Item 1. Business
General
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, where applicable, the "Company", which may also be referred to as "we," "us" or "our") is structured as a closed-end investment company focused on lending to small-and medium-sized companies. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (a "BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Investment Company Act") and have elected to be treated, and to comply with the requirements to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Code").
We were formed on April 30, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and are externally managed by Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser" or "Oaktree"). Oaktree is an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("OCM"), the Company's external investment adviser through May 11, 2020, and a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC ("OCG"). In 2019, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. ("Brookfield") acquired a majority economic interest in OCG. OCG operates as an independent business within Brookfield, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing and support teams. Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC (the “Administrator”), a subsidiary of OCM, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objective without subjecting principal to undue risk of loss by investing primarily in situations where a company or its owners (a) are overleveraged or facing pressures to recapitalize, (b) are unable to access broadly syndicated capital markets, (c) are undervalued after having recently exited bankruptcy or completed a restructuring or (d) are otherwise affected by mispricings or inefficiencies in the capital markets or at different points throughout the credit cycle. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Investments – Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or parts of our investments." We seek to generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In conducting our investment activities, we believe that we benefit from the significant scale and resources of Oaktree and its affiliates.
We conducted private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of shares of our common stock (the "Common Stock") to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At each closing of a Private Offering, each investor participating in that closing made a capital commitment (each a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of our Common Stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us in connection with its Capital Commitment (a "Subscription Agreement"). The initial closing of a Private Offering occurred on August 6, 2018 (the "Initial Closing"). We commenced our loan origination and investment activities shortly after our initial capital drawdown from our non-affiliated investors (the "Initial Drawdown"). The proceeds from the Initial Drawdown provided us with the necessary seed capital to commence operations.
As of September 30, 2021, we completed drawdowns of $337,558,996, or 100%, of Capital Commitments from investors in connection with Private Offerings, of which $3,854,346 in Capital Commitments were made by one or more affiliates of the Adviser. As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of our investment portfolio was $575.4 million and was comprised of investments in 108 portfolio companies. At fair value, 97.3% of our portfolio consisted of senior secured debt investments as of September 30, 2021. The weighted average annual yield of our debt investments at fair value as of September 30, 2021 was approximately 8.6%.
We are permitted to, and expect to continue to, finance our investments through borrowings. However, as a BDC, subject to certain limited exceptions, we are currently only allowed to borrow amounts in accordance with the asset coverage requirements in the Investment Company Act. On March 23, 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”) was enacted into law. The SBCAA, among other things, amended Section 61(a) of the Investment Company Act to add a new Section 61(a)(2) that reduces the asset coverage requirements applicable to BDCs from 200% to 150% so long as the BDC meets certain disclosure requirements, which we have made, and obtains certain approvals, which we have obtained. Accordingly, we are subject to an asset coverage requirement of 150%. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing, such as the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of shares of our common stock and the risks of such borrowings within the context of our investment outlook. Ultimately, we only intend to use leverage
if the expected returns from borrowing to make investments will exceed the cost of such borrowing. As of September 30, 2021, we had senior securities outstanding of $261.0 million and an asset coverage ratio of 232.8%.
Our Adviser
Our investment activities are managed by our Adviser. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, our Adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to us pursuant to the investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) by and between our Adviser and us.
Our Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment adviser under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Our Adviser is an affiliate of OCM, a leading global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, focused on less efficient markets and alternative investments. A number of the senior executives and investment professionals of our Adviser and its affiliates have been investing together for over 35 years and have generated impressive investment performance through multiple market cycles. Our Adviser and its affiliates emphasize an opportunistic, value oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in distressed debt, corporate debt (including high-yield debt and senior loans), control investing, real estate, convertible securities and listed equities.
In 2019, Brookfield acquired a majority economic interest in OCG. OCG operates as an independent business within Brookfield, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing and support teams. Brookfield is a leading global alternative asset manager with a history spanning over 100 years and approximately $625 billion of assets under management (inclusive of OCG) across a broad portfolio of real estate, infrastructure, renewable power, credit and private equity assets. Commencing in 2022, OCG's founders, senior management and current and former employee-unitholders of OCG will be able to sell their remaining OCG units to Brookfield over time pursuant to an agreed upon liquidity schedule and approach to valuing such units at the time of liquidation. Pursuant to this liquidity schedule, the earliest year in which Brookfield could own 100% of the OCG business is 2029.
The primary firm-wide goal of our Adviser and its affiliates is to achieve attractive returns while bearing less than commensurate risk. Our Adviser and its affiliates believe that they can achieve this goal by taking advantage of market inefficiencies in which financial markets and their participants fail to accurately value assets or fail to make available to companies the capital that they reasonably require. Our Adviser and its affiliates believe that their defining characteristic is their adherence to the highest professional standards, which has yielded several important benefits. First and foremost, this characteristic has allowed our Adviser and its affiliates to attract and retain an extremely talented group of investment professionals (the "Investment Professionals"), as well as accounting, valuation, legal, compliance and other administrative professionals. As of September 30, 2021, our Adviser and its affiliates had more than 1,000 professionals in 19 cities and 14 countries, including 44 portfolio managers with an average experience of 25 years and approximately 1,000 years of combined industry experience. Specifically, the Strategic Credit group that is primarily responsible for implementing our investment strategy consists of over 20 Investment Professionals led by Armen Panossian, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, who focus on the investment strategy employed by our Adviser and certain of its affiliates. In addition, this characteristic has permitted the investment team to build strong relationships with brokers, banks and other market participants. These institutional relationships have been instrumental in strengthening access to trading opportunities, to understanding the current market, and to executing the investment team’s investment strategies. Our Adviser and its affiliates aim to attract, motivate and retain talented employees (both Investment Professionals and accounting, valuation, legal, compliance and other administrative professionals) by making them active participants in, and beneficiaries of, the platform’s success. In addition to competitive base salaries, all OCM employees share in a discretionary bonus pool. An employee’s participation in the bonus pool is based on the overall success of our Adviser and its affiliates and the individual employee’s performance and level of responsibility.
Our Adviser and its affiliates provide discretionary investment management services to other managed accounts and investment funds, which may have overlapping investment objectives and strategies with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. The activities of such managed accounts and investment funds may raise actual or potential conflicts of interest. See "-Allocation of Investment Opportunities and Potential Conflicts of Interest" below and "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure - Conflicts of Interest may exist from time to time between our Adviser and certain of its affiliates involved with us, which could impair our investments returns."
Strategic Credit
Our Adviser's affiliates officially launched the Strategic Credit strategy in early 2013 as a step-out from the Distressed Debt strategy, to capture attractive investment opportunities that appear to offer too little return for distressed debt investors, but may pose too much uncertainty for high-yield bond creditors. The strategy seeks to achieve an attractive total return by investing in public and private revenue-generating, performing debt.
Strategic Credit focuses on U.S. and non-U.S. investment opportunities that arise from pricing inefficiencies that occur in the primary and secondary markets or from the financing needs of healthy companies with limited access to traditional lenders or public markets. Typical investments will be in high yield bonds and senior secured loans for borrowers that are in need of direct loans, rescue financings, or other capital solutions or that have had challenged or unsuccessful primary offerings.
The Investment Professionals employ a fundamental, value-driven opportunistic approach to credit investing, which seeks to benefit from the resources, relationships and proprietary information of the global investment platform of our Adviser and its affiliates.
Our Administrator
We entered into an administration agreement, as amended from time to time (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Administrator, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of OCM. The principal executive offices of our Administrator are located at 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, our Administrator provides services to us, and we reimburse our Administrator for costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement and providing personnel and facilities thereunder.
In addition, our Administrator entered into a sub-administration agreement (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), pursuant to which State Street provides for certain administrative and professional services.
Business Strategy
Our investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. Our Adviser intends to implement the following business strategy to achieve our investment objective:
•Portfolio Positioning. Our Adviser intends to generate a competitive return on equity and sustainable, consistent dividends through (1) opportunistically investing across the capital structure, (2) seeking to take advantage of dislocations in financing markets and other situations that may benefit from our Adviser’s credit and restructuring expertise, including as a result of the outbreak of a novel and highly contagious form of coronavirus (“COVID-19”), and (3) generating capital appreciation and income through secondary investments at discounts to par in either private or syndicated transactions.
•Emphasis on Proprietary Deals. Our Adviser is focused on proprietary opportunities as well as partnering with other lenders as appropriate. Dedicated sourcing professionals of our Adviser and its affiliates are in continuous contact with financial sponsors and corporate clients to originate proprietary deals and seek to leverage the networks and relationships of the Investment Professionals with management teams and corporations to originate non-sponsored transactions. Since 2005, our Adviser and its affiliates have invested more than $25 billion in over 450 directly originated loans, and the platform of our Adviser and its affiliates has the capacity to invest in large deals and to solely underwrite transactions.
•Focus on Quality Companies and Extensive Diligence. Our Adviser seeks to maintain a conservative approach to investing with discipline around fundamental credit analysis and downside protection. Our Adviser intends to focus on companies with resilient business models, strong underlying fundamentals, significant asset or enterprise value and seasoned management teams, although not all portfolio companies will meet each of these criteria. Our Adviser intends to leverage its deep credit and deal structuring expertise to lend to companies that have unique needs, complex business models or specific business challenges. Our Adviser conducts diligence on underlying collateral value, including cash flows, hard assets or intellectual property, and will typically model exit scenarios as part of the diligence process, including assessing potential “work-out” scenarios.
•Disciplined Portfolio Management. Our Adviser monitors our portfolio on an ongoing basis to manage risk and take preemptive action to resolve potential problems where possible. Our Adviser intends to seek to reduce the impact of individual investment risks by diversifying portfolios across industry sectors and limiting positions to no more than 5% of our portfolio.
•Manage Risk Through Loan Structures. Our Adviser seeks to leverage its experience in identifying structural risks in prospective portfolio companies and developing customized solutions to enhance downside protection where possible. Our Adviser has the expertise to structure comprehensive, flexible and customized solutions for companies of all sizes across numerous industry sectors. Our Adviser employs a rigorous due diligence process and seeks to include
covenant protections designed to ensure that we, as the lender, can negotiate with a portfolio company before a debt investment reaches impairment. The platform of our Adviser and its affiliates can address a wide range of borrower needs, with capability to invest across the capital structure and to fund large loans, and our Adviser pays close attention to market trends. Our Adviser provides certainty to borrowers by seeking to provide fully underwritten financing commitments and has expertise in both performing credit as well as restructuring and turnaround situations, which allowed us to invest and lend throughout the COVID 19 pandemic and during other times of market stress when our competitors may have had to halt or reduce investment activity.
Our Adviser’s emphasis is on fundamental credit analysis, consistency and downside protection, all of which are key tenets of its investment philosophy and important in times of market dislocation, including during the COVID 19 pandemic. We believe this philosophy strongly aligns with the interests of our stockholders. Our Adviser controls primarily for risk, rather than return. Although this may lead us to underperform in bullish markets, we expect that prudence across the economic cycle and limiting losses will allow us to achieve our investment objectives.
Investment Philosophy and Approach
Our investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objective without subjecting principal to undue risk of loss by lending to and investing in the debt of public and private companies, primarily in situations where a company or its owners are (a) overleveraged or facing pressures to recapitalize, (b) unable to access broadly syndicated capital markets, (c) undervalued after having recently exited bankruptcy, completed a restructuring or are in a cyclically out-of-favor industry or (d) otherwise affected by mispricings or inefficiencies in the capital markets or at different points throughout the credit cycle.
We seek to invest opportunistically across asset classes and geographies and expect most of our investments to be in securities of eligible portfolio companies, in the form of senior loans, and to a lesser extent, high yield bonds, where such companies may be in need of direct loans, rescue financings or other capital solutions or that may have had challenged or unsuccessful primary offerings. As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of our investment portfolio was $575.4 million and was comprised of investments in 108 portfolio companies. At fair value as of September 30, 2021, 97.3% of our portfolio consisted of senior secured loans, including 83.5% of first lien loans and 13.8% of second lien loans, and 0.7% of our portfolio consisted of unsecured debt investments.
When we make a debt investment, we may also be granted equity, such as warrants to purchase common stock in a portfolio company. To a lesser extent, we may also make preferred and/or common equity investments, which are usually in conjunction with a concurrent debt investment or the result of an investment restructuring. For non-control equity investments, we generally seek to structure our non-control equity investments to provide us with minority rights protections and event-driven put rights. We also seek to obtain limited registration rights in connection with these investments, which may include “piggyback” registration rights. At fair value as of September 30, 2021, 2.0% of our portfolio consisted of common equity, preferred equity and warrants.
Since we intend to be an opportunistic investment vehicle, the composition of our portfolio will change with market conditions. We may invest across the capital structure, in both liquid and illiquid securities and obligations, which the Investment Professionals believe should allow us to access attractive risk-reward opportunities as they arise.
Identification of Investment Opportunities
Our primary focus is on identifying differentiated private lending opportunities, with a secondary emphasis on identifying opportunities in the public markets.
Private Lending Opportunities. We believe that the market for lending to private companies is underserved and presents a compelling investment opportunity. We intend to focus on private lending opportunities in the following key areas:
•Situational Lending. Certain businesses may present challenges for traditional lenders to understand or value, thus presenting attractive lending opportunities for the Company. Prospective borrowers with little-to-no revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, may be unable to secure financing from traditional lenders. In these instances, a debt-to-EBITDA approach may not be appropriate, instead requiring a value-oriented approach that involves targeting low loan-to-value ratios and negotiating bespoke covenants, contingencies and terms that help mitigate business-specific risks. Examples of these opportunities may include life sciences companies that have revenue-generating drugs and hard assets, but reinvest that capital into research and development for promising new products.
•Sponsor-Related Financings. Financing for portfolio companies backed by private equity firms is one the most active areas of opportunity, including those opportunities related to leveraged buyouts and refinancings. The Investment Professionals have many longstanding relationships with established, reputable sponsors, and generally favor sponsors that view their portfolio companies as long-term partners and those that specialize in certain industries where they have significant subject matter expertise. In addition, the Investment Professionals have historically favored borrowers backed by sponsors that have demonstrated a willingness to invest large amounts of equity, which provides enhanced downside credit protection. Examples of these opportunities may include financings for software- or healthcare-focused borrowers backed by private equity firms.
•Stressed Sector/Rescue Lending. Individual businesses or sectors experiencing stress or reduced access to capital, which can create attractive private lending opportunities. Broad market weakness or sector-specific issues can constrain borrowers’ access to capital. Further, certain factors such as regulation may cause entire industries (e.g., energy) to be rebuffed by more traditional lenders (e.g., commercial banks) such that all borrowers in an industry lose access to capital, regardless of their individual financial condition. Often times, by sifting through an industry issuer-by-issuer, the Investment Professionals can identify attractive investment opportunities that are over-secured by valuable assets. Examples of these opportunities may include debtor-in-possession loans or loans to companies in sectors severely impacted by COVID-19, such as entertainment, real estate and travel.
Opportunities in Public Markets. Certain factors may also create opportunities for us in the public market and allow us to leverage Oaktree’s broader credit platform and decades of credit investing experience. These factors may include:
•Macro Factors. Macro factors that drive market dislocations can ripple through the global economy and include sovereign debt crises, political elections, global pandemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other unexpected geopolitical events. These factors drive highly correlated “risk on” and “risk off” market swings and frequently result in the indiscriminate selling of securities and obligations at prices that the Investment Professionals believe are well below their intrinsic values.
•Industry Headwinds. Select industries may face secular challenges or may fall out of favor due to a variety of factors such as evolving technology or regulation. These headwinds can cause the debt of healthy and unhealthy companies alike to trade lower, potentially allowing the Investment Professionals to identify mispriced opportunities.
•Company Characteristics. Company-specific factors that drive market dislocations include overleveraged balance sheets, near-term liquidity or maturity issues, secular pressures, acute shock to company operations, asset-light businesses and new or relatively small issuers. These factors may result in mispriced securities or require a highly structured direct loan.
Investment Criteria and Guidelines
Once the Investment Professionals have identified a potential investment opportunity, they will evaluate the opportunity against the following investment criteria and guidelines. However, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we invest.
•Covenant Protections. We generally expect to invest in loans that have covenants that may help to minimize our risk of capital loss and meaningful equity investments in the portfolio company. We intend to target investments that have strong credit protections, including default penalties, information rights and affirmative, negative and financial covenants, such as limitations on debt incurrence, lien protection and prohibitions on dividends.
•Sustainable Cash Flow. Our investment philosophy places emphasis on fundamental analysis from an investor’s perspective and has a distinct value orientation. We intend to focus on companies with significant asset or enterprise value in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of normalized operating cash flow. Additionally, we anticipate investing in companies with a demonstrated ability or credible plan to de-lever. Typically, we will not invest in start-up companies, companies having speculative business plans or structures that could impair capital over the long-term although we may target certain earlier stage companies that have yet to reach profitability.
•Experienced Management Team. We generally will look to invest in portfolio companies with an experienced management team and proper incentive arrangements, including equity compensation, to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors.
•Strong Relative Position in Its Market. We intend to target companies with what we believe to be established and leading market positions within their respective markets and well-developed long-term business strategies.
•Exit Strategy. We generally intend to invest in companies that we believe will provide us with the opportunity to exit our investments in three to eight years, including through (1) the repayment of the remaining principal outstanding at maturity, (2) the recapitalization of the company resulting in our debt investments being repaid and (3) the sale of the company resulting in the repayment of all of its outstanding debt.
•Geography. As a BDC, we will invest at least 70% of our total assets in U.S. companies. To the extent we invest in non-U.S. companies, we intend to do so in accordance with Investment Company Act limitations and only in jurisdictions with established legal frameworks and a history of respecting creditor rights.
Investment Process
Our investment process consists of the following five distinct stages.
Source
The Strategic Credit group has dedicated sourcing professionals and also leverages its strong market presences and relationships across the global platform of our Adviser and its affiliates to gain access to opportunities from advisers, sponsors, banks, management teams, capital raising advisers and other sources. Our Adviser is a trusted partner to financial sponsors and management teams based on its long-term commitment and focus on lending across economic cycles. We believe this gives us access to proprietary deal flow and "first looks" at investment opportunities and that we are well-positioned for difficult and complex transactions.
Screen Using Investment Criteria
We are highly selective in making new investments. The initial screening process typically includes a review of the proposed capital structure of the prospective portfolio company, including level of assets or enterprise value coverage, an assessment by our Adviser of the company’s management team and its equity ownership levels as well as the viability of its long-term business model, and a review of forecasted financial statements and liquidity profile. In addition, our Adviser may assess the prospect of industry or macroeconomic catalysts that may create enhanced value in the investment as well as the potential ability to enforce creditor rights, particularly where collateral is located outside of the United States.
Research
Prior to making any new investment, our Adviser seeks to engage in an extensive due diligence process led by investment analysts assigned to each transaction. The analysts assess a company’s management team, products, services, competitive position in its markets, barriers to entry and operating and financial performance, as well as the growth potential of its markets. In performing this evaluation, the analysts may use financial, descriptive and other due diligence materials provided by the prospective portfolio company, commissioned third party reports and internal sources, including members of the investment team, industry participants and experts with whom our Adviser has relationships. As part of the research process, our Adviser’s analysts typically perform a “what-if” analysis that explores a range of values for each proposed investment and a range of potential credit events.
Evaluate
Our Adviser assesses each potential investment through a rigorous, collaborative decision-making process. Our Adviser applies disciplined investment criteria and evaluates potential risk and reward of each investment with significant focus on downside risk. Our Adviser sizes investments at the portfolio level across a variety of characteristics, including based on the investment criteria described above.
Monitor
Our Adviser prioritizes managing risk. In managing our portfolio, our Adviser monitors each portfolio company to be well-positioned to make hold and exit decisions when credit events occur, our collateral becomes overvalued or opportunities with more attractive risk/reward profiles are identified. Investment analysts are assigned to each investment to monitor industry developments, review company financial statements, attend company presentations and regularly speak with company management. Based on their monitoring, the Investment Professionals seek to determine the optimal time and strategy for exiting and maximizing the return on the investment, typically when prices or yields reach target valuations. In circumstances where a particular investment is underperforming, our Adviser intends to employ a variety of strategies to maximize its recovery based on the specific facts and circumstances of the underperforming investment, including actively working with the management to restructure all or a portion of the business, explore the possibility of a sale or merger of all or a portion of the
assets, recapitalize or refinance the balance sheet, negotiate deferrals or other concessions from existing creditors and arrange new liquidity or new equity contributions. We believe that our Adviser’s experience with restructurings and our access to our Adviser’s deep knowledge, expertise and contacts in the distressed debt area will help us preserve the value of our investments.
In addition, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our Adviser has remained in close contact with many of our portfolio companies to understand their liquidity and solvency positions and changes thereto. We believe that these efforts to closely monitor and identify vulnerable investments have allowed us to address potential problems early and provide constructive solutions to our portfolio companies.
Valuation Procedures
We generally invest in debt securities issued by private middle-market companies. We are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, with the assistance of our audit committee and the Adviser. See “– Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Investment Valuation” for a description of our investment valuation processes and procedures.
Investment Advisory Agreement
From July 9, 2018 through May 11, 2020, we were externally managed by OCM pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. On May 11, 2020, OCM effected the novation of such investment advisory agreement to our Adviser. Immediately following such novation, we and our Adviser entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with the same terms, including fee structure, as the investment advisory agreement with OCM.
Certain of the Investment Professionals of our Adviser and its affiliates may have indirect ownership and pecuniary interests. In addition, our Adviser, its affiliates, the Investment Professionals, our executive officers and directors, and other current and future principals of our Adviser serve or may serve as investment advisers, officers, directors or principals of entities or investment funds that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do and/or investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements advised by Oaktree. An affiliated investment fund, account or other similar arrangement currently formed or formed in the future and managed by our Adviser or its affiliates may have investment objectives and strategies that overlap with ours and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. As a result, our Adviser and/or its affiliates may face conflicts of interest arising out of the investment advisory activities of our Adviser and other operations of Oaktree. See “– Allocation of Investment Opportunities and Potential Conflicts of Interest” below.
Our Adviser will not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in, and on the terms of, the Investment Advisory Agreement, and will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in declining to follow the advice or recommendations of our Adviser. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser (and its members (and their partners or members, including the owners of their partners or members), managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it) will not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by our Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our adviser (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services). Absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of our Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of our Adviser’s duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will provide indemnification from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by those described above in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of our Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our adviser.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we are obligated to pay our Adviser a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components – the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee (each as defined below). All Investment Professionals of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates who provide investment advisory services to us will be compensated by the Adviser or such affiliates, as described below.
Management Fee
Prior to (i) the listing of our Common Stock on a national securities exchange or (ii) an initial public offering of our Common Stock that results in gross proceeds to us of at least $50 million and a listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange (each of (i) and (ii), a “Qualified Listing”), if any, our Adviser is entitled to receive quarterly in arrears a management fee (the “Management Fee”) equal to 1.00% per annum (the “Applicable Management Fee Percentage”) of our
Gross Asset Value (as defined below); provided, that prior to a Qualified Listing, the Management Fee will not exceed 1.75% per annum of the Unleveraged Asset Value (as defined below). From and after the date of a Qualified Listing, if any, the Applicable Management Fee Percentage will increase to 1.50% per annum of our Gross Asset Value.
For purposes of calculating the Management Fee, the Gross Asset Value is determined by our board of directors (including any committee thereof). Until August 6, 2019, the Management Fee for each quarter was calculated based on our average Gross Asset Value at the end of each month during such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee); provided, that the Management Fee for our first calendar quarter was calculated based on our Gross Asset Value at the end of such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee). Following August 6, 2019, the Management Fee for each quarter is calculated based on our average Gross Asset Value at the end of such quarter and at the end of the preceding quarter (in each case, prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee); provided, that the Management Fee for the calendar quarter in which we consummate a Qualified Listing will be calculated based on our Gross Asset Value at the end of such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee). The Unleveraged Asset Value is determined in a manner consistent with the determination of Gross Asset Value.
The term “Gross Asset Value” means the value of our gross assets, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including portfolio investments purchased with borrowed funds and other forms of leverage, but excluding cash and cash equivalents.
The term “Unleveraged Asset Value” means the Gross Asset Value less our borrowings for investment purposes determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than borrowings under our investor subscription credit facility that are repaid within 180 days following incurrence).
Incentive Fee
The Incentive Fee consists of two parts: the Investment Income Incentive Fee and the Capital Gains Incentive Fee (each defined below).
Investment Income Incentive Fee
The Investment Income Incentive Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, which means consolidated 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 the operating expenses accrued for the quarter (including the Management Fee, Company expenses and any interest expense or fees on any credit facilities or outstanding debt, but excluding the Incentive Fee). The Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount ("OID"), debt instruments with payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that has not yet been received in cash. (See "Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Investments – Our investments may include OID instruments, which involve a number of significant risks"). For the avoidance of doubt, the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The 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 a hurdle of 1.50% per quarter (6% annualized) (the “Hurdle Rate”). We are obligated to pay our Adviser an Investment Income Incentive Fee each quarter as follows:
(a)Hurdle Rate Return: No Investment Income Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Rate;
(b)Catch-Up: 100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than a 1.875% (7.5% annualized) rate of return on the value of our net assets in such calendar quarter (the “Catch-Up”), which is intended to provide our Adviser with 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply, if the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate in such calendar quarter; and
(c)80/20 Split: 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds a 1.875% (7.5% annualized) rate of return on the value of our net assets in such calendar quarter, so that once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the Catch-Up in (b) immediately above is achieved, 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter is allocated to our Adviser.
The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:
These calculations are prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. Investors 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 Hurdle Rate and may result in a substantial increase in the amount of Incentive Fees payable to our Adviser with respect to Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.
Capital Gains Incentive Fee
In addition to the Investment Income Incentive Fee described above, our Adviser is entitled to receive a Capital Gains Incentive Fee (as defined below). The Capital Gains Incentive Fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each year. The Capital Gains Incentive Fee is equal to 20% of the realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the Initial Closing through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and unrealized capital depreciation, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio, provided that the Capital Gains Incentive Fee determined as of December 31, 2018 was calculated for a period of shorter than 12 calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the date of the Initial Closing through the end of 2018 (the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee,” and together with the Investment Income Incentive Fee, the “Incentive Fee”).
Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculations
The figures provided in the following examples are hypothetical, are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of actual expenses or returns.
Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee(1):
Alternative 1 - Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%.
Hurdle Rate(2) = 1.50%.
Management Fee(3) = 0.25%.
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(4) = 0.25%.
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income =
(investment income - (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 0.75%.
Pre-Incentive Net Investment Income does not exceed Hurdle Rate, therefore there is no Investment Income Incentive Fee.
Alternative 2 - Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.30%.
Hurdle Rate(2) = 1.50%.
Management Fee(3) = 0.25%.
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(4) = 0.25%.
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income =
(investment income - (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 1.80%
Catch-Up = 1.80% - 1.50% = 0.30%
Incentive Fee = 100% (1.80% - 1.50%) = 0.30%.
Alternative 3 - Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 4.00%.
Hurdle Rate(2) = 1.50%.
Management Fee(3) = 0.25%.
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(4) = 0.25%.
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income =
(investment income - (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 3.50%.
Incentive Fee = 20% × Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, subject to “Catch-Up” (5).
Incentive Fee = (100% × “Catch-Up”) + (20% × (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 1.875%)).
Catch-Up = 1.875% - 1.50% = 0.375%.
Incentive Fee = (100% × 0.375%) + (20% × (3.50% - 1.875%))
= 0.375% + (20% × 1.625%)
= 0.375% + 0.325%
= 0.70%.
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 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 Incentive Fee, if any, would be:
•Year 1: None.
•Year 2: $6.0 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee, calculated as follows: $30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20%.
•Year 3: None; calculated as follows:(6) $5.0 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative unrealized capital depreciation)) less $6.0 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2).
•Year 4: $200,000 Capital Gains Incentive Fee, calculated as follows: $6.2 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $31 million cumulative realized capital gains ($30 million from Investment A and $1 million from Investment B)) less $6.0 million (previous capital gains fee paid 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: $5.0 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee, calculated as follows: 20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B).
•Year 3: $1.4 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee, calculated as follows: $6.4 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million cumulative unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5.0 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2).
•Year 4: $600,000 capital gains incentive fee, calculated as follows: $7.0 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $35 million cumulative realized capital gains) less $6.4 million (previous cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3).
•Year 5: None. $5.0 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $10 million realized capital losses)) less $7.0 million (previous cumulative capital gains fee paid in Years 2, 3 and 4).
_________________
Notes:
1.The hypothetical amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income shown is expressed as a rate of return as of the beginning and the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter. Solely for purposes of these illustrative examples, it has been assumed that we have not incurred any leverage. However, we expect to use leverage to partially finance our investments.
2.Represents 6.0% annualized Hurdle Rate.
3.Represents 1.00% annualized Management Fee.
4.Hypothetical other expenses. Excludes organizational and offering expenses.
5.The “Catch-Up” provision is intended to provide our Adviser with an Incentive Fee of approximately 20% on all of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as if a Hurdle Rate did not apply, when the net investment income exceeds 1.875% in any calendar quarter.
6.If the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated on a date other than December 31 of any year, we may pay aggregate Capital Gains Incentive Fees that are more than the amount of such fees that would have been payable if the Investment Advisory Agreement had been terminated on December 31 of such year. This would occur if the FMV of an investment declined between the time the Investment Advisory Agreement was terminated and December 31.
Administration Agreement
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, our Administrator furnishes us with office facilities (certain of which are located in buildings owned by a Brookfield affiliate), equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, our Administrator also performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, and being responsible for the financial records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, our Administrator assists us in determining and publishing the Net Asset Value (as defined below), overseeing the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally overseeing 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 that reimburses our Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement and providing personnel and facilities. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, by the vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, or by the vote of our directors or by our Administrator. Additionally, we bear all of the costs and expenses of any sub-administration agreements that our Administrator enters into.
The Administration 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 under the Administration Agreement, our Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with it, including without limitation its members, the Adviser and any person affiliated with its members or the Adviser, to the extent they are providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, Adviser or us) will not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for us, and we will indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including without limitation its members, the Adviser and any person affiliated with its members or the Adviser, to the extent they are providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, Adviser or us) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, fees, penalties, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by them in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of our Administrator’s duties or obligations under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as our administrator.
Sub-Administration Agreement
The Administrator entered into a Sub-Administration Agreement with State Street (in such capacity, the “Sub-Administrator”). Pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement, the Sub-Administrator will provide certain administrative and professional services. The principal office of State Street is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. State Street also serves as transfer agent and registrar.
Expenses
All personnel of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by us. We bear all other costs and expenses of our organization, operations, administration and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to: (a) all costs, fees, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with our formation and organization and the offering and sale of the Common Stock, including expenses of registering or qualifying securities held by us for sale and blue sky filing fees; (b) diligence and monitoring of our financial, regulatory and legal affairs, and, if necessary, enforcing rights in respect of investments (to the extent an investment opportunity is being considered for us and any other funds or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, the Adviser’s out-of-pocket expenses related to the due diligence for such investment will be shared with such other funds and accounts pro rata based on the anticipated allocation of such investment opportunity between us and the other funds and accounts); (c) the cost of calculating our Net Asset Value (as defined below) (including third-party valuation firms); (d) the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our Common Stock and other securities; (e) Management and Incentive Fees payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (f) fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments and valuing investments (including third-party valuation firms); (g) retainer, finder’s, placement, adviser, consultant, custodian, sub-custodian, transfer agent, trustee, disbursal, brokerage, registration, legal and other similar fees, commissions and expenses attributable to making or holding investments; (h) fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including travel and attendance at investment conferences and similar events); (i) allocable out-of-pocket costs incurred in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; (j) fees, interest and other costs payable on or in connection with any indebtedness; (k) federal and state registration fees and other governmental charges; (l) any exchange listing fees; (m) federal, state and local taxes; (n) independent directors’ fees and expenses; (o) brokerage commissions; (p) costs of proxy statements, stockholders’ reports and notices and any other regulatory reporting expenses; (q) costs of preparing government filings, including periodic and current reports with the SEC; (r) fidelity bond, liability insurance and other insurance premiums; (s) printing, mailing, independent accountants and outside legal costs; (t) costs of winding up and liquidation; (u) litigation, indemnification and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses; (v) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; (w) research and software expenses, quotation equipment and services and other expenses incurred in connection with data services, including subscription costs, providing real-time price feeds, real-time news feeds, securities and company information, and company fundamental data attributable to such investments; (x) costs and expenses relating to investor reporting and communications; (y) all costs, expenses, fees and liabilities incurred in connection with a Liquidity Event (as defined below); (z) all other out-of-pocket expenses, fees and liabilities that are incurred by us or by the Adviser on our
behalf or that arise out of our operation and activities, including expenses related to organizing and maintaining persons through or in which investments may be made and the allocable portion of any Adviser costs, including personnel, incurred in connection therewith; (aa) accounting expenses, including expenses associated with the preparation of our financial statements and tax information reporting returns and the filing of various tax withholding forms and treaty forms; (bb) the allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs; and (cc) all other expenses incurred by the Administrator, any affiliate of the Administrator or the Company in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator or any such affiliate in an amount equal to our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator or such affiliate in performing its obligations and services under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and our allocable portion of the cost of personnel attributable to performing such obligations and services, including, but not limited to, marketing, legal and other services performed by the Administrator or such affiliate for us. For the avoidance of doubt, we bear our allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits, and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of our officers who provide operational and administrative services under the Administration Agreement, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Administrator or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to us. We reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs and to acting on our behalf).
Our “Net Asset Value” as of any date of determination is the value of all of our assets, including accrued interest, dividends and assets purchased with borrowings, less all of our liabilities, including accrued expenses, any reserves established by the Adviser in its discretion for contingent liabilities and any borrowings. The Net Asset Value is determined by our board of directors (including any committee thereof) as and when required under the Investment Company Act.
Competition
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. We compete for investments with various other investors, such as other public and private funds, other BDCs, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds, some of which may be our affiliates. Other Oaktree funds have investment objectives that overlap with ours, which may create competition for investment opportunities. Many 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 will not be available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than we do. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act and the Code impose on us. The competitive pressures could impair our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure – We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.”
Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As a result, we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). As a result, we have taken advantage of the exemption under the JOBS Act for emerging growth companies that allows companies like us to temporarily forgo the auditor attestation requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure – We are an “emerging growth company,” and we do not know if such status will make our shares less attractive to investors.” We do not take advantage of other disclosure or reporting exemptions for emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of an initial public offering, (ii) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (iii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior second fiscal quarter, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Staffing
We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided through the Administration Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Investment Period
The investment period commenced on the Initial Closing and will continue until the earlier of the (a) completion of a Liquidity Event (as defined below), and (b) August 6, 2023 (the “Investment Period”), unless the Investment Period is earlier terminated in connection with a Key Person Event (as defined below).
A “Liquidity Event” means: at the discretion of our board of directors: (a) a Qualified Listing or (b) with the consent of a majority of outstanding shares of Common Stock not affiliated with the Adviser and in accordance with the applicable requirements of Delaware law, a corporate control transaction, which may include a strategic sale of the Company or all or substantially all of our assets to, or a merger with, another entity, or another type of corporate control event, which may include, but is not limited to, a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated BDC, for consideration in cash or publicly listed securities of such entity or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities (each, a “Corporate Control Transaction”). If we do not complete a Liquidity Event on or prior to August 6, 2023, we will cease drawing Capital Commitments from stockholders except for Runoff Activities (as defined below) and distribute to stockholders the net proceeds we have received from all completed investments as they are liquidated. Stockholders will have no right to approve a Liquidity Event, including a merger or other transaction with an affiliate, except as required by applicable law.
In connection with the termination of the Investment Period, stockholders will automatically be released from any obligation to fund any undrawn Capital Commitments, except to the extent necessary (a) to fund the Management Fee and our other liabilities and expenses, including the repayment of our indebtedness and expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the wind-down of the Company, (b) to complete investments or funding obligations (including guarantees) that are the subject of a written commitment as of the end of the Investment Period (including investments providing for funding in phases), (c) to make “follow-on” investments (as defined below) in an aggregate amount not to exceed 20% of total Capital Commitments or undrawn Capital Commitments, whichever is less, (d) to fulfill obligations with respect to any purchase price due from an investor on a drawdown date that such investor fails to pay, or (e) as necessary for us to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the Investment Company Act and the Code (collectively, “Runoff Activities”). “Follow-on investments” are investments, in respect of any portfolio company in which we have previously invested or in entities whose business is related to or complementary to that of an existing portfolio company, that the Adviser determines are appropriate or necessary for us to invest in for the purpose of preserving, protecting or enhancing the value of such prior investments.
Key Person Event
A key person event will occur if, during the Investment Period, Armen Panossian or his Qualified Replacement (as defined below, each a “Key Executive”) fails to remain actively involved in our investment activities (a “Key Person Event”). In the event of a Key Person Event, we will send written notice to stockholders within ten business days following such occurrence and the Investment Period will automatically be suspended (the “Suspension Period”) until the appointment of a Qualified Replacement or the reinstatement of the Investment Period by the directors, as described below, after which, in either case, the Suspension Period will terminate and the Investment Period will be reinstated. During the Suspension Period, stockholders will not be obligated to pay amounts due under drawdown notices that we may issue other than in respect of Runoff Activities. If during the 60-day period following the sending of written notice (the “Notice Period”), the Key Executive has not been replaced by a Qualified Replacement, we will convene a meeting of our directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) to be held not more than 30 calendar days following the expiration of the Notice Period for the purpose of determining whether the Investment Period will be continued. If a majority of such directors do not vote to approve the continuation of the Investment Period, then the Investment Period will terminate and the stockholders will thereafter be obligated to pay amounts due under drawdown notices that we may issue for Runoff Activities. For the avoidance of doubt, following the termination of the Investment Period pursuant to the foregoing, any unused Capital Commitment (other than any defaulted Capital Commitment) will automatically be reduced to zero, except to the extent necessary to pay amounts due under drawdown notices we may thereafter issue for Runoff Activities.
“Qualified Replacement” means a senior investment professional selected by the Adviser; provided that such replacement has been approved by either (a) a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) or (b) the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, and upon either such approval, such nominee will constitute a “Qualified Replacement.”
Company Term
Our term is perpetual. At the end of the Investment Period, if a Liquidity Event has not yet occurred, our board of directors (subject to any necessary stockholder approvals and applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act) will use its best efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company (subject to our right to engage in Runoff Activities as described in “– Investment Period” above) (the “Liquidation Period”).
Our board of directors may elect to dissolve and wind up the Company earlier if we have disposed of all of our assets.
Transfer of Our Common Stock
Prior to a Liquidity Event, stockholders generally may not sell, assign, transfer, grant a security interest over or otherwise dispose of their Common Stock or their Capital Commitment (“Transfer”) unless (a) we (and, if required by our lending arrangements, our lenders) give consent, (b) the Transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities laws and (c) the Transfer otherwise complies with the restrictions in the Subscription Agreement.
In addition, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, following a Qualified Listing, investors will also be restricted from selling or disposing of their Common Stock for a period of time specified in the Subscription Agreement. More specifically, the Subscription Agreement provides that, following a Qualified Listing and continuing to and including the second anniversary of the completion of the Qualified Listing, a Stockholder may not Transfer its Common Stock or announce an intention to do so. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder may, without any further action on our part (but subject to any underwriters’ lock-up or other contractual restriction the Stockholder may be or become a party to), beginning on the date that is 180 calendar days after the Qualified Listing, Transfer Common Stock in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act (pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise), provided that the number of shares of Common Stock so Transferred (a) may not exceed 25% of the Stockholder’s shares of Common Stock owned as of the completion of the Qualified Listing prior to 365 days after the completion of the Qualified Listing, (b) may not exceed 50% of the Stockholder’s shares of Common Stock owned as of the completion of the Qualified Listing prior to 540 days after the completion of the Qualified Listing, and (c) may not exceed 75% of the Stockholder’s shares of Common Stock owned as of the completion of the Qualified Listing prior to 720 days after the completion of the Qualified Listing; and provided, further, that any Common Stock owned by the Stockholder as of the completion of the Qualified Listing not previously Transferred may be Transferred commencing 720 days after the completion of the Qualified Listing.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Our executive officers and directors, and certain members of our Adviser, 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 Adviser’s affiliates. For example, Oaktree presently serves as the investment adviser to Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation (“OCSL”), which is a publicly traded business development company. OCSL has historically invested in debt and debt-like instruments similar to those we target for investment. Therefore, there may be certain investment opportunities that satisfy our investment criteria and that of OCSL as well as private investment funds and accounts advised or sub-advised by Oaktree or its affiliates. OCSL operates as a distinct and separate entity, and any investment in the Common Stock will not be an investment in OCSL. In addition, all of our executive officers serve in substantially similar capacities for OCSL. Accordingly, our executive officers may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders. For example, the personnel of the Adviser may face conflicts of interest in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and OCSL.
Oaktree has investment allocation guidelines that govern the allocation of investment opportunities among us and the other investment funds and accounts managed or sub-advised by Oaktree and its affiliates (collectively, the “Other Oaktree Funds”). To the extent an investment opportunity is appropriate for us and any of the Other Oaktree Funds, Oaktree will adhere to its investment allocation guidelines in order to determine a fair and equitable allocation.
We invest alongside the Other Oaktree Funds in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such Other Oaktree Funds consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such Other Oaktree Funds to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our Adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price or terms related to price.
In addition, on October 18, 2017, OCM received exemptive relief from the SEC to allow certain managed funds and accounts, each of whose investment adviser is OCM or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with OCM, to participate in negotiated co-investment transactions where doing so is consistent with the applicable registered fund’s or BDC’s investment objective and strategies as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, and pursuant to the conditions of the exemptive relief (the “Exemptive Relief”). Each potential co-investment opportunity that falls under the terms of the Exemptive Relief and is appropriate for us and any affiliated fund or account, and satisfies the then-current board-established criteria, will be offered to us and such other eligible funds and accounts. If there is a sufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated among the participants in accordance with their proposed order size, and if there is an insufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated pro rata based on the investment proposed by the applicable investment adviser to such participant, up to the amount proposed to be invested by each, which is reviewed and approved by an independent committee of legal, compliance and accounting professionals at our Adviser. On December 15, 2020, we, with our Adviser and certain other affiliates, received a modified exemptive order that allows Oaktree proprietary accounts to participate in co-investment transactions subject to certain conditions.
Although Oaktree will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, we and our stockholders could be adversely affected to the extent investment opportunities are allocated among us and the Other Oaktree Funds. We might not participate in each individual opportunity, but will, on an overall basis, be entitled to participate equitably with other entities managed by Oaktree and its affiliates. Oaktree is committed to treating all clients fairly and equitably over time such that none receive preferential treatment vis-à-vis the others over time, in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duty to each of them, however, in some instances, especially in instances of limited liquidity, the factors may not result in pro rata allocations or may result in situations where certain funds or accounts receive allocations where others do not.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser’s liability is limited and we are required to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities. This may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner in performing its duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement than it would if it were acting for its own account, and creates a potential conflict of interest.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, our Administrator furnishes us with the facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We pay the Administrator its allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. This arrangement creates conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.
Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company
We have elected to be treated, and intend to operate in a manner so as to continuously qualify annually, as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to our stockholders as dividends. Instead, dividends we distribute (or are deemed to distributed) generally will be taxable to stockholders, and any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and most other tax attributes generally will not pass through to stockholders. To continue 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 qualify for RIC tax treatment we must distribute to our stockholders, for each tax year, at least 90% of the Company’s “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).
If we:
•qualify as a RIC; and
•satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;
then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) we distribute to stockholders. We are 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 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) 98.2% 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, and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax, in preceding years.
In order to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:
•at all times during each tax year, have in effect an election to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act;
•derive in each tax year at least 90% of our gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities (including loans), gains from the sale of stock or other securities or currencies, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership;” (the “90% Gross Income Test”) and
•diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the tax year:
◦(i) 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 its assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and
◦(ii) no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in (a) the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (b) the securities of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (c) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” ((i) and (ii) collectively, 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 OID (such as debt instruments with increasing interest rates or debt instruments issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same tax year. Because any OID 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.
We may have difficulty satisfying the diversification requirements as we liquidate our portfolio following the Investment Period, given that we will not be making additional investments. Though we generally will not lose our status as a RIC as long as we do not acquire any non-qualifying securities or other property, under certain circumstances we may be deemed to have made an acquisition of non-qualifying securities or other property.
Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the Investment Company Act described above and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources or are otherwise limited in our ability to make distributions, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (a) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (b) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (c) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited); (d) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (e) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (f) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; or (g) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Gross Income Test described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.
If, in any particular tax year, we do not qualify as a RIC, all of our taxable income (including our net capital gains) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and distributions will be taxable to the stockholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Certain BDC Regulatory Considerations
We have elected to be a BDC under the Investment Company Act and to be taxed as a RIC. As with other companies regulated by the Investment Company Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. The Investment Company Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any investment advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters.
The Investment Company Act further requires that a majority of our directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act. In addition, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC unless authorized by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as required by the Investment Company Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company are defined under the Investment Company Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, and (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. We do not anticipate any substantial change in the nature of our business.
We 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, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our Common Stock, at a price below the then-current Net Asset Value of our Common Stock if the following conditions, among others, are satisfied: (i) a majority of our stockholders and a majority of our stockholders that are not our affiliates approve such sales within one year immediately prior to such sales and (ii) a majority of our directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction determine that such sales are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act.
Investment Restrictions
We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the Investment Company Act. Under such limits, except for registered money market funds, we generally cannot invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of investment companies in the aggregate. The portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies ordinarily will subject stockholders to additional indirect expenses. None of the policies described above are fundamental and each such policy may be changed without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act. Our investment portfolio is also subject to certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements by virtue of its status to be a RIC for U.S. tax purposes. See “– Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company” above for more information.
Qualifying Assets
Under the Investment Company Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act, which are referred to as Qualifying Assets, unless at the time the acquisition is made, Qualifying Assets represent at least 70% of the BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of Qualifying Assets relevant to our 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 Investment Company 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 BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the Investment Company Act; and
(c) satisfies any of the following:
i. does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;
ii. has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;
iii. is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or
iv. is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4.0 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2.0 million.
(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.
Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
In addition, a BDC must have been organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in, any state or states within 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, a BDC 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. However, when a BDC purchases 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 includes any arrangement whereby a BDC, 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, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment (collectively, “temporary investments”) so that 70% of our assets are Qualifying Assets. We may also 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 the Company, 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. However, if more than 25% of our gross assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
Indebtedness and Senior Securities
Consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our Common Stock if we meet an asset coverage ratio, as calculated as provided in the Investment Company Act, of at least 150% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions 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 would also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for generally up to 60 days for temporary purposes without regard to asset coverage.
Other
We are subject to periodic examination by the SEC for compliance with the Investment Company 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 BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or the 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 our Adviser are required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the U.S. federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a Chief Compliance Officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a joint code of ethics with OCSL pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to 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. We hereby undertake to provide a copy of this code to any person, without charge, upon request. Requests for a copy of this code may be made in writing addressed to Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our Adviser. The proxy voting policies and procedures of our Adviser are set forth below. These guidelines are reviewed periodically by our Adviser and our independent directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.
An investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, our Adviser recognizes that it must vote portfolio securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients.
These policies and procedures for voting proxies are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.
Our Adviser will vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities, if any, in what it perceives to be the best interest of our stockholders. Our Adviser will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on portfolio securities held by us. Although our Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our portfolio securities, it may vote for such a proposal if there are compelling long-term reasons to do so.
Our Adviser’s proxy voting decisions will be made by officers who are responsible for monitoring each of our investments. To ensure that the vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, our Adviser will require that: (1) anyone involved in the decision-making process disclose to the Chief Compliance Officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (2) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how our Adviser intends to vote on a proposal, in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.
Stockholders may obtain information regarding how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., c/o Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., 333 South Grand Avenue 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Privacy Principles
We endeavor to maintain the privacy of our stockholders and to safeguard their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help stockholders understand what non-public personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share that information with select other parties.
We may collect non-public personal information about stockholders from our subscription agreements or other forms, such as name, address, account number and the types and amounts of investments, and information about transactions with us or our affiliates, such as participation in other investment programs, ownership of certain types of accounts or other account data and activity. We may disclose the non-public personal information that we collect from our stockholders or former stockholders, as described above, to our affiliates and service providers and as allowed by applicable law or regulation. Any party that receives this information from us is permitted to use it only for the services required by us and as allowed by applicable law or regulation, and is not permitted to share or use this information for any other purpose. We permit access only by authorized personnel who need access to that non-public personal information to provide services to us and the stockholders.
We also maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards for non-public personal information that are designed to comply with applicable law.
Reporting Obligations
We file with the SEC annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.
We do not maintain a website and therefore do not make available through a website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, reports on Forms 3 and 4 regarding directors, officers or 10% beneficial owners of us, filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a), 15(d) or 16(a) of the Exchange Act or other reports we file with the SEC. We will provide, however, electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request to Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., 333 South Grand Avenue 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC such as the Company.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:
•pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;
•pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports are required to disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;
•pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management is required to prepare a report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and (starting from the date on which we cease to be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act and have become an "accelerated filer" under the Exchange Act) must obtain an audit performed by our independent registered public accounting firm of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Foregoing the attestation requirement may increase the risk that material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected; and
•pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to material weaknesses.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our Net Asset Value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment. The risk factors described below are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.
The following is a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us:
•Our current and future investments in distressed or bankrupt companies are subject to significant risks — We have acquired, and may in the future opportunistically acquire the securities and obligations of distressed companies, including opportunistic acquisitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. These investments in distressed companies are subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
•The COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies — Global economic, political and market conditions, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have adversely affected (and in the future, could further adversely affect) our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies.
•Uncertainty regarding LIBOR may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition —Changes in interest rates, changes in the method for determining the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and the eventual replacement of LIBOR may adversely affect our cost of capital and net investment income.
•Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or parts of our investments — Middle-market companies in which we primarily invest, as compared with larger companies, may have more limited financial resources, less predictable operating results, greater exposure to economic downturns and limited operating histories, and, for many of our investments, the portfolio companies are highly leveraged and there is little or no publicly available information about them, and our investments in such companies are not rated by any rating agency.
•We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities — We may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as a result of competition with other investors.
•A significant portion of our portfolio securities do not have a readily available market price and, as a result, valuations of our portfolio involve uncertainties and subjective determinations — Our portfolio securities typically do not have a readily available market price and, in such a case, we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our board of directors, with the assistance of our audit committee and our Adviser, which valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize from the sale of the investment.
•We are dependent upon our Adviser for future success — Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of our Adviser. If our Adviser were to lose key personnel or were to resign, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly impeded.
•Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest — Conflicts of interest may exist from time to time between our Adviser and certain of its affiliates involved with us, which could impact our investment returns.
•We are subject to substantial regulation — Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.
•Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations — We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested, and each of our investments is pledged as collateral under one or more of our credit facilities, which may increase the risk of investing in us.
•Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability — Economic recessions or downturns, changes in regulations or regulatory interpretations thereof, transitions of government, and uncertainty regarding any of the
foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay debt or pay interest.
Risks Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global economic, political and market conditions caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies.
There continues to be an outbreak of COVID-19, which the World Health Organization declared in March 2020 to constitute a pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in numerous deaths, adversely impacted global commercial activity and contributed to significant volatility in certain equity and debt markets. The global impact of the outbreak continues to evolve, and at various points during the pandemic many countries have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues for unknown durations. Businesses have also implemented precautionary measures. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. While several countries, including the U.S., have eased certain travel restrictions, business closures and social distancing measures, the U.S. and global economies continue to experience economic uncertainty, particularly due to recurring COVID-19 outbreaks, vaccine hesitancy and potential re-imposition of certain restrictions or lockdowns.
Any disruptions in the capital markets, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, may increase the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities and can result in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial sector and re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market. These and any other unfavorable economic conditions created by COVID-19 and related restrictions and closures could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets and result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. During the spring of 2020, the occurrence of these events negatively impacted the fair value of the investments that we held, and if they were to occur again in the future, could limit our investment originations (including as a result of the investment professionals of our Adviser diverting their time to the restructuring of certain investments), negatively impact our operating results and limit our ability to grow. In addition, our success depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of our Adviser, whose operations may be adversely impacted, including through quarantine measures and travel restrictions imposed on its investment professionals, service providers, or any related health issues of such investment professionals, service providers, or their families.
In addition, COVID-19 related restrictions, closures and related market conditions (including impacts on supply chains and consumer demand) resulted in and in the future, could further result in, certain of our portfolio companies halting or significantly curtailing operations. The financial results of middle-market companies in which we primarily invest, have experienced deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults, and further deterioration will further depress the outlook for middle-market companies. Further, adverse economic conditions have decreased and may in the future decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Such conditions have required and may in the future require us to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performance of certain of our portfolio companies has been, and in the future may be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which can result in our receipt of reduced interest income from our portfolio companies and/or realized and unrealized losses related to our investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, as governments continue to ease COVID-19 related restrictions and impose certain COVID-19 mitigation measures, certain of our portfolio companies may experience increases in health and safety expenses, payroll costs and other operating expenses.
As the potential long-term impact of COVID-19 remains difficult to predict, the extent to which COVID-19 could negatively affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results or the duration or reoccurrence of any potential business or supply-chain disruption is uncertain. Any potential impact to our results of operations will depend to a large extent on future developments regarding the duration and severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken by governments (including stimulus measures or the lack thereof) and their citizens to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. We monitor developments in economic, political and market conditions and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
We have acquired, and may in the future opportunistically acquire the securities and obligations of distressed companies, including opportunistic acquisitions made during the COVID-19 pandemic. These investments in distressed or bankrupt companies are subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
We have acquired, and may in the future acquire, the securities and other obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies,
including opportunistic acquisitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. At times, distressed debt obligations may not produce income and may require us to bear certain extraordinary expenses (including legal, accounting, valuation and transaction expenses) in order to protect and recover our investment. Therefore, when we invest in distressed debt, our ability to achieve current income for our stockholders may be diminished, particularly where the portfolio company has negative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").
We also are subject to significant uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value the distressed debt we acquire will eventually be satisfied whether through a refinancing, restructuring, liquidation, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed debt securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation. In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed debt held by us, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made.
Moreover, any securities received by us upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of our participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed debt, we may be restricted from disposing of such securities.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
We invest primarily in privately owned small- and medium-sized companies, which involve a number of significant risks.
We invest primarily in privately owned small- and medium-sized companies. Investments in these types of companies pose a number of significant risks. For example, such companies: (a) have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and ability to withstand financial distress; (b) may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under the 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; (c) may 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 changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; (d) 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 the portfolio company and, in turn, on us; (e) may have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in volatile 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; and (f) are not subject to the Exchange Act and other regulations that govern public companies, and therefore provide little information to the public. In addition, we, our Adviser, its affiliates and their directors, executive management team and members and the Investment Professionals may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in such portfolio companies.
Also, investments in such companies tend to be less liquid. See “– We invest in illiquid investments and may experience difficulty in selling those investments in a timely manner at the price that we believe the investments are worth.”
Finally, as noted above, little public information generally exists about privately owned companies, and these companies often do not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. Stockholders, therefore, must rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies. Additionally, these companies and their financial information will not generally be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If the Adviser is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not make a fully informed investment decision, and stockholders may lose money on our investments.
These factors may make certain of our portfolio companies more susceptible to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government regulations.
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or parts of our investments.
The companies in which we invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in such companies are not rated by any rating agency. If such investments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization of below investment grade (i.e., below BBB- or Baa), which is often referred to as "high yield" and "junk." Exposure to below investment grade securities involves certain risks, and those securities are viewed as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Investing in small and mid-sized companies involves a number of significant risks. Securities in the lower-rated categories and comparable non-rated securities are subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated and comparable non-rated securities and are generally considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Such issuers typically are highly leveraged, with significant burdens on cash flow and, therefore, involve a high degree of financial risk. During an economic downturn or recession, securities of financially troubled or operationally troubled issuers are more likely to go into default than securities of other issuers. Because investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the lower-rated and comparable non-rated securities, the yields and prices of such securities may be more volatile than those for higher-rated and comparable non-rated securities. The market for lower-rated and comparable non-rated securities is thinner, often less liquid and less active than that for higher-rated or comparable non-rated securities, and the market prices of such securities are subject to erratic and abrupt movements. The spread between bid and asked prices for such securities may be greater than normally expected. Such factors can adversely affect the prices at which these securities can be sold and may even make it difficult to sell such securities.
Investment in the securities of financially troubled issuers and operationally troubled issuers involves a high degree of credit and market risk. These financial difficulties may never be overcome and may cause issuers to become subject to bankruptcy proceedings.
Our portfolio securities typically do not have a readily available market price and, in such a case, we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our board of directors, which valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize from the sale of the investment.
Valuations of our portfolio, which will affect the amount of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee and our performance results, may involve uncertainties and judgmental determinations. As a BDC, we are required to account for our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. The fair value of such securities may change, potentially materially, between the date of the fair value determination by the board of directors and the release of the financial results for the corresponding period or the next date at which fair value is determined.
The process of valuing securities for which reliable market quotations are not available is based on inherent uncertainties, and the resulting values may differ from values that would have been determined had a ready market existed for such securities and may differ from the prices at which such securities may ultimately be sold. Further, third-party pricing information may at times not be available regarding certain of our securities, derivatives and other assets. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable 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. In addition, any investments that include OID or PIK interest may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require ongoing judgments about the collectability of their deferred payments and the value of their underlying collateral. Due to these uncertainties, fair value determinations may cause the Net Asset Value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more investments.
A disruption in the secondary markets for our investments may limit the ability of our Adviser to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing our investments and calculating our Gross Asset Value and the Net Asset Value. In addition, material events occurring after the close of a principal market upon which a portion of our securities or other assets are traded may require the Adviser to make a determination of the effect of a material event on the value of the securities or other assets traded on the market for purposes of determining the fair value of our investments on a valuation date. If the valuation of our securities in accordance with Oaktree’s valuation policy should prove to be incorrect, the fair value of our investments could be adversely affected. Absent bad faith or manifest error, valuation determinations in accordance with Oaktree’s valuation policy
will be conclusive and binding. Furthermore, these values are used to determine our Net Asset Value in connection with the shares of Common Stock. To the extent these investments are undervalued or overvalued, the Common Stock of existing stockholders or newly admitted stockholders could be adversely affected.
We may rely upon projections, forecasts or estimates developed by our Adviser and/or a portfolio company concerning a portfolio company’s future performance and cash flow.
We may rely upon projections developed by Oaktree or a third party concerning an investment’s future performance and cash flow, including when deciding that the possibility of actual adversity in connection with an investment in a different part of the capital structure of the portfolio company is remote. Projections are inherently subject to uncertainty and factors beyond the control of Oaktree and the portfolio company. In all cases, projections are only estimates of future results that are based upon assumptions made at the time that the projections are developed. Different assumptions may produce different results. The inaccuracy of certain assumptions, the failure to satisfy certain financial requirements and the occurrence of other unforeseen events could impair the ability of a portfolio company to realize projected values and cash flow and could trigger the need for us to remain passive in the event of a restructuring. In addition, prospective investors should note that projected performance is not indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that the projected results or expected returns will be achieved or that we will be able to effectively implement our investment objective.
In addition, Oaktree may determine the suitability of investments based in part on the basis of financial projections for portfolio issuers. Events or conditions, including changes in general market conditions, which may not have been anticipated or which are otherwise not foreseeable, may occur and have a significant impact on the actual rate of return received with respect to our investments.
Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.
Except to the extent required as a BDC or RIC, the Adviser is not under any other obligation to diversify our investments, whether by reference to the amount invested or the industries or geographical areas in which portfolio companies operate. Oaktree may allocate capital among investments as it determines in its sole discretion, subject to the goal of maximizing our returns, and stockholders will have no assurances with respect to the diversification or geographic concentration of the investment program. This lack of diversification will expose us to losses disproportionate to market declines in general if there are disproportionately greater adverse price movements in the particular investments, and our investment portfolio may be subject to more rapid changes in value than would be the case if we were required to maintain a wide diversification among companies, industries and types of securities. To the extent we hold investments concentrated in a particular issuer, security, asset class, industry or geographic region, we will be more susceptible than a more widely diversified investment vehicle to the negative consequences of a single corporate, economic, political or regulatory event. Unfavorable performance by any number of investments could substantially adversely affect the aggregate returns realized by stockholders. Approximately 18.42% of the Company's investments at fair value as of September 30, 2021 are concentrated in the Application Software industry.
Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.
Our investments may include companies whose capital structures have significant leverage. Such investments are inherently more sensitive to declines in revenues and to increases in expenses and interest rates. The leveraged capital structure of such investments will increase the exposure of the portfolio companies to adverse economic factors, such as downturns in the economy or deterioration in the condition of the portfolio company or its industry. Additionally, the securities acquired by us may be the most junior in what will typically be a complex capital structure, and thus subject to the greatest risk of loss.
Furthermore, we engage in certain investment activities that involve the use of leverage. The cumulative effect of our use of leverage in a market that moves adversely to our investments could result in a loss to us that would be greater than if leverage had not been used, including loss of the entire investment and also the possibility of loss exceeding the original amount of a particular investment. To the extent that we engage in any leveraging, it will be subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including those relating to the ability to refinance and the insufficiency of cash flow to meet principal and interest payments, which could significantly reduce or even eliminate the value of our investment. Leveraging the capital structure will mean that third parties, such as banks, may be entitled to the cash flow generated by such investments prior to our receiving a return. Also, if an asset of us is mortgaged or otherwise used as collateral to secure repayment of indebtedness and such payments are not made, the asset could be foreclosed upon by the lender or otherwise transferred to the lender.
There are also financing costs associated with leverage, and such costs will be borne by us and therefore may adversely affect the rate of returns obtained by us. In addition, each leveraged investment will involve interest rate risk, including to the extent that financing charges for such leveraged investment are based on a predetermined interest rate. Our assets, including any investment made by us and any capital held by us, are available to satisfy all liabilities and our other obligations. If we default on secured indebtedness, the lender may foreclose and we could lose our entire investment in the collateral for such loan. If we become subject to a liability, parties seeking to have the liability satisfied may have recourse to our assets generally and not be limited to any particular asset, such as the investment giving rise to the liability.
Inflation may adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
Certain of our portfolio companies may be impacted by inflation. If such portfolio companies are unable to pass any increases in their costs along to their customers, it could adversely affect their results and their ability to impacting their ability to pay interest and principal on our loans, particularly if interest rates rise in response to inflation. In addition, any projected future decreases in our portfolio companies’ operating results due to inflation could adversely impact the fair value of those investments. Any decreases in the fair value of our investments could result in future unrealized losses and therefore reduce our net assets resulting from operations.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
We may be called upon to provide follow-on funding for our investments or have the opportunity to increase our investment in such investments. There can be no assurance that we will wish to make follow-on investments or that we will have sufficient funds to do so. Any decision by us not to make follow-on investments or our inability to make them may have a substantial negative impact on an investment in need of such an investment or may diminish our ability to influence such investment’s future development. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to predict accurately how much capital may need to be reserved by us for participation in follow-on investments. If more capital is reserved than is necessary, then we may receive a lower allocation of other investment opportunities. If less capital is reserved than is necessary, then we may not be able to fully protect or enhance our existing investment.
Because we generally do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.
We generally do not make investments that result in control of, or significant influence over, a company. Although Oaktree monitors the performance of each investment and may make recommendations, we rely upon management to operate the portfolio companies on a day-to-day basis and equity sponsors who control the boards of directors of the portfolio companies to select qualified management for such companies. As a result, we may have a more limited ability to protect our investment in portfolio companies than if we held a controlling interest or position of significant influence. In addition, certain of our investments may be in businesses with limited operating histories.
When we do have an ability to significantly influence a company or an investment, it will expose us to additional risks of liability and may subject us to indemnification obligations.
In certain circumstances, including if we invest in a different part of the capital structure as Other Oaktree Funds, our holdings may be aggregated with those of such Other Oaktree Funds, which collectively may be deemed to give these funds and accounts controlling interests in or the ability to significantly influence a portfolio company. The exercise of control of, or significant influence over, a portfolio company may impose additional risks of liability for environmental damage, product defects, failure to supervise management, violation of governmental regulations (including securities laws) or other types of liability in which the limited liability generally characteristic of business ownership may be ignored. In addition, a greater level of involvement by Oaktree in a portfolio company may subject us to a greater risk of litigation by third parties. The expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would, absent certain conduct by Oaktree, be borne by us and would reduce our net assets. If these liabilities were to arise, we might suffer a significant loss. However, we may have a more limited ability to protect our investment in portfolio companies or issuers in which a controlling interest or position of significant influence has not been obtained. We will be required to indemnify Oaktree and others in connection with such litigation, as well as other matters arising as a result of our management, subject to certain conditions.
There may be insufficient investment opportunities, which may hinder our achievement of our investment objective.
Our Adviser may not be able to identify and obtain a sufficient number of investment opportunities to invest the full amount of capital that may be committed to us. Even if sufficient investment opportunities are identified, they may be allocated first to Other Oaktree Funds.
We invest in illiquid investments and may experience difficulty in selling those investments in a timely manner at the price that we believe the investments are worth.
We invest, and will continue to invest, in companies whose securities are illiquid, thinly traded for which no market exists or are restricted as to their transferability under applicable securities laws or documents governing our particular transactions. Some securities or instruments that were liquid at the time they were acquired may, for a variety of reasons which may not be in our control, later become illiquid. This factor may have the effect of limiting the availability of these securities or instruments for our purchase and may also limit our ability to sell such investments at their fair market value prior to our termination or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded our investments. Due to securities regulations governing certain publicly traded equity securities, our ability to sell securities could also be diminished with respect to equity holdings that represent a significant portion of the issuer’s securities (particularly if we have designated one or more directors of the issuer). Thus, there can be no assurance as to the timing and amount of our distributions, and any distribution that would require either an in-kind distribution or a forced sale of illiquid assets at a price deemed unattractive by the Adviser may occur after the expiration of the Investment Period. To the extent any of our investments cannot be sold prior to the end of the Investment Period, they may be distributed in kind to stockholders. The securities and instruments so distributed may not be readily marketable.
We may face risks in connection with frequent trading and high portfolio turnover.
The different strategies used by us may require frequent trading and a high portfolio turnover. The more frequently we trade, the higher the commission and transaction costs and certain other expenses involved in our operations. These costs will be borne by us regardless of the profitability of our investment and trading activities. In addition, a high portfolio turnover may increase the recognition of short-term, rather than long-term, capital gains.
Debt instruments and loans acquired by us may become non-performing following their acquisition.
Debt instruments and loans acquired by us may become non-performing following their acquisition for a wide variety of reasons. Such non-performing instruments or loans may require a substantial amount of workout negotiations or restructuring, which may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in the interest rate and a substantial write-down of principal. It is possible that we may find it necessary or desirable to foreclose on collateral securing one or more real loans purchased by us. The foreclosure process varies jurisdiction by jurisdiction and can be lengthy and expensive. Borrowers often resist foreclosure actions, which often prolongs and complicates an already difficult and time-consuming process. In some states or other jurisdictions, foreclosure actions can take up to several years or more to conclude. During the foreclosure proceedings, a borrower may have the ability to file for bankruptcy, potentially staying the foreclosure action and further delaying the foreclosure process. Foreclosure litigation tends to create a negative public image of the collateral property and may result in disrupting ongoing leasing and management of the property.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
In recent years, a number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories (collectively termed “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith and fair dealing owed to the borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors. We may be subject to potential allegations of lender liability. In addition, courts have in some cases applied the doctrine of equitable subordination to subordinate the claim of a lending institution against a borrower to claims of other creditors of the borrower when the lending institution is found to have engaged in unfair, inequitable or fraudulent conduct. Such claims may be brought even if we acquired the loan on a secondary basis.
If we make unsecured debt investments, we may lack adequate protection in the event our portfolio companies become distressed or insolvent and will likely experience a lower recovery than more senior debtholders in the event such portfolio companies default on their indebtedness.
In the event of a default by a borrower, we might not receive payments to which we are entitled and thereby could experience a decline in the value of our investments in the borrower. If we invest in debt that is not secured by collateral, in the event of such default, we will have only an unsecured claim against the borrower. In the case of second lien loans that are secured by collateral, while Oaktree generally expects the value of the collateral to be greater than the value of such secured second lien loans, the value of the collateral may actually be equal to or less than the value of such second lien loans or may decline below the outstanding amount of such second lien loans subsequent to our investment. Our ability to have access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other insolvency laws. Under certain circumstances, the collateral may be released with the consent of the lenders or pursuant to the terms of the underlying loan agreement with the borrower. There is no assurance that the liquidation of the collateral securing a loan would occur in a timely fashion or would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal, or that the collateral could be readily liquidated. As a result, we might not receive full payment on a secured loan investment to which we are entitled and thereby may experience a decline in the value of, or a loss on, the investment.
If we acquire the securities and obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies, such investments may be subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
We may acquire the securities and other obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies. At times, distressed debt obligations may not produce income and may require us to bear certain extraordinary expenses (including legal, accounting, valuation and transaction expenses) in order to protect and recover our investment. Therefore, to the extent we invest in distressed debt, our ability to achieve current income for our stockholders may be diminished, particularly where the portfolio company has negative EBITDA.
We also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the distressed debt we invest in will eventually be satisfied whether through a liquidation, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed debt securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation. In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed debt held by us, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made.
Moreover, any securities received by us upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of our participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed debt, we may be restricted from disposing of such securities.
Leveraged companies may enter into bankruptcy proceedings at higher rates than companies that are not leveraged and we may invest in debt securities of these companies.
Leveraged companies, such as those in which we invest or plan to invest, may be more prone to bankruptcy or similar financial distress. As a result, we may need to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performances of such companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may result in our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from such portfolio companies and/or losses or charge offs related to such investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our success may depend, in part, on the ability of the Adviser to effectuate loan modifications or restructure and improve the operations of portfolio companies. The activity of identifying and implementing any such restructuring programs and operating improvements entails a high degree of uncertainty. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to successfully identify and implement such restructuring programs and improvements.
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 a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the securities that we will hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, we may write down the value of a
portfolio company investment upon the worsening of the financial condition of the portfolio company or in anticipation of a default, which could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to certain risks associated with foreign investments.
Certain non-U.S. investments involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include (a) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation, (b) social, economic and political uncertainty, including crime, corruption, war, terrorism and revolution, (c) dependence on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade, (d) differences between U.S. and non-U.S. markets, including price fluctuations, market volatility, less liquidity and smaller capitalization of securities markets, (e) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (f) rates of inflation, (g) controls on, and changes in controls on, foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on our ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars, (h) governmental involvement in and control over the economies, (i) governmental decisions to discontinue support of economic reform programs generally and impose centrally planned economies, (j) differences in auditing and financial reporting standards that may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers, (k) less extensive regulation and less government supervision of the securities markets, exchanges, brokers and issuers, (l) longer settlement periods for securities transactions, (m) less developed bankruptcy laws and corporate laws regarding fiduciary duties and the protection of investors, (n) less reliable judicial systems to enforce contracts and applicable law, (o) certain considerations regarding the maintenance of our portfolio securities and cash with non-U.S. sub-custodians and securities depositories, (p) the possible imposition of non-U.S. taxes on income and gains recognized with respect to such non-U.S. investments, (q) restrictions and prohibitions on ownership of property by non-U.S. entities and changes in laws relating thereto and (r) additional transactional costs and administrative burdens as a result of local legal requirements. We may be adversely affected by the foregoing events, or by future adverse developments in global or regional economic conditions or in the financial or credit markets.
In addition, foreign investment in the securities of issuers in certain nations is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude non-U.S. investment in issuers in such nations and increase our costs and expenses. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Some countries require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by non-U.S. investors. In addition, if there is a deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on, or altogether change its restrictions on, non-U.S. capital remittances abroad. In response to sovereign debt or currency crises, for example, certain governments have enacted legislation that imposes restrictions on the inflow and outflow of foreign currency into and from such country. These restrictions may adversely affect our ability to source investments or repatriate investment proceeds. Repatriation of capital was particularly a problem during the sovereign debt and currency crises of the 1990s and continues to be a problem today in certain countries. Even where capital controls do not prohibit remittances abroad, the repatriation of proceeds from investment dispositions may require the procurement of a substantial number of regulatory consents, certificates and approvals, including licenses for us and clearance certificates from tax or monetary authorities. Obtaining such approvals or licenses may be difficult, expensive and time consuming and may depend on political or other factors outside our control. Finally, repatriation of income from and investments in entities that are organized or domiciled in non-U.S. countries may be affected adversely by local withholding and other non-U.S. tax requirements. The foregoing requirements and restrictions may adversely affect our ability to source investments or repatriate investment proceeds, and there can be no assurance that we will be permitted to repatriate capital or profits, if any, from the non U.S. jurisdictions in which we invest.
Our obligations in connection with investments in bank loans and participations are subject to unique risks.
Our investment program may include investments in significant amounts of bank loans and participations, as well as other direct lending transactions. These obligations are subject to unique risks, including (a) the possible invalidation of an investment transaction as a fraudulent conveyance under relevant creditors’ rights laws, (b) so-called lender-liability claims by the issuer of the obligations, (c) environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations and (d) limitations on our ability to enforce directly our rights with respect to participations. In addition, bank loans may not be deemed to be “securities” for purposes of the federal securities laws and therefore may not have the protections afforded by the federal securities laws, including anti-fraud protections. In analyzing each bank loan or participation, we compare the relative significance of the risks against the expected benefits of the investment. Successful claims by third parties arising from these and other risks, absent certain conduct by the Adviser, its affiliates and certain other individuals, will be borne by us. In addition, the settlement process for the purchase of bank loans can take significantly longer than the timeframes established by the Loan Syndications & Trading Association and comparable non-U.S. bodies. The longer a trade is outstanding between the counterparties, the greater the risk of additional operational and settlement issues and the potential for our counterparty to fail to perform.
If we purchase a participation, we will not have established any direct contractual relationship with the borrower. We will be required to rely on the lender or the participant that sold the participation, not only for the enforcement of our rights against the borrower, but also for the receipt and processing of payments due to us under the participation. We will thus be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the selling lender or participant. Because it may be necessary to assert through the selling lender or participant such rights as may exist against the borrower, in the event the borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, such assertion of rights against the borrower may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if we could enforce our rights against the borrower directly.
We will face risks in effective operating improvements.
In some cases, the success of our investment strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to restructure and effect improvements in the operations of a portfolio company. The activity of identifying and implementing restructuring programs and operating improvements at portfolio companies entails a high degree of uncertainty. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully identify and implement such restructuring programs and improvements.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payments of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments 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. 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 instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal 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.
We may be exposed to higher risks with respect to our investments that include OID or PIK interest.
Our investments include OID and contractual PIK interest, which typically represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. To the extent OID or PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:
•OID and PIK instruments may have higher yields, which reflect the payment deferral and credit risk associated with these instruments;
•OID and PIK accruals may create uncertainty about the source of our distributions to stockholders;
•OID and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the collateral; and
•OID and PIK instruments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans.
We may invest in derivatives, which involve numerous risks.
While not anticipated to be a meaningful aspect of our investment strategy, we have and may in the future enter into certain foreign exchange and possibly certain other types of OTC derivative instruments from time to time. While Oaktree expects us to enter into OTC contracts on a bilateral basis with banks or other dealers, we may enter into certain derivatives that are traded on swap execution facilities (“SEFs”), security-based swap execution facilities or other similar multi-lateral trading platforms. Certain of such derivatives may be cleared through central counterparties (“CCPs”).
Investing in derivative instruments, particularly OTC derivatives, presents various risks, including market, counterparty, operational and liquidity risks. The prices of derivative instruments, including swaps, forwards and options may be highly volatile and such instruments may subject us to significant loses. The value of derivatives also depends upon the price of the underlying security or other asset or index. Typically, investing in a derivative instrument requires the deposit or payment of an initial amount much smaller than the notional or nominal exposure amount from such derivative instrument. Therefore, if the
relevant cash market moves against us, we will suffer a larger loss than we would have by directly investing in the underlying security or other asset or index. OTC derivatives are also subject to the default and credit risk of the counterparty if they are not cleared through CCPs, while centrally cleared derivatives are subject to the credit risk of the CCP and the relevant futures commission merchant (“FCM”) or other clearing broker. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “ask” prices for derivative instruments that are traded over-the-counter and not on an exchange. While such OTC derivatives are subject to increased regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act, the investor protections and other regulations applicable to such OTC derivatives differ from those applicable to futures and other exchange-traded instruments. In addition, compared with such exchange-traded instruments, the market for OTC derivatives is less liquid.
We may have foreign currency risks related to our investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar.
A portion of our investments are, and may continue to be, located in jurisdictions other than the United States and, consequently, we are expected to make certain investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Changes in the rates of exchange between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies will have an effect, which could be adverse, on our performance, amounts available for withdrawal and the value of securities distributed by us. 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. Additionally, a particular foreign country may impose exchange controls, devalue its currency or take other measures relating to its currency which could adversely affect us. Finally, we could incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
We are not obligated to hedge currency risks. Even if Oaktree does so, Oaktree may not be able to put a hedge in place on commercially reasonable terms given the credit terms offered by our counterparties or the volatility of the currency. There can be no guarantee that instruments suitable for hedging market shifts will be available at the time when we wish to use them or that any hedge would reduce applicable risks. More specifically, if we hedge currency risk, we do not expect that the full risk of currency fluctuations can be eliminated due to the complexity of the investment characteristics of the portfolio and limitations in the foreign currency market. We will conduct our foreign currency exchange transactions in anticipation of funding investment commitments or receiving proceeds upon dispositions.
We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.
In addition to currency hedging, the Adviser may also use other financial instruments for hedging and risk management purposes, including short sales, in order to (a) protect against possible changes in the market value of our investment portfolio resulting from fluctuations in the securities markets and changes in interest rates, (b) protect our unrealized gains in the value of our investment portfolio, (c) facilitate the sale of any such investments, (d) preserve returns, spreads or gains on any investment, (e) hedge the interest rate on any liabilities or assets, (f) protect against any increase in the price of any investments we anticipate purchasing at a later date or (g) for any other similar reason that the Adviser deems appropriate. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions and amounts due under our credit facilities 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 transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase.
The success of our hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged along with the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. Therefore, though we may enter into transactions to seek to reduce risks, unanticipated changes 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 or credit facilities being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the effect of the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions requires skills complementary to those needed in the selection of portfolio holdings. It may not be possible to hedge at an acceptable price that is generally anticipated. In addition, we may determine not to hedge against particular risks, including if we determine that available hedging transactions are not available at an acceptable price.
We may be exposed to credit risk on parties with whom we trade and will also bear the risk of settlement default.
From time to time, certain securities markets have experienced operational clearance and settlement problems that have resulted in failed trades. These problems could cause us to miss attractive investment opportunities or result in our liability to
third parties by virtue of an inability to perform our contractual obligation to deliver securities, or we could be unable to achieve the market position selected by Oaktree or might incur a loss in liquidating our positions. In addition, delays and inefficiencies of the local postal, transport and banking systems could result in the loss of investment opportunities, the loss of funds (including dividends) and exposure to currency fluctuations.
Because certain purchases, sales, securities lending, derivatives and other transactions in which we engage involve instruments that are not traded on an exchange, but are instead traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, we are subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts, as well as risks of transfer, clearance or settlement default. Such risks may be exacerbated with respect to non-U.S. securities or transactions with non-U.S. counterparties. There can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that we will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result. Such risks may differ materially from those entailed in exchange-traded transactions that generally are backed by clearing organization guarantees, daily marking-to-market and settlement of positions and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. There can be no assurance that Oaktree’s monitoring activities will be sufficient to adequately control counterparty risk.
In situations where we are required to post margin or other collateral with a counterparty, the counterparty may fail to segregate such assets or collateral, as applicable, or may commingle the assets or collateral with the relevant counterparty’s own assets or collateral, as applicable. As a result, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of any counterparty, our excess assets and collateral may be subject to the conflicting claims of the creditors of the relevant counterparty, and we may be exposed to the risk of a court treating us as a general unsecured creditor of such counterparty, rather than as the owner of such assets or collateral, as the case may be.
Transactions entered into by us may be executed on various U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges, and may be cleared and settled through various clearing houses, custodians, depositories and prime brokers throughout the world. Although we will attempt to execute, clear and settle the transactions through entities Oaktree believes to be sound, there can be no assurance that a failure by any such entity will not lead to a loss to us.
Certain of our transactions may be undertaken through local brokers, banks or other organizations in the countries in which we make investments, and we will be subject to the risk of default, insolvency or fraud of such organizations. The collection, transfer and deposit of bearer securities and cash expose us to a variety of risks, including theft, loss and destruction. Finally, we will be dependent upon the general soundness of the banking systems of countries in which investments will be made.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which are another form of leverage.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of our management of our temporary investment portfolio. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, we will effectively pledge our assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, we will be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back our collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest which are for our benefit.
Our use of reverse repurchase agreements, if any, involves many of the same risks involved in our use of leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that we have sold but remain obligated to purchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by us may decline. If a buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, we may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, we would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of such agreements at settlement are less than the fair value of the underlying securities being pledged. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, our Net Asset Value would decline, and, in some cases, we may be worse off than if we had not used such agreements.
The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.
In connection with the disposition of an investment in a portfolio company, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of such company typical of those made in connection with the sale of any business. We also may be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment with respect to certain matters, including the accuracy of such representations. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities for which the Adviser may establish reserves or escrows.
We invest directly in senior secured loans, including at initial issuance, which would typically have limited mandatory amortization and interim repayment requirements.
We invest directly in senior secured loans, including at initial issuance, which would typically have limited mandatory amortization and interim repayment requirements. A low level of amortization of any directly originated senior secured loans over the life of such senior secured loans may increase the risk that an issuer will not be able to repay or refinance the senior secured loans held by us when it comes due at its final stated maturity.
Our investments include “covenant-lite” loans, which may give us fewer rights and subject us to greater risk of loss than loans with financial maintenance covenants.
Although the loans in which we expect to invest will generally have financial maintenance covenants, which are used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance, we do invest to a lesser extent in “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” to refer generally to loans that do not have financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition or operating results. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
Our investment activities subject us to the risks of becoming involved in litigation by third parties.
Our investment activities subject us to the risks of becoming involved in litigation by third parties. This risk is somewhat greater where we exercise control or significant influence over a company’s direction. In addition, in the course of providing managerial assistance to certain portfolio companies, certain of our or the Adviser’s officers and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. In connection therewith, we will be required to indemnify the Adviser and its affiliates, and each of their respective members, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, partners, and certain other persons who serve at the request of the Adviser or its affiliates on our behalf for liabilities incurred in connection with our affairs. Such liabilities may be material and have an adverse effect on the returns to the stockholders. The expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would, absent certain conduct by the Adviser, be payable from our assets. It should also be noted that the Adviser may, but shall not be required to, purchase insurance for us, the Adviser and our affiliates, employees, agents and representatives. Additionally, the Governing Documents, to the extent permitted by law, will limit the circumstances under which the Adviser can be held liable to us and the stockholders. As a result, the stockholders may have a more limited right of action in certain cases than they would in the absence of this provision.
We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, or risks that we otherwise would not incur, if we otherwise made such investments directly.
We may co-invest with third parties through funds, joint ventures or other entities. Such investments may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that our co-venturer or partner may at any time have other business interests and investments other than the joint venture with us, or may have different economic or business goals. In addition, we may be liable for actions of our co-venturers or partners. Our ability to exercise control or significant influence over management in these cooperative efforts will depend upon the nature of the joint venture arrangement. In addition, such arrangements are likely to involve restrictions on the resale of our interest in the company.
Our Adviser has broad discretion in selecting our investments and investment techniques.
We may employ investment techniques and invest in other instruments that the Adviser believes will help achieve our investment objective, whether or not such investment techniques or instruments are specifically described herein. Consistent with our investment objective, we may invest in financial instruments of any and all types, which exist now or are hereafter created. Such investments may entail risks not described herein.
Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which may have the effect of reducing our investment income if the returned capital cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.
The loans in our investment portfolio may be prepaid at any time, generally with little advance notice. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable
financing market conditions that allow such portfolio company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. In periods of rising interest rates, the risk of prepayment of floating rate loans may increase if other financing sources are available. As market conditions change frequently, we will often be unable to predict when, and if, prepayment may be possible for each portfolio company. In some cases, the prepayment of a loan may have the effect of reducing our actual investment income below our expected investment income if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We invest, and will continue to invest, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. In fact, all of our assets may be invested in illiquid securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments and suffer losses. Our investments may be subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. In addition, we may also face restrictions on our ability to liquidate our investments if our Adviser or any of its affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding the portfolio company.
We may be subject to risks in connection with our origination activities.
The market for originating debt and equity financing is highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete effectively with other market participants for origination opportunities. We may compete for opportunities with public and private investment funds, commercial and investment banks and commercial finance companies. In general, the corporate, non-mortgage debt and equity origination markets present relatively low barriers to entry, and significant competition is likely.
Many current and potential competitors in the debt and equity origination business are much larger than we are and, accordingly, have far greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources. We are subject to various elements of competition, including interest rates and financing costs; origination standards; convenience; customer service; the size, term and seniority of financing arrangements; and marketing and distribution channels. Price pressure from competitors (including market participants that are not directly originating loans) may cause us to lower the interest rates that we charge borrowers, which consequently may lower the value of our loans. Further, if competitors adopt less stringent loan origination standards in order to maintain their loan origination volume, we may elect to do so as well. If we adopt less stringent loan origination standards, we will bear increased risk for each loan originated under such less stringent standards, which may not be compensated by an increase in price. Alternatively, we may determine not to adopt less stringent origination standards in this competitive environment, which decision may result in a loss of market share. Increased pressure on pricing and origination opportunities likely would reduce the volume and quality of our origination activity and materially adversely affect us. In particular, from time to time there may be influxes of capital directed at lending to smaller borrowers, which may result in a tendency by the highest quality borrowers to borrow from sources other than us such that our origination opportunities and our eventual portfolio include a disproportionate number of lower quality borrowers or issuers, exacerbating some of the risks outlined here.
Some competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do, thereby allowing such competitors to achieve a broad diversification of investments and to establish more relationships than we are able to establish. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to more stable funding sources that are not available to us. These competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on us.
When we originate a loan, we expect to rely significantly upon representations made by the borrower. There can be no assurance that such representations are accurate or complete, or that any due diligence by the Investment Professionals would identify any misrepresentation or omission. Any misrepresentation or omission by a borrower to which we originate a loan may adversely affect the valuation of the collateral underlying the loan, or may adversely affect our ability to perfect or foreclose on a lien on the collateral securing the loan, or may result in our liability to a subsequent purchaser of the loan.
Finally, under certain circumstances, payments to us may be reclaimed if any such payment or distribution is later determined to have been a fraudulent conveyance or a preferential payment.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We face risks associated with the deployment of our capital.
In light of our need to be able to deploy capital quickly to capitalize on potential investment opportunities or to establish reserves for anticipated debts, liabilities or obligations, including liquidity needs, we may hold cash in money market investments pending deployment into other investments, the amount of which may at times be significant. While the duration of any such holding period is expected to be relatively short, in the event we are unable to find suitable investments, such money market investments may be held for longer periods, which would be dilutive to overall investment returns. It is not anticipated that the temporary investment of such cash into money market investments will generate significant interest, and stockholders should understand that such low interest payments on the temporarily invested cash may adversely affect our overall returns.
Changes in interest rates, changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the replacement of LIBOR may affect our cost of capital and our net investment income.
General interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads on floating rate loans may have a substantial negative impact on our investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our rate of return on invested capital, our net investment income, our net asset value and the market price of our common stock. The majority of our debt investments have, and are expected to have, variable interest rates that reset periodically based on benchmarks such as the LIBOR, the federal funds rate or prime rate. An increase in interest rates may make it more difficult for our portfolio companies to service their obligations under the debt investments that we will hold and increase defaults even where our investment income increases. Rising interest rates could also cause borrowers to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. Additionally, as interest rates increase and the corresponding risk of a default by borrowers increases, the liquidity of higher interest rate loans may decrease as fewer investors may be willing to purchase such loans in the secondary market in light of the increased risk of a default by the borrower and the heightened risk of a loss of an investment in such loans. Decreases in credit spreads on debt that pays a floating rate of return would have an impact on the income generation of our floating rate assets. Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed rate securities that have longer maturities.
Conversely, if interest rates decline, borrowers may refinance their loans at lower interest rates, which could shorten the average life of the loans and reduce the associated returns on the investment, as well as require Oaktree and the Investment Professionals to incur management time and expense to re-deploy such proceeds, including on terms that may not be as favorable as our existing loans. Additionally, as interest rates increase and the corresponding risk of a default by borrowers increases, the liquidity of higher interest rate loans may decrease as fewer investors may be willing to purchase such loans in the secondary market in light of the increased risk of a default by the borrower and the heightened risk of a loss of an investment in such loans.
In addition, because we borrow money to make investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. 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 to the extent we use debt to finance investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income.
In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. On March 5, 2021, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“ICE”) announced that all LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be representative: (a) immediately after December 31, 2021, in the case of the 1-week and 2-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings; and (b) immediately after June 30, 2023, in the case of the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), a steering committee comprised of large US financial institutions, formally recommended the forward-looking Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) term rates proposed by CME Group, Inc. as the replacement for U.S. dollar LIBOR, marking the final step in the ARRC’s Paced Transition Plan implemented to encourage the adoption of SOFR. As of the date of this Annual Report, the current nominated replacement for GBP-LIBOR is the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA”). In July 2020, Bloomberg began publishing fallbacks that the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) intends to implement in lieu of LIBOR with respect to swaps and derivatives. Given the inherent differences between LIBOR and SOFR, or any other alternative benchmark rate that may be established, including SONIA, there remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. In many cases, the nominated replacements, as well as other potential replacements, are not complete or ready to implement and require margin adjustments. There is currently no final consensus as to which benchmark rate(s) (along with any adjustment
and/or permutation thereof) will replace all or any LIBOR tenors after the discontinuation thereof and there can be no assurance that any such replacement benchmark rate(s) will attain market acceptance. Any transition away from LIBOR to alternative reference rates is complex and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of any changes in the pricing of our investments, changes to the documentation for certain of our investments and the pace of such changes, disputes and other actions regarding the interpretation of current and prospective loan documentation or modifications to processes and systems.
It is not possible to predict whether there will be any further changes in the methods pursuant to which the LIBOR rates are determined and any other reforms to LIBOR that will be enacted in the United States, the U.K. or elsewhere, or the effects thereof. Any such changes or further reforms to LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR rates, which could have a material adverse impact on the value of our investments and any payments linked to LIBOR thereunder.
LIBOR is likely to perform differently than in the past and, ultimately, cease to exist as a global benchmark going forward. Until an alternative benchmark rate(s) becomes generally accepted and regularly implemented in the market, the uncertainty as to the future of LIBOR, its eventual phase-out, the transition to one or more alternate benchmark rate(s), and the implementation of such new Benchmark Rate(s) may impact a number of factors, which, either alone or in the aggregate, may cause a material adverse effect on our performance and our ability to achieve its investment objective. Such factors include, without limitation: (i) the administration and/or management of our portfolio of investments, including (a) cost of funding or other operational or administrative costs, (b) costs incurred to transition to and implement a substitute index or benchmark rate(s) for purposes of calculating interest, (c) costs of negotiating with counterparties with respect to an acceptable replacement calculation and potential amendments to existing debt instruments or credit facilities currently utilizing LIBOR to determine interest rates, and/or (d) costs of potential disputes and/or litigation regarding interest calculation, loan value, appropriateness or comparability of any new benchmark rate(s) or any other dispute over terms relating to or arising from any of the foregoing; (ii) the availability (or lack thereof) of potential investments in the market during the transition period; (iii) the time periods necessary to make investments and deploy capital during the transition period; (iv) the calculation and value of our investments and our overall cash flows, profitability and performance; (v) the liquidity of our investments in the secondary market or otherwise, and the asset-liability management strategies available to us; (vi) basis risks between investments and hedges and basis risks within investments (e.g., securitizations); or (vii) any mismatch, during a transition period or otherwise, between a Benchmark Rate used for our leverage facilities and another used for one or more of our investments.
The Adviser does not have prior experience in investing during a period of Benchmark Rate transition and there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to manage our business in a profitable manner before, during or after such transition. Furthermore, in anticipation of the cessation of LIBOR, we may need to renegotiate any credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our prospective portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established and we may also need to renegotiate the terms of our credit facilities. Any such renegotiations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of changes in interest rates payable to us by our portfolio companies or payable by us under our credit facilities.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make or that impose limits on our ability to pledge a significant amount of our assets to secure loans or that restrict the operations of a portfolio company, any of which could harm us and our stockholders and the value of our investments, potentially with retroactive effect. For example, certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which influences many aspects of the financial services industry, have been amended or repealed and the Code has been substantially amended and reformed. Any amendment or repeal of legislation, or changes in regulations or regulatory interpretations thereof, could create uncertainty in the near term, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth herein and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our Adviser to other types of investments in which our Adviser may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. We compete for investments with various other investors, such as other public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds, some of which may be our affiliates. Other Oaktree funds have investment objectives that overlap with ours, which may create competition for investment opportunities. Many competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us, and may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships. Furthermore, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act and the Code impose on us. The competitive pressures could impair our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.
In order to qualify for the tax benefits available to RICs and to minimize corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income each tax year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for investment, and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we elect to treat any amounts as deemed distributions, we would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes at the corporate rate on such deemed distributions on behalf of our stockholders.
As a BDC, we have issued and may continue to issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% after such incurrence or issuance. These requirements limit the amount that we may borrow, may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and may reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which could prohibit us from paying distributions and could prevent us from being subject to tax as a RIC. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Accordingly, any failure to satisfy this test could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, these limitations may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. We generally are not able to issue or sell Common Stock at a price below the then-current Net Asset Value per share of Common Stock, which may be a disadvantage as compared with other public companies or private investment funds. We may, however, sell Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire Common Stock, at a price below the then-current Net Asset Value per share of Common Stock if the following conditions, among others, are satisfied: (i) a majority of our stockholders and a majority of our stockholders that are not our affiliates approve such sales within one year immediately prior to such sales and (ii) a majority of our independent directors and a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction determine that such sales are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness or senior securities would not be available for distributions to stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of issuing indebtedness or senior securities, stockholders would also be exposed to typical risks associated with increased leverage, including an increased risk of loss resulting from increased indebtedness.
If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to the Common Stock, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of stockholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.
If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or issuing senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock, the percentage ownership of then-existing stockholders may decline at that time and such stockholders may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on terms favorable to us or at all.
In addition, we securitize and may in the future seek to securitize our portfolio securities to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we typically create a wholly-owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary.
We then typically sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers and would retain all or a portion of the equity in the subsidiary. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business or fully execute our business strategy and may decrease our earnings, if any. The securitization market is subject to changing market conditions and we may not be able to access this market when we would otherwise deem appropriate. Moreover, the successful securitization of our portfolio might subject us to losses as the residual investments in which we do not sell interests will tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The Investment Company Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization.
Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies would have on our business, Net Asset Value and operating results. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause stockholders to lose part or all of their investment.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and we do not know if such status will make our shares less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, which means that we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and disclosure requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, we have taken advantage of the exemption for emerging growth companies allowing us to temporarily forgo the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find the Common Stock less attractive because we rely on this exemption. If some investors find the Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be less of an interest in investing. We did not take advantage of other disclosure or reporting exemptions for emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of an initial public offering, (ii) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1 billion, or (iii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior second fiscal quarter, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Future control deficiencies could prevent us from accurately and timely reporting our financial results.
We may identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, including significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. A “significant deficiency” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of a company’s financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
Failure to identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner or remediate any deficiencies, or the identification of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future could prevent us from accurately and timely reporting our financial results.
Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and our amended and restated bylaws (the "Bylaws", and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the "Governing Documents") and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), as well as other aspects of our structure, could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of the Common Stock following a Qualified Listing, if any.
Our Governing Documents, as well as the DGCL, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. Among other things, the Governing Documents:
•provide that our board of directors is classified, which may delay the ability of holders of Common Stock to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;
•do not provide for cumulative voting;
•provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of remaining directors then in office (even if they constitute less than a quorum), or by a sole remaining director, subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rights of any holders of preferred stock;
•provide that our board of directors may be removed only for cause, and only by a supermajority vote of the stockholders entitled to elect such directors;
•provide that, following a Qualified Listing, stockholders may only take action at an annual or special meeting, and may not act by written consent;
•restrict stockholders’ ability to call special meetings; and
•require a vote of 75% of stockholders to effect certain amendments to our Governing Documents.
We have provisions comparable to those of Section 203 of the DGCL. These provisions generally prohibit us from engaging in mergers, business combinations and certain other types of transactions with “interested stockholders” (generally defined as persons or entities that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock), other than certain exempt parties, for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless, (a) prior to such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, our board of directors has approved the “business combination” that would otherwise be restricted or the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (b) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting securities outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting securities outstanding (but not the outstanding voting securities owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are our directors and also officers or (c) the business combination has been approved by our board of directors and 66 2/3% of its outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than Common Stock owned by the interested stockholder). Such provisions may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.
These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the holders of Common Stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for the Common Stock following an initial public offering of the Common Stock, if any. In addition, certain aspects of our structure may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to the Adviser’s or our operations, a compromise or corruption of the Adviser’s or our confidential information or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.
Cybersecurity incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and are expected to continue to increase in frequency and severity in the future. The information and technology systems of Oaktree, its affiliates, portfolio companies, issuers and service providers may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cybersecurity breaches, computer viruses or other malicious code, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and other security breaches, usage errors or malfeasance by their respective professionals or service providers, power, communications or other service outages, and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or terrorist incidents. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information and technology systems, or if personnel abuse or misuse their access privileges, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information, including non-public personal information related to stockholders (and their beneficial owners) and material non-public information. Although Oaktree has implemented, and portfolio companies, issuers and service providers may implement, various measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, such systems could prove to be inadequate and, if compromised, could become inoperable for extended periods of time, cease to function properly or fail to adequately secure private information. Oaktree does not control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to Oaktree, its affiliates, us, the stockholders and/or a portfolio company, each of whom could be negatively impacted as a result. Breaches such as those involving covertly introduced malware, impersonation of authorized users and industrial or other espionage may not be identified in a timely manner or at all, even with sophisticated prevention and detection systems. This could potentially result in further harm and prevent such breaches from being addressed appropriately. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster
recovery plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in Oaktree’s, its affiliates’, our and/or a portfolio company’s operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to stockholders (and their beneficial owners), material non-public information and the intellectual property and trade secrets and other sensitive information of Oaktree and/or portfolio companies or issuers. Oaktree, we and/or a portfolio company could be required to make a significant investment to remedy the effects of any such failures, harm to their reputations, legal claims that they and their respective affiliates may be subjected to, regulatory action or enforcement arising out of applicable privacy and other laws, adverse publicity, and other events that may affect their business and financial performance.
Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
As long as the Common Stock is not treated as a “publicly-offered security” for purposes of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), our Adviser intends that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 1975 of the Code by limiting investments in us by “benefit plan investors” (as defined in section 3(42) of ERISA and the regulations that may be promulgated thereunder) to less than 25% of the total value of any outstanding class of our capital stock. Were our assets to be treated as “plan assets,” we could, among other things, be subject to certain restrictions on our ability to carry out our activities as described herein.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where it may be required in the future.
Certain federal and local banking and other regulatory bodies or agencies inside or outside the United States may require us and/or our Adviser to obtain licenses or similar authorizations to engage in various types of lending activities, including investment in senior loans. Such licenses or authorizations may take a significant amount of time to obtain, and may require the disclosure of confidential information regarding us, a stockholder in us or our respective affiliates, including financial information and/or information regarding officers and directors of such investor, and we may or may not be willing or able to comply with these requirements. In addition, there can be no assurance that any such licenses or authorizations would be granted or, if so, would not impose restrictions on us. Alternatively, the Adviser may be able to structure our potential investments in a manner which would not require such licenses and authorizations, but which would be inefficient or otherwise disadvantageous for us and/or the borrower. The inability of us or the Adviser to obtain such licenses or authorizations, or the structuring of an investment in an inefficient or otherwise disadvantageous manner, could adversely affect the Adviser’s ability to implement the strategy for us and our results.
We may not replicate the historical success of Oaktree.
The past performance of other funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by our Adviser or its affiliates is not necessarily indicative of our future performance and provides no assurance of future results. As a BDC, we are subject to certain investment limitations that do not apply to other funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by Oaktree and its affiliates and, accordingly, we may have a materially different portfolio than does such other funds, accounts or investment vehicles. In addition, the fees and expenses we will pay may be different from, and may be higher than, those applicable to such other funds, accounts or investment vehicles. Furthermore, our Adviser does not have significant experience operating under the constraints imposed on us as a BDC, which may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. There can be no assurance that we will be able to (a) successfully identify, make and realize upon any particular investment or (b) achieve desired spreads and yields to maturity (or that such performance will be commensurate with the risks associated with an investment in us). Actual realized returns will depend on, among other factors, future operating results, pace of deployment, refinancings, whether such interests are held to maturity, value of the underlying assets, foreclosures, market conditions, legal and contractual restrictions, any related transaction costs, and the timing and manner of sale. Therefore, the actual realized returns may differ materially from those obtained by other funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by Oaktree and its affiliates and there can be no assurance that any such performance will be achieved or that losses will be avoided.
Changes in tax laws or tax treaties could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The jurisdictions in which we may invest impose taxes on the types of income such as dividends, interest and in some instances, capital gains. In addition, changes in the tax laws or tax treaties (or their interpretation) of the countries in which we invest may severely and adversely affect our ability to efficiently realize income or capital gains and may subject us or the stockholders to tax and return filing obligations in such countries. The tax consequences applicable to a stockholder will depend upon the particular situation of such stockholder.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on all of our income if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Although we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, there can be no assurances that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To obtain and maintain RIC status and be relieved of U.S. federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to stockholders, we must, among other things, meet the Annual Distribution Requirement, the 90% Gross Income Test and the Diversification Tests (each as defined and explained more fully in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K "Business – Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company.").
If we fail to qualify for or maintain our RIC status for any reason, and we do not qualify for certain relief provisions under the Code, we would be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable U.S. state and local taxes). In this event, the resulting taxes and any resulting penalties could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of our income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions to stockholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K "Business – Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company."
Risks Relating to our Use of Leverage and our Credit Facilities
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.
Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for loss on invested equity capital. We expect to continue to use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowings from banks and other lenders, which will increase the risks of investing in our Common Stock, including the likelihood of default. We borrow under our credit facilities, and may issue other debt securities or enter into other types of borrowing arrangements in the future. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause Net Asset Value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. To the extent we incur additional leverage, these effects would be further magnified, increasing the risk of investing in us. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make Common Stock distributions or scheduled debt payments. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and we only intend to use leverage if expected returns will exceed the cost of borrowing.
As of September 30, 2021, we had $51.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our CNB-2 Facility, $200.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our Citibank Facility and $10.0 million of secured borrowings. These debt instruments require periodic payments of interest. The weighted average interest rate charged on our borrowings as of September 30, 2021 was 2.3% (exclusive of deferred financing costs). We will need to generate sufficient cash flow to make these required interest payments. In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our September 30, 2021 total assets of at least 1.00%. If we are unable to meet the financial obligations under our credit facilities, the lenders under the credit facilities will have a superior claim to our assets over our stockholders.
Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.
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Assumed Return on Portfolio (Net of Expenses)
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- 10%
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- 5%
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0%
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5%
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10%
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Corresponding net return to common stockholder
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-19.28%
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-10.52%
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-1.75%
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7.01%
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15.78%
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For purposes of this table, we have assumed $607.5 million in total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities), $261.0 million in debt outstanding, $346.5 million in net assets as of September 30, 2021, and a weighted average interest rate of 2.3% as of September 30, 2021 (exclusive of deferred financing costs). Actual interest payments may be different.
We are subject to certain risks associated with our credit facilities.
As of September 30, 2021, substantially all of our assets were pledged as collateral under our credit facilities and may be pledged as collateral under future credit facilities. If we default on our obligations under these facilities, the lenders may have the right to foreclose upon and sell, or otherwise transfer, the collateral subject to their security interests or their superior claim.
In such event, we may be forced to sell our investments to raise funds to repay our outstanding borrowings in order to avoid foreclosure and these forced sales may be at times and at prices we would not consider advantageous. Moreover, such deleveraging of our company could significantly impair our ability to effectively operate our business in the manner in which we have historically operated. As a result, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities and lower or eliminate the distributions that we have historically paid to our stockholders.
We own 100% of the equity interests in OSI 2 SPV, the borrower under the Citibank Facility. We consolidate the financial statements of OSI 2 SPV in our consolidated financial statements and treat the indebtedness of this entity as our leverage. Our interest in OSI 2 SPV is subordinated in priority of payment to every other obligation of OSI 2 SPV and is subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the Citibank Facility. We receive cash distributions on our equity interest in this entity only if it has made all required cash interest payments to the lenders and no default exists. We cannot assure you that distributions on the assets held by OSI 2 SPV will be sufficient to make any distributions to us or that such distributions will meet our expectations.
We receive cash from OSI 2 SPV only to the extent that we receive distributions on our equity interest in such entity. OSI 2 SPV may make distributions on its equity interests only to the extent permitted by the payment priority provisions of the Citibank Facility, which generally provides that payments on such interests may not be made on any payment date unless all amounts owing to the lenders and other secured parties are paid in full.
In addition, if the lenders exercise their right to sell the assets pledged under the Citibank Facility, such sales may be completed at distressed sale prices, thereby diminishing or potentially eliminating the amount of cash available to us after repayment of the amounts outstanding under the Citibank Facility.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to repay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before it matures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our stockholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements.
Risks Relating to our External Management
We are dependent upon our Adviser for future success.
Our success depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of the Adviser and the Investment Professionals. Investment in the Common Stock is a passive investment, and stockholders have no opportunity to control our day-to-day operations, including investment and disposition decisions. The Adviser and the Investment Professionals evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service our investments. Subjective decisions made by Oaktree may cause us to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which we would otherwise have capitalized. In order to safeguard their limited liability for our liabilities and obligations, stockholders must rely entirely on the Adviser to conduct and manage our affairs. stockholders have no direct rights against third parties engaged by Oaktree in respect of us.
The Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of the Investment Professionals in adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. There can be no assurance that the Investment Professionals (including the Key Executives) and such other professionals will continue to be employed by Oaktree. The loss of any of the Investment Professionals and other professionals could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, certain of the Investment Professionals are also responsible for investing and managing the capital of certain Other Oaktree Funds, which require that such Investment Professionals devote considerable time to such Other Oaktree Funds instead of us. The Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the investment selection and monitoring process and may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all.
In addition, our Adviser may resign on 60 days’ notice. If we are unable to quickly find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, our
operations are likely to experience a disruption and our ability to achieve our investment objective and pay distributions would likely be materially and adversely affected.
Conflicts of interest may exist from time to time between our Adviser and certain of its affiliates involved with us, which could impact our investment returns.
Our executive officers and directors, and certain members of our Adviser, 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 Oaktree’s affiliates. For example, Oaktree presently serves as the investment adviser to OCSL. OCSL has historically invested in debt and debt-like instruments similar to those we target for investment. Therefore, there may be certain investment opportunities that satisfy the investment criteria for OCSL and us. OCSL operates as distinct and separate entity, and any investment in Common Stock will not be an investment in OCSL. In addition, all of our executive officers serve in substantially similar capacities for OCSL. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of the stockholders. For example, the personnel of the Adviser may face conflicts of interest in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and such other funds and accounts.
Oaktree has investment allocation guidelines that govern the allocation of investment opportunities among the investment funds and accounts managed or sub-advised by Oaktree and its affiliates. To the extent an investment opportunity is appropriate for us, OCSL or any of the Other Oaktree Funds, Oaktree will adhere to its investment allocation guidelines in order to determine a fair and equitable allocation.
We invest alongside funds and accounts managed or sub-advised by our Adviser and its affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our Adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price or terms related to price.
In addition, on October 18, 2017, our former adviser received exemptive relief from the SEC to allow certain managed funds and accounts, each of whose investment adviser is OCM or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with OCM, to participate in negotiated co-investment transactions where doing so is consistent with the applicable registered fund’s or BDC’s investment objective and strategies as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, and pursuant to the conditions of the Exemptive Relief. Each potential co-investment opportunity that falls under the terms of the Exemptive Relief and is appropriate for us and any affiliated fund or account, and satisfies the then-current board-established criteria, will be offered to us and such other eligible funds and accounts. If there is a sufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated among the participants in accordance with their proposed order size and if there is an insufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated pro rata based on the investment proposed by the applicable investment adviser to such participant, up to the amount proposed to be invested by each, which is reviewed and approved by an independent committee of legal, compliance and accounting professionals at the Adviser. Although Oaktree will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, we and the stockholders could be adversely affected to the extent investment opportunities are allocated to other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by, or affiliated with, our executive officers, directors and members of the Adviser. We might not participate in each individual opportunity, but will, on an overall basis, be entitled to participate equitably with other entities managed by Oaktree and its affiliates. Oaktree seeks to treat all clients fairly and equitably such that none receive preferential treatment vis-à-vis the others over time, in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duty to each of them; however, in some instances, especially in instances of limited liquidity, the factors may not result in pro rata allocations or may result in situations where certain funds or accounts receive allocations where others do not.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser’s liability is limited and we are required to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities. This may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner in performing its duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement than it would if it were acting for its own account, and creates a potential conflict of interest.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, our Administrator furnishes us with the facilities, including our principal executive office, and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We pay our Administrator our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by our Administrator or such affiliate in performing its obligations and services under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and our allocable portion of the cost of personnel attributable to performing such obligations and services, including, but not limited to, marketing, legal and other services performed by our Administrator or such affiliate for us. This arrangement creates conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.
Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest in choosing our service providers and financing sources, and certain service providers may provide services to our Adviser or Other Oaktree Funds on more favorable terms than those payable by us.
Conflicts of interest may exist with respect to the Adviser’s selection of brokers, dealers and transaction agents and counterparties (collectively, “Broker-Dealers”) and financing sources for the execution of our transactions. When engaging the services of Broker-Dealers and financing sources, the Adviser may, subject to best execution, take into consideration a variety of factors, including, to the extent applicable, the ability to achieve prompt and reliable execution, competitive pricing, transaction costs, operational efficiency with which transactions are effected, access to deal flow and precedent transactions, and the financial stability and reputation of the particular Broker-Dealer, as well as other factors that the Adviser deems appropriate to consider under the circumstances. Broker-Dealers and financing sources may provide other services that are beneficial to Oaktree and their affiliates, but that are not necessarily beneficial to us, including capital introductions, other marketing assistance, client and personnel referrals, consulting services, and research-related services. These other services and items may influence the Adviser’s selection of Broker-Dealers and financing sources.
Our Incentive Fee may induce our Adviser to pursue speculative investments.
The fact that the Incentive Fee is based on our performance may create an incentive for Oaktree to make investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of the Incentive Fee. The way in which the Incentive Fee is determined may encourage Oaktree to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase our likelihood of default, which would disfavor stockholders, and could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
In addition, the Investment Income Incentive Fee payable to Oaktree is computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as OID interest, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities and obligations. As a result, for any calendar quarter, the Investment Income Incentive Fee that is paid to Oaktree may be calculated on the basis of an amount that is greater than the amount of net investment income actually received by us for such calendar quarter. This fee structure may be considered to involve a conflict of interest for Oaktree to the extent that it may encourage Oaktree to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. Oaktree may have an incentive for us to invest in deferred interest securities or obligations in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the Investment Income Incentive Fee even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities or obligations would not be able to make actual cash payments on such securities and obligations. Moreover, certain of the types of investments within our investment objective, such as PIK “toggle” debt, may result in a PIK election, which may have the simultaneous effect of increasing the assets under management, thereby increasing the Management Fee, and increasing investment income, thus increasing the Incentive Fee.
This risk could be increased because Oaktree is not obligated to reimburse us for any distributions of Incentive Fees previously received even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued. Thus, while the stockholders will share in both the risks and rewards of investing in such instruments, Oaktree will not share in such risks.
In the event that losses are allocated to us for a given annual period, Oaktree is not required to reduce the Incentive Fee credited for prior annual periods. Stockholders should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can generally be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for the Hurdle Rate to be met or exceeded and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of Incentive Fee payable to Oaktree with respect to the Investment Income Incentive Fee without a corresponding increase in performance relative to the market as a whole.
No index will be used as a comparative measure of investment performance as a basis for calculating the Incentive Fee.
In addition, Oaktree will be entitled to the portion of the Incentive Fee for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for that quarter above a threshold return for that quarter. For these purposes, Oaktree’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income excludes realized capital gains, realized capital losses, unrealized capital appreciation and unrealized capital depreciation that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for us for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay Oaktree the Incentive Fee for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or we incur a net loss for that quarter. If we pay an Incentive Fee of 20% of realized capital gains (net of all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and unrealized capital depreciation) and
thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the Incentive Fee previously paid.
Our Management Fee may induce our Adviser to incur leverage.
Oaktree’s Management Fee is based on our Gross Asset Value, including assets purchased with borrowed amounts. The Adviser may, therefore, be incentivized to increase such borrowing to increase the Management Fee. Under certain circumstances, the use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor stockholders.
Our ability to enter into transactions with Oaktree and our other affiliates is restricted.
We and certain of our controlled affiliates are prohibited under the Investment Company Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our upstream affiliates, or our Adviser and its affiliates, without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our upstream affiliate for purposes of the Investment Company Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than our securities) from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The Investment Company Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an upstream affiliate, or our Adviser or its affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors. In addition, we and certain of our controlled affiliates are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into joint transactions with, our Adviser and its affiliates, or any person who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or is otherwise deemed to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with us, absent the prior approval of the SEC through an exemptive order (other than in certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance as described below). The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.
As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we are not generally permitted to invest in any portfolio company in which a fund managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates) currently has an investment, or make any co-investments with our Adviser or its affiliates, including any fund managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates), without exemptive relief from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. The SEC has granted our former adviser and certain of its affiliates Exemptive Relief that permits certain present and future funds advised by OCM (or a future investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with OCM), including us, to co‑invest in suitable negotiated investments. Co‑investments made under the Exemptive Relief are subject to compliance with the conditions and other requirements contained in the Exemptive Relief, which could limit our ability to participate in a co-investment transaction. On December 15, 2020, we, with the Adviser and certain other affiliates, received a modified exemptive order that allows Oaktree proprietary accounts to participate in co-investment transactions subject to certain conditions. We may also co-invest with funds managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable law and regulations, existing regulatory guidance, and our Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures.
In addition to co-investing pursuant to the Exemptive Relief, we may invest alongside affiliates or their affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and current regulatory guidance. For example, we may invest alongside such investors consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff permitting us and an affiliated person to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that we negotiate no term other than price. We may, in certain cases, also make investments in securities owned by affiliates that we acquire from non-affiliates. In such circumstances, our ability to participate in any restructuring of such investment or other transaction involving the issuer of such investment may be limited, and as a result, we may realize a loss on such investments that might have been prevented or reduced had we not been restricted in participating in such restructuring or other transaction.
Our Adviser or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.
By reason of their responsibilities in connection with us and the Other Oaktree Funds, personnel of our Adviser or its affiliates may acquire confidential or material non-public information or be restricted from initiating transactions in certain securities. Our Adviser or its affiliate, as applicable, will not be free to act upon any such information. Due to these restrictions, we may not be able to initiate a transaction that we otherwise might have initiated and may not be able to sell an investment that we otherwise might have sold. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Adviser may determine, in its sole discretion at any time, that such information could impair its ability to effect certain transactions on our behalf, whether for legal, contractual, or other reasons. Accordingly, our Adviser may elect not to receive such information. Lack of access to any such information may adversely affect our investments that in some cases may have been avoided had we or our Adviser had such information.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
The shares of Common Stock are generally an illiquid investment.
Stockholders generally are not permitted to sell their shares of Common Stock prior to a Liquidity Event, if any, and Common Stock may only be Transferred with our permission. In some circumstances, stockholders are not permitted to Transfer their Common Stock without our permission for a period of time following a Qualified Listing as set forth in the Subscription Agreement. In addition, stockholders have no right to cause us to repurchase their shares of Common Stock.
There is a risk that our stockholders may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time.
We intend to pay distributions to stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure stockholders that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to sustain a specified level of cash distributions or periodic increases in cash distributions. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as the board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure stockholders that we will pay distributions to them.
In addition, although under normal circumstances, we intend to make distributions in cash, it is possible that under certain circumstances (including our liquidation), distributions may be made in kind and could consist of securities or other investments for which there is no readily available public market.
A stockholder’s interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares of Common Stock, which could reduce the overall value of an investment in us.
If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or by issuing senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock, the percentage ownership of then-existing stockholders that do not participate in those transactions will decline at that time and such stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of us.
General Risk Factors
Economic recessions or downturns may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay debt or pay interest.
Economic recessions or downturns may result in a prolonged period of market illiquidity which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Unfavorable economic conditions, including sustained inflation, also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results. In addition, uncertainty with regard to economic recovery from recessions or downturns could also have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
When recessionary conditions exist, the financial results of middle-market companies, like those in which we invest, typically experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, there can be reduced demand for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services and/or other economic consequences, such as decreased margins or extended payment terms. Further, adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Such conditions may require us to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performance of certain of our portfolio companies has been, and in the future may be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may result in our receipt of reduced interest income from our portfolio companies and/or realized and unrealized losses related to our investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Global economic, political and market conditions, including downgrades of the U.S. credit rating, may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability.
The current worldwide financial market situation, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world, may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. The impact of downgrades
by rating agencies to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or its perceived creditworthiness as well as potential government shutdowns and uncertainty surrounding transfers of power could adversely affect the U.S. and global financial markets and economic conditions. U.S. debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility of additional credit-rating downgrades and economic slowdowns, or a recession in the United States. Although U.S. lawmakers have recently passed legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling, such action does not fully alleviate concerns about downgrades to the U.S. credit rating. For example, when U.S. lawmakers have passed legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling on multiple occasions in the past, including a suspension of the federal debt ceiling in August 2019, ratings agencies have lowered or threatened to lower the long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States. In addition, disagreement over the federal budget has caused the U.S. federal government to shut down for periods of time. Continued adverse political and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since 2010, several European Union, or EU, countries have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the Euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union member countries. In addition, the fiscal policy of foreign nations, such as Russia and China, may have a severe impact on the worldwide and U.S. financial markets. The decision made in the United Kingdom referendum to leave the EU (the so-called “Brexit”) led to volatility in global financial markets. Despite the U.K and the EU reaching a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement in December 2020 which addresses the future relationship between the jurisdictions, at this time, the full impact of Brexit on our business operations, and on the private investment funds industry more broadly, remains uncertain. This is driven in part by the ongoing uncertainty relating to equivalence and the extent to which the EU will grant reciprocal market access to U.K firms in the financial sector. Additionally, trade wars and volatility in the U.S. repo market, the U.S. high yield bond markets, the Chinese stock markets and global markets for commodities may affect other financial markets worldwide. In addition, while recent government stimulus measures worldwide have reduced volatility in the financial markets, volatility may return as such measures are phased out, and the long-term impacts of such stimulus on fiscal policy and inflation remain unknown. We cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. and global economies and securities markets or on our investments. We monitor developments in economic, political and market conditions and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.