EX-99.3 6 d149015dex993.htm EXHIBIT 99.3 Exhibit 99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE AT-THE-MARKET COMMON STOCK OFFERINGS]

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated                  , 20    )

 

$                

 

LOGO

TICC Capital Corp.

Common Stock

 

 

 

We have entered into an equity distribution agreement, dated             , 20    , with              relating to the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We are principally engaged in providing capital to primarily non-public small to mid-size companies. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return.

 

The equity distribution agreement provides that we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $             from time to time through             , as our sales agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market,” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

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

 

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TICC.” On             , 20    , the last reported sales price on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for our common stock was $             per share. We are required to determine the net asset value per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. Our net asset value per share of our common stock as of [                    ] was $[    ].

 

 

 

An investment in our common stock is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [    ] of the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our common stock.

 

Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before investing in our common stock and keep each for future reference. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our common stock. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830 or by telephone at (203) 983-5275, or on our website at http://www.ticc.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by referenced into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains information about us.

 

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

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated                     , 20    .


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

      Page  

About this Prospectus Supplement

     S-3   

Summary

     S-4   

Offering

     S-7   

Fees and Expenses

     S-8   

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     S-10   

Use of Proceeds

     S-12   

Price Range of Common Stock

     S-13   

Plan of Distribution (Potential Conflicts of Interest)

     S-14   

Legal Matters

     S-15   

Experts

     S-15   

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     S-15   

 

PROSPECTUS

 

      Page  

Summary

     1   

Offering

     8   

Fees and Expenses

     11   

Selected Financial and Other Data

     13   

Selected Quarterly Data

     14   

Risk Factors

     15   

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     37   

Use of Proceeds

     38   

Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions

     39   

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

     40   

Senior Securities

     72   

Business

     73   

Portfolio Companies

     84   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     91   

Management

     93   

Portfolio Management

     102   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     110   

Regulation as a Business Development Company

     117   

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     122   

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

     123   

Certain Relationships and Transactions

     124   

Description of Securities

     125   

Description of Our Capital Stock

     125   

Description of Our Preferred Stock

     132   

Description of Our Subscription Rights

     133   

Plan of Distribution

     134   

Legal Matters

     136   

Custodian, Transfer and Distribution Paying Agent and Registrar

     136   

Experts

     136   

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

     136   

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     137   

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1   


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from or is additional to the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively, before investing in our common stock.

 

Neither we nor                  has authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the dates on their respective covers. Our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to reflect any material changes subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prior to the completion of any offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

 

S-3


SUMMARY

 

The following summary contains basic information about the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents to which we have referred in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Together, these documents describe the specific terms of the shares we are offering. You should carefully read the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Except where the context requires otherwise, the terms “TICC,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to TICC Capital Corp. together with its subsidiaries, TICC Capital Corp. 2011-1 Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”) and TICC CLO LLC (“Securitization Issuer” or “TICC CLO”); “TICC Management” refers to TICC Management, LLC; and “BDC Partners” refers to BDC Partners, LLC.

 

Overview

 

We are a specialty finance company principally providing capital to primarily non-public small- to medium-sized companies. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return. Our primary focus is to seek current income by investing primarily in corporate debt securities. Our debt investments may include bilateral loans (loans where we hold the entirety of a particular loan) and syndicated loans (those where multiple investors hold portions of that loan). We have and may continue to invest in structured finance investments, including collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) investment vehicles, that own debt securities. We may also seek to provide our stockholders with long-term capital growth through the appreciation in the value of warrants or other equity instruments that we may receive when we make debt investments or equity investments. We may also invest in publicly traded debt and/or equity securities. As a business development company (“BDC”), we may not acquire any asset other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time we make the acquisition, the value of our qualifying assets represents at least 70% of the value of our total assets.

 

Our capital is generally used by our portfolio companies to finance organic growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and working capital. Our investment decisions are based on extensive analysis of potential portfolio companies’ business operations supported by an in-depth understanding of the quality of their recurring revenues and cash flow, variability of costs and the inherent value of their assets, including proprietary intangible assets and intellectual property.

 

We expect that our investments generally range from $5 million to $30 million each, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes and market conditions warrant, and accrue interest at fixed or variable rates.

 

While the structures of our investments vary, we seek to invest in the debt of middle-market companies. We seek to invest in entities that, as a general matter, have operated for at least one year prior to the date of our investment and that will, at the time of our investment, have employees and revenues, and are cash flow positive. Many of these companies have financial backing provided by private equity or venture capital funds or other financial or strategic sponsors at the time we make an investment.

 

On August 10, 2011, we completed a $225.0 million debt securitization financing transaction. The Class A Notes offered in the debt securitization were issued by TICC CLO LLC, a subsidiary of TICC Capital Corp. 2011-1 Holdings, LLC, a direct subsidiary of TICC, and the notes are secured by the assets held by the Securitization Issuer. The securitization was executed through a private placement of $101.25 million of Aaa/AAA Class A Notes of the Securitization Issuer. Holdings retained all of the subordinated notes, which totaled $123.75 million (the “Subordinated Notes”), and retained all the membership interests in the Securitization Issuer.

 

 

S-4


We have historically and in the future may continue to borrow funds to make investments. As a result, we may be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested, and therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. In addition, the costs associated with our borrowings, including any increase in the management fee payable to our investment adviser, TICC Management, will be borne by our stockholders.

 

Our investment activities are managed by TICC Management. TICC Management is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). TICC Management is owned by BDC Partners, its managing member, and Charles M. Royce, who holds a minority, non-controlling interest in TICC Management. Jonathan H. Cohen, our Chief Executive Officer, and Saul B. Rosenthal, our President and Chief Operating Officer, are the members of BDC Partners. Under our investment advisory agreement with TICC Management (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), we have agreed to pay TICC Management an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Portfolio Management – Investment Advisory Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

We were founded in July 2003 and completed an initial public offering of shares of our common stock in November 2003. We are a Maryland corporation and a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a business development company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests, including the requirement to invest at least 70% of our total assets in eligible portfolio companies. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”).

 

Our Corporate Information

 

Our headquarters are located at 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255 Greenwich, Connecticut and our telephone number is (203) 983-5275.

 

Summary Risk Factors

 

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our common stock, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investing in our common stock involves other risks, including those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contains a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. Some of these risks include:

 

   

We are dependent upon TICC Management’s key management personnel for our future success, particularly Jonathan H. Cohen and Saul B. Rosenthal.

 

   

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

 

   

Because our investments are generally not in publicly traded securities, there is uncertainty regarding the fair value of our investments, which could adversely affect the determination of our net asset value.

 

   

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

 

   

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

 

S-5


   

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital, which may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

 

   

A change in interest rates may adversely affect our profitability.

 

   

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

 

   

Our investment portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt securities that we hold or if the sectors in which we invest experience a market downturn.

 

   

The sectors in which we invest are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, decreasing life cycles and periodic downturns.

 

   

Our investments in the companies that we are targeting may be extremely risky and we could lose all or part of our investments.

 

   

Our incentive fee may induce TICC Management to make speculative investments.

 

   

Our investments in CLO vehicles may be riskier and less transparent than direct investments in portfolio companies.

 

   

Our common stock price may be volatile.

 

   

Our shares of common stock have traded at a discount from net asset value and may do so in the future.

 

   

You may not receive dividends or our dividends may decline or may not grow over time.

 

   

The impact of recent financial reform legislation on us is uncertain.

 

   

The recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and uncertainty about the financial stability of several countries in the European Union (EU) could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

   

If we issue preferred stock, the net asset value and market value of our common stock may become more volatile.

 

   

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue would have the right to elect members of the board of directors and class voting rights on certain matters.

 

   

We are subject to risk associated with the debt securitization financing transaction.

 

 

S-6


The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of $            .

 

Manner of offering

“At the market” offering that may be made from time to time through             , as sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Use of proceeds

If we sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $         million, we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting sales agent commissions and estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately $         million. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include investing in debt or equity securities, and other general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements. Pending these uses, we will invest such net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. government securities or other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC, at yields significantly below those we expect to earn on our other portfolio investments. The management fee payable by us to our investment adviser will not be reduced while our assets are invested in these temporary investments. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Distribution

To the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. The amount of our dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. Any dividends to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Taxation

We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally do not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market symbol

“TICC”

 

Risk factors

An investment in our common stock is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [    ] of the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our common stock.

 

 

S-7


FEES AND EXPENSES

 

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

 

Stockholder transaction expenses:

  

Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)

          %(1)   

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

          %(2)   

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None    (3)   
  

 

 

 

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

         %   
  

 

 

 

Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):

  

Base management fee

     [     ]%(4)   

Incentive fees payable under our investment advisory agreement

     [     ]%(5)   

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     [     ]%(6)   

Acquired fund fees and expenses

     [     ]%(7)   

Other expenses (estimated)

     [     ]%(8)   
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses (estimated)

     [     ]%(9)   
  

 

 

 

 

EXAMPLE

 

The following example, required by the SEC, demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in us. In calculating the following expense amounts, we assumed we would maintain the current amount of leverage, that our operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above, that we pay the transaction expenses set forth in the table above, including a sales load of         % paid by you (the commission to be paid by us with respect to common stock sold by us in this offering).

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

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

   $                $                $                $            

 

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have a de minimis effect, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may receive shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(1)   Represents the commission with respect to the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering, which we will pay to              in connection with sales of shares of our common stock effected by              in this offering. There is no guaranty that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
(2)   The offering expenses of this offering are estimated to be approximately $            .
(3)   The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses.”

 

S-8


(4)   Assumes gross assets of [$420.7] million and [$101.23] million of leverage, and assumes net assets of [$305.8] million. Our base management fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement is based on our gross assets, which is defined as all the assets of TICC, including those acquired using borrowings for investment purposes. Because we use borrowings for investment purposes, it has the effect of increasing our gross assets upon which our base management fee is calculated, while our net assets remain unchanged. See “Portfolio Management—Investment Advisory Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
(5)   Assumes that annual incentive fees earned by TICC Management remain consistent with the incentive fees earned by TICC Management during the nine-month period ended [September 30, 2011]. In subsequent periods, incentive fees would increase if, and to the extent that, we earn greater interest income through our investments in portfolio companies and realize additional capital gains upon the sale of warrants or other equity investments in such companies. The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part, which is payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20.0% of the excess, if any, of pre-incentive fee net investment income over an annual hurdle rate (equal to the interest rate payable on a five-year U.S. Treasury Note plus 5%, up to a maximum of 10%). The second part of the incentive fee equals 20.0% of our net realized capital gains for the calendar year less any unrealized capital losses for such year and will be payable at the end of each calendar year. For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “Portfolio Management—Investment Advisory Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
(6)   Assumes that we maintain our current level of [$101.25] million of outstanding borrowings as of [September 30, 2011]. Interest payments on borrowed funds represents the Company’s annualized interest expense as of [September 30, 2011] and includes interest payable on the notes issued by the Securitization Issuer. For the three months ended [September 30, 2011], the effective annualized average interest rate, which includes all interest and amortization of discount and debt issuance costs on the debt securitization financing transaction, was 3.0%. Debt issuance costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with the debt securitization financing transaction. We may also issue preferred stock, which may be considered a form of leverage, pursuant to our current shelf registration statement. In the event we were to issue preferred stock, our borrowing costs, and correspondingly our total annual expenses, including our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets, would increase. For example, if we were to issue $100,000,000 of preferred stock with a preferred rate equal to [8.0]%, our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets and our interest payments on borrowed funds would be approximately [3.41]% and [3.61]%, respectively, and our total annual expenses would be approximately [9.93]%.
(7)   Reflects the estimated annual base collateral manager fees that will be indirectly incurred by us in connection with our investments in CLO equity tranches based upon the CLO equity investments held as of [September 30, 2011]. Base collateral manager fees are charged on the total assets of the CLO vehicle, including the assets acquired with borrowed funds, but are assumed to be paid from the residual cash flows after interest payments to the senior debt tranches. Therefore, these base collateral manager fees (which are generally 0.50% to 0.55% of total assets) are effectively much higher when allocated only to the equity tranches. The calculation does not include any other operating expense ratios of the CLO vehicles, as these amounts are not routinely reported to shareholders on a basis consistent with this methodology; however, it is estimated that additional operating expenses of approximately 0.5% to 1.0% could be incurred. As a result of our investments in such CLO equity investments, our stockholders will be required to pay two levels of fees and expenses in connection with their investment in our common stock, including fees payable under our Investment Advisory Agreement and fees and expenses charged to us on the CLO equity tranches in which we are invested.
(8)   Assumes that the amount of operating expenses payable by TICC remains consistent with the operating expenses incurred by TICC during the nine-month period ended [September 30, 2011].
(9)   The holders of shares of our common stock (and not the holders of our debt securities or preferred stock, if any) indirectly bear the cost associated with our annual expenses.

 

S-9


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

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

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

   

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

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

 

   

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

   

our expected financings and investments;

 

   

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and

 

   

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

 

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

   

an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

 

   

a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

   

interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

   

currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars; and

 

   

the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in our filings with the SEC.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new loans and investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the

 

S-10


respective dates of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. However, we will update this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to reflect any material changes to the information contained herein. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act.”

 

S-11


USE OF PROCEEDS

 

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

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include investing in debt or equity securities, and other general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements.

 

Pending these uses, we will invest such net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC, at yields significantly below those we expect to earn on our other portfolio investments. The management fee payable by us to our investment adviser will not be reduced while our assets are invested in these temporary investments.

 

S-12


PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TICC.” The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter during the last two fiscal years and the current fiscal year, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock, the high and low sales prices for our common stock, such sales prices as a percentage of NAV per share and quarterly distributions per share.

 

    NAV(1)     Price Range     High Sales
Price as a
Percentage
of NAV(2)
    Low Sales
Price as a
Percentage
of NAV(2)
    Cash
Distributions
Per Share(3)
 
    High     Low        

Fiscal 2012

           

First Quarter (through    , 20    )

    *      $ [            ]      $ [            ]        *        *        *   

Fiscal 2011

           

Fourth Quarter

    *        9.24        7.29        *        *      $ 0.25   

Third Quarter

  $ 9.34        10.04        7.71        107     83 %     0.25   

Second Quarter

    9.85        11.75        9.17        119     93 %     0.25   

First Quarter

    9.97        13.11        9.43        131     95 %     0.24   

Fiscal 2010

           

Fourth Quarter

    9.85        11.62        9.90        118     101 %     0.24   

Third Quarter

    9.27        10.70        7.88        115     85 %     0.22   

Second Quarter

    9.03        8.70        6.50        96     72 %     0.20   

First Quarter

    8.87        7.05        5.62        79     63 %     0.15   

 

(1)   Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period.
(2)   Calculated as the respective high or low sales price divided by NAV.
(3)   Represents the cash distribution declared in the specified quarter.
*   Not determinable at the time of filing.

 

On [    ], 20    , the last reported sales price of our common stock was $[            ] per share. As of [    ], 20    , we had [            ] stockholders of record.

 

Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from net asset value or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. Since 2008 through the [            ] quarter of 20    , our shares of common stock have traded both at a premium and a discount to the net assets attributable to those shares. As of [    ], 20    , our shares of common stock traded at a discount equal to approximately [      ]% of the net assets attributable to those shares based upon our net asset value as of [                    ]. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below net asset value.

 

We currently intend to distribute a minimum of 90% of our ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, on a quarterly basis to our stockholders. The amount of our quarterly dividends is determined by our Board of Directors. To the extent our taxable earnings for any fiscal year fall below the total amount of our distributions for that fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital to our stockholders. There can be no assurance that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will permit any particular level of dividend payment. Our ability to make distributions is limited by the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act. For a more detailed discussion, see “Regulation as a Business Development Company” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan. If your shares of common stock are registered in your own name, your distributions will automatically be reinvested under our dividend reinvestment plan in additional whole and fractional shares of common stock, unless you opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, you should contact the broker or nominee for details regarding opting out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

S-13


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

                                      is acting as our sales agent in connection with the offer and sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Upon written instructions from us,              will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its sales and trading practices to sell, as our sales agent, our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in our equity distribution agreement with              dated             , 20    . We will instruct              as to the amount of common stock to be sold by it. We may instruct              not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any instruction. The sales price per share of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, less              commission, will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of such sale. We or              may suspend the offering of shares of common stock upon proper notice and subject to other conditions.

 

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

 

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

 

                                      will receive a commission from us equal to         % of the gross sales price of any shares of our common stock sold through              under the equity distribution agreement. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to              under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, will be approximately $            .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all common stock subject to the equity distribution agreement or (ii) the termination of the equity distribution agreement. The equity distribution agreement may be terminated by us in our sole discretion under the circumstances specified in the equity distribution agreement by giving notice to             . In addition,              may terminate the equity distribution agreement under the circumstances specified in the equity distribution agreement by giving notice to us.

 

S-14


Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

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

 

The principal business address of                      is                     .

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, DC. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by                     .

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements as of [                    ] and [            ] and for each of the three years in the period ended [                    ] included in this prospectus supplement have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

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

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can inspect any materials we file with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The information we file with the SEC is available free of charge by contacting us at 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830 or by telephone at (203) 983-5275 or on our website at http://www.ticc.com. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including us, that file such information electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s web site is http://www.sec.gov. Information contained on our website or on the SEC’s web site about us is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website or on the SEC’s website to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-15


 

 

 

 

$[                             ]

 

TICC Capital Corp.

 

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