private equity investing, having invested more than $12 billion in over 150 companies since its founding. Apollo traditionally has focused on companies that it believes are undervalued yet have successful business models, strong cash flows and prospects for value creation. The Apollo investment professionals’ disciplined, value-oriented strategy has sought to identify opportunities in all investment environments, selecting from a range of approaches, such as traditional or corporate partner buyouts, distressed debt buyouts or more liquid, non-control distressed debt investments. The Apollo investment professionals have sought through this strategy to provide investors with attractive returns while minimizing the risk of capital loss throughout economic cycles.

 

Apollo’s active private investment funds focus on making either control-oriented equity investments or distressed debt investments of $100 million or more, either for control or non-control positions. In contrast, Apollo Investment seeks to capitalize on the significant investment opportunities emerging in the mezzanine segment of the lending market for middle-market companies, which it believes offers the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns. Apollo Investment is currently the only Apollo-related investment vehicle focused primarily on investing in mezzanine and senior secured loans of middle-market companies, and currently the only publicly traded investment vehicle managed by an affiliate of Apollo.

 

About Apollo Investment Management

 

Apollo Investment Management, our investment adviser, is led by two managing partners, Michael S. Gross (our Chairman and CEO) and Arthur H. Penn (our Chief Operating Officer), who have a combined 37 years of experience, and is supported by Apollo’s team of approximately 37 investment professionals. In addition, Apollo Investment Management has hired nine additional investment professionals since its initial public offering in April 2004 and expects to hire additional investment professionals in the future. Apollo Investment Management draws upon Apollo’s 15-year history and benefits from the Apollo investment professionals’ significant capital markets, trading and research expertise developed through investments in 23 different industries and over 150 companies in the United States and Western Europe.

 

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About Apollo Administration

 

In addition to furnishing us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services, Apollo Administration also oversees our financial records which we are required to maintain, as well as prepares reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. Apollo Administration oversees the determination and publication of our net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns, and generally monitors the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Furthermore, Apollo Administration provides on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance. Apollo Administration also benefits from its relationship with Apollo Investment.

 

Operating and Regulatory Structure

 

Our investment activities are managed by Apollo Investment Management and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of Apollo and its affiliates. Apollo Investment Management is an investment adviser that is registered under the Advisers Act. Under our investment advisory and management agreement, we pay Apollo Investment Management an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

 

As a business development company, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we cannot invest in any portfolio company in which Apollo or any of its affiliates currently has an investment (although we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of Apollo Investment, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures). Also, while we are permitted to finance investments using debt, our ability to use debt is limited in certain significant respects. See “Regulation.” We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Investments

 

Apollo Investment seeks to create a portfolio that includes mezzanine and senior secured loans by generally investing approximately $10 to $100 million of capital, on average, in the securities of middle-market companies. Our target portfolio over time will include both mezzanine and senior secured loans. Structurally, mezzanine loans usually rank subordinate in priority of payment to senior debt, such as senior bank debt, and are often unsecured. However, mezzanine loans rank senior to common and preferred equity in a borrowers’ capital structure. Typically, mezzanine loans have elements of both debt and equity instruments, offering the fixed returns in the form of interest payments associated with senior debt, while providing lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of a borrower, if any, through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants as compared to senior loans, mezzanine loans generally earn a higher return than senior secured loans. The warrants associated with mezzanine loans are typically detachable, which allows lenders to receive repayment of their principal on an agreed amortization schedule while retaining their equity interest in the borrower. Mezzanine loans also may include a “put” feature, which permits the holder to sell its equity interest back to the borrower at a price determined through an agreed formula. We believe that mezzanine loans offer an attractive investment opportunity based upon their historic returns and resilience during economic downturns, as compared to investments in equity or senior secured loans which can be subject to more volatility under similar circumstances.

 

At March 31, 2005, our portfolio was invested 51% in subordinated loans and corporate notes, 3% in common stock or warrants, 42% in senior secured loans and 4% in cash equivalents. We expect that our portfolio will be predominantly invested in mezzanine loans and senior secured loans. In addition to mezzanine and senior secured loans, we invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus, but are intended to enhance our returns to stockholders. These investments may include, but are not limited to,

 

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high-yield bonds, private equity investments, distressed debt investments and securities of public companies that are not thinly traded. We expect that these public companies generally will have debt securities that are non-investment grade. Within this portion, we also may invest in debt securities of middle-market companies located outside of the United States.

 

Additionally, we may acquire investments in the secondary market and, in analyzing such investments, we will employ the same analytical process as we use for our primary investments.

 

Our principal focus is to provide mezzanine and senior secured loans to middle-market companies in a variety of industries. We generally seek to target companies that generate positive cash flows. We generally seek to invest in companies from the broad variety of industries in which Apollo’s investment professionals have direct expertise. The following is a representative list of the industries in which Apollo has invested.

 

•     Auto sector

•     Building materials

•     Business services

•     Cable television

•     Chemicals

•     Communications

•     Consumer products

•     Distribution

•     Education

•     Energy/Utilities

•     Environmental services

•     Financial services

 

•     Food

•     Healthcare

•     Homebuilding

•     Lodging/Leisure/Resorts

•     Manufacturing/Basic industry

•     Media

•     Packaging

•     Printing and publishing

•     Restaurants

•     Retail

•     Transportation

 

We may also invest in other industries if we are presented with attractive opportunities.

 

In an effort to increase our returns and the number of loans that we can make, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans. To securitize loans, we would create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. We would sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment-grade loan pools. We may use the proceeds of such sales to pay down bank debt or to fund additional investment.

 

We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds.

 

We do not invest in any portfolio company in which Apollo or any affiliates has a pre-existing investment. We have in the past and expect in the future to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of Apollo Investment, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures.

 

Investment Selection

 

We intend to utilize the same, value oriented philosophy used by the investment professionals of Apollo in Apollo’s private investment funds and will commit resources to managing downside exposure.

 

Prospective portfolio company characteristics

 

We have identified several criteria that we believe are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies. These criteria provide general guidelines for our investment decisions; however, we caution you that not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest. Generally, we seek to utilize our access to information generated by Apollo’s investment professionals to identify investment candidates and to structure investments quickly and effectively.

 

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Value orientation/positive cash flow

 

Our investment philosophy places a premium on fundamental analysis from an investor’s perspective and has a distinct value orientation. We focus on companies in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow and that are profitable at the time of investment on an operating cash flow basis. Typically, we do not expect to invest in start-up companies or companies having speculative business plans.

 

Experienced management

 

We generally require that our portfolio companies have an experienced management team. We also require the portfolio companies to have in place proper incentives to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors, including having significant equity interests.

 

Strong competitive position in industry

 

We seek to invest in target companies that have developed leading market positions within their respective markets and are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. We seek companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages versus their competitors, which should help to protect their market position and profitability.

 

Exit strategy

 

We seek to invest in companies that we believe will provide a steady stream of cash flow to repay our loans. We expect that such internally generated cash flow, leading to the payment of interest on, and the repayment of the principal of, our investments in portfolio companies to be a key means by which we exit from our investments over time. In addition, we also seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These companies include candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and companies that may repay our investments through an initial public offering of common stock or another capital market transaction.

 

Liquidation value of assets

 

The prospective liquidation value of the assets, if any, collateralizing loans in which we invest is an important factor in our credit analysis. We emphasize both tangible assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and real estate, and intangible assets, such as intellectual property, customer lists, networks and databases.

 

Due diligence

 

Our investment adviser conducts diligence on prospective portfolio companies consistent with the approach adopted by the investment professionals of Apollo. We believe that Apollo’s investment professionals have a reputation for conducting extensive due diligence investigations in their investment activities. In conducting their due diligence, Apollo’s investment professionals use publicly available information as well as information from their extensive relationships with former and current management teams, consultants, competitors and investment bankers and the direct experience of the senior partners of Apollo.

 

Our due diligence will typically include:

 

    review of historical and prospective financial information;

 

    on-site visits;

 

    interviews with management, employees, customers and vendors of the potential portfolio company;

 

    review of senior loan documents;

 

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    background checks; and

 

    research relating to the company’s management, industry, markets, products and services, and competitors.

 

Upon the completion of due diligence and a decision to proceed with an investment in a company, the professionals leading the investment present the investment opportunity to our investment adviser’s investment committee, which determines whether to pursue the potential investment. The members of the investment committee who have the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio are Michael Gross and Arthur Penn. None of the other members of the investment committee has more significant responsibility than any other member with respect to Apollo Investment Company. Mr. Gross and Mr. Penn. Have served on Apollo Investment Management’s investment committee since Apollo Investment began operations. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys and independent registered public accountants prior to the closing of the investment, as well as other outside advisers, as appropriate.

 

Investment structure

 

Once we have determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we work with the management of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, to structure an investment.

 

We seek to structure our mezzanine investments primarily as unsecured, subordinated loans that provide for relatively high interest rates that provide us with significant current interest income. These loans typically have interest-only payments in the early years, with amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the mezzanine loans. In some cases, we may enter into loans that, by their terms, convert into equity or additional debt securities or defer payments of interest after our investment. Also, in some cases our mezzanine loans may be collateralized by a subordinated lien on some or all of the assets of the borrower. Typically, our mezzanine loans have maturities of five to ten years. We generally target a gross return of 12% to 20% for our mezzanine loan investments.

 

We also seek to invest in portfolio companies in the form of senior secured loans. We expect these senior secured loans to have terms of three to ten years and may provide for deferred interest payments over the term of the loan. We generally seek to obtain security interests in the assets of our portfolio companies that serve as collateral in support of the repayment of these loans. This collateral may take the form of first or second priority liens on the assets of a portfolio company. We expect that the interest rate on our senior secured loans generally will range between 2% and 10% over the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR.

 

In the case of our mezzanine and senior secured loan investments, we seek to tailor the terms of the investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that protects our rights and manages our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and improve its profitability. For example, in addition to seeking a senior position in the capital structure of our portfolio companies, we seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

 

    requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;

 

    generally incorporating call protection into the investment structure; and

 

    negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with our goal of preserving our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or participation rights.

 

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Our investments may include equity features, such as warrants or options to buy a minority interest in the portfolio company. Any warrants we receive with our debt securities generally require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. We may structure the warrants to provide provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as puts, or rights to sell such securities back to the company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights. With respect to preferred equity and common equity investments, we target an investment return of at least 12% and 20%, respectively. However, we can offer no assurance that we can achieve such a return with respect to any investment or our portfolio as a whole.

 

We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but we may sell certain of our investments earlier if a liquidity event takes place, such as the sale or recapitalization or worsening of credit quality of a portfolio company.

 

Managerial assistance

 

As a business development company, we offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. We may receive fees for these services. Apollo Administration provides such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance.

 

Ongoing relationships with portfolio companies

 

Monitoring

 

Apollo Investment Management monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Apollo Investment Management monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if each is meeting its respective business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company.

 

Apollo Investment Management has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which can include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    Assessment of success in adhering to portfolio company’s business plan and compliance with covenants;

 

    Periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;

 

    Comparisons to other portfolio companies in the industry;

 

    Attendance at and participation in board meetings; and

 

    Review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies.

 

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In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, Apollo Investment Management also uses an investment rating system to characterize and monitor our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use an investment rating scale of 1 to 5. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

 

Investment
Rating


  

Summary Description


1    Capital gain expected
2    Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, with the portfolio company performing in accordance with our analysis of its business
3    Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, but the portfolio company requires closer monitoring
4    Some loss of interest, dividend or capital appreciation expected, but still expecting an overall positive internal rate of return on the investment
5    Loss of interest or dividend and some loss of principal investment expected, which would result in an overall negative internal rate of return on the investment

 

Apollo Investment Management monitors and, when appropriate, changes the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. In connection with our valuation process, Apollo Investment Management reviews these investment ratings on a quarterly basis, and our board of directors affirms such ratings.

 

Valuation Process

 

The following is a description of the steps we take each quarter to determine the value of our portfolio. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are recorded in our financial statements at such market quotations. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

    Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

    Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our senior management;

 

    Independent valuation firms engaged by our board of directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

    The audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuation of our investment adviser and that of the independent valuation firms and responds and supplements the valuation recommendation of the independent valuation firm to reflect any comments; and

 

    The board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and audit committee.

 

When we make investments that involve deferrals of interest payable to us, any increase in the value of the investment due to the accrual or receipt of payment of interest is allocated to the increase in the cost basis of the investment, rather than to capital appreciation or gain.

 

Competition

 

Our primary competitors in providing financing to middle-market companies include public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Additionally, because competition for investment opportunities generally has increased among alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, those entities

 

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have begun to invest in areas they have not traditionally invested in, including investments in middle-market companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities at middle-market companies has intensified. Many of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company. We expect to use the industry information of Apollo’s investment professionals to which we have access to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. In addition, we believe that the relationships of the senior managers of Apollo Investment Management and of the senior partners of Apollo, enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Risk Factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.”

 

Staffing

 

We have hired a chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and, to the extent necessary, will hire additional personnel. These individuals are employees of Apollo Administration and perform their respective functions under the terms of the administration agreement. Certain of our executive officers described under “Management” are also managing partners of our investment adviser. Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by our investment adviser. In addition, Apollo Investment Management has hired nine additional investment professionals since the initial public offering and expects to add additional professionals in the future. See “Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.” In addition, we reimburse Apollo Administration for our allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. See “Management—Administration agreement.”

 

Properties

 

We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Our administrative and principal executive offices are located at 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We and Apollo Investment Management are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. The board of directors currently consists of seven members, five of whom are not “interested persons” of Apollo Investment as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our board of directors elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of the board of directors.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Under our charter, our directors are divided into three classes. Each class of directors holds office for a three year term. However, the initial members of the three classes have initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director holds office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

Directors

 

Information regarding the board of directors is as follows:

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


  

Director

Since


  

Expiration

of Term


Interested Directors

                   

Michael S. Gross

   43    President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors    2004    2007

John J. Hannan

   52    Director    2004    2006

Independent Directors

                   

Martin E. Franklin

   40    Director    2004    2005

Carl Spielvogel

   76    Director    2004    2005

Elliot Stein, Jr.

   56    Director    2004    2007

Gerald Tsai, Jr.

   76    Director    2004    2006

Bradley J. Wechsler

   53    Director    2004    2007

 

The address for each director is c/o Apollo Investment Corporation, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

Executive officers who are not directors

 

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

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


Arthur H. Penn

   41    Chief Operating Officer

Michael D. Weiner

   52    Vice President and Secretary

Richard L. Peteka

   43    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Gordon E. Swartz

   57    Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

The address for each executive officer is c/o Apollo Investment Corporation, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

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Biographical information

 

Directors

 

Our directors have been divided into two groups—interested directors and independent directors. Interested directors are interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Independent directors

 

Martin E. Franklin (40) Director. Mr. Franklin became a director of Apollo Investment in March 2004. Mr. Franklin has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jarden Corporation (f/k/a Alltrista Corporation), a broad based consumer products’ company, since 2001. Prior to joining Jarden Corporation, Mr. Franklin served as Chairman and a director of Bollé, Inc. from 1997 to 2000, Chairman of Lumen Technologies from 1996 to 1998, and as Chairman and CEO of its predecessor, Benson Eyecare Corporation from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Franklin also serves as Non-Executive Chairman to Find/SVP, Inc. Mr. Franklin serves as a director and trustee of a number of charitable institutions.

 

Carl Spielvogel (76) Director. Mr. Spielvogel became a director of Apollo Investment in March 2004. Mr. Spielvogel has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Carl Spielvogel Associates, Inc., an international management and counseling company, from 1997 to 2000 and from 2001 to present. In 2000-2001, Mr. Spielvogel served as U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, based in Bratislava, Slovakia. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Spielvogel was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United AutoGroup, Inc., an auto dealership group. Prior to that time Mr. Spielvogel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Backer Spielvogel Bates Worldwide, a global marketing communications company from 1985 to 1994. Mr. Spielvogel currently serves as a director of the Interactive Data Corporation, Inc. Mr. Spielvogel is a trustee to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a member of the board of trustees and Chairman of the business council for the Asia Society, a member of the board of trustees for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and member of the board of trustees for the Institute of the Study of Europe, at Columbia University.

 

Elliot Stein, Jr. (56) Director. Mr. Stein became a director of Apollo Investment in March 2004. Mr. Stein has served as chairman of Caribbean International News Corporation since 1985. He is also a managing director of Commonwealth Capital Partners as well as various private companies including VTG Holdings Inc., Cloud Solutions LLC, Bargain Shop Holdings, Inc. and Media Brands, Inc. Mr. Stein is a trustee of Claremont Graduate University and the New School University and is a member of the Board of Councillors of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

 

Gerald Tsai, Jr. (76) Director. Mr. Tsai, a private investor, became a director of Apollo Investment in March 2004. Mr. Tsai currently serves on several boards of directors including Sequa Corporation, Zenith National Insurance Corp., Triarc Companies, Inc. and United Rentals, Inc. Previously, Mr. Tsai was chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Delta Life Corporation, an annuity company, from 1993 to 1997. He also joined Primerica Corporation in 1982 and served in various positions until 1988, the latest as chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Mr. Tsai currently serves as a trustee of NYU Hospitals Center, New York University School of Medicine Foundation.

 

Bradley J. Wechsler (53) Director. Mr. Wechsler became a director of Apollo Investment in April 2004. Mr. Wechsler has been the Co-Chairman and co-Chief Executive Officer of IMAX Corporation since May, 1996. Previously Mr. Wechsler has had several executive positions in the entertainment industry and was a partner in the entertainment and media practice for a New York-based investment bank. Mr. Wechsler is a Vice-Chairman of the board of the NYU Hospital and Medical Center and chairs its Finance Committee. In addition, he sits on the boards of The American Museum of the Moving Image, the Ethical Culture Fieldston Schools and Math for America.

 

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Interested directors

 

Michael S. Gross (43) President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Gross became an executive officer and director of Apollo Investment in February 2004. Mr. Gross, a senior partner of Apollo with primary responsibility for its debt-oriented activities, co-founded Apollo in 1990. Mr. Gross is a managing partner of Apollo Investment Management and also has management responsibilities for other Apollo investment funds. Mr. Gross currently serves on several boards of directors including Allied Waste Industries, Inc., Saks, Inc., United Rentals, Inc. and Educate, Inc. He is a founding member, and serves on the executive committee, of the Youth Renewal Fund, is the chairman of the board of Mt. Sinai Children’s Center Foundation, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Trinity School and on the corporate advisory board of the University of Michigan Business School.

 

John J. Hannan (52) Director. Mr. Hannan became a director of Apollo Investment Corporation in March 2004. Mr. Hannan, a senior partner of Apollo, co-founded Apollo Management, L.P. in 1990 and Apollo Real Estate Advisors, L.P. in 1993. Mr. Hannan serves on several boards of directors, including the board of Vail Resorts, Inc.

 

Executive officers who are not directors

 

Arthur H. Penn (41) Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Penn joined Apollo in April 2003 as a partner with a focus on Apollo’s debt-oriented activities. Mr. Penn is a managing partner of Apollo Investment Management and the Apollo Distressed Investment Fund, L.P. Mr. Penn served as Global Head of Leveraged Finance at UBS Warburg LLC (now UBS Securities LLC) from 1999 through 2001. Previously, Mr. Penn was Global Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets for BT Securities and BT Alex Brown Incorporated from 1994 to 1999. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Penn served as Head of High Yield Capital Markets at Lehman Brothers.

 

Michael D. Weiner (52) Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Weiner joined Apollo and Apollo Real Estate Advisors (an investment manager affiliated with Apollo’s real estate investment funds) in, and has served as general counsel of the Apollo organization since, 1992. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Weiner was a partner in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Mr. Weiner serves on several boards of directors, including SkyTerra Communications, Inc. and Quality Distribution, Inc.

 

Richard L. Peteka (43) Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Peteka joined Apollo Investment Corporation on June 1, 2004 as its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Prior to joining the firm, he was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of various closed-end and open-end registered investment companies for Citigroup Asset Management. He joined Citigroup Asset Management as a Director in July 1999.

 

Gordon E. Swartz ( 57) Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary. Mr. Swartz became the Chief Compliance Officer of Apollo Investment in October of 2004 and Assistant Secretary of Apollo Investment in February of 2005. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Swartz was an Associate General Counsel of Citigroup Asset Management.

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Audit committee

 

The members of the audit committee are Messrs. Franklin (Chairman), Spielvogel, Stein and Tsai, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and The Nasdaq National Market corporate governance regulations. Mr. Franklin serves as chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for approving our independent registered public accountants, reviewing with our independent registered public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by our independent registered public accountants, reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee is also responsible for aiding our board of directors in fair value pricing debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. The board of

 

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directors and audit committee utilize the services of two independent valuation firms to help them determine the fair value of these securities. During the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, the audit committee met four times.

 

Nominating and corporate governance committee

 

The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Messrs. Franklin, Spielvogel, Stein and Tsai, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and The Nasdaq National Market corporate governance regulations. Mr. Stein serves as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors, developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board of Directors and our management. The nominating and corporate governance committee currently does not consider nominees recommended by our stockholders. During the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, the nominating and corporate governance committee met four times.

 

Compensation committee

 

We do not have a compensation committee. Decisions regarding executive compensation are made by our entire board of directors.

 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

The following table shows information regarding the compensation expected to be received by the independent directors for the calendar year ending March 31, 2005. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons.”

 

Name


  

Aggregate

compensation from

Apollo Investment


   Pension or
retirement benefits
accrued as part of
our expenses(1)


  

Total
compensation from
Apollo Investment
paid to

director/officer


Independent directors

                  

Martin E. Franklin

   $ 66,000    None    $ 66,000

Carl Spielvogel

     60,000    None      60,000

Elliot Stein, Jr.

     65,000    None      65,000

Gerald Tsai, Jr.

     57,000    None      57,000

Bradley J. Wechsler

     36,250    None      36,250

Interested directors

                  

Michael S. Gross(2)

     None    None      None

John J. Hannan

     None    None      None

Officers

                  

Arthur H. Penn(2)

     None    None      None

Michael D. Weiner

     None    None      None

Richard L. Peteka(3)

     None    None      None

Gordon E. Swartz(3)

     None    None      None

(1) We do not have a profit sharing or retirement plan, and directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits.
(2) The compensation of Mr. Gross and Mr. Penn is based upon their ownership interests in Apollo, and is generally related to Apollo’s profitability.
(3) Richard L. Peteka and Gordon E. Swartz are employees of Apollo Administration.

 

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The independent directors receive an annual fee of $75,000. They also receive $2,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting and receive $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each committee meeting. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $7,500 and each chairman of any other committee receives an annual fee of $2,500 for their additional services in these capacities. In addition, we purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. Independent directors have the option to receive their directors’ fees paid in shares of our common stock issued at a price per share equal to the greater of net asset value or the market price at the time of payment.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

Management services

 

Apollo Investment Management serves as our investment adviser and is controlled by Apollo. Apollo Investment Management is an investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, the investment adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory and management services to, Apollo Investment. Under the terms of an investment advisory and management agreement, Apollo Investment Management:

 

    determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

    identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies); and

 

    closes and monitors the investments we make.

 

Apollo Investment Management’s services under the investment advisory and management agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.

 

In addition to managing our investments, investment professionals of Apollo Investment Management also manage or have managed the following other Apollo investment entities, none of which is currently soliciting new investors:

 

Fund Name(1)


 

Investment

Focus


  Established

 

Committed

Capital(2)


 

Status


            (in billions)    

Managed Institutional Investment Accounts(3)

 

Private Equity/ Distressed Debt

  1990-2   $ 2.8  

Fully invested and realized

Apollo Investment Fund

  Private Equity   1990     0.4   Fully invested, substantially realized

AIF II

  Private Equity   1992     0.5   Fully invested and realized

Apollo Investment
Fund III

 

Private Equity

  1995     1.5  

Fully invested, partially realized

Apollo Investment
Fund IV

 

Private Equity

  1998     3.6   Fully invested, partially realized

Apollo Investment Fund V

  Private Equity   2001     3.7   Actively investing

(1) The investment professionals of Apollo also manage a private investment fund that invests in distressed debt.
(2) Represents capital commitments at inception for each fund.
(3) Represents institutional managed account principally invested in a distressed high-yield portfolio.

 

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Management fee

 

Pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement, we pay Apollo Investment Management a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. For the year ended March 31, 2005, we paid base management fees in the aggregate total amount of $17,315,026 to Apollo Investment Management for such investment advisory and management services. For the year ended March 31, 2005, we paid no incentive fees.

 

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of our gross assets. For services that were rendered under the investment advisory and management agreement during the period commencing on the closing of our initial public offering through and including our first six months of operations, the base management fee was payable monthly in arrears. Thereafter, the base management fee has been payable quarterly in arrears. For the first quarter of our operations, the base management fee was calculated based on the initial value of our gross assets. The base management fee is now calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro rated.

 

The incentive fee has two parts, as follows: one part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to the hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). Our net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. We pay Apollo Investment Management an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

    no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate;

 

    100% of our 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 rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized). We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and

 

    20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized).

 

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The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:

 

Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Net Investment Income

 

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

LOGO

 

Percentage of pre-incentive fee net investment income

allocated to income-related portion of incentive fee

 

These calculations are appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. You should be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income.

 

The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, as of the termination date), commenced on December 31, 2004, and will equal 20.0% of our realized capital gains for each calendar year computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation and incorporating unrealized depreciation on a gross investment-by-investment basis at the end of such year. Capital gains with respect to any investment will equal the difference between the proceeds from the sale of such investment and the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

 

The incentive fee determined as of December 31, 2004 was calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation for the period ending December 31, 2004 and was determined to be zero.

 

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Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

 

Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee (*):

 

Alternative 1

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%

Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%

Management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 0.55%

 

Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.

 

Alternative 2

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.70%

Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%

Management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.00%

 

Incentive fee = 100% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up”(4)

  = 100% × (2.00% – 1.75%)

  = 0.25%

 

Alternative 3

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.00%

Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%

Management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.30%

 

Incentive fee = 20% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up”(4)

Incentive fee = 100% × “catch-up” + (20% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income – 2.1875%))

 

Catch-up = 2.1875% – 1.75%

  = 0.4375%

Incentive fee = (100% × 0.4375%) + (20% × (2.3% – 2.1875%))

  = 0.4375% + (20% × 0.1125%)

  = 0.4375% + 0.0225%

  = 0.46%


(1) Represents 7.0% annualized hurdle rate.
(2) Represents 2.0% annualized management fee.
(3) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.
(4) The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.
(*) The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.

 

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Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:

 

Alternative 1:

 

Assumptions

    Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”)

 

    Year 2: Investment A is sold for $50 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32 million

 

    Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million

 

    Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million

 

The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:

 

    Year 1: None

 

    Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $6 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20%)

 

    Year 3: None

 

       $5 million (20% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

    Year 4: Capital gains incentive fee of $200,000

 

       $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20%) less $6 million (capital gains fee taken in Year 2)

 

Alternative 2

 

Assumptions

 

    Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”)

 

    Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million

 

    Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million

 

    Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million

 

    Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million

 

The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be:

 

    Year 1: None

 

    Year 2: $5 million capital gains incentive fee

 

       20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)

 

    Year 3: $1.4 million capital gains incentive fee (1)

 

       $6.4 million (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million capital gains fee received in Year 2

 

    Year 4: None

 

    Year 5: None

 

       $5 million (20% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3”

(1) As illustrated in Year 3 of Alternative 1 above, if Apollo Investment were to be wound up on a date other than December 31 st of any year, Apollo Investment may have paid aggregate capital gain incentive fees that are more than the amount of such fees that would be payable if Apollo Investment had been wound up on December 31 st of such year.

 

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Payment of our expenses

 

All investment professionals of the investment adviser and their respective staffs when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by Apollo Investment Management. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to: organization and offering; calculation of our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by Apollo Investment Management payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; offerings of our common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; registration fees; listing fees; taxes; independent directors’ fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents of the SEC; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us or Apollo Administration in connection with administering our business, such as our allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

Duration and termination

 

Our board of directors approved the investment advisory and management agreement on March 8, 2004. Unless terminated earlier as described below, it will continue in effect for a period of two years from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons. The investment advisory and management agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. Either party may terminate the investment advisory and management agreement without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other party. See “Risk Factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—We are dependent upon Apollo Investment Management’s key personnel for our future success and upon their access to Apollo’s investment professionals and partners.”

 

Indemnification

 

The investment advisory and management agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Apollo Investment Management and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from Apollo Investment for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Apollo Investment Management’s services under the investment advisory and management agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of Apollo Investment.

 

Organization of the investment adviser

 

Apollo Investment Management is a Delaware limited partnership that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The principal executive offices of Apollo Investment Management are 9 West 57 th  Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

Board approval of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

 

Our board of directors determined at a meeting held on March 8, 2004, to approve the investment advisory and management agreement. In its consideration of the investment advisory and management agreement, the board of directors focused on information it had received relating to, among other things: (a) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by the investment adviser; (b) comparative data

 

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with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other business development companies with similar investment objectives; (c) our projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to business development companies with similar investment objectives; (d) any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the investment adviser or Apollo Administration from their relationships with us and the profitability of those relationships; (e) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the investment advisory and management agreement; (f) the organizational capability and financial condition of the investment adviser and its affiliates; (g) the investment adviser’s practices regarding the selection and compensation of brokers that may execute our portfolio transactions and the brokers’ provision of brokerage and research services to the investment adviser; and (h) the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third party service providers or through an internally managed structure.

 

Based on the information reviewed and the discussions, the board of directors, including a majority of the non-interested directors, concluded that the investment advisory and management fee rates were reasonable in relation to the services to be provided.

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to a separate administration agreement, Apollo Administration furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities. Under the administration agreement, Apollo Administration also performs, or oversee the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, Apollo Administration assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally oversee the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the administration agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Apollo Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. Under the administration agreement, Apollo Administration also provides on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance. Either party may terminate the administration agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

 

For the period from April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, we reimbursed Apollo Administration a total amount of $673,600 of the $987,500 of expenses accrued under the administration agreement.

 

Indemnification

 

The administration agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Apollo Administration and its officers, manager, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from Apollo Investment for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Apollo Administration’s services under the administration agreement or otherwise as administrator for Apollo Investment.

 

LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

We have entered into a license agreement with Apollo pursuant to which Apollo has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Apollo.” Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the Apollo name, for so long as Apollo Investment Management or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Apollo” name. This license agreement will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory and management agreement with our investment adviser is in effect.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

 

We have entered into the investment advisory and management agreement with Apollo Investment Management. Our senior management and our chairman of the board of directors have ownership and financial interests in Apollo Investment Management. Our senior management also serve as principals of other investment managers affiliated with Apollo Investment Management that may in the future manage investment funds with investment objectives similar to ours. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the partners of our investment adviser, Apollo Investment Management, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or related line of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisers affiliated with Apollo Investment Management. However, our investment adviser and other members of Apollo intend to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with our investment objectives and strategies so that we are not disadvantaged in relation to any other client. See “Risk Factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could impact our investment returns.”

 

We have entered into a license agreement with Apollo, pursuant to which Apollo has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Apollo.” In addition, pursuant to the terms of the administration agreement, Apollo Administration provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. Apollo Investment Management, our investment adviser, is the sole member of and controls Apollo Administration.

 

Apollo Investment Fund IV, LP (together with Apollo Overseas Partners IV, LP, an entity formed to co-invest with Apollo Investment Fund IV, LP), a private fund managed by an investment manager affiliated with Apollo Investment Management, owns approximately 14% of the outstanding common stock (on a fully diluted basis) of United Rentals, Inc. Michael S. Gross, our president, chief executive officer, chairman of the board and a managing partner of Apollo Investment Management, and Gerald Tsai Jr., one of our independent directors, are members of the board of directors of United Rentals, Inc.

 

We do not invest in any portfolio company in which Apollo or any affiliates has a pre-existing investment. We have in the past and expect in the future to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of Apollo Investment, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

As of March 31, 2005, there were no persons that owned 25% or more of our outstanding voting securities, and no person would be deemed to control us, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2005, each stockholder who owned more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, each director, the chief executive officer, our executive officers and our directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole voting and investment power.

 

Our directors have been divided into two groups—interested directors and independent directors. Interested directors are “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2005, certain ownership information with respect to our common stock for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, 5% or more of our outstanding common stock and all officers and directors, as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole voting and investment power.

 

Name and address


   Type of ownership(1)

   Shares
owned


   Percentage of common stock
outstanding


 

AIC Co-Investors LLC(2)

   Beneficial    1,030,877    1.65 %

Wellington Management Company, LLP(3)

   Beneficial    4,093,000    6.54 %

Boston Partners Asset Management, LLC(4)

   Beneficial    3,231,150    5.17 %

All officers and directors as a group (11 persons)(5)

   Beneficial         * %

 * Represents less than 1%.
(1) All of our common stock is owned of record by Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository Trust Company.
(2) AIC Co-Investors LLC is a special purpose entity related to Apollo Investment Management. The address for AIC Co-Investors LLC is c/o Apollo Investment Corporation, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019.
(3) Wellington Management Company, LLP retains (a) shared power to vote or to direct the vote as to 3,678,100 shares and (b) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 4,093,000 shares. The address for Wellington Management Company, LLP is 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109.
(4) The address for Boston Partners Asset Management, LLC is 28 State Street, 21 st Floor, Boston, MA 02109.
(5) The address for all officers and directors is c/o Apollo Investment Corporation, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned through interests in Apollo Investment Management by each of our directors as of March 31, 2005. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name of Director


   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Apollo
Investment(1)


Independent Directors

    

Martin E. Franklin

   $100,001 – $500,000

Carl Spielvogel

   $50,001 – $100,000

Elliot Stein, Jr.

   $50,001 – $100,000

Gerald Tsai, Jr.

   $100,001 – $500,000

Bradley J. Wechsler

   None

Interested Directors and Executive Officers

    

Michael S. Gross

   Over $1,000,000(2)

John J. Hannan

   $500,001 – $1,000,000

Arthur H. Penn

   $500,001 – $1,000,000

(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 or over $1,000,000.
(2) Reflects pecuniary interests in AIC Co-Investors LLC. Mssrs. Gross, Hannan and Penn disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by AIC Co-Investors LLC.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

 

The following is a listing of each portfolio company or its affiliate, together referred to as portfolio companies, in which we had an investment at March 31, 2005. Percentages shown for class of investment securities held by us represent percentage of the class owned and do not necessarily represent voting ownership. Percentages shown for equity securities, other than warrants or options, represent the actual percentage of the class of security held before dilution. Percentages shown for warrants and options held represent the percentage of class of security we may own assuming we exercise our warrants or options before dilution.

 

The portfolio companies are presented in three categories: “companies more than 25% owned” which represent portfolio companies where we directly or indirectly own more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio company and, therefore, are presumed to be controlled by us under the 1940 Act; “companies owned 5% to 25%” which represent portfolio companies where we directly or indirectly own 5% to 25% of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio company or where we hold one or more seats on the portfolio company’s board of directors and, therefore, are deemed to be an affiliated person under the 1940 Act; and “companies less than 5% owned” which represent portfolio companies where we directly or indirectly own less than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio company and where we have no other affiliations with such portfolio company. We make available significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. We generally request and may receive rights to observe the meetings of our portfolio companies’ board of directors.

 

Name and Address of Portfolio Company


   Nature of its
Principal Business


  

Title of Securities Held by

Apollo Investment


   Percentage of
Class Held *


Companies More Than 25% Owned

              

None

              

Companies 5% to 25% Owned

              

None

              

Companies Less Than 5% Owned

              

ALM Media Holdings, Inc.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10010

   Publishing    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt, Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —  
—  

AMH Holdings II, Inc.

3773 State Road

Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44233

   Building Products    Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —  

Amerco Corp.

1325 Airmotive Way

Suite 100

Reno, NV 89502-3239

   Transportation    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —  

American Safety Razor

240 Cedar Knolls Road

Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

   Consumer Products    Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —  

Anthony International

12812 Arroyo Street

San Fernando, CA 91342

   Manufacturing   

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes,

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt

   —  
—  

Charter Communications Inc.

12405 Powerscourt Drive, Suite 100

St. Louis, MO 63131

   Cable Television    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —  

 

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Name and Address of Portfolio Company


   Nature of its
Principal Business


  

Title of Securities Held by

Apollo Investment


   Percentage of
Class Held *


 

C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Inc.

1485 Sunset Drive

Arthur, IL 61911

   Building
Products
   Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

Cygnus Business Media, Inc.

830 Post Road East, Suite 205

Westport, CT 06880

   Media    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

Directed Electronics

1 Viper Way

Vista, CA 92081

   Electronics    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

EuroFresh Inc.

26050 S. Eurofresh Ave

Willcox, AZ 85643

   Agriculture    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

1144 East Market Street

Akron, OH 44316-0001

   Tires    Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —    

Grand Vehicle Works Holding Corp.

600 Central Avenue, Suite 214

Highland Park, IL 60035

   Manufacturing    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

Invista Corporation

INVISTA Building

4123 East 37th Street North

Wichita, KS 67220

   Chemicals    Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —    

Language Line Holdings, Inc.

1 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Bldg. 2

Monterey, CA 93940

   Business
Services
   Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —    

Language Line Inc.

1 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Bldg. 2

Monterey, CA 93940

   Business
Services
  

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes,

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt

   —  
—  
 
 

Latham Acquisition Corp.

787 Watervliet-Shaker Road

Latham, NY 12110

   Leisure
Equipment
   Common Stock    4.9 %

Latham Manufacturing Corp.

787 Watervliet-Shaker Road

Latham, NY 12110

   Leisure
Equipment
   Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —    

Lexicon Marketing (USA), Inc.

640 South San Vicente Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90048

   Direct
Marketing
   Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —    

LM Acquisition Ltd.

640 South San Vicente Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90048

   Direct
Marketing
   Class B Non-Voting Ordinary Shares    10.4 %**

MGM/LOC Acquisition Corp.

10250 Constellation Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90067

   Leisure    Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —    

Mueller Group Inc.

500 West Eldorado Street

Decatur, IL 62522

   Industrial    Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —    

 

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Name and Address of Portfolio Company


  Nature of its
Principal Business


 

Title of Securities Held by

Apollo Investment


  Percentage of
Class Held *


 

National Waterworks Holdings, Inc.

200 West Highway 6

Suite 620

Waco, TX 76712

  Distribution   Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes   —    

NES Rentals Holdings Inc.

8770 West Bryn Mawr, 4th Floor

Chicago, IL 60631

  Equipment
Rental
  Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt   —    

N.E.W. Holdings I, LLC

22660 Executive Drive

Suite 122

Sterling, VA 20166

  Consumer
Services
  Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes   —    

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies Inc.

22660 Executive Drive

Suite 122

Sterling, VA 20166

  Consumer
Services
 

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes,

Warrants to purchase Common Stock

  —  
1.8
 
%

Phillips Health, LLC

7811 Montrose Road

Potomac, MD 20854

  Vitamins,
Supplements
  Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt   —    

Playpower Holdings Inc.

13523 Barrett Parkway Drive

Suite 104

Ballwin, MO 63021

  Leisure
Equipment
  Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes   —    

Prestige Brands Inc.

90 North Broadway

Irvington, New York 10533

  Consumer
Products
  Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt   —    

Pro Mach Merger Sub Inc.

1000 Abernathy Road Suite 1110

Atlanta, GA 30328-5606

  Machinery  

Subordinated Debt/ Corporate Notes,

Common Stock

  —  
2.3
 
%

Ranpak Corp.

7990 Auburn Road

Concord Township, OH 44077-9702

  Packaging   Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt   —    

Sealy Mattress Co.

One Office Parkway at Sealy Drive

Trinity, NC 27370

  Consumer
Products
  Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt   —    

Source Media Inc. (Thomson Media Inc.)

One State Street Plaza

New York, NY 10004

  Publishing   Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt   —    

Source Media Holdings Inc. (Thomson Media Holdings Inc.)

One State Street Plaza

New York, NY 10004

      
Publishing
 

 

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

 

 

—  

 

Spectrum Brands, Inc.

6 Concourse Parkway

Suite 3300

Atlanta, GA 30328

  Electronics   Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt  

 

—  

 

 

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Name and Address of Portfolio Company


   Nature of its
Principal Business


  

Title of Securities Held by

Apollo Investment


   Percentage of
Class Held *


Supresta Holdings, Inc. (Ripplewood Phosphorous)

9130 West Van Buren Street, 14th Floor

Chicago, IL 60607

   Chemicals   

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt

   —  

T/Y Merger Corp.

9130 West Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 91604

   Logistics   

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

Common Stock

   —  
—  

Trout Coal Holdings, Inc.

106 Lockheed Drive

Beaver, WV 25813

   Mining    Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —  

Tumi Holdings, Inc.

1001 Durham Avenue

South Plainfield, NY 07080

   Consumer
Products
   Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes, Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —  
—  

United Industries Corporation

2150 Schuetz Road

St. Louis, MO 63146

   Consumer
Products
   Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —  

United Site Services, Inc.

200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 4000

Two Westborough Business Park

Westborough, MA 01581

   Environmental
Services
   Bank Debt/Senior Secured Debt    —  

WDAC Intermediate Corp.

Gouden Gids

Hoekenrode 1

1102 BR Amsterdam

Netherlands

   Advertising    Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes    —  

Wyle Laboratories

128 Maryland Street

El Segundo, CA 90245-4100

   Aerospace    Bank Debt/Senior Subordinated Debt    —  

* Calculated on a fully diluted basis
** Non-voting shares

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

In calculating the value of our total assets, we value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market price is not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. As a general rule, we do not value our loans or debt securities above cost, but loans and debt securities are subject to fair value write-downs when the asset is considered impaired. With respect to private equity securities, each investment is valued using comparisons of financial ratios of the portfolio companies that issued such private equity securities to peer companies that are public. The value is then discounted to reflect the illiquid nature of the investment, as well as our minority, non-control position. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our private equity valuation. Because we believe that there is not a readily available market value for a significant portion of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

 

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

    Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

    Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our senior management;

 

    Independent valuation firms engaged by our board of directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

    The audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuation of our investment adviser and that of the independent valuation firms and responds and supplements the valuation recommendation of the independent valuation firm to reflect any comments; and

 

    The board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee.

 

The types of factors that we may take into account in fair value pricing our investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors.

 

Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates not susceptible to substantiation by auditing procedures. Accordingly, under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividend distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not ‘opted out’ of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

 

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have their cash dividend reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire dividend in cash by notifying American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for dividends to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received in writing not less than 10 days prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share.

 

Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

 

We intend to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on The Nasdaq National Market on the valuation date for such dividend. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on The Nasdaq National Market or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the dividend cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

 

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees under the plan will be paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15 transaction fee plus a 10¢ per share brokerage commissions from the proceeds.

 

Stockholders who receive dividends in the form of stock are subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a dividend from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator via its website at www.amstock.com, by filling out the transaction request form located at bottom of their statement and sending it to the plan administrator at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, NY, NY 10269-0560 or by calling the plan administrator’s Interactive Voice Response System at 1-888-777-0324.

 

The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend by us. All correspondence, including requests for additional information, concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator by mail at American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10007 or by telephone at (718) 921-8200.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in shares of our common stock. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

 

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

 

A “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or

 

    a trust or an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

A “Non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder.

 

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective stockholder that is a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

 

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

 

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

 

As a business development company, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to obtain RIC tax treatment we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our

 

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“investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

 

Taxation as a RIC

 

If we:

 

    qualify as a RIC; and

 

    satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;

 

then we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain ( i.e. , net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses) we distribute to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

 

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income of RICs unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in preceding years (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

 

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

 

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

 

    derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

If we fail to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or otherwise fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, we will be subject to tax in that year on all of our taxable income, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our stockholders. In that case, all of our income will be subject to corporate-level federal income tax, reducing the amount available to be distributed to our stockholders. In contrast, assuming we qualify as a RIC, our corporate-level federal income tax should be substantially reduced or eliminated. See “Election to be taxed as a RIC” above.

 

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

 

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

 

Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, our ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. To the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions generally will be eligible for a maximum tax rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before 2009. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 15% maximum rate. Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains at a maximum rate of 15% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder.

 

Although we currently intend to distribute any long-term capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our long-term capital gains, but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for his, her or its common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s other federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a stockholder’s liability for federal income tax. A stockholder that is not subject to federal income tax or otherwise required to file a federal income tax return would be required to file a federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our

 

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stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”

 

For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

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

 

A stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our common stock. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it would be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

 

In general, individual and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 15% on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses against ordinary income for a year, but may carryback such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

 

We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the 15% maximum rate). Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation. Dividends distributed by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the 15% maximum rate applicable to qualifying dividends.

 

We may be required to withhold federal income tax (“backup withholding”) currently at a rate of 28% from all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification

 

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number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s federal income tax liability and may entitle such stockholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a Non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in our common stock.

 

Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. stockholders, subject to the discussion below, will be subject to withholding of federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder, and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, in which case the distributions will be subject to federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, and we will not be required to withhold federal tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. However, pursuant to recently enacted legislation, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004 and before January 1, 2008, certain “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” paid by us to Non-U.S. stockholders would be eligible for an exemption from the 30% federal withholding tax. Interest-related dividends generally are dividends derived from certain interest income earned by us that would not be subject to such tax if earned by Non-U.S. stockholders directly. Short-term capital gain dividends generally are dividends derived from the excess of our net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

 

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the United States.

 

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

 

A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

 

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

 

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Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income eligible for the 15% maximum rate for taxable years beginning before 2009 to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

 

Capital Stock

 

At June 15, 2005, our authorized capital stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which is initially designated as common stock. Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol “AINV”. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock, and no stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations. On June 15, 2005, the last reported closing market price of our common stock was $17.99 per share. As of June 15, 2005, we had 17 shareholders of record.

 

Under our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that the board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

 

The following table sets forth information of our capital stock as of June 15, 2005:

 

Title of Class of Securities


   Amount Authorized

   Amount Held by Registrant or for its
Account


   Amount Outstanding Exclusive of
Amount held by Registrant or for its
Account


Common stock, par value $0.001 per share

   400,000,000    None    62,554,976 shares

 

Common stock

 

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Apollo Investment, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.

 

Preferred stock

 

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our charter authorizes us and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

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

 

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Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

 

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

 

Classified board of directors

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Beginning in 2005, upon expiration of their current terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and each year one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. A classified board of directors may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

 

Election of directors

 

Our charter and bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors will be required to elect a director. Pursuant to the charter, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

 

Number of directors; vacancies; removal

 

Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than four nor more than eight. Our charter provides that, at such time as we have three independent directors and our common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors.

 

Action by stockholders

 

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting, unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which our charter does not). These provisions, combined with

 

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the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

 

Advance notice provisions for stockholder nominations and stockholder proposals

 

Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by the board of directors or (3) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

 

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

 

Calling of special meetings of stockholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

 

Approval of extraordinary corporate action; amendment of charter and bylaws

 

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter also provides that certain charter amendments and any proposal for our conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company or any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The “continuing directors” are defined in our charter as our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on the board of directors.

 

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Our charter and bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

 

No appraisal rights

 

Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.

 

Control share acquisitions

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    a majority or more of all voting power.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or

 

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eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests based on our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.

 

Business combinations

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

Conflict with 1940 Act

 

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

 

In addition to shares of common stock, our charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such an issuance must adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act, Maryland law and any other limitations imposed by law.

 

The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock, together with all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets (taking into account such distribution) and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more.

 

For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

 

    the designation and number of shares of such series;

 

    the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and participating or non-participating;

 

    any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such series;

 

    the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

    the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series;

 

    any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series;

 

    any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such series are outstanding;

 

    any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities;

 

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

 

    any other relative power, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

 

All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which cumulative dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

 

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

 

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common stock and may be attached or separate from such shares of common stock. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

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

 

    the title of such warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

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

 

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

 

    the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

    the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

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

 

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

 

    if applicable, the number of such warrants issued with each share of common stock;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related shares of common stock will be separately transferable;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of Apollo Investment and its stockholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

 

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

 

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

 

Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. We have filed the form of the indenture with the SEC. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.

 

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

 

    the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

    the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

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

 

    the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued;

 

    the provision for any sinking fund;

 

    any restrictive covenants;

 

    any Events of Default;

 

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

 

    any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    any other terms.

 

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a business development company, to issue debt only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of debt. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

 

General

 

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

 

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

 

The indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities”. The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Conversion and Exchange

 

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

 

Issuance of Securities in Registered Form

 

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

 

We also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered form as bearer securities if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the prospectus supplement will set forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities for registered securities of the same series, and for receiving notices. The prospectus supplement will also describe the requirements with respect to our maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. federal tax law requirements.

 

Book-Entry Holders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Street Name Holders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

 

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

 

    how it handles securities payments and notices,

 

    whether it imposes fees or charges,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Global Securities

 

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

 

Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus

 

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supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

 

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

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated

 

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

 

The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

 

    if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 60 days,

 

    if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security, or

 

    if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived; we discuss defaults later under “Events of Default”.

 

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

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

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

 

Payments on Global Securities

 

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

 

Payments on Certificated Securities

 

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

 

Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To

 

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request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

 

Payment When Offices Are Closed

 

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

 

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

 

Events of Default

 

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

 

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

 

    We do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date.

 

    We do not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date.

 

    We do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date.

 

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

 

    We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

 

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

 

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

 

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

 

If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.

 

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). (Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) If

 

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reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

 

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

 

    You must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

    The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

    The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    the payment of principal, any premium or interest or

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Merger or Consolidation

 

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

 

    Where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities.

 

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

 

   

Under the indenture, no merger or sale of assets may be made if as a result any of our property or assets or any property or assets of one of our subsidiaries, if any, would become subject to any mortgage, lien

 

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or other encumbrance unless either (i) the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to the limitation on liens covenant in the indenture (see “Indenture Provisions—Limitation on Liens” below) without equally and ratably securing the indenture securities or (ii) the indenture securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance.

 

    We must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee.

 

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

 

Modification or Waiver

 

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

 

Changes Requiring Your Approval

 

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

 

    change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security;

 

    reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

    reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;

 

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

 

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

 

    impair your right to sue for payment;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval

 

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

 

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Changes Requiring Majority Approval

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Further Details Concerning Voting

 

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

 

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

 

    For debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.

 

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

 

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

 

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.

 

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

 

Defeasance

 

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

 

Covenant Defeasance

 

Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called

 

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“covenant defeasance”. In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

    If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity.

 

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

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

 

Full Defeasance

 

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

 

    If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

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

 

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

 

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Indenture Provisions—Subordination”.

 

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Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities

 

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

 

    only in fully registered certificated form,

 

    without interest coupons, and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Resignation of Trustee

 

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

 

Indenture Provisions—Limitation on Liens

 

If we issue indenture securities that are denominated as senior debt securities, we covenant in the indenture that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries, if any, will pledge or subject to any lien any of our or their property or assets unless those senior debt securities issued under the indenture are secured by this pledge or lien equally and ratably with other indebtedness thereby secured. There are excluded from this covenant liens created to secure obligations for the purchase price of physical property, liens of a subsidiary securing indebtedness owed to us, liens existing on property acquired upon exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables acquired in the ordinary course of business, sales of receivables accounted for as secured indebtedness in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, certain liens not related to the borrowing of money and other liens not securing borrowed money aggregating less than $500,000.

 

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Indenture Provisions—Subordination

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, and

 

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

 

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

 

The Trustee under the Indenture

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank will serve as the trustee under the indenture. JPMorgan Chase Bank is one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships and from which we have obtained a senior secured credit facility and lines of credit.

 

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

 

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

 

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REGULATION

 

We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities voting as a class.

 

We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate and currency rate fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investment. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses. None of these policies are fundamental and may be changed without stockholder approval.

 

Qualifying Assets

 

Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:

 

  (1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

 

  (a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

 

  (b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

 

  (c) satisfies any of the following:

 

    does not have any class of securities with respect to which a broker or dealer may extend margin credit;

 

    is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company and the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

 

    is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

 

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  (2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control.

 

  (3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

 

  (4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

 

  (5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

 

  (6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

 

The SEC has proposed a regulation under the 1940 Act to expand the definition of eligible portfolio company in a manner that would promote the flow of capital to small, developing and financially troubled companies. This regulation would define eligible portfolio company with reference to whether a company has any class of securities listed on an exchange. We continue to monitor this issue closely and intend to adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of this rule if it is adopted or of any other future administrative position, judicial decision or legislative action.

 

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

 

In addition, a business development company must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

 

Temporary Investments

 

Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements.

 

Senior Securities

 

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200%

 

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immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Risk Factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”

 

Code of Ethics

 

We and Apollo Investment Management have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each code 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. For information on how to obtain a copy of each code of ethics, see “Available information.”

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

SEC registered advisers that have the authority to vote (client) proxies (which authority may be implied from a general grant of investment discretion) are required to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients. Registered advisers also must maintain certain records on proxy voting. In most cases, Apollo Investment will invest in securities that do not generally entitle it to voting rights in its portfolio companies. When Apollo Investment does have voting rights, it will delegate the exercise of such rights to Apollo Investment Management. Apollo Investment Management’s proxy voting policies and procedures are summarized below:

 

In determining how to vote, officers of our investment adviser will consult with each other and other investment professionals of Apollo, taking into account the interests of Apollo Investment and its investors as well as any potential conflicts of interest. Our investment adviser will consult with legal counsel to identify potential conflicts of interest. Where a potential conflict of interest exists, our investment adviser may, if it so elects, resolve it by following the recommendation of a disinterested third party, by seeking the direction of the independent directors of Apollo Investment or, in extreme cases, by abstaining from voting. While our investment adviser may retain an outside service to provide voting recommendations and to assist in analyzing votes, our investment adviser will not delegate its voting authority to any third party.

 

An officer of Apollo Investment Management will keep a written record of how all such proxies are voted. Our investment adviser will retain records of (1) proxy voting policies and procedures, (2) all proxy statements received (or it may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system in lieu thereof), (3) all votes cast, (4) investor requests for voting information, and (5) any specific documents prepared or received in connection with a decision on a proxy vote. If it uses an outside service, our investment adviser may rely on such service to maintain copies of proxy statements and records, so long as such service will provide a copy of such documents promptly upon request.

 

Our investment adviser’s proxy voting policies are not exhaustive and are designed to be responsive to the wide range of issues that may be subject to a proxy vote. In general, our investment adviser will vote our proxies in accordance with these guidelines unless: (1) it has determined otherwise due to the specific and unusual facts and circumstances with respect to a particular vote, (2) the subject matter of the vote is not covered by these guidelines, (3) a material conflict of interest is present, or (4) we find it necessary to vote contrary to our general guidelines to maximize shareholder value or the best interests of Apollo Investment. In reviewing proxy issues, our investment adviser generally will use the following guidelines:

 

Elections of Directors: In general, our investment adviser will vote in favor of the management-proposed slate of directors. If there is a proxy fight for seats on a portfolio company’s board of directors, or our investment

 

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adviser determines that there are other compelling reasons for withholding our vote, it will determine the appropriate vote on the matter. We may withhold votes for directors that fail to act on key issues, such as failure to: (1) implement proposals to declassify a board of directors, (2) implement a majority vote requirement, (3) submit a rights plan to a shareholder vote or (4) act on tender offers where a majority of shareholders have tendered their shares. Finally, our investment adviser may withhold votes for directors of non-U.S. issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement.

 

Appointment of Auditors: We believe that a portfolio company remains in the best position to choose its independent auditors and our investment adviser will generally support management’s recommendation in this regard.

 

Changes in Capital Structure: Changes in a portfolio company’s charter or bylaws may be required by state or federal regulation. In general, our investment adviser will cast our votes in accordance with the management on such proposals. However, our investment adviser will consider carefully any proposal regarding a change in corporate structure that is not required by state or federal regulation.

 

Corporate Restructurings, Mergers and Acquisitions: We believe proxy votes dealing with corporate reorganizations are an extension of the investment decision. Accordingly, our investment adviser will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis and vote in accordance with its perception of our interests.

 

Proposals Affecting Shareholder Rights: We will generally vote in favor of proposals that give shareholders a greater voice in the affairs of a portfolio company and oppose any measure that seeks to limit such rights. However, when analyzing such proposals, our investment adviser will balance the financial impact of the proposal against any impairment of shareholder rights as well as of our investment in the portfolio company.

 

Corporate Governance: We recognize the importance of good corporate governance. Accordingly, our investment adviser will generally favor proposals that promote transparency and accountability within a portfolio company.

 

Anti-Takeover Measures: Our investment adviser will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, any proposals regarding anti-takeover measures to determine the measure’s likely effect on shareholder value dilution.

 

Stock Splits: Our investment adviser will generally vote with management on stock split matters.

 

Limited Liability of Directors: Our investment adviser will generally vote with management on matters that could adversely affect the limited liability of directors.

 

Social and Corporate Responsibility: Our investment adviser will review proposals related to social, political and environmental issues to determine whether they may adversely affect shareholder value. Our investment adviser may abstain from voting on such proposals where they do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value.

 

Other

 

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our board of directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.

 

We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.

 

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from

 

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protecting any director or officer against any liability to Apollo Investment or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

We and Apollo Investment Management have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and intend to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. We have designated a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering our policies and procedures.

 

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and The Nasdaq National Market Corporate Governance Regulations

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has required us to review our policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the new regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

In addition, The Nasdaq National Market has adopted or is in the process of adopting corporate governance changes to its listing standards. We believe we are in compliance with such corporate governance listing standards. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future listing standards and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

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CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR AND TRUSTEE

 

Our securities are held under a custody agreement by JPMorgan Chase Bank, a global financial services firm. The address of the custodian is: 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. American Stock Transfer and Trust Company will act as our transfer agent, dividend paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is: 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10007, telephone number: (718) 921-8200. JPMorgan Chase Bank will also act as the trustee. The principal business address of JPMorgan Chase Bank is: 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Since we generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we infrequently use brokers in the normal course of our business. From the commencement of our operations through March 31, 2005, we have not paid any brokerage commissions. Subject to policies established by our board of directors, our investment adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Our investment adviser does not execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seeks to obtain the best net results for Apollo Investment, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While our investment adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive trade execution costs, Apollo Investment will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, our investment adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the investment adviser and Apollo Investment and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities in any of three ways (or in any combination): (a) through underwriters or dealers; (b) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (c) through agents. The securities may be sold “at-the-market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market for the securities, on an exchange or otherwise. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:

 

    the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

    the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

 

Any offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

 

The maximum commission or discount to be received by any member of the NASD or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 10% for the sale of any securities being registered and 0.5% for due diligence. In compliance with the guidelines of the NASD, the maximum compensation to the underwriters or dealers in connection with the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus may not exceed 8% of the aggregate offering price of the securities as set forth on the cover page of the supplement to this prospectus.

 

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for soliciting these contracts.

 

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities

 

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pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). We or one of our affiliates may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for Apollo Investment by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, NY, and Venable LLP, Baltimore, MD. Shearman & Sterling LLP also represents Apollo Investment Management.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at PWC Center, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is the independent registered public accountants of Apollo Investment.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act of 1933, with respect to our securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus.

 

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information specifically regarding how we voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the year ended March 31, 2005 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 212-515-3200. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2005

   F-3

Statement of Operations for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-4

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-5

Statement of Cash Flows for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-6

Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2005

   F-7

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-10

* Commencement of operations

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Apollo Investment Corporation:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheet, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”) at March 31, 2005, the results of its operations, its changes in stockholders’ equity and its cash flows for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit, which included confirmation of securities at March 31, 2005 by correspondence with the custodian and issuers, provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

New York, New York

June 14, 2005

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 2005

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Assets

        

Cash

   $ 5,208  

Investments, at fair value (cost—$821,232)

     838,482  

Cash equivalents, at fair value (cost—$873,061)

     873,056  

Interest receivable, at value*

     14,805  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contract (see note 8)

     978  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     855  
    


Total assets

   $ 1,733,384  

Liabilities

        

Payable for investments and cash equivalents purchased

   $ 834,891  

Management fee payable

     4,492  

Accrued expenses

     1,115  
    


Total liabilities

   $ 840,498  

Stockholders’ Equity

        

Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 100,000,000 common shares authorized, 62,554,976 issued and outstanding

   $ 63  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     878,838  

Accumulated net investment income

     26,093  

Dividends paid to stockholders

     (30,160 )

Accumulated net realized losses

     (145 )

Net unrealized appreciation

     18,197  
    


Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 892,886  
    


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,733,384  
    



* Value reflects unrealized depreciation of $26,000.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

April 8, 2004*

through

March 31, 2005


 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

        

Interest

   $ 47,833  
    


EXPENSES:

        

Management fees

   $ 17,315  

General and administrative expenses

     5,065  
    


Total expenses

     22,380  
    


Net investment income

   $ 25,453  
    


REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES:

        

Net realized gain (loss):

        

Investments

     (1 )

Forward foreign currency contract

     640  

Cash equivalents

     (144 )
    


Net realized gains

     495  
    


Net unrealized gain (loss):

        

Investments

     17,250  

Cash equivalents

     (5 )

Forward foreign currency contract

     978  

Other assets

     (26 )
    


Net unrealized gain (loss)

     18,197  
    


Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments, cash equivalents and foreign currency contracts and other assets

     18,692  
    


NET INCREASE IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 44,145  
    


EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (see note 6)

   $ 0.71  
    



* Commencement of operations

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

(in thousands, except shares)

 

    Common Stock

 

Paid-in Capital in

Excess of Par


   

Accumulated

Earnings


   

Total

Stockholders’ Equity


 
    Shares

  Amount

     

Balance at April 8, 2004*

  100   $ 0   $ 1     $ 0     $ 1  

Issuance of common stock from public offering (net of underwriting costs)

  62,000,000     62     871,813               871,875  

Offering costs

              (1,722 )             (1,722 )

Net increase in stockholders’ equity resulting from operations

                      44,145       44,145  

Shares issued in connection with dividend reinvestment plan

  554,876     1     8,746               8,747  

Dividends declared

                      (30,160 )     (30,160 )
   
 

 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2005

  62,554,976   $ 63   $ 878,838     $ 13,985     $ 892,886  

* Commencement of operations

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

        

Net Increase in Stockholders’ Equity Resulting from Operations

   $ 44,145  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase:

        

Purchase of investment securities

     (892,963 )

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     71,731  

Proceeds from the settlement of a forward foreign currency contract

     640  

Sale of short-term securities, net

     (150 )

Increase in interest receivable

     (14,831 )

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (855 )

Increase in management fee payable

     4,492  

Increase in accrued expenses

     1,115  

Payable for investments and cash equivalents purchased

     834,891  

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, cash equivalents, forward foreign currency contracts and other assets

     (18,197 )

Net realized gain on investments and cash equivalents

     (495 )
    


Net Cash Used by Operating Activities

   $ 29,523  

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

        

Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock

   $ 871,875  

Offering costs from the issuance of common stock

     (1,722 )

Dividends paid in cash

     (21,413 )
    


Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

   $ 848,740  

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   $ 878,263  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     1  
    


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 878,264  

Non-cash financing activities consist of the reinvestment of dividends totaling $8,746,000.

        

 * Commencement of operations

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2005

(in thousands, except warrants/shares)

 

Portfolio Company (1)


  Industry

  Par Amount

  Cost

  Fair Value (2)

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes—50.3%

                     

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 13.00%, 3/15/13 ¨

  Publishing   $ 16,000   $ 15,841   $ 16,000

AMH Holdings II, Inc., 13.625%, 12/01/14 ¨

  Building Products     45,000     44,002     45,000

Anthony, Inc., 13.50%, 9/01/12 ¨

  Manufacturing     9,561     9,427     9,561

Invista, 9.25%, 5/01/12 ¨

  Chemicals     35,000     35,000     38,238

Language Line Holdings, Inc., 0% / 14.125%, 6/15/13

  Business Services     27,678     15,993     15,846

Language Line Inc., 11.125%, 6/15/12

  Business Services     20,646     20,683     21,678

Latham Manufacturing Corp., 14.00%, 6/30/11

  Leisure Equipment     31,179     30,570     31,179

Lexicon Marketing (USA), Inc., 13.75%, 1/02/12

  Direct Marketing     27,168     26,641     27,168

National Waterworks Holdings, Inc., 12.50%, 1/01/14 ¨

  Distribution     37,000     36,285     37,000

N.E.W. Holdings I, LLC, 12.50%, 8/17/11

  Consumer Services     26,680     23,454     26,680

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies Inc., 14.00%, Convertible, 8/17/13

  Consumer Services     8,320     8,320     12,218

Playpower Holdings Inc., 15.50%, 11/30/12 ¨

  Leisure Equipment     60,775     60,775     60,775

Pro Mach Merger Sub, Inc., 13.75%, 6/15/12

  Machinery     19,000     18,630     19,000

Source Media Holdings Inc., 13.00%, 11/30/12 ¨

  Publishing     17,000     16,632     17,000

T/Y Merger Corp., 14.75%, 2/26/10

  Logistics     17,916     17,635     17,916

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 13.67%, 12/31/14

  Consumer Products     12,528     12,528     12,528

WDAC Intermediate Corp., 13.75%, 6/01/15*

  Advertising   33,000     44,326     41,235
             

 

Total Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

            $ 436,742   $ 449,022
             

 

        Shares /Warrants

       

Common Stock/Warrants—2.4%

                     

Latham Acquisition Corp.

  Leisure Equipment     30,000 shs.   $ 3,000   $ 3,000

LM Acquisition Ltd.

  Direct Marketing     10,000 shs.     10,000     10,000

N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc.

  Consumer Services     1,105,961 wts.     3,404     6,031

Pro Mach Coinvestment, LLC

  Machinery     150,000 shs.     1,500     1,500

T/Y Merger Corp.

  Logistics     250,000 shs.     2,500     900
             

 

Total Common Stock/Warrants

            $ 20,404   $ 21,431
             

 

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

Portfolio Company (1)


  Industry

  Par Amount

  Cost

  Fair Value (2)

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans (3)—41.2%

                     

1 st Lien Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans—15.9%

                     

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 3/05/10

  Publishing   $ 5,000   $ 5,000   $ 5,038

Amerco Corp., 2/27/09

  Transportation     14,850     15,069     15,221

American Safety Razor, 3/21/12

  Consumer Products     2,000     2,000     2,040

Charter Communications, 4/21/11

  Cable TV     24,812     24,812     24,946

Cygnus Business Media, Inc., 7/13/09

  Media     14,963     14,895     15,037

Directed Electronics, 6/17/10

  Electronics     4,859     4,859     4,932

Language Line Inc., 6/11/11

  Business Services     6,453     6,437     6,528

MGM\LOC Acquisition Corp., 4/08/12

  Leisure     25,000     25,000     25,000

Phillips Health, LLC, 8/23/10

  Vitamins, Supplements     12,353     12,293     12,415

Ranpak Corp., 5/26/10

  Packaging     5,739     5,739     5,747

Rayovac Corp., 2/06/12

  Electronics     10,000     10,000     10,162

Supresta Holdings, Inc., 7/20/11

  Chemicals     6,948     6,948     7,086

Trout Coal Holdings, Inc., 3/23/11

  Mining     4,000     4,000     4,060

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 12/31/13

  Consumer Products     3,500     3,500     3,526
             

 

Total 1st Lien Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans

            $ 140,552   $ 141,738
             

 

2nd Lien Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans—24.2%

                     

ALM Media Holdings, Inc., 3/07/11

  Publishing     19,000     19,000     19,380

American Safety Razor, 9/21/12

  Consumer Products     13,500     13,500     13,736

Anthony International, 9/01/11

  Manufacturing     13,000     12,880     13,000

C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Inc., 10/22/11

  Building Products     10,000     9,952     10,163

Cygnus Business Media, Inc., 1/12/10

  Media     10,000     9,913     9,975

EuroFresh, 5/14/10

  Agriculture     25,000     24,692     25,438

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 4/30/10

  Tires     10,000     10,000     10,000

Grand Vehicle Works Holding Corp., 7/23/11

  Manufacturing     10,000     10,000     9,000

Mueller Group Inc., 11/01/11

  Industrial     17,000     17,000     17,255

NES Rentals Holdings Inc., 8/17/10

  Equipment Rental     24,875     24,875     25,528

Phillips Health, LLC, 8/20/11

  Vitamins, Supplements     14,963     14,817     15,037

Ranpak Corp., 3/17/11

  Packaging     10,000     10,000     10,150

Source Media Inc., 11/30/12

  Publishing     10,000     10,000     10,131

Trout Coal Holdings, Inc., 3/23/12

  Mining     4,000     4,000     4,080

Tumi Holdings, Inc., 6/30/14

  Consumer Products     3,000     3,000     3,030

United Site Services, Inc., 6/30/10

  Environmental     10,000     9,905     10,000

Wyle Laboratories, Inc., 7/28/11

  Aerospace     10,000     10,000     10,200
             

 

Total 2nd Lien Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans

            $ 213,534   $ 216,103
             

 

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 

Portfolio Company (1)


  Industry

  Par Amount

  Cost

  Fair Value (2)

 

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans (3)—(continued)

                       

Unsecured Bank Debt—1.1%

                       

Sealy Mattress Co., 4/08/13

  Consumer Products     10,000   $ 10,000   $ 10,188  
             

 


Total Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans

            $ 364,086   $ 368,029  
             

 


Total Investments

            $ 821,232   $ 838,482  
             

 


Cash Equivalents—97.8%

                       

U.S. Cash Management Bill, 2.70%, 04/15/05

  Government   $ 800,000   $ 799,171   $ 799,171  

U.S. Treasury Bill, 2.70%, 04/21/05

  Government     74,000     73,890     73,885  
             

 


Total Cash Equivalents

            $ 873,061   $ 873,056  
             

 


Total Investments & Cash Equivalents—191.7%(4)

            $ 1,694,293   $ 1,711,538  

Liabilities in excess of other assets—(91.7%)

                    (818,652 )
                   


Net Assets—100.0%

                  $ 892,886  
                   



(1) None of our portfolio companies is controlled or affiliated as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) Fair value is determined by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company (see Note 2).
(3) Represent floating rate instruments that accrue interest at a predetermined spread relative to an index, typically the LIBOR (London Interbank Offer Rate) or the Prime Rate.
(4) Aggregate cost for Federal Income tax purposes is $1,698,651 (in thousands).
¨ These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
* Denominated in Euros (“€”)

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Organization

 

Apollo Investment Corporation (“Apollo Investment” or the “Company”), a Maryland corporation organized on February 2, 2004, is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, for tax purposes we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We intend to invest primarily in middle-market companies in the form of mezzanine and senior secured loans, each of which may include an equity component, as well as by making direct equity investments in such companies.

 

On April 8, 2004, Apollo Investment closed its initial public offering and sold 62,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $15.00 per share, less an underwriting discount and commissions totaling $0.9375 per share. We commenced operations on April 8, 2004 as we received $870.15 million in total net proceeds from the offering.

 

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ.

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements, have been included.

 

The significant accounting policies consistently followed by Apollo Investment are:

 

(a) Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date;

 

(b) Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations; debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors. Subordinated debt, senior secured debt and other debt securities with maturities greater than 60 days are valued by an independent pricing service or at the mean between the bid and ask prices from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer). With respect to certain private equity securities, each investment is valued using comparisons of financial ratios of the portfolio companies that issued such private equity securities to peer companies that are public. The value is then discounted to reflect the illiquid nature of the investment. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we will use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our private equity valuation. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market value for most of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

With respect to our investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Board of Directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

(1) Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

(2) Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our senior management;

 

(3) Independent valuation firms engaged by our board of directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

(4) The audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuation of our investment adviser and that of the independent valuation firms and responds and supplements the valuation recommendation of the independent valuation firm to reflect any comments; and

 

(5) The board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee.

 

The types of factors that we may take into account in fair value pricing our investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors.

 

Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, these notes to our financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.

 

(c) Investments purchased within 60 days of maturity are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates value;

 

(d) Gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated by using the specific identification method;

 

(e) Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. Origination, closing and/or commitment fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are accreted into interest income over the respective terms of the applicable loans. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment penalties and unamortized loan origination, closing and commitment fees are recorded as interest income;

 

(f) The Company intends to comply with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, pertaining to regulated investment companies to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all Federal income and excise taxes;

 

(g) In accordance with Statement of Position 93-2 Determination, Disclosure, and Financial Statement Presentation of Income, Capital Gain, and Return of Capital Distributions by Investment Companies, book and tax basis differences relating to stockholder distributions and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to paid-in capital. In addition, the character of income and gains to be distributed is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, at March 31, 2005, $640,200 was reclassified on our balance sheet from accumulated realized capital gains to accumulated net investment income. Total earnings and net asset value is not affected;

 

(h) Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the record date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by management. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(i) Origination, facility, commitment, and other fees received by the Company on loan agreements or other investments are typically accreted over the remaining term of the loan .

 

(j) The accounting records of the Company are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the rate of exchange of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation.

 

(k) The Company may enter into forward exchange contracts in order to hedge against foreign currency risk. These contracts are marked to market by recognizing the difference between the contract exchange rate and the current market rate as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Realized gains or losses are recognized when contracts are settled.

 

Note 3. Agreements

 

Apollo Investment has entered into an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with the Investment Adviser, Apollo Investment Management, L.P., under which the Investment Adviser, subject to the overall supervision of Apollo Investment’s Board of Directors, will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory services to, Apollo Investment. For providing these services, the Investment Adviser receives a fee from Apollo Investment, consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of Apollo Investment’s gross assets. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement during the period commencing from the closing of Apollo Investment’s initial offering through and including the first six months of operations, the base management fee was payable monthly in arrears. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement after that time, the base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. For the first quarter of our operations, the base management fee was calculated based on the initial value of Apollo Investment’s gross assets. Subsequently, the base management fee is calculated based on the average value of Apollo Investment’s gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (we consider the date we commenced operations as a quarter end), and is appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro rated.

 

The incentive fee has two parts, as follows: one part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on Apollo Investment’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus Apollo Investment’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of Apollo Investment’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to the hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). Our net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. Apollo Investment pays the Investment Adviser an incentive fee with respect to the Apollo Investment’s pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which Apollo Investment’s pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (2) 100% of Apollo Investment’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 rate but is less than 2.1875% in any

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of Apollo Investment’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter. These calculations are appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. You should be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income. Apollo Investment did not pay or incur any net investment income based incentive fees during the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005.

 

The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, as of the termination date), commenced on December 31, 2004, and will equal 20.0% of our realized capital gains for each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation and incorporating unrealized depreciation on a gross investment-by-investment basis at the end of such year. Capital gains with respect to any investment will equal the difference between the proceeds from the sale of such investment and the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

 

For the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, the Investment Adviser received $17,315,026 in base investment advisory and management fees from Apollo Investment.

 

Apollo Investment has also entered into an Administration Agreement with Apollo Investment Administration, LLC (the “Administrator”) under which the Administrator provides administrative services for Apollo Investment. For providing these services, facilities and personnel, Apollo Investment reimburses the Administrator for Apollo Investment’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Apollo Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and Apollo Investment’s allocable portion of its chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. The Administrator will also provide on Apollo Investment’s behalf managerial assistance to these portfolio companies to which Apollo Investment is required to provide such assistance.

 

For the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, the Administrator was reimbursed $673,600 from Apollo Investment of the $987,500 of expenses accrued under the Administration Agreement.

 

Note 4. Organizational and Offering Expenses

 

A portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering of 62,000,000 shares of common stock was used for organizational and offering expenses of $252,311 and $1,722,560, respectively. Organizational expenses were expensed as incurred. Offering expenses have been charged against paid-in capital in excess of par. All organizational and offering expenses were borne by Apollo Investment.

 

Note 5. Net Asset Value Per Share

 

At March 31, 2005, the Company’s total net assets and net asset value per share were $892,885,683 and $14.27, respectively.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 6. Earnings Per Share

 

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net investment income per share and the increase in stockholders’ equity per share resulting from operations for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005:

 

Numerator for net investment income per share:

   $ 25,453,151

Numerator for increase in stockholders’ equity per share:

   $ 44,145,006

Denominator for basic and diluted weighted average shares:

     62,094,675

Basic and diluted net investment income per share:

   $ 0.41

Basic and diluted net increase in stockholders’ equity per share resulting from operations:

   $ 0.71

 

Note 7. Investments

 

As of March 31, 2005, investments and cash equivalents consisted of the following:

 

    

March 31, 2005

(in thousands)


     Cost

   Fair Value

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

   $ 436,742    $ 449,022

Common Stock/Warrants

     20,404      21,431

Bank Debt/Senior Secured Loans

     364,086      368,029

Cash Equivalents

     873,061      873,056
    

  

Totals

   $ 1,694,293    $ 1,711,538

 

Note 8. Forward Foreign Currency Contract

 

At March 31, 2005, the Company had an open foreign currency contract to sell euro forward and bears the market risk that arises from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Unrealized appreciation on the contract is reflected in the accompanying financial statements as follows:

 

Foreign Currency


  

Local

Currency


  

U.S.

Cost


  

Market

Value


  

Settlement

Date


  

Unrealized

Appreciation


To Sell:     Euro

   34,150,000    $ 45,313,635    $ 44,335,940    06/08/05    $ 977,697

 

Note 9. Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders

 

The tax character of dividends paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 was as follows:

 

Ordinary income

   $ 30,159,658  

As of March 31, 2005, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

        

Distributable ordinary income

   $ 1,470,760  

Capital loss carryforward

     (75,880 )*

Other book/tax temporary differences

     271,009  

Unrealized appreciation

     12,861,477 **
    


Total accumulated gains

   $ 14,527,366  

* On March 31, 2005, the Company had a net capital loss carryforward of $75,880, which expires in 2013. This amount will be available to offset like amounts of any future taxable gains.
** The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is attributable primarily to the receipt of upfront fees.

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 10. Cash Equivalents

 

Pending investment in longer-term portfolio holdings, Apollo Investment will make temporary investments in U.S. Treasury bills (of varying maturities) and repurchase agreements as outlined in our prospectus. These temporary investments are deemed cash equivalents by us and are included in our Schedule of Investments. U.S. Treasury bills with maturities of greater than 60 days from the time of purchase are marked-to-market as per our valuation policy.

 

Note 11. Financial Highlights

 

The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005:

 

Per Share Data:

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 14.06  
    


Net investment income

     0.41  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     0.31  
    


Net increase in stockholders’ equity resulting from operations

     0.72  

Dividends to shareholders(1)

     (0.48 )

Costs related to the initial public offering

     (0.03 )
    


Net asset value at end of period

   $ 14.27  
    


Per share market value at end of period

   $ 16.78  

Total return(2)

     15.32 %

Shares outstanding at end of period

     62,554,976  

Ratio/Supplemental Data:

        

Net assets at end of period (in millions)

   $ 892.9  

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets(3)

     2.60 %

Ratio of net operating income to average net assets(3)

     2.96 %

(1) Dividends and distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from amounts determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
(2) Total return is based on the change in market price per share assuming an investment at the initial offering price of $15.00 per share. Total return also takes into account dividends and distributions, if any, reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return is not annualized.
(3) Annualized.

 

Note 12. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Quarter Ended


  

Investment

Income


  

Net Investment

Income


   

Net Realized

And Unrealized

Gain (Loss) on

Investments


   

Net Increase

(Decrease) In

Net Assets From

Operations


     Total

  

Per

Share


   Total

   

Per

Share


    Total

   

Per

Share


    Total

  

Per

Share


March 31, 2005

   21,321    0.34    15,559     0.25     (3,234 )   (0.04 )   12,325    0.21

December 31, 2004

   14,816    0.24    9,108     0.15     16,063     0.25     25,171    0.40

September 30, 2004

   7,889    0.12    2,263     0.03     3,523     0.06     5,786    0.09

June 30, 2004

   3,807    0.06    (1,477 )   (0.02 )   2,340     0.04     863    0.02

 

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APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 13. Subsequent Events

 

Credit Facility—Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On April 14, 2005, Apollo Investment entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), among Apollo Investment, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent for the lenders.

 

Under the Credit Agreement, the lenders have agreed to extend credit to Apollo Investment in an initial aggregate principal or face amount not exceeding $800 million at any one time outstanding. The Credit Agreement is a five-year revolving facility (with a stated maturity date of April 14, 2010) and is secured by substantially all of the assets in Apollo Investment’s portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents. Pricing is set at 100 basis points over LIBOR. The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and restrictive covenants, including: (a) periodic financial reporting requirements, (b) maintaining minimum shareholders’ equity of the greater of (i) 40% of the total assets of Apollo Investment and its subsidiaries as at the last day of any fiscal quarter and (ii) the sum of (A) $300 million plus (B) 25% of the net proceeds from the sale of equity interests in Apollo Investment after the closing date of the Credit Agreement, (c) maintaining a ratio of total assets (less total liabilities) to total indebtedness, in each case of Apollo Investment and its subsidiaries, of not less than 2.0:1.0, (d) maintaining minimum liquidity, (e) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, (f) limitations on liens, (g) limitations on investments (other than in the ordinary course of Apollo Investment’s business), (h) limitations on mergers and disposition of assets (other than in the normal course of Apollo Investment’s business activities) and (i) limitations on the creation or existence of agreements that prohibit liens on properties of Apollo Investment’s subsidiaries. In addition to the asset coverage ratio described in clause (c) of the preceding sentence, borrowings under the Credit Agreement (and the incurrence of certain other permitted debt) will be subject to compliance with a borrowing base that will apply different advance rates to different types of assets in Apollo Investment’s portfolio. The Credit Agreement will provide for the ability of Apollo Investment to seek additional commitments from lenders thereunder in an aggregate amount of up to $400 million. Apollo Investment has not yet borrowed any amounts under the Credit Agreement.

 

The Credit Agreement will be used to supplement Apollo Investment’s equity capital to make additional portfolio investments. Apollo Investment has employed a significant portion of its equity capital and expects to begin using the Credit Agreement in the coming months to support additions to the portfolio.

 

From time to time, certain of the lenders provide customary commercial and investment banking services to affiliates of Apollo Investment. JPMorgan also serves as custodian for Apollo Investment pursuant to a global custody agreement.

 

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LOGO

 

 


Table of Contents

PART C

 

Other information

 

ITEM 25. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(1) Financial Statements

    

The following statements of Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) are included in Part A of this Registration Statement:

    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2005

   F-3

Statement of Operations for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-4

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-5

Statement of Cash Flows for the period April 8, 2004* through March 31, 2005

   F-6

Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2005

   F-7

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-10

* Commencement of operations

 

(2) Exhibits
    (a)(1)    Articles of Amendment and Restatement(1)
    (a)(2)    Articles of Amendment*
    (b)(1)    Bylaws(1)
    (b)(2)    Amended and Restated Bylaws(1)
    (c)    Not Applicable
    (d)    Form of Stock Certificate(2)
    (e)    Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2)
    (f)    Not Applicable
    (g)    Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between Registrant and Apollo Investment Management, L.P.(1)
    (h)(1)    Forms of Underwriting Agreement for Debt*
    (h)(2)    Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity*
    (h)(3)    Form of Indenture*
    (i)    Not Applicable
    (j)    Custodian Agreement(1)
    (k)(1)    Administration Agreement between Registrant and Apollo Investment Administration, LLC(1)
    (k)(2)    Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(1)
    (k)(3)    License Agreement between the Registrant and Apollo Management, L.P.(1)
    (l)(1)    Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel for Registrant*
    (l)(2)    Opinion and Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for Registrant*
    (m)    Not Applicable

 

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(n)    Consent of independent registered public accountants for Registrant*
(o)    Not Applicable
(p)    Not Applicable
(q)    Not Applicable
(r)    Code of Ethics(2)

 * Filed herewith.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s pre-effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2, filed on April 1, 2004.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant’s pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2, filed on March 12, 2004.

 

ITEM 26. MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

 

The information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference and any information concerning any underwriters for a particular offering will be contained in the prospectus supplement related to that offering.

 

ITEM 27. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

 

Commission registration fee

   $ 105,930  

Nasdaq National Market Listing Fee

   $ 150,000 (1)

NASD filing fee

   $ 75,500 (1)

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 200,000 (1)

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 250,000 (1)

Printing and engraving

   $ 700,000 (1)

Registrar and transfer agent’s fees

   $ 10,000 (1)

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

   $ 15,000 (1)
    


Total

   $ 1,506,430 (1)
    



(1) These amounts are estimates.

 

All of the expenses set forth above shall be borne by us.

 

ITEM 28. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

 

Apollo Investment Management’s share ownership of Apollo Investment represents less than 1% of the common stock outstanding. An affiliate of Apollo Investment Management is the general partner of, and may be deemed to control, the following entities:

 

Name


   Jurisdiction of Organization

Apollo Investment Fund

   Delaware

AIF II

   Delaware

Apollo Investment Fund III

   Delaware

Apollo Investment Fund IV

   Delaware

Apollo Investment Fund V

   Delaware

Apollo Distressed Investment Fund, L.P.

   Delaware

 

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ITEM 29. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of our common stock at June 15, 2005.

 

Title of Class


  

NUMBER OF

RECORD HOLDERS


Common stock, $0.001 par value per share

   17

 

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION

 

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

 

Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

 

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

 

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The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Apollo Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser”) and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Apollo Investment for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of Apollo Investment.

 

The Administration Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Apollo Investment Administration, LLC and its officers, manager, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Apollo Investment Administration, LLC’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for Apollo Investment.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Apollo Investment pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Apollo Investment in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each managing director, director or executive officer of the Adviser, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the sections entitled “Management.” Additional information regarding the Adviser and its officers and directors is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 801-62840), and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 32. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

 

(1) the Registrant, Apollo Investment Corporation, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019;

 

(2) the Transfer Agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10007;

 

(3) the Custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017;

 

(4) the Adviser, Apollo Investment Management, L.P., 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019; and

 

(5) the Trustee, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

 

ITEM 33. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

Not Applicable.

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 34. UNDERTAKINGS

 

1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the securities until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

2. The Registrant undertakes:

 

(a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

 

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

 

(b) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

 

(d) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, in the State of New York, on the 20th day of June, 2005.

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/    M ICHAEL S. G ROSS        


   

Michael S. Gross

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Chairman of the Board

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 20th day of June, 2005.

 

SIGNATURE


  

TITLE


/s/    M ICHAEL S. G ROSS        


Michael S. Gross

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (principal executive officer)

/s/    R ICHARD L. P ETEKA        


Richard L. Peteka

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer)

*


Martin E. Franklin

  

Director

*


John J. Hannan

  

Director

*


Carl Spielvogel

  

Director

*


Elliot Stein, Jr.

  

Director

*


Gerald Tsai, Jr.

  

Director

*


Bradley J. Wechsler

  

Director

 

*By:

 

/s/    M ICHAEL S. G ROSS        


   

Michael S. Gross

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

   

Document


(a )   Articles of Amendment*
(h )(1)   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity*
(h )(2)   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt*
(h )(3)   Form of Indenture*
(l )(1)   Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel for Registrant*
(l )(2)   Opinion and Consent for Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for Registrant*
(n )   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accountants for Registrant*

* Filed herewith.

 

C-7

Exhibit (a)

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

 

Apollo Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

 

FIRST : The charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) is hereby amended by deleting the first two sentences of Section 5.1 of Article V and inserting in lieu thereof two new sentences to read as follows:

 

“ The Corporation has authority to issue 400,000,000 shares of stock, initially consisting of 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $400,000.”

 

SECOND : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to the foregoing amendment of the Charter was 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value was $100,000.

 

THIRD : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment of the Charter is 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $400,000.

 

FOURTH : The information required by Section 2-607(b)(2)(i) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) is not changed by the foregoing amendment.

 

FIFTH : The foregoing amendment was approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation as required by law and was limited to a change expressly authorized by Section 2-105(a)(12) of the MGCL without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

SIXTH : The undersigned President of the Corporation acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested by its Assistant Secretary this 8th day of April, 2005.

 

ATTEST:

     

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

   
/s/    G ORDON E. S WARTZ               By:   /s/    M ICHAEL S. G ROSS           (SEAL)
    Gordon E. Swartz           Michael S. Gross    
    Assistant Secretary           President    

 

2

Exhibit (h)(1)

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

[Title of Securities]

 

TERMS AGREEMENT

 

Dated:                  , 200     

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

APOLLO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.

9 West 57th Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Dear Sirs:

 

We (the “Representative”) understand that Apollo Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell shares of its [Common Stock, $              par value] [Preferred Stock, $              par value] [and] [Warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase              shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the “Warrant Securities”)] (such Common Stock, Preferred Shares and/or Warrant Securities being collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Underwritten Securities”), as set forth below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth or incorporated by reference herein, collectively, the underwriters named below (the “Underwriters”) offer to purchase, severally and not jointly, the respective number of shares of Initial Underwritten Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions referenced below) set forth below opposite their respective names, and a proportionate share of Option Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions referenced below), to the extent any are purchased, at the purchase price set forth below.

 

UNDERWRITER


   [NUMBER OF
SHARES OF
INITIAL
UNDERWRITTEN
SECURITIES


  [NUMBER OF
WARRANTS


              
              
              

Total

   $                      ]   $                      ]

 

The Underwritten Securities shall have the following terms:

 

Title of Securities:                         

Number of Shares:                         

Public offering price per share:                                 

 

 


Purchase price per share:                                     

 

Number of Option Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions referenced below):                         

[Delayed Delivery Contracts: [authorized] [not authorized]

[Date of delivery:                         

Minimum contract:                         

Maximum aggregate principal amount:                     

Fee: $              ]

Closing date and location:                         

 

[WARRANTS

 

Number of Warrants to be issued:                                     

Warrant Agent:                         

Issuable jointly with Common Stock [or Preferred Shares]: [Yes] [No]

[Number of Warrants issued with each share of Common Stock [or Preferred Share]:                          ]

[Detachable data:                      ]

Date from which Warrants are exercisable:

Date on which Warrants expire:                         

Exercise price(s) of Warrants:                         

Initial public offering price: $             

Purchase price: $             

Title of Warrant Securities:                         

Number purchasable upon exercise of one Debt Warrant:                     

Price:                                 

Payable:                                 

[Delayed Delivery Contracts: [authorized] [not authorized]

[Date of delivery:                     

Minimum contract:                     

Maximum aggregate principal amount:                     

Fee: $              ]

Other terms:                             

[Closing date and location:                  ]]

 

All the provisions contained in the document attached as Annex A hereto entitled “Apollo Investment Corporation – Common Stock ($              par value), Preferred Stock ($              par value), and Warrants – Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions” are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein and shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Terms defined in such document are used herein as therein defined.

 

Please accept this offer no later than              P.M. (New York City time) on              , 200      by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us.

 

2


Very truly yours,

[Name of Representative]

By:    
Acting on behalf of themselves and the other named Underwriters

 

Accepted:
APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION
By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

APOLLO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.

By: ACC Management, L.P.,

its General Partner

By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

 

3


 

ANNEX A

 

                     , 200   

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

Common Stock ($              Par Value)

Preferred Stock ($              Par Value)

and

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT BASIC PROVISIONS

 

Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”) proposes to issue and sell shares of Common Stock, $              par value (“Common Stock”), or Preferred Stock, $              par value (the “Preferred Shares”), or both, or Warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or both, from time to time in one or more offerings on terms determined at the time of sale. The Preferred Shares may be offered in the form of depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) represented by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Receipts”). The Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (the warrant agreement relating to any issue of Warrants to be sold pursuant to this Agreement will be identified in the applicable Terms Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and is referred to herein as the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and the Warrant Agent identified in such Warrant Agreement (the “Warrant Agent”). The Common Stock and, if applicable, the Preferred Shares or the Warrants, together, if applicable, with the Depositary Shares and the Depositary Receipts are hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”; and “Warrant Securities” shall mean the Common Stock or Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants. The Common Stock, Preferred Shares and Warrants may be offered either together or separately. Each issue of Preferred Shares may vary, as applicable, as to the specific number of shares, title, stated value and liquidation preference, issuance price, ranking, dividend rate or rates (or method of calculation), dividend payment dates, any redemption or sinking fund requirements, any conversion provisions and any other variable terms as set forth in the applicable certificate of designation (each, a “Certificate of Designation”) relating to such Preferred Shares. Each issue of Warrants may vary, as applicable, as to the title, specific number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Shares receivable upon exercise, issuance price, exercise dates, exercise conditions and any other variable terms as set forth in the applicable Warrant Agreement relating to such Warrants.

 

This is to confirm the arrangements with respect to the purchase of Underwritten Securities (as defined in Section 2 hereof) from the Company by the Representative or Representatives (collectively, the “Representative”) and the several Underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”) listed in the applicable terms agreement entered into between the Representative and the Company of which this Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions is Annex A thereto (the “Terms Agreement”). With respect to any particular Terms Agreement,

 

1


such Terms Agreement, together with the provisions hereof incorporated therein by reference, is herein referred to as the “Agreement”. Terms defined in the applicable Terms Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

 

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 333-124007) in respect of the Securities and certain of the Company’s senior and/or subordinated debt securities (“Debt Securities”) and warrants to purchase Debt Securities and certain other warrants, [which registration statement also constitutes post-effective amendment No. 1 to registration statement No. 333-124007 relating to the Company’s debt securities and warrants to purchase debt securities,] and has filed such amendments thereto as may have been required to the date of the Terms Agreement. Such registration statement and such post-effective amendment, as amended, have been declared effective by the Commission. Such registration statement and such post-effective amendment, as amended, and the combined prospectus constituting a part thereof and the supplements to the prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) relating to the offering of the Offered Securities (as defined in Section 2 hereof), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, as from time to time amended or supplemented pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “1934 Act”), the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “1933 Act”), or otherwise (whether or not the prospectus or the applicable Prospectus Supplement is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497(h) of the Regulations, as defined below), are collectively referred to herein as the “Registration Statement” and the “Prospectus”, respectively; provided, however, that any Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to supplement the Prospectus only with respect to the offering of Offered Securities to which it relates. A Form N-54A – Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Filed Pursuant to Section 54(a) of the Act (File No. 814-00646) (the “Notification of Election”) was filed with the Commission on February 6, 2004 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).

 

The Company has entered into an investment advisory and management agreement dated as of April 1, 2004 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), with Apollo Investment Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership registered as an investment adviser (the “Adviser”), under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Advisers Act”).

 

SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . (A) The Company represents and warrants to the Representative and to each Underwriter named in a Terms Agreement as of the date thereof (the “Representation Date”), and the Adviser represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters as of the applicable Representation Date as follows:

 

(a) The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; the Prospectus in the form distributed in connection with the offering of

 

5


the Underwritten Securities complied in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and did not, as of its date, and does not, as of the applicable Representation Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Registration Statement complied when it became effective, and complies and will comply, as of the applicable Representation Date, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Prospectus will comply, as of its date and at the time of purchase and at the additional time of purchase, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, and any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement have been and will be so described or filed; the Company is eligible to use Form N-2; the Registration Statement did not, when it became effective, does not and will not, at the applicable Representation Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and the Prospectus will not, as of its date and at the time of purchase and at the additional time of purchase, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus; and the Company has not distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

(b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right or right of first refusal.

 

(c) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland with power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; and the Company has no subsidiaries.

 

(d) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement (as defined below) and the Warrant Agreement, if applicable, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not (i) result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company, pursuant to any indenture, loan agreement, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, (ii) to the best of its knowledge, contravene or violate any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any

 

6


court or of any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or (iii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company, except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent that such contravention or violation would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operation or prospects of the Company (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

(e) The description of the authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company under “Description of Our Capital Stock” in the Prospectus (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to reservations or agreements referred to in the Prospectus) is accurate in all material respects as of the date indicated in such sections.

 

(f) The Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement, the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and, if applicable, the deposit of the Preferred Shares comprising part or all of the Underwritten Securities by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with the provisions of a Deposit Agreement (each, a “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, the financial institution named in the Deposit Agreement (the “Depositary”) and the holders of the Depositary Receipts issued thereunder, have, as of the applicable Representation Date, been duly authorized by the Company, and such Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement (or will have been so authorized prior to each issuance of Underwritten Securities), and such Underwritten Securities and Warrant Securities, if applicable, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth in this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Warrant Securities are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy; the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement and, if applicable, the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Depositary Receipts, conform in all material respects to the statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Underwritten Securities is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights.

 

(g) If the Underwritten Securities are Common Stock or Preferred Shares convertible into Common Stock, the shares of issued and outstanding capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and such capital stock conforms in all material respects as to legal matters to the description thereof in the Prospectus.

 

(h) If applicable, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any issue of the Preferred Shares will have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion by all necessary corporate action and when issued upon such conversion, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such conversion will not be subject to preemptive rights.

 

(i) If applicable, the Warrant Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company prior to the issuance of any applicable Warrants, and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in

 

7


accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

(j) If applicable, the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such exercise by all necessary corporate action and when issued upon such exercise, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such exercise will not be subject to preemptive rights.

 

(k) If applicable, the Deposit Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company prior to the issuance of any applicable Underwritten Securities, and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

(l) If applicable, upon execution and delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the persons in whose names the Depositary Receipts are registered will be entitled to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement, subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

(m) The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n) The capital stock of the Company, including the Common Stock, conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

 

(o) The Investment Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

(p) The Company is not in breach or violation of or in default under (i) its charter or bylaws, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit

 

5


agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party, except, with respect to clause (ii), to the extent that any such contravention would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(q) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (i) the charter or bylaws of the Company, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party, or (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such contravention would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(r) No approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby other than (i) registration of the Underwritten Securities under the 1933 Act, which has been effected, (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Underwritten Securities are being offered by the Underwriters or under the rules and regulations of the NASD and (iii) filing of the Notification of Election under the Investment Company Act, which has been effected.

 

(s) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to register under the 1933 Act any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other equity interests of the Company, or to include any such shares or interests in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby.

 

(t) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, the Company has all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals (collectively, the “Consents”) and has made all necessary filings required under any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule, and has obtained all necessary authorizations, consents and approvals from other persons, in order to conduct its respective business, except where the failure to obtain such consent would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u) All legal proceedings, government proceedings, affiliate transactions, contracts, licenses, agreements, leases or documents known to the Company and of a character required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement have been so described or filed as required.

 

(v) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are independent certified public accountants as required by the 1933 Act.

 

6


(w) The audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, together with the related notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company as of the date indicated and the results of operations for the periods specified are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved.

 

(x) Subsequent to the date of the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), there has not been (i) any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company, (iii) any obligation, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company, which is material to the Company or (iv) any dividend of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company.

 

(y) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Underwritten Securities, will not be a “registered management investment company” or an entity “controlled” by a “registered management investment company,” as such terms are used under the Investment Company Act.

 

(z) The Company owns, or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in the Prospectus as being licensed by it or which are necessary for the conduct of its businesses, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(aa) The Company and, to its knowledge, its directors and officers (in such capacity) are in substantial compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and the Commission’s applicable published rules promulgated thereunder that are effective, except to the extent that such failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is taking steps to ensure that it will comply with other applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Commission’s applicable published rules promulgated thereunder upon the effectiveness of such provisions.

 

(bb) The terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation terms, comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(cc) The Company has duly elected to be treated by the Commission under the Investment Company Act as a business development company and such election is effective.

 

(dd) The operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to business development

 

7


companies and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; provided that the Company does not represent or warrant as to the compliance of Sections 10(a)(1)(iii) and 10(a)(4)(iii) with Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.

 

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with an offering of Underwritten Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to the matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter participating in such offering.

 

(B) Representations and Warranties of the Adviser. The Adviser represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters as of the applicable Representation Date as follows:

 

(a) The Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited partnership, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the Adviser is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material adverse change in the business, financial condition, capitalization or regulatory status of such entity, or otherwise be reasonably be expected to prevent the Adviser from carrying out its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement (collectively, a “Material Adverse Change”).

 

(b) The Adviser is duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Company as contemplated by the Prospectus.

 

(c) There are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, threatened to which the Adviser is or would be a party, or of which any of its properties are or would be subject at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, except any such action, suit, claim, investigation or proceeding which would not result in a judgment, decree or order either (A) constituting, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, or (B) preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d) The Adviser is not in breach or violation of, or in default under (i) its limited partnership agreement, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party, or (iii) any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Adviser except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that any such contravention would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

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(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not conflict with, result in any breach of violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both would reasonably be expected to result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (i) the limited partnership agreement, or (ii) other organizational documents of the Adviser or (iii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party, or (iv) any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or other applicable to the Adviser except, with respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), to the extent that any such contravention would not have a Material Adverse Change.

 

(f) This Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Adviser; the Adviser has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement; each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Adviser, subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

(g) The description of the Adviser contained in the Prospectus is accurate in all material respects as of the date indicated.

 

(h) The Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Prospectus, under this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

(i) The Adviser has all Consents and has made all necessary filings required under any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule and has obtained all necessary Consents from other persons, in order to conduct its business, except where the failure to obtain such Consents would not constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

(j) Neither the Adviser nor any of its partners or officers has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, under the 1934 Act, to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of the Underwritten Securities.

 

SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE . The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell, the Underwritten Securities shall be evidenced by the applicable Terms Agreement. Such Terms Agreement shall specify the number of Underwritten Securities to be initially issued (the “Initial Underwritten Securities”), the number of Warrants whether the Initial Underwritten Securities shall be in the form of Depositary Shares and the fractional amount of Preferred Shares represented by each Depositary Share, the names of the Underwriters participating in such offering (subject to substitution as provided in Section 9

 

9


hereof), the number of Initial Underwritten Securities which each such Underwriter severally agrees to purchase, the name of each Underwriter acting as Representative, in connection with such offering, the price at which the Initial Underwritten Securities or the Warrants are to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company, the initial public offering price, the time and place of delivery and payment, any delayed delivery arrangements and any other terms of the Initial Underwritten Securities pursuant to which they are being issued (including, but not limited to, designations, conversion provisions, redemption provisions and sinking fund requirements). In addition, the applicable Terms Agreement shall specify whether the Company has agreed to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase additional Underwritten Securities subject to such option (the “Option Underwritten Securities”; together with the Initial Underwritten Securities, the “Offered Securities”). As used herein, the “Underwritten Securities” shall include the Initial Underwritten Securities, the Warrants and all or any portion of the Option Underwritten Securities agreed to be purchased by the Underwriters.

 

The several commitments of the Underwriters to purchase Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

 

On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company may grant, if so provided in the applicable Terms Agreement relating to any Initial Underwritten Securities, an option to the Underwriters named in such Terms Agreement, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to the number of Option Securities set forth therein at the same price per share as is applicable to the Initial Securities. Such option, if granted, will expire 30 days or such lesser number of days as may be specified in such Terms Agreement after the Representation Date relating to the Initial Underwritten Securities, and may be exercised by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representative to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “Date of Delivery”) shall be determined by the Representative but shall not be later than seven full business days and not earlier than two full business days after the exercise of said option, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities each such Underwriter has severally agreed to purchase as set forth in the applicable Terms Agreement bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject to such adjustments as the Representative in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

 

Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, any Initial Underwritten Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be made at the office of [ Name of counsel for Underwriters ], [ such counsel’s address ], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at [10:00 A.M.], New York City time, on the fifth business day (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof) following the date of

 

10


the applicable Terms Agreement or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (each such time and date being referred to as a “Closing Time”). In addition, in the event that the over-allotment option described in the immediately preceding paragraph is exercised, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates representing, the related Option Securities, shall be made at the above-mentioned office of [ Name of counsel for Underwriters ], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representative to the Company. Payment shall be made to the Company by certified or official bank check or checks in [New York Clearing House] or similar next day funds payable to the order of the Company against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Underwritten Securities to be purchased by them. Certificates for such Underwritten Securities or, if applicable, Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representative may request in writing at least two business days prior to the applicable Closing Time or Date of Delivery, as the case may be. Such certificates or receipts will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representative on or before the first business day prior to Closing Time or Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

 

If authorized by the applicable Terms Agreement, the Underwriters named therein may solicit offers to purchase Underwritten Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (“Delayed Delivery Contracts”) substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto with such changes therein as the Company may approve. As compensation for arranging Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Company will pay to the Representative at Closing Time, for the accounts of the Underwriters, a fee specified in the applicable Terms Agreement for each of the Underwritten Securities for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are made at Closing Time as is specified in such Terms Agreement. Any Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors of the types set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. At Closing Time, the Company will enter into Delayed Delivery Contracts (for not less than the minimum number of Securities per Delayed Delivery Contract specified in the applicable Terms Agreement) with all purchasers proposed by the Underwriters and previously approved by the Company as provided below, but not for an aggregate number of Underwritten Securities in excess of that specified in such Terms Agreement. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility for the validity or performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts.

 

If applicable, the Representative shall submit to the Company, at least three business days prior to Closing Time, the names of any institutional investors with which it is proposed that the Company will enter into Delayed Delivery Contracts and the number of Underwritten Securities to be purchased by each of them, and the Company will advise the Representative, at least two business days prior to Closing Time, of the names of the institutions with which the making of Delayed Delivery Contracts is approved by the Company and the number of Underwritten Securities to be covered by each such Delayed Delivery Contract.

 

The number of Underwritten Securities agreed to be purchased by the respective Underwriters pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be reduced by the number of Underwritten Securities covered by Delayed Delivery Contracts, as to each Underwriter as set forth in a written notice delivered by the Representative to the Company; provided, however, that the total number of Underwritten Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters shall be the total

 

11


number of Underwritten Securities covered by the applicable Terms Agreement, less the number of Underwritten Securities covered by Delayed Delivery Contracts.

 

SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY . The Company and the Adviser, jointly and severally, agree with the Representative, and with each Underwriter participating in the offering of Underwritten Securities, as follows:

 

(a) Immediately following the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement, the Company will prepare a Prospectus Supplement setting forth the number of Underwritten Securities covered thereby and their terms not otherwise set forth in the Prospectus, the names of the Underwriters participating in the offering and the number of Underwritten Securities which each severally has agreed to purchase, the name of each Underwriter acting as Representative in connection with the offering, the price at which the Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company, the initial public offering price, the selling concession and reallowance, if any, any delayed delivery arrangements, and such other information as the Representative and the Company deem appropriate in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities. The Company will promptly transmit copies of the Prospectus (including such Prospectus Supplement) to the Commission for filing pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations and will furnish to the Underwriters named therein as many copies of the Prospectus as the Representative shall reasonably request.

 

(b) If, at any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of any of the Underwritten Securities, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, to amend or supplement further the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statement therein not misleading in the light of circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the Regulations, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendment or supplement, whether by filing documents pursuant to the 1934 Act or otherwise, as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement and Prospectus comply with such requirements.

 

(c) With respect to each sale of Underwritten Securities, the Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering the 12-month period beginning, in each case, not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement relating to such Underwritten Securities.

 

(d) At any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Underwritten Securities, the Company will give

 

12


the Representative notice of its intention to file any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representative with copies of any such amendment or supplement or other documents proposed to be filed, and will provide the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters a reasonable period during which to provide comments to such documents prior to filing.

 

(e) At any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Underwritten Securities, the Company shall notify the Representative immediately of (i) the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement, (ii) the mailing or the delivery to the Commission for filing of any supplement to the Prospectus or any document to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act, (iii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus, (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, and (v) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company shall make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof as soon as possible.

 

(f) During the period specified in (b) above, the Company shall deliver to the Representative such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

(g) The Company shall endeavor in good faith to qualify the Underwritten Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. The Company will maintain such qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Underwritten Securities. The Company shall file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Underwritten Securities have been qualified as above provided.

 

(h) The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of the Underwritten Securities, will file promptly all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the 1934 Act.

 

(i) Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms Agreement, the Company shall not sell or otherwise dispose of any Underwritten Securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Underwritten Securities other than the Underwritten Securities, without the prior written consent of the Representative, for a period of 90 days after the date the Terms Agreement is executed, except the Company may, without such consent, issue or sell Underwritten Securities pursuant to the terms of

 

13


the Company’s employee benefit plans in existence on the date the Terms Agreement is executed.

 

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS’ OBLIGATIONS . The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Adviser herein contained, to the accuracy of the statements made in any certificate furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Adviser of each of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following further conditions:

 

(a) At the applicable Closing Time, (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and (ii) there shall not have come to the Representative’s attention any facts that would cause the Representative to believe that the Prospectus, together with the applicable Prospectus Supplement, at the time it was required to be delivered to a purchaser of the Underwritten Securities, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at such time, not misleading.

 

(b) At the applicable Closing Time, the Representative shall have received:

 

(1) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that:

 

(i) To such counsel’s knowledge, the Underwritten Securities are free of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights;

 

(ii) (A) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except as to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act; and (B) the Company is eligible to use Form N-2;

 

(iii) This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, and the Delayed Delivery Contracts, if any, have been duly executed and delivered by the Company (to the extent that execution and delivery are matters governed by New York law) and, with respect to the Warrant Agreement only, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement by the Warrant Agent, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(iv) If applicable, assuming due authorization of the Warrant Securities, when issued and executed in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and when authenticated by the Warrant Agent as specified in the Warrant Agreement, and delivered against payment pursuant to this Agreement, the Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Warrant Agreement, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(v) No authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or New York governmental authority or regulatory body, or any third party that is a party to any of the documents listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities and consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby other than registration of the Underwritten Securities under the Act

 

14


(except such counsel need express no opinion as to any necessary qualification under the state securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Underwritten Securities are being offered by the Underwriters);

 

(vi) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not result in a violation of or constitute a default under (A) the charter or bylaws of the Company or (B) to such counsel’s knowledge, any agreement or document listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company, except in the case of clause (B) for any such conflict, breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(vii) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act;

 

(viii) The information in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the headings “Regulation,” “Description of Our Capital Stock,” “Description of the Warrants,” (if any) “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Underwriting,” insofar as such statements constitute a summary of documents or matters of law, are accurate in all material respects and present fairly the information required to be shown;

 

(ix) The Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Company (to the extent that execution and delivery are matters governed by New York law);

 

(x) If applicable, the form of the certificate used to evidence the offered Common Stock complies on its face in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Nasdaq National Market;

 

(xi) To such counsel’s knowledge, no person has the right, pursuant to the terms of any contract, agreement or other instrument described, in or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, to cause the Company to register under the Act any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other equity interest of the Company, or to include any such shares or interest in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby;

 

15


(xii) The Investment Advisory Agreement contains the applicable provisions required by Section 205 of the Advisers Act and Section 15 of the Investment Company Act;

 

(xiii) The Adviser is duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and, to such counsel’s knowledge, is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement as an investment adviser to the Company, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and, to such counsel’s knowledge, there does not exist any proceeding pending or threatened, which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the registration of the Adviser with the Commission;

 

(xiv) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Adviser and the consummation by the Adviser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not result in a violation of or constitute a default under (A) the limited partnership agreement of the Adviser or (B) to such counsel’s knowledge, any agreement or document listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Adviser, except in the case of clause (B) for any such conflict, breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(xv) This Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Adviser (to the extent that execution and delivery are matters governed by New York law); and

 

(xvi) If applicable, upon execution and delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary Receipts issued under and in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement to evidence the Depositary Shares will be validly issued, and the persons in whose names Depositary Receipts are registered will be entitled to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

Such opinion shall also state that (i) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and, to such counsel’s knowledge, no stop order proceedings with respect thereto are pending or threatened under the Act and (ii) such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants of the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except as and to the extent stated in subparagraph (vii) above), on the basis of the foregoing nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that causes them to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto at the time such Registration Statement or amendment became effective contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus or any supplement thereto at the date of such Prospectus or such supplement, and at the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under

 

16


which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and schedules and other financial data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus).

 

(2) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of Venable LLP, Maryland counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that:

 

(i) the Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. The Company has the corporate power to own, lease and operate its property or assets, to conduct its business in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement, and to sell, issue and deliver the Underwritten Securities as contemplated herein;

 

(ii) the sale and issuance of the Underwritten Securities and, if applicable, the deposit of the Preferred Shares comprising part or all of the Underwritten Securities by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with the applicable Deposit Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the resolutions authorizing their issuance, the Underwritten Securities will be validly issued, and, if the Underwritten Securities are shares of stock, fully paid and non-assessable. The issuance of the Underwritten Securities is not subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

(iii) if the Underwritten Securities are convertible into shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion and, when issued upon such conversion, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such conversion will not be subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the MGCL or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

(iv) if applicable, the shares of stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such exercise and, when issued upon such exercise, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such exercise will not be subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the MGCL or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

17


(v) the Underwritten Securities conform in all material respects as to legal matters to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus;

 

(vi) the execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. Each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement has been duly executed and, so far as is known to Venable LLP, delivered by the Company;

 

(vii) the statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the headings “Description of Our Capital Stock,” “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Investments – Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock”, in each case insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of Maryland law, the Company’s charter or the bylaws, are accurate in all material respects;

 

(viii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the sale and issuance of the Underwritten Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Company’s charter or bylaws, or any Maryland law or regulation, or, so far as is known to Venable LLP, any order or decree of any Maryland governmental authority applicable to the Company (other than any law, regulation, order or decree in connection with the securities laws of the State of Maryland, as to which no option is hereby expressed);

 

(ix) the stock of the Company conforms as to legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the heading “Description of Our Capital Stock”;

 

(x) all of the shares of stock of the Company issued and outstanding as

 

18


of the date hereof (immediately prior to the issuance of the Underwritten Securities) have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the MGCL or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

(xi) the certificates for the Underwritten Securities that are shares of stock comply with the applicable requirements of the MGCL and the Company’s charter and bylaws; and

 

(xii) no personal liability will attach under the laws of the State of Maryland, the Company’s state of incorporation, to holders of the Underwritten Securities that are shares of stock for any debt or obligation of the Company solely as a result of their status as holders of the Underwritten Securities.

 

(3) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [ law firm name ], Delaware counsel for the Company that the Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to execute and deliver this Agreement; the Adviser has full power and authority to execute and deliver the Investment Advisory Agreement; and the Adviser is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited partnership and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(4) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [                    ] to the following effect:

 

(i) The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in the State of New York and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification;

 

(ii) The Company is not in breach or violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time or both would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) its charter or bylaws, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company except for any such breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(iii) To such counsel’s knowledge, there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened or contemplated

 

19


to which the Company or its directors or officers is or would be a party or to which any of their respective properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus but are not so described except for any such actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(5) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [ law firm name ], counsel for the Underwriters, as to the matters referred to in subparagraphs (ii), (v) (with respect to the Underwritten Securities only) and the last subparagraph of Section 4(b)(1).

 

(c) At the applicable Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company and the Adviser, taken as a whole, or in the results of operations or business prospects of the Company and the Adviser, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Time, to the effect that there has been no such material adverse change and to the effect that the other representations and warranties of the Company and the Adviser contained in Section 1 are true and correct with the same force and effect as though such Closing Time were a Representation Date. As used in Section 5(c), the term “Prospectus” means the Prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of the Offered Securities.

 

(d) The Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountant acceptable to the Representative a letter, dated as of the date of the applicable Terms Agreement and delivered at such time, in form heretofore approved by the Representative to the extent that may be reasonably requested by the Representative.

 

(e) The Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountant acceptable to the Representative a letter, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, reconfirming or updating the letter required by subsection (d) of this Section to the extent that may be reasonably requested by the Representative.

 

(f) At the applicable Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities as herein contemplated and related proceedings or in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations and warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.

 

20


(g) In the event the option provided in the applicable Terms Agreement as set forth in Section 2 hereof is exercised by the Representative with respect to all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery, and the Representative shall have received:

 

  (1) A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in their capacities as such, confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

 

  (2) The favorable opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities and otherwise substantially to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 4(b)(1) hereof.

 

  (3) The favorable opinion of Venable LLP, Maryland counsel for the company in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities and otherwise substantially to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 4(b)(2) hereof.

 

  (4) The favorable opinion of [ Law Firm name ], Delaware counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities and otherwise substantially to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 4(b)(3) hereof.

 

  (5) The favorable opinion of [                    ], in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities and otherwise substantially to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 4(b)(4) hereof.

 

  (6) The favorable opinion of [ Law Firm name ], counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 4(b)(5) hereof.

 

  (7)

A letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountant acceptable to the Representative, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially the same in scope and substance as the letter furnished to the Representative pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter

 

21


 

furnished pursuant to this Section 4(g)(7) shall be a date not more than five days prior to such Date of Delivery.

 

If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the applicable Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 5.

 

SECTION 5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES . The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation of this Agreement and the filing of the Registration Statement and all amendments thereto, (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Underwritten Securities to the Underwriters and any Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel and accountant, (iv) the qualification of the Underwritten Securities and any Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g), including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky Surveys and Legal Investment Surveys, (v) the delivery of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, and the printing and delivery to the Underwriters in quantities as hereinabove stated of copies of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, (vi) the delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Warrant Agreement, the Certificate of Designation and the Deposit Agreement, if applicable, and any Blue Sky Surveys and Legal Investment Surveys, (vii) the fees, if any, of rating agencies, and (viii) the fees and expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the listing of the Offered Securities and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Preferred Shares, or any Warrant Securities, if applicable, on any national securities exchange.

 

If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or Section 8(i), the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters named in the applicable Terms Agreement for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION . (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 16 of the 1933 Act as follows:

 

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any omission or alleged omission therefrom, of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom, of a material fact necessary in order to make the statement therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such untrue statement or omission or such alleged untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any

 

22


Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto);

 

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

 

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above.

 

The Adviser agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter and each other person specified in subsection (a)(i) of this Section 6 from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) any such Underwriter or any such other person may incur as specified in such subsection, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (x) any of the matters specified in clauses (i) through (iii) of subsection (a) of this Section 6 or (y) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by the Adviser in Section 1(B) hereof.

 

In no case shall the Company or the Adviser be liable under this indemnity agreement with respect to any claim made against any Underwriter or any such controlling person unless the Company or the Adviser shall be notified in writing of the nature of the claim within a reasonable time after the assertion thereof, but failure so to notify the Company or the Adviser shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. The Company and the Adviser, as applicable, shall be entitled to participate at it own expense in the defense, or if it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, to assume the defense for any suit brought to enforce any such claim, but if the Company or the Adviser elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Underwriter or Underwriters or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendant in any suit so brought. In the event that the Company or the Adviser elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel, the Underwriter or Underwriters or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendant in the suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel thereafter retained by them. In the event that the parties to any such action (including impleaded parties) include both the Company or the Adviser and one or more Underwriter or Underwriters, and any such Underwriter shall have been advised by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Company or the Adviser that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company or the Adviser, the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Underwriter and will reimburse such Underwriter and any person controlling such Underwriter as aforesaid for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them, it being understood that the Company or the

 

23


Adviser shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for all such Underwriters and controlling persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative. The Company and the Adviser agree to notify the Representative within a reasonable time of the assertion of any claim against it, any of it officers or directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, in connection with the sale of the Offered Securities.

 

(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Adviser and each of their officers, directors and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, but only with respect to statements or omissions made in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) in reliance upon written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). In case any action shall be brought against the Company or the Adviser or any person so indemnified based on the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the right and duties given to the Company or the Adviser, and the Company, the Adviser and each person so indemnified shall have the right and duties given to the Underwriters, by the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section.

 

SECTION 7. CONTRIBUTION . If the indemnification provisions provided in Section 6 above should under applicable law be unenforceable in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefit received by the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters from the offering of the Underwritten Securities and also the relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Adviser and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Underwritten Securities. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under Section 6 above including the consequences of such failure, and whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Adviser or the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission of the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters, directly or through the Representative of the Underwriters. The Company, the Adviser and the

 

24


Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by per capita allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Underwritten Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters in this Section 7 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

The obligations of the Company and the Adviser under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Adviser may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and each director of the Company and the Adviser and to each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act.

 

SECTION 8. TERMINATION . The Representative may terminate this Agreement, immediately upon notice to the Company, at any time prior to the applicable Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company and the Adviser taken as a whole, or in the results of operations or business prospects of the Company and the Adviser taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable to market the Underwritten Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Underwritten Securities, or (iii) if trading on The Nasdaq National Market has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities. In the event of any such termination, (a) the covenants set forth in Section 3 with respect to any offering of Underwritten Securities shall remain in effect so long as any Underwriter retains beneficial ownership of any such Underwritten Securities purchased from the Company pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement and (y) the covenant set forth in Section 3(c), the provisions of Section 5, the indemnity agreement set forth in Section 6, the contribution agreement set forth in Section 7 and the provisions of Section 12 shall remain in

 

25


effect. As used in this Section 8, the term “Prospectus” means the Prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of the Offered Securities.

 

SECTION 9. DEFAULT . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the applicable Closing Time to purchase the Initial Underwritten Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under the applicable Terms Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), then the Representative shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth. If, however, during such 24 hours the Representative shall not have completed such arrangements for the purchase of all of the Defaulted Securities, then:

 

(a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of the Initial Securities, the non-defaulting Underwriters named in such Terms Agreement shall be obligated to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations thereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or

 

(b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of the Initial Securities, this Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company.

 

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

 

In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters as set forth in this Section, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the applicable Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order that any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

SECTION 10. NOTICES . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representative; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Margery Neale.

 

SECTION 11. PARTIES . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, the Adviser and any Underwriter who becomes a party hereto, and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto or thereto and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties and their respective successors and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or

 

26


corporation. No purchaser of Underwritten Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

 

SECTION 12. GOVERNING LAW . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 13. COUNTERPARTS . The applicable Terms Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and if executed in more than one counterpart the executed counterparts shall constitute a single instrument.

 

27


 

EXHIBIT A

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

[Title of Securities]

 

DELAYED DELIVERY CONTRACT

 

                         , 200   

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

9 West 57 th Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Dear Sirs:

 

The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned on                          , 200    (the “Delivery Date”),                          of the Company’s [ insert title of security ] (the “Securities”), offered by the Company’s Prospectus dated                          , 200    , as supplemented by its Prospectus Supplement dated                              , 200    , receipt of which is hereby acknowledged at a purchase price of to the Delivery Date, and on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract.

 

Payment for the Securities which the undersigned has agreed to purchase on the Delivery Date shall be made to the Company or its order by certified or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds at the office of                              , on the Delivery Date, upon delivery to the undersigned of the Securities to be purchased by the undersigned in definitive form and in such denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may designate by written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than five full business days prior to the Delivery Date.

 

The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities on the Delivery Date shall be subject only to the conditions that (1) the purchase of Securities to be made by the undersigned shall not on the Delivery Date be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject and (2) the Company, on or before                      , 200    , shall have sold to the Underwriters of the Securities (the “Underwriters”) such number of the Securities as is to be sold to them pursuant to the Terms Agreement dated                      , 200    between the Company and the Underwriters. The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities shall not be affected by the failure of any purchaser to take delivery of and make payments for Securities pursuant to other contracts similar to this contract. The undersigned represents and warrants to you that its investment in the Securities is not, as of the date hereof, prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject and which govern such investment.

 

Promptly after completion of the sale to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by

 

1


a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection therewith.

 

By the execution hereof, the undersigned represents and warrants to the Company that all necessary corporate action for the due execution and delivery of this contract and the payment for and purchase of the Securities has been taken by it and no further authorization or approval of any governmental or other regulatory authority is required for such execution, delivery, payment or purchase, and that, upon acceptance hereof by the Company and mailing or delivery of a copy as provided below, this contract will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned in accordance with its terms.

 

This contract will inure to the benefit of and binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other.

 

It is understood that the Company will not accept Delayed Delivery Contracts for a number of Securities in excess of                      and that the acceptance of any Delayed Delivery Contract is in the Company’s sole discretion and, without limiting the foregoing, need not be on a first-come, first-served basis. If this contract is acceptable to the Company, it is requested that the Company sign the form of acceptance on a copy hereof and mail or deliver a signed copy hereof to the undersigned at its address set forth below. This will become a binding contract between the Company and the undersigned when such copy is so mailed or delivered.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Yours very truly,

 
(Name of Purchaser)

By:

   
    (Title)
 
 
(Address)

 

2


Accepted as of the date first above written.

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:    
    (Title)

 

3


 

PURCHASER – PLEASE COMPLETE AT TIME OF SIGNING

 

The name and telephone number of the representative of the Purchaser with whom details of delivery on the Delivery Date may be discussed are as follows: (Please print.)

 

Name


 

Telephone No. (Including Area Code)


     

 

4

Exhibit (h)(2)

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

[Title of Securities]

 

TERMS AGREEMENT

 

Dated:                      , 200     

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

APOLLO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.

9 West 57 th Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Dear Sirs:

 

We (the “Representative”) understand that Apollo Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell [$              aggregate principal amount of its [Title of Debt Securities (the “Debt Securities”)]] [and] [Warrants (the “Debt Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of $              principal amount of [Title of Warrant Securities (the “Warrant Securities”)]] ([such Debt Securities and Debt Warrants being collectively hereinafter referred to as] the “Underwritten Securities”). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein or incorporated by reference herein, the underwriters named below (the “Underwriters”) offer to purchase, severally and not jointly, the respective amounts of [Debt Securities] [and] [Debt Warrants] set forth below opposite their respective names at the [respective] purchase price[s] set forth below.

 

UNDERWRITER


  

[PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

OF

DEBT SECURITIES


 

[NUMBER

OF

DEBT WARRANTS


              
              
              
Total    $                                      ]   $                                      ]

 

The Underwritten Securities shall have the following terms:

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

[Title of Debt Securities:                                                                  

Currency:                                                                                           

Principal amount to be issued:                                                      


Current ratings:   Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.:          ;
    Standard & Poor’s Corporation:          ;
    Duff and Phelps, Inc.:          .

Interest rate or formula:              %

Interest payment dates:                                                                      

Date of maturity:                                                                              

Redemption provisions:                                                                  

Sinking fund requirements:                                                              

[Delayed Delivery Contracts: [authorized] [not authorized]

[Date of delivery:                                              

Minimum contract:                                              

Maximum aggregate principal amount:                             

Fee:              %]

[Initial public offering price:              %, plus accrued interest, if any, or amortized original issue discount, if any, from              , 200      .] Purchase price:              %, plus accrued interest, if any, or amortized original issue discount, if any, from                      , 200      (payable in next day funds).

Other terms:                                              

[Closing date and location:                                          ]]

 

[DEBT WARRANTS

 

Number of Debt Warrants to be issued:                                     

Debt Warrant Agent:                                                  

Issuable jointly with Debt Securities: [Yes]  [No]

[Number of Debt Warrants issued with each $              principal amount of Debt

Securities:                                                       ]

[Detachable data:                                           ]

Date from which Debt Warrants are exercisable:

Date on which Debt Warrants expire:                                              

Exercise price(s) of Debt Warrants:                                                

Initial public offering price: $             

Purchase price: $             

Title of Warrant Securities:                             

Principal amount purchasable upon exercise of one Debt Warrant:                     

Interest rate:                                                          

Payable:                                                                  

Date of maturity:                                                    

Redemption provisions:                                       

Sinking fund requirements:                                 

[Delayed Delivery Contracts: [authorized] [not authorized]

[Date of delivery:                                     

Minimum contract:                                  

Maximum aggregate principal amount:                         

Fee:              %]

Other terms:                                              

[Closing date and location:                        ]]

 

2


All the provisions contained in the document attached as Annex A hereto entitled “Apollo Investment Corporation – Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities – Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions” are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein and shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Terms defined in such document are used herein as therein defined.

 

Please accept this offer no later than              P.M. (New York City time) on                      , 200      by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us.

 

Very truly yours,
[Name of Representative]
By:                                                                                                   
Name:    
Title:    
Acting on behalf of itself and the
other named Underwriters.

 

Accepted:

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:                                                                                                   

Name:

   

Title:

   

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: ACC Management, L.P.,
its General Partner
By:                                                                                                   
Name:    
Title:    

 

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ANNEX A

 

                     , 200     

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT BASIC PROVISIONS

 

Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”) proposes to issue and sell up to $              aggregate principal amount of its senior debt securities (the “Senior Securities”) or its subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Securities”), or both, or Warrants (the “Debt Warrants”) to purchase Senior Securities, or both, from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The [Senior Securities][Subordinated Securities] will be issued under an indenture dated as of                      , 200      (the “Indenture”) between the Company and [ Name of Trustee for Indenture ], trustee. The Debt Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (the warrant agreement relating to any issue of Debt Warrants to be sold pursuant to this Agreement will be identified in the applicable Terms Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and is referred to herein as the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and the Warrant Agent identified in such Warrant Agreement (the “Warrant Agent”). Each issue of Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and Debt Warrants may vary, as applicable, as to aggregate principal amount, maturity date, interest rate or formula and timing of payments thereof, redemption provisions, conversion provisions and sinking fund requirements, if any, and any other variable terms which the Indenture or any Warrant Agreement, as the case may be, contemplates may be set forth in the Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and Debt Warrants as issued from time to time. The Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and the Debt Warrants may be offered either together or separately. As used herein, “Securities” shall mean Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities or Debt Warrants or any combination thereof; and “Warrant Securities” shall mean the Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities issuable upon exercise of Debt Warrants.

 

This is to confirm the arrangements with respect to the purchase of Underwritten Securities (as defined in Section 2) from the Company by the Representative (or Representatives (collectively, the “Representative”) and the several Underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”) listed in the applicable terms agreement entered into between the Representative and the Company of which this Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions is Annex A thereto (the “Terms Agreement”). With respect to any particular Terms Agreement, the Terms Agreement, together with the provisions hereof incorporated therein by reference, is herein referred to as the “Agreement”. Terms defined in the applicable Terms Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

 

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 333-124007) in respect of the


Company’s senior and/or subordinated debt securities, warrants to purchase senior debt securities and certain of the Company’s equity securities, [which registration statement also constitutes post-effective amendment no. 1 to registration statement No. 333-124007 relating to the Company’s senior debt securities and warrants to purchase debt securities, and has filed such amendments thereto as may have been required to the date of the Terms Agreement]. Such registration statement and such post-effective amendment as amended have been declared effective by the Commission, and the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “1939 Act”). Such registration statement and such post-effective amendment as amended and the combined prospectus constituting a part thereof and the supplements to the prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”) relating to the offering of the Offered Securities (as defined in Section 2 hereof), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, as from time to time amended or supplemented pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “1934 Act”), the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “1933 Act”), or otherwise (whether or not the prospectus or the applicable Prospectus Supplement is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497(h) of the Regulations, as defined below), are collectively referred to herein as the “Registration Statement” and the “Prospectus”, respectively; provided, however, that any Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to supplement the Prospectus only with respect to the Offered Securities to which it relates. A Form N-54A – Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Filed Pursuant to Section 54(a) of the Act (File No. 814-00646) (the “Notification of Election”) was filed with the Commission on February 6, 2004 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).

 

The Company has entered into an investment advisory and management agreement, dated as of April 1, 2004 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), with Apollo Investment Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership registered as an investment adviser (the “Adviser”), under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Advisers Act”).

 

SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (A) The Company represents and warrants to the Representative and to each Underwriter named in a Terms Agreement as of the date thereof (the “Representation Date”), and the Adviser represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters as of the applicable Representation Date as follows:

 

(a) The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; the Prospectus in the form distributed in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities complied in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and did not, as of its date, and does not, as of the applicable Representation Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Registration Statement

 

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complied when it became effective, and complies and will comply, as of the applicable Representation Date, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Prospectus will comply, as of its date and at the time of purchase and at the additional time of purchase, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, and any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement have been and will be so described or filed; the Company is eligible to use Form N-2; the Registration Statement did not, when it became effective, does not and will not, at the applicable Representation Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and the Prospectus will not, as of its date and at the time of purchase and at the additional time of purchase, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon the information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the 1939 Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Indenture; and the Company has not distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

(b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right or right of first refusal.

 

(c) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland with power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; and the Company has no subsidiaries.

 

(d) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Warrant Agreement, if applicable, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not (i) result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company, pursuant to any indenture, loan agreement, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, (ii) to the best of its knowledge, contravene or violate any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any court or of any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or (iii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company, except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent that such contravention

 

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or violation would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operation or prospects of the Company (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

(e) The Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement (or will have been so authorized prior to each issuance of Underwritten Securities) and, when issued, authenticated and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and of the Indenture or Warrant Agreement, or both, as the case may be, relating thereto, against payment of the consideration therefor in accordance with this Agreement, the Underwritten Securities or the Warrant Securities, or both, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, in the case of the Warrant Agreement, principles of public policy and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or Warrant Agreement, or both, as the case may be, relating thereto, and the Underwritten Securities, the Indenture and the Warrant Agreement, if any, conform in all material respects to the statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus.

 

(f) [If applicable, the shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $              per share (the “Common Stock”), issuable upon conversion of any issue of Subordinated Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion by all necessary corporate action and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement relating thereto, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such conversion will not be subject to preemptive rights.]

 

(g) The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h) The capital stock of the Company, including the Common Stock, conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

 

(i) The Investment Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

(j) The Company is not in breach or violation of or in default under (i) its charter or bylaws, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party, except, with respect to clause (ii), to the extent that any such contravention would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(k) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (i) the charter or bylaws of the Company, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party, or (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such contravention or violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(l) No approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby other than (i) registration of the Underwritten Securities under the 1933 Act, which has been effected, (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Underwritten Securities are being offered by the Underwriters or under the rules and regulations of the NASD and (iii) filing of the Notification of Election under the Investment Company Act, which has been effected.

 

(m) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to register under the 1933 Act any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other equity interests of the Company, or to include any such shares or interests in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby.

 

(n) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, the Company has all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals (collectively, the “Consents”) and has made all necessary filings required under any federal, state, or local foreign law, regulation or rule, and has obtained all necessary authorizations, consents and approvals from other persons, in order to conduct its respective business, except where the failure to obtain such consent would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(o) All legal proceedings, government proceedings known to the Company, affiliate transactions, contracts, licenses, agreements, leases or documents known to the Company and of a character required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement have been so described or filed as required.

 

(p) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are independent certified public accountants as required by the 1933 Act.

 

(q) The audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, together with the related notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company as of the date indicated and the results of operations for the periods specified are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved.

 

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(r) Subsequent to the date of the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), there has not been (i) any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company, (iii) any obligation, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company, which is material to the Company or (iv) any dividend of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company.

 

(s) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Underwritten Securities, will not be a “registered management investment company” or an entity “controlled” by a “registered management investment company,” as such terms are used under the Investment Company Act.

 

(t) The Company owns, or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in the Prospectus as being licensed by it or which are necessary for the conduct of its businesses, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u) The Company and, to its knowledge, its directors and officers (in such capacity) are in substantial compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and the Commission’s applicable published rules promulgated thereunder that are effective, except to the extent that such failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is taking steps to ensure that it will comply with other applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Commission’s applicable published rules promulgated thereunder upon the effectiveness of such provisions.

 

(v) The terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation terms, comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(w) The Company has duly elected to be treated by the Commission under the Investment Company Act as a business development company and such election is effective.

 

(x) The operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to business development companies and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; provided that the Company does not represent or warrant as to the compliance of Sections 10(a)(1)(iii) and 10(a)(4)(iii) with Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.

 

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Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with an offering of Underwritten Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to the matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter participating in such offering.

 

(B) Representations and Warranties of the Adviser. The Adviser represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters as of the applicable Representation Date as follows:

 

(a) The Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited partnership, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the Adviser is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material adverse change in the business, financial condition, capitalization or regulatory status of such entity, or otherwise be reasonably be expected to prevent the Adviser from carrying out its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement (collectively, a “Material Adverse Change”).

 

(b) The Adviser is duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Company as contemplated by the Prospectus.

 

(c) There are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, threatened to which the Adviser is or would be a party, or of which any of its properties are or would be subject at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, except any such action, suit, claim, investigation or proceeding which would not result in a judgment, decree or order either (A) constituting, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, or (B) preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d) The Adviser is not in breach or violation of, or in default under (i) its limited partnership agreement, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party, or (iii) any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Adviser except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that any such contravention would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not conflict with, result in any breach of violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any

 

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event which with notice, lapse of time or both would reasonably be expected to result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (i) the limited partnership agreement, or (ii) other organizational documents of the Adviser or (iii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party, or (iv) any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or other applicable to the Adviser except, with respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), to the extent that any such contravention would not have a Material Adverse Change.

 

(f) This Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Adviser; the Adviser has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement; each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Adviser, subject to the effect of (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) any principles of public policy.

 

(g) The description of the Adviser contained in the Prospectus is accurate in all material respects as of the date indicated.

 

(h) The Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Prospectus, under this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

(i) The Adviser has all Consents and has made all necessary filings required under any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule and has obtained all necessary Consents from other persons, in order to conduct its business, except where the failure to obtain such Consents would not constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

(j) Neither the Adviser nor any of its partners or officers has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, under the 1934 Act, to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of the Underwritten Securities.

 

SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell, the Underwritten Securities shall be evidenced by the applicable Terms Agreement. Such Terms Agreement shall specify the principal amount of the Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities, or both, and the number of Debt Warrants, if any (such principal amount of securities and or number warrants being, the “Underwritten Securities”), the names of the Underwriters participating in such offering (subject to substitution as provided in Section 9 hereof) and the principal amount of Underwritten Securities which each such Underwriter severally agrees to purchase, the price at which the Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company, the initial public offering price, if any, of the Underwritten Securities, the time and place of delivery and payment, any delayed delivery

 

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arrangements and any other terms of the Underwritten Securities not already specified in the Indenture or Warrant Agreement, as the case may be, pursuant to which they are being issued (including, but not limited to, designations, denominations, current ratings, interest rates or formulas and payment dates, maturity dates, conversion provisions, redemption provisions and sinking fund requirements).

 

The several commitments of the Underwriters to purchase Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

 

Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, any Underwritten Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be made at the office of [ Name of counsel for Underwriters ], [ such counsel’s address ], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at [10:00 A.M.], New York City time, on the fifth business day (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof) following the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (each such time and date being referred to as a “Closing Time”). Payment shall be made to the Company by certified or official bank check or checks in [New York Clearing House] or similar next day funds payable to the order of the Company against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Underwritten Securities to be purchased by them. Certificates for such Underwritten Securities shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representative may request in writing at least two business days prior to the applicable Closing Time. The Underwritten Securities, which may be in temporary form, will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representative on or before the first business day prior to Closing Time.

 

If authorized by the applicable Terms Agreement, the Underwriters named therein may solicit offers to purchase Underwritten Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (“Delayed Delivery Contracts”) substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto with such changes therein as the Company may approve. As compensation for arranging Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Company will pay to the Representative at Closing Time, for the accounts of the Underwriters, a fee equal to that percentage of the principal amount of Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities or based on the number of Debt Warrants, as the case may be, for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are made at Closing Time as is specified in the Terms Agreement. Any Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors of the types set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. At Closing Time the Company will enter into Delayed Delivery Contracts (for not less than the minimum principal amount of Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities or number of Debt Warrants per Delayed Delivery Contract specified in the applicable Terms Agreement) with all purchasers proposed by the Underwriters and previously approved by the Company as provided below, but not for an aggregate principal amount of Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities or number of Debt Warrants in excess of that specified in the Terms Agreement. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility for the validity or performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts.

 

If applicable, the Representative shall submit to the Company, at least three business days prior to Closing Time, the names of any institutional investors with which it is

 

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proposed that the Company will enter into Delayed Delivery Contracts and the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities to be purchased by each of them, and the Company will advise the Representative, at least two business days prior to Closing Time, of the names of the institutions with which the making of Delayed Delivery Contracts is approved by the Company and the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities to be covered by each such Delayed Delivery Contract.

 

The principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities agreed to be purchased by the respective Underwriters pursuant to the Terms Agreement shall be reduced by the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities, as the case may be, covered by Delayed Delivery Contracts, as to each Underwriter as set forth in a written notice delivered by the Representative to the Company; provided, however, that the total principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters shall be the total amount or number of Underwritten Securities covered by the applicable Terms Agreement, less the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities, as the case may be, covered by Delayed Delivery Contracts.

 

SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY . The Company and the Adviser, jointly and severally, agree with the Representative, and with each Underwriter participating in the offering of Underwritten Securities, as follows:

 

(a) Immediately following the execution of the Terms Agreement, the Company will prepare a Prospectus Supplement setting forth the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities, as the case may be, covered thereby and their terms not otherwise specified in the Indenture or Warrant Agreement, as the case may be, pursuant to which the Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities or Debt Warrants, as the case may be, are being issued, the names of the Underwriters participating in the offering and the principal amount or number of Underwritten Securities, or both, as the case may be, which each severally has agreed to purchase, the names of the Underwriters acting as co-managers in connection with the offering, the price at which the Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company, the initial public offering price, the selling concession and reallowance, if any, any delayed delivery arrangements, and such other information as the Representative and the Company deem appropriate in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities. The Company will promptly transmit copies of the Prospectus Supplement to the Commission for filing pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations and will furnish to the Underwriters named therein as many copies of the Prospectus (including such Prospectus Supplement) as the Representative shall reasonably request.

 

(b) If, at any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of any of the Underwritten Securities, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company to amend or supplement further the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or

 

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the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the Regulations, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendment or supplement, whether by filing documents pursuant to the 1934 Act or otherwise, as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement and Prospectus comply with such requirements.

 

(c) With respect to each sale of Underwritten Securities, the Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earning statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering the 12-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement relating to such Underwritten Securities.

 

(d) At any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Underwritten Securities, the Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to file any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representative with copies of any such amendment or supplement or other documents proposed to be filed, and will provide the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters a reasonable period during which to provide comments to such documents prior to filing.

 

(e) At any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Underwritten Securities, the Company will notify the Representative immediately of (i) the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement, (ii) the mailing or the delivery to the Commission for filing of any supplement to the Prospectus or any document to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act, (iii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus, (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, and (v) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof as soon as possible.

 

(f) During the period specified in (b) above, the Company will deliver to the Representative such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

(g) The Company will endeavor in good faith to qualify the Underwritten Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. The Company will

 

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maintain such qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Underwritten Securities. The Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Underwritten Securities have been qualified as above provided.

 

(h) The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of the Underwritten Securities, will file promptly all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the 1934 Act.

 

(i) [Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms Agreement, the Company shall not sell or otherwise dispose of any Underwritten Securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Underwritten Securities other than the Underwritten Securities, without the prior consent of the Representative for a period of [45] days after the date of the Terms Agreement is executed, except that the Company may, without such consent, issue senior debt securities upon the exercise of debt warrants and borrow under the Company’s senior secured credit facility.]

 

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS’ OBLIGATIONS. The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Underwritten Securities pursuant to the Terms Agreement are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company herein contained, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company’s officers made in any certificate furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of all of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following further conditions:

 

(a) At the applicable Closing Time (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, (ii) there shall not have come to the Representative’s attention any facts that would cause the Representative to believe that the Prospectus, together with the applicable Prospectus Supplement, at the time it was required to be delivered to a purchaser of the Underwritten Securities, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at such time, not misleading.

 

(b) At the applicable Closing Time, the Representative shall have received:

 

(1) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that:

 

(i) (A) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except as to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data contained therein and the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee on Form T-1, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act; and (B) the Company is eligible to use Form N-2;

 

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(ii) The Indenture and any Warrant Agreement pursuant to which Underwritten Securities are being issued have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, in the case of the Indenture, and the Warrant Agent, in the case of any Warrant Agreement, constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, in the case of the Warrant Agreement, principles of public policy, and except as enforcement thereof is subject, in the case of Underwritten Securities denominated in a foreign currency or currency unit, to provisions of law that require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars.

 

(iii) The Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and authenticated as specified in the Indenture, in the case of Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities, or any Warrant Agreement, in the case of Debt Warrants, and delivered against payment pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwritten Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, in the case of Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities, or any Warrant Agreement, in the case of Debt Warrants, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except as enforcement thereof is subject, in the case of Underwritten Securities being denominated in a foreign currency or currency unit, to provisions of law that require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars.

 

(iv) The Underwritten Securities, the Indenture and any Warrant Agreement conform in all material respects as to legal matters to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus.

 

(v) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939 Act.

 

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(vi) No authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or New York governmental authority or regulatory body, or any third party that is a party to any of the documents listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities and consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby other than registration of the Underwritten Securities under the Act (except such counsel need express no opinion as to any necessary qualification under the state securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Underwritten Securities are being offered by the Underwriters);

 

(vii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not result in a violation of or constitute a default under (A) the charter or bylaws of the Company or (B) to such counsel’s knowledge, any agreement or document listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company, except in the case of clause (B) for any such conflict, breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(viii) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act;

 

(ix) The information in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the headings “Regulation,” “Description of our Capital Stock” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as such statements constitute a summary of documents or matters of law, are accurate in all material respects and present fairly the information required to be shown;

 

(x) This Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Company (to the extent that execution and delivery are matters governed by New York law);

 

(xi) The Investment Advisory Agreement contains the applicable provisions required by Section 205 of the Advisers Act and Section 15 of the Investment Company Act;

 

(xii) The Adviser is duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and, to such counsel’s

 

14


knowledge, is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement as an investment adviser to the Company, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and, to such counsel’s knowledge, there does not exist any proceeding pending or threatened, which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the registration of the Adviser with the Commission;

 

(xiii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Adviser and the consummation by the Adviser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not result in a violation of or constitute a default under (A) the limited partnership agreement of the Adviser or (B) to such counsel’s knowledge, any agreement or document listed in Schedule [    ] to the opinion, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Adviser, except in the case of clause (B) for any such conflict, breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(xiv) This Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Adviser (to the extent that execution and delivery are matters governed by New York law).

 

Such opinion shall also state that (i) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and, to such counsel’s knowledge, no stop order proceedings with respect thereto are pending or threatened under the Act and (ii) such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants of the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except as and to the extent stated in subparagraph (ix) above), on the basis of the foregoing nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that causes them to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto at the time such Registration Statement or amendment became effective contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus or any supplement thereto at the date of such Prospectus or such supplement, and at the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and schedules and other financial data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee on Form T-1).

 

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(2) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of Venable LLP, Maryland counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that:

 

(i) the Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. The Company has the corporate power to own, lease and operate its property or assets, to conduct its business in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement, and to sell, issue and deliver the Underwritten Securities as contemplated herein;

 

(ii) if the Underwritten Securities are convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock, the sale and issuance of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion or exercise and, when issued upon such conversion or exercise, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such shares upon such conversion or exercise will not be subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

(iii) the execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. Each of this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement has been duly executed and, so far as is known to Venable LLP, delivered by the Company;

 

(iv) the statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the headings “Description of Our Capital Stock,” “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Investments – Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock”, in each case insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of Maryland law, the Company’s charter or the bylaws, are accurate in all material respects;

 

(v) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the sale and issuance of the Underwritten Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the Company’s charter or bylaws, or any Maryland law or regulation, or, so far as is known to Venable LLP, any order or decree of any Maryland governmental authority applicable to the Company (other than any law, regulation, order or decree in connection with the securities laws of the State of Maryland, as to which no option is hereby expressed);

 

16


(vi) the stock of the Company conforms as to legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the heading “Description of Our Capital Stock”;

 

(vii) all of the shares of stock of the Company issued and outstanding as of the date hereof (immediately prior to the issuance of the Underwritten Securities) have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights under the MGCL or the Company’s charter or bylaws;

 

(viii) the certificates for the Underwritten Securities that are shares of stock comply with the applicable requirements of the MGCL and the Company’s charter and bylaws; and

 

(ix) no personal liability will attach under the laws of the State of Maryland, the Company’s state of incorporation, to holders of the Underwritten Securities for any debt or obligation of the Company solely as a result of their status as holders of the Underwritten Securities.

 

(3) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [ law firm name ], Delaware counsel for the Company that the Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to execute and deliver this Agreement; the Adviser has full power and authority to execute and deliver the Investment Advisory Agreement; and the Adviser is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited partnership and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(4) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [    ] to the following effect:

 

(i) The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in the State of New York and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification;

 

(ii) The Company is not in breach or violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time or both would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (A) its charter or bylaws or (B) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,

 

17


bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected, or any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company, except for, in the case of clause (B), any such breach or violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(iii) To such counsel’s knowledge, there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened or contemplated to which the Company or its directors or officers is or would be a party or to which any of their respective properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus but are not so described except for any such actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(5) The favorable opinion, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, of [ law firm name ], counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to the matters set forth in (i) to (iv), inclusive, and (vi) and (vii), and the last paragraph, of subsection (b)(1) of this Section.

 

(c) At the applicable Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company and the Adviser taken as a whole, or in the results of operations or business prospects of the Company and the Adviser, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Time, to the effect that there has been no such material adverse change and to the effect that the other representations and warranties of the Company and the Adviser contained in Section 1 are true and correct with the same force and effect as though such Closing Time were a Representation Date. As used in Section 5(c), the term “Prospectus” means the Prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of the Offered Securities.

 

(d) The Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other registered independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Representative a letter, dated as of the date of the applicable Terms Agreement and delivered at such time, in form heretofore approved by the Representative to the extent that may be reasonably requested by the Representative.

 

(e) The Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other registered independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Representative a letter, dated as of the applicable Closing Time, reconfirming or updating the letter required by subsection (d) of this Section to the extent that may be reasonably requested by the Representative.

 

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(f) At the applicable Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated and related proceedings or in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations and warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters. If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the applicable Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 5.

 

SECTION 5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation and filing of this Agreement and the Registration Statement and all amendments to the Registration Agreement, (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Underwritten Securities to the Underwriters and any Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of Debt Warrants, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel and accountants, (iv) the qualification of the Underwritten Securities and any Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of Debt Warrants under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g), including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky Surveys and Legal Investment Surveys, (v) the delivery of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, and the printing and delivery to the Underwriters in quantities as hereinabove stated of copies of the Prospectus and any supplement thereto, (vi) the delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Indenture, the Warrant Agreement, if any, and any Blue Sky Surveys and Legal Investment Surveys, (vii) the fees, if any, of rating agencies and (viii) the fees and expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the listing of the Underwritten Securities on any national securities exchange.

 

If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or Section 8(i), the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters named in the applicable Terms Agreement for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 16 of the 1933 Act as follows:

 

(1) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any omission or alleged omission therefrom, of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading or arising

 

19


out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom, of a material fact necessary in order to make the statement therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such untrue statement or omission or such alleged untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon the written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto);

 

(2) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

 

(3) against any and all expense whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above.

 

The Adviser agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter and each other person specified in subsection (a)(i) of this Section 6 from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) any such Underwriter or any such other person may incur as specified in such subsection, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (x) any of the matters specified in clauses (i) through (iii) of subsection (a) of this Section 6 or (y) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by the Adviser in Section 1(B) hereof.

 

In no case shall the Company or the Adviser be liable under this indemnity agreement with respect to any claim made against any Underwriter or any such controlling person unless the Company or the Adviser shall be notified in writing of the nature of the claim within a reasonable time after the assertion thereof, but failure so to notify the Company or the Adviser shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. The Company and the Adviser, as applicable, shall be entitled to participate at it own expense in the defense, or if it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, to assume the defense for any suit brought to enforce any such claim, but if the Company or the Adviser elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Underwriter or Underwriters or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendant in any suit so brought. In the event that the Company or the Adviser elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel, the Underwriter or Underwriters or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendant in the suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel thereafter retained by them. In the event that the parties to any such action (including impleaded parties) include both the Company or the Adviser

 

20


and one or more Underwriter or Underwriters and any such Underwriter shall have been advised by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Company or the Adviser that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company or the Adviser, the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Underwriter and will reimburse such Underwriter and any person controlling such Underwriter as aforesaid for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them, it being understood that the Company or the Adviser shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for all such Underwriters and controlling persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative. The Company and the Adviser agree to notify the Representative within a reasonable time of the assertion of any claim against it, any of it officers or directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, in connection with the sale of the Offered Securities.

 

(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Adviser and each of their officers, directors and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, but only with respect to statements or omissions made in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). In case any action shall be brought against the Company or the Adviser or any person so indemnified based on the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the right and duties given to the Company or the Adviser, and the Company, the Adviser and each person so indemnified shall have the right and duties given to the Underwriters, by the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section.

 

SECTION 7. CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provisions provided in Section 6 above should under applicable law be unenforceable in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefit received by the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters from the offering of the Underwritten Securities and also the relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Adviser and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Underwritten Securities. The relative fault shall be determined by

 

21


reference to, among other things, whether the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under Section 6 above including the consequences of such failure, and whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Adviser or the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission of the Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters, directly or through the Representative of the Underwriters. The Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by per capita allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Underwritten Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters in this Section 7 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

The obligations of the Company and the Adviser under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Adviser may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and each director of the Company and the Adviser and to each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act.

 

SECTION 8. TERMINATION. The Representative may terminate this Agreement, immediately upon notice to the Company, at any time prior to the applicable Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or in the results of operations or business prospects of the Company and the Adviser taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable to market the Underwritten Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Underwritten Securities, or (iii) if trading on The Nasdaq National Market has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New

 

22


York authorities. In the event of any such termination, (x) the covenants set forth in Section 3 with respect to any offering of Underwritten Securities shall remain in effect so long as any Underwriter retains beneficial ownership of any such Underwritten Securities purchased from the Company pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement and (y) the covenant set forth in Section 3(c), the provisions of Section 5, the indemnity agreement set forth in Section 6, the contribution provisions set forth in Section 7 and the provisions of Section 12 shall remain in effect. As used in this Section 8, the term “Prospectus” means the Prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of the Underwritten Securities.

 

SECTION 9. DEFAULT. If one or more of the Underwriters participating in an offering of Securities shall fail at the applicable Closing Time to purchase the Underwritten Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under the applicable Terms Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), then the Representative shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth. If, however, during such 24 hours the Representative shall not have completed such arrangements for the purchase of all of the Defaulted Securities, then:

 

(a) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Underwritten Securities to be purchased pursuant to the Terms Agreement, the non-defaulting Underwriters named in such Terms Agreement shall be obligated to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations thereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or

 

(b) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Underwritten Securities to be purchased pursuant to such Terms Agreement, the Terms Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company.

 

As used in this Section only, the aggregate amount or aggregate principal amount of Underwritten Securities shall mean the aggregate principal amount of any Senior Securities plus the public offering price of any Debt Warrants included in the relevant Underwritten Securities.

 

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement and the Terms Agreement.

 

In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters as set forth in this Section, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the applicable Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order that any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

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SECTION 10. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representative; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 9 West 57 th Street, New York, NY 10019, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Margery Neale.

 

SECTION 11. PARTIES. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, the Adviser and any Underwriter who becomes a party hereto, and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto or thereto and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties and their respective successors and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Underwritten Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

 

SECTION 12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 13. COUNTERPARTS. The applicable Terms Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and if executed in more than one counterpart the executed counterparts shall constitute a single instrument.

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

[Title of Securities]

 

DELAYED DELIVERY CONTRACT

 

                     , 200     

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

9 West 57 th Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Dear Sirs:

 

The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned on                      , 200      (the “Delivery Date”), principal amount of the Company’s [insert title of security] (the “Securities”), offered by the Company’s Prospectus dated                      , 200      , as supplemented by its Prospectus Supplement                      , 200      , receipt of which is hereby acknowledged at a purchase price of [              % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest from                      , 200      ,] [and $              per Warrant, respectively] to the Delivery Date, and on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract.

 

Payment for the Securities which the undersigned has agreed to purchase on the Delivery Date shall be made to the Company or its order by certified or official bank check in [New York Clearing House] funds at the office of                              , on the Delivery Date, upon delivery to the undersigned of the Securities to be purchased by the undersigned in definitive form and in such denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may designate by written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than five full business days prior to the Delivery Date.

 

The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities on the Delivery Date shall be subject only to the conditions that (1) the purchase of Securities to be made by the undersigned shall not on the Delivery Date be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject and (2) the Company, on or before                      , 200      , shall have sold to the Underwriters of the Securities (the “Underwriters”) such principal amount of the Securities as is to be sold to them pursuant to the Terms Agreement dated                      , 200      between the Company and the Underwriters. The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities shall not be affected by the failure of any purchaser to take delivery of and make payments for Securities pursuant to other contracts similar to this contract. The undersigned represents and warrants to you that its investment in the Securities is not, as of the date hereof, prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject and which govern such investment.


Promptly after completion of the sale to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection therewith.

 

By the execution hereof, the undersigned represents and warrants to the Company that all necessary corporate action for the due execution and delivery of this contract and the payment for and purchase of the Securities has been taken by it and no further authorization or approval of any governmental or other regulatory authority is required for such execution, delivery, payment or purchase, and that, upon acceptance hereof by the Company and mailing or delivery of a copy as provided below, this contract will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned in accordance with its terms.

 

This contract will inure to the benefit of and binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other.

 

It is understood that the Company will not accept Delayed Delivery Contracts for an aggregate principal amount of Securities in excess of $              and that the acceptance of any Delayed Delivery Contract is in the Company’s sole discretion and, without limiting the foregoing, need not be on a first-come, first-served basis. If this contract is acceptable to the Company, it is requested that the Company sign the form of acceptance on a copy hereof and mail or deliver a signed copy hereof to the undersigned at its address set forth below. This will become a binding contract between the Company and the undersigned when such copy is so mailed or delivered.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Yours very truly,

 
(Name of Purchaser)

By:

   
    (Title)
 
 
(Address)

 

2


Accepted as of the date first above written.
APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION
By:    
                        (Title)

 

3


PURCHASER – PLEASE COMPLETE AT TIME OF SIGNING

 

The name and telephone number of the representative of the Purchaser with whom details of delivery on the Delivery Date may be discussed are as follows: (Please print.)

 

Name


 

Telephone No. (Including Area Code)


 

4

Exhibit (h)(3)

 

FORM OF INDENTURE

 

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

Issuer

 

and

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Trustee

 

Indenture

 

Dated as of [                      ], 2005

 

Providing for the Issuance

 

of

 

Debt Securities

 


APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of [                      ], 2005

 

Trust Indenture
    Act Section


   Indenture
Section


§ 310    (a)(1)    607
     (a)(2)    607
     (b)    609
§ 312    (c)    701
§ 314    (a)    704
     (a)(4)    1005
     (c)(1)    102
     (c)(2)    102
     (e)    102
§ 315    (b)    601
§ 316    (a) (last sentence)    101 (“Outstanding”)
     (a)(1)(A)    502, 512
     (a)(1)(B)    513
     (b)    508
§ 317    (a)(1)    503
     (a)(2)    504
§ 318    (a)    111
     (c)    111

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ARTICLE ONE     
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION     

SECTION 101. Definitions

   1

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

   9

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

   10

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders

   10

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company

   12

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver

   12

SECTION 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

   13

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns

   13

SECTION 109. Separability Clause

   13

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture

   13

SECTION 111. Governing Law

   13

SECTION 112. Legal Holidays

   14

SECTION 113. Submission to Jurisdiction

   14
ARTICLE TWO     
SECURITIES FORMS     

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities

   14

SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

   15

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form

   15
ARTICLE THREE     
THE SECURITIES     

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

   16

SECTION 302. Denominations

   19

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

   19

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities

   21

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

   23

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

   26

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset

   27

SECTION 308. Optional Extension of Maturity

   29

SECTION 309. Persons Deemed Owners

   30

SECTION 310. Cancellation

   31

SECTION 311. Computation of Interest

   31

SECTION 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities

   31

SECTION 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent

   34

SECTION 314. CUSIP Numbers

   34
ARTICLE FOUR     
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE     

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

   35

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds

   36

 

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ARTICLE FIVE     
REMEDIES     

SECTION 501. Events of Default

   36

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

   38

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

   39

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

   39

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons

   40

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected

   40

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits

   40

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

   41

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

   41

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

   41

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

   42

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities

   42

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults

   42

SECTION 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

   42
ARTICLE SIX     
THE TRUSTEE     

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults

   43

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee

   43

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

   44

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities

   44

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust

   45

SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee

   45

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

   45

SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

   46

SECTION 609. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

   46

SECTION 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

   47

SECTION 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

   48

SECTION 612. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

   48
ARTICLE SEVEN     
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY     

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders

   50

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

   50

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee

   50

SECTION 704. Reports by Company

   51

SECTION 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount

   51
ARTICLE EIGHT     
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER     

SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

   51

SECTION 802. Successor Person Substituted

   52

 

ii


ARTICLE NINE     
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES     

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

   52

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

   54

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

   55

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

   55

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

   55

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

   55
ARTICLE TEN     
COVENANTS     

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest

   56

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency

   56

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

   57

SECTION 1004. Additional Amounts

   58

SECTION 1005. Statement as to Compliance

   59

SECTION 1006. Limitations on Liens

   59

SECTION 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants

   61
ARTICLE ELEVEN     
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES     

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article

   61

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

   61

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

   61

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption

   62

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price

   63

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

   63

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part

   64
ARTICLE TWELVE     
SINKING FUNDS     

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article

   64

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

   65

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

   65
ARTICLE THIRTEEN     
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS     

SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article

   65

SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities

   65

SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option

   66

SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable

   66

SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part

   67

 

iii


ARTICLE FOURTEEN     
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE     

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   67

SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge

   67

SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance

   68

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   68

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

   70
ARTICLE FIFTEEN     
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES     

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

   71

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

   71

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

   71

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action

   71

SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

   72

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

   73
ARTICLE SIXTEEN     
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES     

SECTION 1601. Agreement to Subordinate

   73

SECTION 1602. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated Securities

   74

SECTION 1603. No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness

   75

SECTION 1604. Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted

   76

SECTION 1605. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination

   76

SECTION 1606. Notices to Trustee

   76

SECTION 1607. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness

   77

SECTION 1608. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness

   77

SECTION 1609. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent

   77

 

EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT A-1:    FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE
EXHIBIT A-2:    FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

iv


Exhibit (h)(3)

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [                              ], 2005, between APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 9 West 57 th Street, 41 st Floor, New York, New York 10019, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office at 4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10004.

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

 

This Indenture (as defined herein) is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities and coupons, or of a series thereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 101. Definitions.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular and, pursuant to Section 301, any such item may, with respect to any particular series of Securities, be amended or modified or specified as being inapplicable;

 

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein), either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission (as defined herein) adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America; and

 


(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five, Article Six and Article Ten, are defined in those Articles.

 

Act ”, when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

 

Additional Amounts ” means any additional amounts which are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such Holders.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Authenticating Agent ” means any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

 

Authorized Newspaper ” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

 

Bearer Security ” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer.

 

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company, the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Clearstream ” means Clearstream International or its successor.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after execution of this

 

2


instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

 

Common Depositary ” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

 

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the President or a Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Conversion Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(d).

 

Conversion Event ” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10004.

 

corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

 

coupon ” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

 

Currency ” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the ECU, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

 

Dollar ” or “ $ ” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

ECU ” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

 

Election Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(h).

 

Euroclear ” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

 

3


European Communities ” means the European Union, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

 

European Monetary System ” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Communities.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Article Five.

 

Exchange Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

Exchange Rate Agent ”, with respect to Securities of or within any series, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

 

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation signed by the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company.

 

Foreign Currency ” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the ECU issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

Government Obligations ” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Holder ” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

 

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided , however , that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be

 

4


supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

 

Indexed Security ” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

 

Interest ”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004, includes such Additional Amounts.

 

Interest Payment Date ”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

Junior Subordinated Security ” or “ Junior Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Junior Subordinated Security.

 

Junior Subordinated Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, which in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and equally and pari passu in right of payment to any other Junior Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Junior Subordinated Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

 

Market Exchange Rate ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (i) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (ii) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or other principal market for such currency or currency unit in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the

 

5


Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

 

Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

 

Notice of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 501.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chairman, the President or any Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

 

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

 

Outstanding ”, when used with respect to Securities or any series of Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except :

 

(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

 

(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

 

(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or

 

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waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above or (iii) below, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

Paying Agent ” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.

 

Place of Payment ”, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

Redemption Date ”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Redemption Price ”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Registered Security ” means any Security which is registered in the Security Register.

 

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Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

 

Repayment Date ” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Repayment Price ” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Responsible Officer ”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Security ” or “ Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided , however , that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

 

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

 

Senior Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Senior Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

 

Senior Security ” or “ Senior Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Security.

 

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, which in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, equally and pari passu in right of payment with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any Junior Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Senior Subordinated Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

 

Senior Subordinated Security ” or “ Senior Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Subordinated Security.

 

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

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Stated Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or Junior Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

Subsidiary ” means any corporation a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided , however , that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

United States ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

United States person ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States Person under any applicable Treasury regulations), any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in the Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such date that elect to continue to be treated as United States Persons, will also be United States persons.

 

Valuation Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(c).

 

Yield to Maturity ” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

 

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have

 

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been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1005) shall include:

 

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

 

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

 

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.

 

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders.

 

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in

 

10


writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

 

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

 

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

(d) The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership of Bearer Securities may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

 

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding

 

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Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

 

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

 

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished, filed or mailed, first-class postage prepaid in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Worldwide Securities Services, or

 

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, to the attention of its [Secretary] or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

 

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in

 

12


The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

 

If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

SECTION 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

 

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns.

 

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 109. Separability Clause.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 111. Governing Law.

 

This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. This

 

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Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

SECTION 112. Legal Holidays.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 113. Submission to Jurisdiction.

 

The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture and the Securities of any series, and the Company hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state or federal court. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITIES FORMS

 

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities.

 

The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons, the temporary global Securities of each series, if any, and the permanent global Securities of each series, if any, to be endorsed thereon shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

 

The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

 

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SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

 

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee

   
    By        
       

Authorized Officer

   

 

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

 

If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee or the Security Registrar the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series and shall be designated as Senior Securities, Senior Subordinated Securities or Junior Subordinated Securities. Senior Securities are unsubordinated, shall rank equally and pari passu with all of the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and senior to all Subordinated Securities. Senior Subordinated Securities shall rank junior to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, equally and pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and senior to any Junior Subordinated Indebtedness. Junior Subordinated Securities shall rank junior to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and equally and pari passu with all other Junior Subordinated Indebtedness. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

(1) the title of the Securities of the series including CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

 

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305, and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which such interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

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(6) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have the option;

 

(7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable and, if other than denominations of $5,000, the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

 

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, upon redemption of the Securities of the series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity, upon surrender for repayment at the option of the Holder, or which the Trustee shall be entitled to claim pursuant to Section 504 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more Currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are to be paid, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

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(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1007) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

 

(16) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form with or without coupons and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series in certificated form and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, whether Registered Securities of the series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable as a global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

 

(17) the date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304; and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a permanent global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 307;

 

(19) the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and/or 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

 

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1004 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States Person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company

 

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will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

 

(23) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

 

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable; and

 

(25) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act).

 

All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above (subject to Section 303) and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

 

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 302. Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the Bearer Securities of such series, other than Bearer Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in a denomination of $5,000.

 

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, [the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, or] its President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

Securities or coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

 

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At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided , however , that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

 

(i) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

 

(a) that the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(b) that the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(c) that such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities and any coupons; and

 

(ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

 

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

 

No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

 

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Section 304(b) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more

 

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temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount and like tenor of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided , however , that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

(b) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, this Section 304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form. If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depositary or common depositary (the “Common Depositary”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, or to the Security Registrar, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided , however , that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

 

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of

 

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Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

 

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee or the applicable Paying Agent of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth as Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee or the applicable Paying Agent immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

 

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 

The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided, and for facilitating exchanges of temporary global Securities for permanent global Securities or definitive Securities, or both, or of permanent global Securities for definitive Securities, or both, as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

 

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like

 

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aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

 

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

 

If (but only if) permitted by the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall

 

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deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, or to the Security Registrar, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged which, unless the Securities of the series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, in which case the definitive Securities exchanged for the permanent global Security shall be issuable only in the form in which the Securities are issuable, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided , however , that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney or any transfer agent duly authorized in writing.

 

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

 

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of

 

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redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall, subject to the following paragraph, execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon, as the case may be; provided , however , that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this

 

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Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

 

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

 

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided , however , that each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest, if any, may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to each of Euroclear and Clearstream with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Common Depositary, for the purpose of permitting each of Euroclear and Clearstream to credit the interest, if any, received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

 

In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

 

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify

 

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the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

(b) The provisions of this Section 307(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each

 

28


such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

 

The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

SECTION 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.

 

The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”), prepared by the Company, indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

 

If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

 

SECTION 309. Persons Deemed Owners.

 

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global temporary or permanent Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

 

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SECTION 310. Cancellation.

 

All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by a Company Order the Company directs the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company or to return them to the Company.

 

SECTION 311. Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, and with respect to Bearer Securities of any series, except as provided in paragraph (d) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered or Bearer Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security or Bearer Security, as the case may be, is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

 

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or

 

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such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 312(a). The Trustee for each such series of Registered Securities shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee of each such series of Securities and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.

 

(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 312.

 

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

 

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(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

 

(h) For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A “ Component Currency ” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU.

 

A “ Specified Amount ” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

An “ Election Date ” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Section 312(b) may be made.

 

All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities of any such decision or determination.

 

In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to

 

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the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the ECU or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

 

SECTION 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

 

(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

 

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

 

SECTION 314. CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the respective “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any

 

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notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee as promptly as practicable in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

Except as set forth below, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto, any surviving rights of tender for repayment at the option of the Holders and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1004), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

 

(1) either

 

(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

 

(i) have become due and payable, or

 

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

 

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, solely for the benefit of the Holders, an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such

 

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Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2) the Company has irrevocably paid or caused to be irrevocably paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 612 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive any termination of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds.

 

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

REMEDIES

 

SECTION 501. Events of Default.

 

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or is in the form of Security for such series:

 

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or

 

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

 

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(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(5) the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,

 

(B) consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it,

 

(C) consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

 

(D) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(E) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or

 

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding, or

 

(B) adjudges the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, or

 

(C) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(D) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company,

 

and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law. The term “Custodian” means any

 

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custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)):

 

(A) all overdue installments of interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series and any related coupons,

 

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any) all Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

 

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

 

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

 

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

The Company covenants that if:

 

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

 

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

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and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

 

Subject to Article Eight and Section 902 and unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.

 

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

 

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(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

 

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Security or payment of such coupon on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders on the Repayment Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter

 

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existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

 

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

(3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.

 

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

Subject to Section 502, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to Securities of such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

 

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

 

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay

 

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or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults.

 

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided , however , that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.

 

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

 

(1) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(2) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(3) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

(4) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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(5) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(6) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney.

 

(7) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

 

(8) The Trustee shall not deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(9) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

 

(10) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the

 

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Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

 

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust.

 

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee.

 

The Company agrees:

 

(1) To pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as has been agreed upon from time to time in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust).

 

(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith.

 

(3) To indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities or any coupons.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 501 occurs, the expenses and compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal, State or analogous foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

The provisions of this Section 606 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, termination or discharge of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

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SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

 

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 609. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610.

 

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

 

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by (i) the Company, by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided that contemporaneously therewith (x) the Company immediately appoints a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series meeting the requirements of Section 607 hereof and (y) the terms of Section 610 hereof are complied with in respect of such appointment (the Trustee being removed hereby agreeing to execute the instrument contemplated by Section 610(b) hereof, if applicable, under such circumstances) and provided further that no Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and then be continuing at such time, or (ii) Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

(d) If at any time:

 

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

 

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

SECTION 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

 

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust

 

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or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definition of those terms in Section 101 which contemplate such situation.

 

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

SECTION 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

 

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

SECTION 612. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

 

At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may be an Affiliate or Affiliates of the Company) with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on

 

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behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,500,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall promptly give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

 

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee    

 

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By:    
    as Authenticating Agent
By:    
    Authorized Officer

 

If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, shall be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities, provided that the terms and conditions of such appointment are acceptable to the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

 

Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

 

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

 

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of

 

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Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 which meets the requirements of TIA Section 313(a).

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of the listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

 

SECTION 704. Reports by Company.

 

The Company will:

 

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

The Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

SECTION 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

 

Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

 

SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(1) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing;

 

(3) if as a result thereof any property or assets of the Company or a Subsidiary would become subject to any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge or other encumbrance not permitted by (1) through (10) of Section 1006, compliance shall be effected with the first clause of Section 1006; and

 

(4) the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

SECTION 802. Successor Person Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and coupons and may be dissolved and liquidated.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

 

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities or any coupon appertaining thereto (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being

 

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included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

 

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided , however , that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

 

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

(6) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section 801 or 1006, or otherwise; or

 

(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

 

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

 

(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the

 

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interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect.

 

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

 

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture which affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of such series of Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

 

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculating the rate of interest, thereon, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the portion of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

 

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

 

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1007, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided , however , that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Security or coupon with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 610(b) and 901(8).

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

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A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 102 of this Indenture, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

 

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1004 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.

 

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain (A) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise), (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1004); provided , however , that if the Securities of that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange, and (C) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will

 

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give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1004) at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to any account maintained with a financial institution located in the United States; provided , however , that, if the Securities of a series are denominated and payable in Dollars, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Bearer Security (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1004) shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium, if any, interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

 

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

 

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal (and

 

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premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency or Currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum of money to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums of money held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series, or any coupon appertaining thereto, and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or any coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money held in trust, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

SECTION 1004. Additional Amounts.

 

If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or any coupon appertaining thereto such Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to

 

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each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the Company’s not furnishing such an Officers’ Certificate.

 

SECTION 1005. Statement as to Compliance.

 

(a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof so long as any Security is Outstanding hereunder, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 1005, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

(b) The Company will, so long as any series of Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, as promptly as practicable upon any officer listed in (a) above becoming aware of any Default, Event of Default or default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default, Event of Default, default or event of default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and the status thereof.

 

SECTION 1006. Limitations on Liens.

 

Except as hereinbelow in this Section provided, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, at any time pledge or otherwise subject to any lien any of its property or assets, or any of the property or assets of a Subsidiary, without thereby expressly securing the due and punctual payment of the principal of and the interest on the Securities equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness secured by such pledge or other lien, so long as any such other obligations

 

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and indebtedness shall be so secured, and the Company covenants that if and when any such pledge or other lien is created, the Securities will be so secured thereby; provided , however , that this restriction shall not apply to:

 

1. the giving of any lien or charge on fixed assets or other physical properties hereafter acquired to secure all or part of the purchase price thereof or the acquiring hereafter of such assets or properties subject to any existing lien or charge securing indebtedness (whether or not assumed);

 

2. easements, liens, franchises or other minor encumbrances on or over any real property which do not materially detract from the value of such property or its use in the business of the Company or a Subsidiary;

 

3. any deposit or pledge of assets (i) with any surety company or clerk of any court, or in escrow, as collateral in connection with, or in lieu of, any bond on appeal from any judgment or decree against the Company or a Subsidiary, or in connection with other proceedings or actions at law or in equity by or against the Company or a Subsidiary, or (ii) as security for the performance of any contract or undertaking not directly or indirectly related to the borrowing of money or the securing of indebtedness, if made in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) with any governmental agency, which deposit or pledge is required or permitted to qualify the Company or a Subsidiary to conduct business, to maintain self-insurance, or to obtain the benefits of any law pertaining to workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security, or similar matters, or (iv) made in the ordinary course of business to obtain the release of mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s or similar liens, or the release of property in the possession of a common carrier;

 

4. mortgages and pledges, liens or charges by a Subsidiary as security for indebtedness owed to the Company;

 

5. liens for taxes and governmental charges not yet due or contested by appropriate proceeding in good faith;

 

6. mortgages, pledges, liens or charges existing on property acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary through the exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

7. judgment liens, so long as the finality of such judgment is being contested in good faith and execution thereon is stayed;

 

8. any claim in favor of the Trustee or any predecessor, pursuant to Section 607;

 

9. any pledge or lien (other than directly or indirectly to secure borrowed money) if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal sums secured by pledges or liens otherwise within the restrictions in this Section 1006 contained do not exceed $500,000; and

 

10. any transaction characterized as a sale of receivables (retail or wholesale) but reflected as secured indebtedness on a balance sheet in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles then in effect.

 

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SECTION 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

 

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Section 1006, and, as specified pursuant to Section 301(15) for Securities of any series, in any covenants of the Company added to Article Ten pursuant to Section 301(14) or Section 301 (15) in connection with the Securities of a series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed, and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1103. In the case of any redemption of Securities of any series prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series; provided , however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.

 

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

 

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1) the Redemption Date,

 

(2) the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

 

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

 

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

 

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

 

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(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the Redemption Date or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

 

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made, and

 

(10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

 

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to 10:00 am, New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

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If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided , however , that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the Redemption Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or permanent global Security, respectively. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

 

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.

 

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 am, New York City time, on the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the

 

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Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

 

SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

 

If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided , however , that coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from

 

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the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided , however , that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.

 

Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or a new permanent global Security, respectively.

 

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have either Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire

 

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indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto. Following a defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 1006, and, if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Section 1006, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(7) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby. Following a covenant defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default solely by reference to such Sections specified above in this Section 1503.

 

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

 

(a) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for the benefit of, and dedicated solely to, the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining

 

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thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(5) and 501(6) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to either the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds

 

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representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

 

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

 

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

 

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ARTICLE FIFTEEN

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

 

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication or mailing of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

 

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

 

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action.

 

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided , however , that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the

 

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request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

 

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided , however , that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

 

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

 

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by

 

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Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

 

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

(c) At any meeting of Holders, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by such Holder; provided , however , that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

 

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

 

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

 

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1601. Agreement to Subordinate.

 

The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Senior Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Senior

 

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Subordinated Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

 

The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Junior Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Junior Subordinated Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

SECTION 1602. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated Securities.

 

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

 

  (a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Securities; and

 

  (b) the holders of all Senior Subordinated Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Junior Subordinated Securities; and

 

  (c) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

 

  (c)

in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Subordinated Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or

 

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representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Subordinated Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Subordinated Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Subordinated Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Subordinated Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Subordinated Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Subordinated Securities.

 

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee does not owe any fiduciary duties to the holders of Securities other than Securities issued under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 1603. No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness.

 

No payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be made unless full payment of amounts then due

 

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for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

 

SECTION 1604. Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted.

 

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Subordinated Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 1602 and 1603, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment more than three Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

 

SECTION 1605. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.

 

Each Holder of Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

SECTION 1606. Notices to Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any event which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Subordinated Security) the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section 1606, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

76


SECTION 1607. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

 

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in Section 613 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 606.

 

SECTION 1608. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.

 

Any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Subordinated Securities or the Trustee.

 

No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Sixteen or of the Subordinated Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

 

SECTION 1609. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Subordinated Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

 

* * * * *

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

 

77


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

           

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                By:    
                   

Name:

   
               

Title:

  [Chief Financial Officer]

 

 

                    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,    
                   

as Trustee

   
                    By:        
                   

Name:

       
                   

Title:

       

 

 

78


EXHIBIT A

 

FORMS OF CERTIFICATION

 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

 

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities

to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Apollo Investment Capital Corporation or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your Operating Procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

 

79


This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$] ____________ of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                      , 20     

 

[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the

Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment

Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as

applicable]

 

[Name of Person Making Certification]
 

(Authorized Signatory)

Name:

Title:

 

80


EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND

CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF

A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY

OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR

TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

CERTIFICATE

 

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities

to be delivered]

 

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Apollo Investment Corporation or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

81


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:                      , 20     

 

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange

Date or the relevant Interest Payment

Date occurring prior to the Exchange

Date, as applicable]

 

[                      ], as Operator of the Euroclear System
By:    

Name:

   
Title:    

 

82

Exhibit (l)(1)

 

[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]

 

June 20, 2005

 

Apollo Investment Corporation

1301 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2:

File No.: 333-124007

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have served as Maryland counsel to Apollo Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of the following securities having an aggregate initial offering price of up to $900,000,000 (collectively, the “Securities”): (i) shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (“Preferred Shares”); (iii) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”); and (iv) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

 

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

 

1. The Registration Statement, substantially in the form transmitted to the Commission under the 1933 Act;

 

2. The charter of the Company, as amended and restated (the “Charter”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);


Apollo Investment Corporation

June 20, 2005

Page 2

 

3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

 

5. Resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the registration and issuance of the Securities, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

6. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

 

7. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

 

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

 

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or any other person, is legally competent to do so.

 

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

 

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

 

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.


Apollo Investment Corporation

June 20, 2005

Page 3

 

5. In accordance with the Charter and the Resolutions, the issuance of, and certain terms of, the Securities to be issued by the Company from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (in each case, such approval referred to herein as the “Corporate Proceedings”).

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

 

2. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Common Shares (the “Common Securities”) and assuming that the sum of (a) all Common Shares issued as of the date hereof, (b) any Common Shares issued between the date hereof and the date on which any of the Common Securities are actually issued (not including any of the Common Securities) and (c) the Common Securities will not exceed the total number of Common Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter, the issuance of the Common Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Common Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

3. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Securities”) and assuming that the sum of (a) all Preferred Shares issued as of the date hereof, (b) any Preferred Shares issued between the date hereof and the date on which any of the Preferred Securities are actually issued (not including any of the Preferred Securities) and (c) the Preferred Securities will not exceed the total number of Preferred Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Preferred Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

4. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Debt Securities, the issuance of the Debt Securities will be duly authorized.

 

5. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Warrants, the issuance of the Warrants will be duly authorized.


Apollo Investment Corporation

June 20, 2005

Page 4

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or the 1940 Act.

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Venable LLP


Venable LLP

Exhibit (l)(2)

 

June 20, 2005

 

The Board of Directors

Apollo Investment Corporation

9 West 57 th Street

New York, New York 10019

 

Apollo Investment Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel for Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”) in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the offering from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by the Company of the following securities of the Company with an aggregate offering price of up to $900,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies: (i) debt securities (the “Debt Securities”); (ii) preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”); and (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”). The offering of the Securities will be as set forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each such supplement, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

 

The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series pursuant to an indenture in the form of the indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

In our capacity as counsel to the Company, we have examined (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the form of Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and (iii) the originals, or copies identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Company, certificates of public officials, officers of the Company and other persons, and such other documents, agreements and instruments as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 

In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Company and the Trustee are each duly organized and validly existing in good standing in their respective jurisdictions of


incorporation or formation, and each has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture and the Debt Securities, (ii) the due authorization of the Indenture and the Debt Securities by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the Trustee, (iii) the due execution and delivery of the Indenture in the form of the exhibit filed as part of the Registration Statement, and (iv) the due execution and delivery by the Trustee of the Indenture.

 

Our opinion set forth below is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other laws.

 

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Indenture constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

2. Assuming that (i) the final terms of the Debt Securities have been duly established and approved by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, (ii) the terms of the Debt Securities as established comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act and (iii) the Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with the terms thereof and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

The opinions set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) above are subject, as to enforcement, to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers) and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) provisions of law that require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Validity of the Securities” in the Prospectus.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Shearman & Sterling LLP

 

TJF/JKF

MKN

 

2

Exhibit (n)

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accountants

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated June 14, 2005, relating to the accompanying balance sheet of Apollo Investment Corporation (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2005, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, and of stockholders’ equity, and the statement of cash flows for the period April 8, 2004 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2005, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accountants” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

New York, New York

June 20, 2005