EX-99.2 8 v323791_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

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

 

[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE PREFERRED STOCK OFFERINGS](1)

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated , 20 )

 

[  ] Shares

Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

 

Series [ ] Preferred Stock

Liquidation Preference $ Per Share

 

We are a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the “1940 Act.” Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return. We seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior, secured loans made to companies whose debt is unrated or is rated below investment grade (“Senior Loans”), with an emphasis on current income. Those investments may take a variety of forms, including the direct purchases of Senior Loans (either in the primary or secondary markets) or through investments in entities that in turn own a pool of Senior Loans. We have initially implemented our investment objective by purchasing in the secondary market portions of equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles. Structurally, CLO vehicles are entities that were formed to originate and manage a portfolio of loans. The loans within the CLO vehicle are limited to loans which meet established credit criteria and are subject to concentration limitations in order to limit a CLO vehicle’s exposure to a single credit.

 

Oxford Lane Management, LLC manages our investments and its affiliate arranges for the performance of the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

 

We are offering for sale shares of our Series [ ] preferred stock, or our “preferred stock,” with a liquidation preference of $ per share. [Insert relevant information regarding ranking, conversion, redemption, dividends, etc. to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

[Add relevant disclosure depending on whether preferred shares are listed or not.]

 

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 preferred stock is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. In addition, the CLO securities 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 preferred stock.

 

 
 

 

Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before investing in our preferred 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 preferred stock. We file annual, semi-annual and quarterly 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.oxfordlanecapital.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.

 

   Per Share   Total 
Public Offering Price  $    $  
Sales Load (Underwriting Discounts and Commissions)  $    $  
Proceeds to the Company (before expenses)  $    $  

 

[In addition, the underwriters may purchase up to an additional shares of preferred stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within days of the date of this prospectus supplement to cover overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price will be $ , the total underwriting discount (sales load) paid by us will be $ , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $ .]

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about , 20 .

 

Prospectus Supplement dated , 20 .

 

___________________________

(1)   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement actually used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached will be updated to include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide a rough approximation of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement used for the purposes of offering securities pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached, and is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear is any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

  Page
About this Prospectus Supplement S-1
Summary S-2
The Offering S-9
Risk Factors S-11
Fees and Expenses S-12
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements S-14
Capitalization S-15
Use of Proceeds S-16
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends S-17
Description of Preferred Stock S-18
Underwriting S-21
Legal Matters S-23
Experts S-23
Available Information S-23

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

  Page
Summary 1
Offerings 9
Fees and Expenses 12
Financial Highlights 15
Risk Factors 16
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 33
Use of Proceeds 34
Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions 35
Business 37
Management 45
Portfolio Management 53
Investment Advisory Agreement 56
Administration Agreement 61
Certain Relationships and Transactions 62
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders 63
Regulation as a Registered Closed-End Management Investment Company 64
Determination of Net Asset Value 69
Dividend Reinvestment Plan 71
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations 72
Description of Securities 80
Description of Our Capital Stock 81
Description of Our Preferred Stock 88
Description of Our Subscription Rights 89
Description of Our Debt Securities 90
Plan of Distribution 103
Custodian, Transfer and Distribution Paying Agent and Registrar 105
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices 105
Legal Matters 105
Experts 105
Available Information 105
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 preferred 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 “Available Information” and “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively, before investing in our preferred stock.

 

Neither we nor the underwriters have 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-1
 

 

SUMMARY

 

The following summary contains basic information about the offering of shares of our preferred 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 preferred 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 section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Business” and our consolidated financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Except where the context requires otherwise, the terms ‘‘Oxford Lane Capital,’’ the ‘‘Company,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to Oxford Lane Capital Corp.; ‘‘Oxford Lane Management’’ and ‘‘investment adviser’’ refer to Oxford Lane Management, LLC; and ‘‘BDC Partners’’ refers to BDC Partners, LLC.

 

Overview

 

We are a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return. We seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior, secured loans made to companies whose debt is unrated or is rated below investment grade (‘‘Senior Loans’’), with an emphasis on current income. Those investments may take a variety of forms, including the direct purchases of Senior Loans (either in the primary or secondary markets) or through investments in entities that in turn own a pool of Senior Loans. We believe that recent dislocations in the credit market have created opportunities to purchase our targeted investments at attractive risk adjusted returns.

 

We have initially implemented our investment objective by purchasing in the secondary market portions of equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligation (‘‘CLO’’) vehicles. Substantially all of the CLO vehicles in which we may invest would be deemed to be investment companies under the 1940 Act but for the exceptions set forth in section 3(c)(1) or section 3(c)(7). Structurally, CLO vehicles are entities that were formed to originate and manage a portfolio of loans. The loans within the CLO vehicle are limited to loans which meet established credit criteria and are subject to concentration limitations in order to limit a CLO vehicle’s exposure to a single credit. A CLO vehicle is formed by raising various classes or ‘‘tranches’’ of debt (with the most senior tranches being rated ‘‘AAA’’ to the most junior tranches typically being rated ‘‘BB’’) and equity. The CLO vehicles which we focus on are collateralized primarily by Senior Loans, and generally have very little or no exposure to real estate, mortgage loans or to pools of consumer-based debt, such as credit card receivables or auto loans. We may also invest, on an opportunistic basis, in other corporate credits of a variety of types. We expect that each of our investments will range in size from $1 million to $12 million, although the investment size may vary consistent with the size of our overall portfolio.

 

Oxford Lane Management manages our investments and its affiliate arranges for the performance of the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

 

Distributions

 

In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, or ‘‘RIC,’’ and to avoid corporate level tax on the income we distribute to our stockholders, we are required, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the ‘‘Code,’’ to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and short-term capital gains to our stockholders on an annual basis.

 

S-2
 

 

The following table reflects the cash distributions, including dividends and returns of capital, if any, per share that we have declared on our common stock to date:

 

Date Declared  Record Date  Payment Date  Amount 
Fiscal 2013           
July 31, 2012  September 14, 2012  September 28, 2012  $0.55 
May 22, 2012  June 15, 2012  June 29, 2012   0.55 
Total (2013)         1.10 
Fiscal 2012           
January 25, 2012  March 16, 2012  March 30, 2012   0.55 
October 24, 2011  December 16, 2011  December 30, 2011   0.50 
July 22, 2011  September 16, 2011  September 30, 2011   0.50 
April 6, 2011  June 16, 2011  June 30, 2011   0.50 
Total (2012)         2.05 
Fiscal 2011           
March 7, 2011  March 21, 2011  April 1, 2011   0.25 
Total (2011)         0.25 
         $3.40 

 

For accounting purposes the distributions declared for the fiscal periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were in excess of the reported earnings. However, as a RIC, earnings and distributions are determined on a tax basis. For tax purposes, the distribution declared in March 2011 and paid in April 2011 is considered a distribution for the tax year 2012. Furthermore, taxable earnings are determined according to tax regulations and differ from reported income for accounting purposes. Therefore, for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2011 distributions were spilled-back for tax purposes in an amount equal to taxable earnings. Based on current estimates of taxable earnings for fiscal 2012 and 2013, we do not expect that any portion of the above-referenced dividends will represent a tax return of capital to our stockholders; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from the projections and assumptions upon which the amount of such dividend was based. To the extent that taxable earnings for any fiscal year are less than the amount of the dividends paid during the year, there would be a tax return of capital to shareholders. The tax character of any distributions will be determined after the end of the fiscal year.

 

Use of Proceeds From Prior Offerings

 

Since the closing of our initial public offering on January 25, 2011 and including two subsequent rights offerings on August 26, 2011 and April 27, 2012, through [ ], 2012 we have invested approximately $[ ] million of the cumulative net proceeds we received from our initial public offering (including the proceeds received from the underwriters' partial exercise of the over-allotment option) and subsequent rights offerings, representing approximately [ ]% of those cumulative proceeds. Consistent with our investment objective, these investments were made in junior debt and equity tranches of CLOs.

 

Oxford Lane Management

 

Our investment activities are managed by Oxford Lane Management, which is an investment adviser that has registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the “Advisers Act.” Under our investment advisory agreement with Oxford Lane Management, which we refer to as our “Investment Advisory Agreement,” we have agreed to pay Oxford Lane Management an annual base management fee based on our gross assets, as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Investment Advisory Agreement.”

 

We expect to benefit from the proven ability of our investment adviser’s team to identify attractive opportunities, conduct diligence on and value prospective investments, negotiate terms where appropriate, and manage and monitor a diversified portfolio although we do not intend to operate as a “diversified” investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Our investment adviser’s senior investment team members have broad investment backgrounds, with prior experience at investment banks, commercial banks, unregistered investment funds and other financial services companies, and have collectively developed a broad network of contacts to provide us with our principal source of investment opportunities.

 

S-3
 

 

Our investment adviser is led by Jonathan H. Cohen, our Chief Executive Officer, and Saul B. Rosenthal, our President. Messrs. Cohen and Rosenthal are assisted by Darryl M. Monasebian and Hari Srinivasan, who serve as Senior Managing Director and Managing Director, respectively, for Oxford Lane Management. We consider Messrs. Cohen, Rosenthal, Monasebian and Srinivasan to be Oxford Lane Management’s senior investment team.

 

Messrs. Cohen and Rosenthal, together with the other members of Oxford Lane Management’s investment team, have developed an infrastructure that we believe provides Oxford Lane Capital with a competitive advantage in locating and acquiring attractive Senior Loans and CLO investments.

 

Charles M. Royce is a non-managing member of Oxford Lane Management. Mr. Royce has served as President since 1972, and a member of the Board of Managers since 2001, of Royce & Associates, LLC (“Royce & Associates”). He also serves as Royce & Associates’ Co-Chief Investment Officer and manages or co-manages twelve of Royce & Associates’ open- and closed-end registered funds. Mr. Royce currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Royce Funds and TICC Capital Corp. Mr. Royce is also a non-managing member of TICC Management, LLC, the investment adviser for TICC Capital Corp. Mr. Royce, as a non-managing member of Oxford Lane Management, does not take part in the management or participate in the operations of Oxford Lane Management; however, Mr. Royce may be available from time to time to Oxford Lane Management to provide certain consulting services without compensation. Royce & Associates is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc.

 

In addition, we will pay BDC Partners, an affiliate of Oxford Lane Management, our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by BDC Partners in performing its obligations under an administration agreement by and among us and BDC Partners (the “Administration Agreement”), including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and any administrative support staff. These arrangements will create conflicts of interest that our Board of Directors must monitor.

 

Investment Focus

 

Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return. We seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in Senior Loans, with an emphasis on current income. Those investments may take a variety of forms, including the direct purchases of Senior Loans (either in the primary or secondary markets) or through investments in entities that in turn own a pool of Senior Loans. We have initially implemented our investment objective by investing principally in the equity and junior debt tranches of CLO vehicles, which are collateralized primarily by a diverse portfolio of leveraged corporate loans, and which generally have very little or no exposure to real estate or mortgage loans or to pools of consumer-based debt, such as credit card receivables or auto loans. We may invest in securities issued by foreign entities, including foreign CLO vehicles.

 

The CLO investments we have initially targeted generally represent either a residual economic interest, in the case of an equity tranche, or a debt investment collateralized by a portfolio of Senior Loans. The value of our CLO investments generally depend on both the quality and nature of the underlying portfolio it references and also on the specific structural characteristics of the CLO itself, both of which are described below.

 

CLO Structural Elements

 

Structurally, CLO vehicles are entities that were formed to originate and manage a portfolio of loans. The loans within the CLO vehicle are limited to loans which meet established credit criteria and are subject to concentration limitations in order to limit a CLO vehicle’s exposure to a single credit.

 

A CLO vehicle is formed by raising multiple “tranches” of debt (with the most senior tranches being rated “AAA” to the most junior tranches typically being rated “BB”) and equity. As interest payments are received the CLO vehicle makes contractual interest payments to each tranche of debt based on their seniority. If there are funds remaining after each tranche of debt receives its contractual interest rate and the CLO vehicle meets or exceeds required collateral coverage levels (or other similar covenants) the remaining funds may be paid to the equity tranche. The contractual provisions setting out this order of payments are set out in detail in the CLO vehicle’s indenture. These provisions are referred to as the “priority of payments” or the “waterfall” and determine any other obligations that may be required to be paid ahead of payments of interest and principal on the securities issued by a CLO vehicle. In addition, for payments to be made to each tranche, after the most senior tranche of debt, there are various tests which must be complied with, which are different for each CLO vehicle.

 

S-4
 

 

CLO indentures typically provide for adjustments to the priority of payments in the event that certain cashflow or collateral requirements are not maintained. The collateral quality tests that may divert cashflows in the priority of payments are predominantly determined by reference to the par values of the underlying loans, rather than their current market values. Accordingly, we believe that CLO equity and junior debt investments allow investors to gain diversified exposure to the Senior Loan market on a levered basis without being structurally subject to mark-to-market price fluctuations of the underlying loans. As such, although the current valuations of CLO equity and junior debt tranches are expected to fluctuate based on price changes within the loan market, interest rate movements and other macroeconomic factors, those tranches will generally be expected to continue to receive distributions from the CLO vehicle periodically so long as the underlying portfolio does not suffer defaults, realized losses or other covenant violations sufficient to trigger changes in the waterfall allocations. We therefore believe that an investment portfolio consisting of CLO equity and junior debt investments of this type has the ability to provide attractive risk-adjusted rates of return.

 

The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only. The CLO structure highlighted below is only a hypothetical structure and structures among CLO vehicles in which we may invest may vary substantially from the hypothetical example set forth below.

 

 

The Syndicated Senior Loan Market

 

We believe that while the syndicated leveraged corporate loan market is relatively large, with Standard and Poor’s estimating the total par value outstanding at approximately $[    ] as of [    ], 2012, this market remains largely inaccessible to a significant portion of investors that are not lenders or approved institutions. The CLO market permits wider exposure to syndicated Senior Loans, but this market is almost exclusively private and predominantly institutional.

 

The Senior Loan market is characterized by various factors, including:

 

·Seniority. A Senior Loan typically ranks senior in a company’s capital structure to all other forms of debt or equity. As such, that loan maintains the senior-most claim on the company’s assets and cash flow, and, we believe should, all other things being equal, offer the prospect of a relatively more stable and lower-risk holding.
   
·Floating rate instruments. A Senior Loan typically contains a floating versus a fixed interest rate, which we believe provides some measure of protection against the risk of interest rate fluctuation.
   
·Frequency of interest payments. A Senior Loan typically provides for scheduled interest payments no less frequently than quarterly.

 

S-5
 

 

In the current environment, we believe the above attributes seem particularly desirable.

 

Investment Opportunity

 

We believe that the Senior Loan market has and continues to represent an attractive area for investment. We believe that the CLO equity and junior debt investments we intend to seek currently represent, as a class, an opportunity to obtain attractive risk-adjusted investment returns. We believe that a number of factors support this conclusion, including:

 

·We believe that the long-term and relatively low-cost capital that many CLO vehicles have secured, compared with the increasing asset spreads and the introduction of more LIBOR floors have created opportunities to purchase certain CLO equity and junior debt instruments that may produce attractive risk-adjusted returns.
   
·We believe that CLO equity and junior debt have generally become more liquid since mid-2009. From late 2007 through mid-2009, these assets traded only very infrequently. We believe that greater recent liquidity in this market has created an opportunity to better analyze and compare various equity and debt instruments from among a large number of different structures.
   
·We believe that although Senior Loan asset prices have risen since mid-2010, CLO equity and junior debt instruments still offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.
   
·We believe that larger institutional investors with sufficient resources to source, analyze and negotiate the purchase of these assets may refrain from purchasing assets of the size that we are targeting, thereby potentially reducing the competition for our target investments.
   
·We believe that investing in CLO securities and CLO equity instruments in particular, requires a high level of research and analysis. We believe that typically this analysis can only be adequately conducted by knowledgeable market participants, as the nature of that analysis tends to be highly specialized.
   
·We believe that a stronger credit market for Senior Loans has substantially reduced the risk of collateral coverage test violations across many CLO structures, thereby reducing the risk that current cash distributions otherwise payable to junior debt tranches and/or equity will be diverted under the priority of payments to pay down the more senior obligations in various CLO structures.
   
·We believe that the US CLO market is relatively large with a total par value of approximately $250 billion invested in over 500 different CLO vehicles. We estimate the size of the junior-most debt tranches (specifically the tranches originally rated “BB”) is approximately $9.0 billion (of which “turbo BB” tranches are an attractive sub-segment), and the size of the equity tranches is approximately $20 billion.

 

Summary Risk Factors

 

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investing in Oxford Lane Capital involves other risks, including the following:

 

·We have a limited operating history as a closed-end investment company;
   
·We are dependent upon Oxford Lane Management’s key personnel for our future success;
   
·Our incentive fee structure and the formula for calculating the fee payable to Oxford Lane Management may incentivize Oxford Lane Management to pursue speculative investments, use leverage when it may be unwise to do so, or refrain from de-levering when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so;
   
·A general increase in interest rates will likely have the effect of making it easier for our investment adviser to receive incentive fees, without necessarily resulting in an increase in our net earnings due to the “catch up” feature of the incentive fee;
   
·CLO vehicles are very highly levered (typically 10-14 times), and therefore the junior debt and equity instruments in which we invest are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss;

 

S-6
 

 

·Our portfolio of investments may lack diversification among CLO vehicles which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these CLO vehicles experiences a high level of defaults on its underlying Senior Loans;
   
·The Senior Loan portfolios of the CLO vehicles in which we will invest may be concentrated in a limited number of industries, which may subject those vehicles, and in turn us, to a risk of significant loss if there is a downturn in a particular industry in which a number of our CLO vehicles’ investments are concentrated;
   
·Our financial results may be affected adversely if one or more of our significant equity or junior debt investments in such CLO vehicles defaults on its payment obligations or fails to perform as we expect;
   
·Investing in CLO vehicles and other high-yield corporate credits involves a variety of risks, any of which may adversely impact our performance;
   
·A disruption or downturn in the capital markets and the credit markets could impair our ability to raise capital and negatively affect our business;
   
·We may borrow money to leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us;
   
·Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value, with our Board of Directors having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, its estimate of fair value and, as a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments;
   
·We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results;
   
·We will become subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code;
   
·Shares of closed-end management investment companies, including Oxford Lane Capital, have in the past frequently traded at discounts to their net asset values, and we cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline below our net asset value per share;
   
·Our common stock price may be volatile and may decrease substantially;
   
·There is a risk that our stockholders may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow or may be reduced over time, including on a per share basis as a result of the dilutive effects of this offering;
   
·Regulations governing our operation as a registered closed-end management investment company affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. The raising of debt capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.
   
·Holders of the preferred stock will have the right to elect members of our Board of Directors and class voting rights on certain matters.

 

        [Insert additional risks relating to preferred stock.]

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [ ] 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 preferred stock.

 

Operating and Regulatory Structure

 

Oxford Lane Capital is a Maryland corporation that is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end fund, we are required to meet regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Registered Closed-End Investment Company.” We may also borrow funds to make investments. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

S-7
 

 

Our investment activities are managed by Oxford Lane Management and supervised by our Board of Directors. Oxford Lane Management is an investment adviser that is registered under the Advisers Act. Under our Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay Oxford Lane Management an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Investment Advisory Agreement.” We have also entered into an administration agreement with BDC Partners, which we refer to as the Administration Agreement, under which we have agreed to reimburse BDC Partners for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by BDC Partners in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including furnishing us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities, as well as providing us with other administrative services. See “Administration Agreement.”

 

BDC Partners also serves as the managing member of Oxford Lane Management. Messrs. Cohen and Rosenthal, in turn, serve as the managing member and non-managing member, respectively, of BDC Partners.

 

Our Corporate Information

 

Our offices are located at 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (203) 983-5275.

 

S-8
 

 

The Offering

 

Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock Offered by Us   shares, excluding shares of preferred stock issuable pursuant to the overallotment often granted to the Underwriters.
     
Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock Outstanding after this Offering   shares excluding shares of preferred stock issuable pursuant to the overallotment often granted to the Underwriters.
     
Use of Proceeds   We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement for acquiring investments in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and for general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement for more information.
     
Dividend Rate   % per annum
     
Dividend Payment Dates   , , and or each year, commencing on ,
     
Record Dates   , , and
     
[ ] symbol   “ ”
     
Liquidation Preference   The liquidation preference of our preferred stock is $ per share.
     
Restrictions on Dividend, Redemption and Other Payments   No full dividends and distributions will be declared or paid on the preferred stock for any dividend period, or a part of a dividend period, unless the full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid through the most recent dividend payment dates for each series of preferred stock. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all outstanding preferred stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on preferred stock will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on the shares of each such series of preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date. No holders of preferred stock will be entitled to any dividends and distributions in excess of full cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in the Certificate of Designations.
     
Optional Redemption   The preferred stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time after , at a redemption price per share equal to the applicable percentage set forth below multiplied by the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share.
    Year Applicable Percentage %
     
Redemption at the Option of the Holder   On and after , , each holder of our preferred stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s preferred stock at a purchase price per share equal to % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. In addition, each holder of our preferred stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s preferred stock at a purchase price per share equal to % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends upon the occurrence of certain fundamental changes.
     
Voting Rights   Voting rights associated with the preferred stock are described under the heading “Description of Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”
     
Rating   The preferred stock is not rated.
     
Conversion   [Describe any applicable conversion provisions set forth in the Certificate of Designations.]

 

S-9
 

 

Exchange   [Describe any applicable exchange provisions set forth in the Certificate of Designations.]
     
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences   [Insert summary disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the preferred stock.]

 

S-10
 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below and those set forth in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make 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 may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below, together with those set forth in the accompanying prospectus, 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.

 

[Market yields may increase, which would result in a decline in the price of our preferred stock.

 

The prices of fixed income investments, such as our preferred stock, vary inversely with changes in market yields. The market yields on securities comparable to our preferred stock may increase, which could result in a decline in the secondary market price of our preferred stock prior to the term redemption date. See “Description of Preferred Stock—Dividends and Dividend Periods”.]

 

[Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our preferred stock, and we cannot assure you that the market price of our preferred stock will not decline following the offering.

 

We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for our preferred stock after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. [During a period of up to days from the date of this prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will not be listed on any securities exchange. During this period, the underwriters do not intend to make a market in our preferred stock. Consequently, an investment in our preferred stock during this period will likely be illiquid and holders thereof may not be able to sell such shares as it is unlikely that a secondary market for our preferred stock will develop during this period. If a secondary market does develop during this period, holders of our preferred stock may be able to sell such shares only at substantial discounts from liquidation preference.] [Application has been made to list our preferred stock on [so that trading on the exchange will begin within days from the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance]. If we are unable to list the preferred stock on a national securities exchange, holders thereof may be unable to sell such shares at all, or if they are able to, only at substantial discounts from liquidation preference. Even after the preferred stock is listed on as anticipated, there is a risk that the market for such shares may be thinly traded and relatively illiquid compared to the market for other types of securities, with the spread between the bid and asked prices considerably greater than the spreads of other securities with comparable terms and features.]]

 

[The preferred stock are unrated securities.

 

We do not intend to have the preferred stock rated by any rating agency. Unrated securities typically trade at a discount to similar, rated securities, depending on the rating of the rated securities. As a result, there is a risk that the preferred stock may trade at a price that is lower than what they might otherwise trade at if rated by a rating agency.]

 

[The preferred stock will be subordinate to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness.

 

While holders of our preferred stock will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to any other preferred stock that might be issued by us, they will be subordinated to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness, if any. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of our preferred stock in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of senior indebtedness. In addition, the 1940 Act may provide debt holders with voting rights that are superior to the voting rights of the preferred stock.]

 

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in the base prospectus.]

 

S-11
 

 

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 “Oxford Lane Capital,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

 

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)
Preferred Stock Dividend Payment   [ ]%(7)
Other expenses (estimated)   [ ]%(8)
Acquired fund fees and expenses   [ ]%(9)
Total annual expenses (estimated)   [ ]%

 

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. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5.0% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. Also, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the dividend payment date, which may be at, above or below net asset value. See ‘‘Dividend Reinvestment Plan’’ 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.
     
(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-12
 

 

(4)   Assumes gross assets of $[  ] million and $[  ] million of leverage (including $[  ] million of preferred stock with a preferred rate of [  ]% per annum), and assumes net assets of $[  ] million, which reflects our net assets as of [  ], 2012. The above calculation reflects our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets. Our base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, however, is based on our gross assets, which is defined as all the assets of Oxford Lane Capital, including those acquired using borrowings for investment purposes. As a result, to the extent we use leverage, it would have the effect of increasing our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets. See ‘‘Investment Advisory Agreement.’’ in the accompanying prospectus.
     
(5)  

Amount reflects the estimated annual incentive fees payable to our investment adviser, Oxford Lane Management, during the fiscal year following this offering. The estimate assumes that the incentive fee earned will be proportional to the fee earned during the fiscal quarter ended [  ], 2012. Based on our current business plan, we anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of any offerings conducted pursuant to this prospectus will be invested within three months depending on the availability of investment opportunities that are consistent with our investment objective and other market conditions. We expect that it will take approximately one to three months to invest all of the proceeds of any offerings conducted pursuant to this prospectus, in part because equity and junior debt investments in CLO vehicles require substantial due diligence prior to investment.

 

The incentive fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20.0% of the excess, if any, of our ‘‘Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income’’ that exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7.0% annualized) hurdle rate, which we refer to as the Hurdle, subject to a ‘‘catch-up’’ provision measured at the end of each calendar quarter. The incentive fee is computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. The operation of the incentive fee for each quarter is as follows:

 

· no incentive fee is payable to our investment adviser in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle of 1.75%;

 

· 100% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle but is less than 2.1875%) as the ‘‘catch-up.’’ The ‘‘catch-up’’ is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20.0% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as if a Hurdle did not apply when our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and

 

· 20.0% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser (once the Hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20.0% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Investment Income thereafter is allocated to our investment adviser).

 

No incentive fee is payable to our investment adviser on realized capital gains. For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see ‘‘Investment Advisory Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

     
(6)   Assumes that we maintain our current level of no outstanding borrowings as of [  ], 2012. We may also issue preferred stock, which may be considered a form of leverage, pursuant to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part. 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.
     
(7)   Assumes that we issue $[   ] million of preferred stock with a preferred rate equal to [  ]% per annum.
     
(8)   ‘‘Other expenses’’ ($[   ] million) assumes that other expenses for the year will be proportional to other expenses incurred during the fiscal quarter ended [  ], 2012.
     
(9)   Reflects the estimated annual collateral manager fees that will be indirectly incurred by us in connection with our investments in CLO equity tranches during the twelve months following the date of this prospectus, assuming the CLO equity investments held as of [  ], 2012 and net assets of $[   ] million. 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 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 debt tranches that we hold generally are not deemed to pay any such collateral manager fees.  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.

 

S-13
 

 

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 a CLO vehicle’s 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 a CLO vehicle’s 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 our investments.

 

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 the ability of a CLO vehicle’s portfolio companies to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investment in such CLO vehicle;
     
  · a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our 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 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-14
 

 

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

  · the actual capitalization of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. at , 20 ; and
     
  · the pro forma capitalization of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. reflects the sale of shares of our preferred stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $ per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $ and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us.

 

This table should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” included in this prospectus supplement and our “Business” section and financial statements and notes thereto included in the accompanying prospectus.

 

   As of , 20 
   Oxford Lane
Capital Corp.
   Oxford Lane
Capital Corp.
 
   Actual   Pro Forma
(1)
 
   (in thousands)   (in thousands) 
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $    $  
Investments at fair value  $    $  
Other assets  $    $  
Total assets  $    $  
Liabilities:          
Total Liabilities  $    $  
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted, respectively       $  
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted, respectively       $  
Capital in excess of par value       $  
Total stockholders’ equity       $  

 

(1)   We may change the size of this offering based on demand and market conditions. A $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed offering price per share would increase (decrease) net proceeds to us from this offering by $[ ] million, assuming the number of shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement remains the same, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses payable by us. Any additional proceeds to us resulting from an increase in the public offering price or the number of shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will increase our cash and cash equivalents on an as adjusted basis and will be used as described in “Use of Proceeds.”

 

S-15
 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement for acquiring investments in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and for general working capital purposes. We may also pay operating expenses, including advisory and administrative fees and expenses, and may pay other expenses such as due diligence expenses of potential new investments, from the net proceeds of this offering.

 

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be used for the above purposes within approximately [ ] to [ ] months from the consummation of such offering, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

 

Pending such investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. The management fee payable by us will not be reduced while our assets are invested in such securities. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Investment Company — Temporary Investments” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

 

S-16
 

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

 

[Insert information required by Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K at time of offering.]

 

S-17
 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following is a brief description of the terms of our preferred stock. This is not a complete description and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to our articles of incorporation, as amended, and the certificate of designations setting forth the terms of the preferred stock. These documents are filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part, and the Certificate of Designations is attached as Appendix A to this prospectus supplement.

 

[General

 

At the time of issuance the Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive, conversion or exchange rights or rights to cumulative voting. The Preferred Stock and all other preferred stock that we may issue from time to time in accordance with the 1940 Act, if any, are senior as to dividends and distributions to our common stock. We may issue additional series of preferred stock in the future to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

 

Dividends

 

Holders of our Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends per shares in an amount equal to % per annum, or the dividend rate. Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on , , , , , and , (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on , to holders of record as of the immediately preceding , , and . [In addition, in the event a cash dividend or other distribution in cash is declared on our common stock, holders of our Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive an additional amount equal to the liquidation preference divided by , as may be adjusted from time to time, times the cash amount per share distributed or to be distributed in respect of our common stock.]

 

Dividends payable at the dividend rate will begin to accrue and be cumulative from , , whether or not we have funds legally available for such dividends or such dividends are declared, and shall compound on each Dividend Payment Date (i.e., no dividends shall accrue on other dividends unless and until the first Dividend Payment Date for such other dividends has passed without such other dividends having been paid on such date). Dividends that are payable on the Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date shall be payable to holders of record of the Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Company on the record date for such dividend.

 

Dividends on our Preferred Stock will be computed on the basis of a [360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months]. The amount of dividends payable on our preferred stock on any date prior to the end of a dividend period, and for the initial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a [360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month].

 

Cash dividends will be paid only to the extent we have assets legally available for such payment and only when authorized by our Board of Directors and declared by us. Dividends not paid in cash will be added to the liquidation preference.

 

We will not declare any dividend (other than a dividend payable in common stock) or other distribution on our common stock or purchase any common stock unless at the time of the declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase we have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as computed in accordance with the 1940 Act, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price.

 

Voting Rights

 

Except for matters that do not require the vote of holders of the Preferred Stock under the 1940 Act and except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, in the Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by applicable law, (1) each holder of Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Preferred Stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company and (2) the holders of outstanding Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have the right to elect [two] members of the Board of Directors. The holders of outstanding shares of common stock together with the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, will elect the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

 

In addition, in the event that dividends on the Preferred Stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends on the Preferred Stock, we will increase the size of our Board of Directors such that the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have the ability to elect a majority of the members of the Board of Directors until such time as all dividends in arrears shall have been paid or otherwise provided for at which point the size of the Board of Directors shall be decreased and the term of such additional directors shall terminate.

 

S-18
 

 

During the period in which any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock determined with reference to a “majority of outstanding voting securities” as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act (a “1940 Act Majority”), voting as a separate class:

 

  ·   amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of the Preferred Stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers [(for purposes of the foregoing, no matters shall be deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock; (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock; or (iii) creates or alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock)]; or
       
  ·   create, authorize or issue shares of any class of capital stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets, or any securities convertible into, or warrants, options or similar rights to purchase, acquire or receive, such shares of capital stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock or reclassify any authorized shares of our capital stock into any shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock (except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors, without the vote or consent of the holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock may from time to time authorize, create and classify, and the Company, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, may from time to time issue, shares or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, and may authorize, reclassify and/or issue any additional Series [ ] Preferred Stock, including shares previously purchased or redeemed by the Company); provided that any such class of Capital Stock shall be created, authorized or issued only to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act).

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a 1940 Act Majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock , voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of our security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act.

 

Redemption

 

Optional Redemption. The Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time after , , at our option, upon giving notice of redemption at a redemption price per share equal to the applicable percentage set forth below multiplied by the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share. The following redemption prices are for shares of Preferred Stock redeemed during the -month period commencing on of the years set forth below:

 

Year Applicable Percentage

 

Redemption at the Option of the Holder. Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy events or the delisting of our common stock from a national securities exchange, each holder of the Preferred Stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of the holder’s Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share equal to % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share.

 

On and after , , each holder of the Preferred Stock will have the right, by providing written notice to us, to require us to repurchase all or any part of the holder’s Preferred Stock at a purchase price equal to % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share.

 

Partial Redemption. In case of any partial redemption of the preferred stock, the shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designation, we have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of preferred stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holder thereof.

 

Redemption Procedures. We will provide notice of any redemption of the preferred stock by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on our books and through any means required under the 1940 Act. Such mailing shall be at least days and not more than days before the date fixed for redemption.

 

S-19
 

 

Liquidation

 

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up by us, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of our preferred stock will be entitled to be paid (before any distribution or payment is made upon any shares of common stock) the liquidation preference per share. However, if upon liquidation, the available funds and assets to be distributed among the holders of our Preferred Stock are insufficient to permit payment in full of the liquidation preference per share, then our entire available funds and assets upon liquidation shall be distributed ratably among the holders on a pro rata basis.

 

If there are any of our available funds or assets upon liquidation remaining after the payment or distribution to the holders of the Preferred Stock of their full preferential amounts described above, all such remaining available funds and assets shall be distributed as follows: [describe applicable payment priority provisions].

 

Modification

 

Without the consent of any holders of the Preferred Stock, we, when authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors may amend or modify these terms of the Preferred Stock to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision in the Certificate of Designation, make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under these terms of the Preferred Stock that are not inconsistent with the provisions in the Certificate of Designation.]

 

S-20
 

 

UNDERWRITING

 

[ ] is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering and as representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated [ ], each underwriter named below severally agrees to purchase the number of shares indicated in the following table:

 

Underwriters

 

Number of

Shares

     
     
.    
Total    

 

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are purchased, other than the shares covered by the option described below.

 

Over-allotment Option

 

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the table above, the underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional [ ]shares from us. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.

 

Commissions and Discounts

 

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

Paid by TICC Capital Corp.  No Exercise   Full Exercise 
Per Share  $    $  
Total  $    $  

 

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. If all the shares are not sold at the public offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

 

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $[ ].

 

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

We, Oxford Lane Management, BDC Partners and our officers and directors have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, sell, dispose of or hedge any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement continuing through the date [ ] days after the date of this prospectus supplement, except with the prior written consent of [ ].

 

The [ ]-day restricted period described in the preceding paragraph will be automatically extended if: (1) during the last 17 days of the [ ]-day restricted period we issue an earnings release or announce material news or a material event; or (2) prior to the expiration of the [ ]-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 15-day period following the last day of the [ ]-day period, in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release of the announcement of the material news or material event.

 

S-21
 

 

Price Stabilizations and Short Positions

 

In connection with the offering, [ ], on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares from us in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option granted to them. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

 

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

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

 

Sales Outside the U.S.

 

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the U.S.) that would permit a public offering of the common shares, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the common shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the common shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell common shares offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so.

 

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

 

[Insert principal business addresses of underwriters.]

 

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]

 

S-22
 

 

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 March 31, 2012 and for the year ended March 31, 2012 included in the accompanying prospectus 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.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

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

 

We are required to file with or submit to the SEC annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549. This information is also available free of charge by contacting us at Oxford Lane Capital Corp., 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830, by telephone at (203) 983-5275, or on our website at http://www.oxfordlanecapital.com.

 

S-23
 

 

[ ] Shares

Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

Preferred Stock

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

, 20