10-K 1 d353742d10k.htm FS INVESTMENT CORPORATION FS Investment Corporation
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934

 

     FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

     FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                     TO                    

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 814-00757

 

 

FS Investment Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   26-1630040
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

201 Rouse Boulevard

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  19112
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (215) 495-1150

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   The New York Stock Exchange
(Title of class)   (Name of exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☐    No  ☐.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ☒      Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer  ☐   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒.

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (assuming solely for the purpose of this disclosure, but without conceding, all executive officers and directors of the registrant are “affiliates”), as of June 30, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $2.2 billion.

There were 244,599,661 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2017.

 

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the registrant’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days following the end of the registrant’s fiscal year, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K as indicated herein.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

PART I

    

ITEM 1.

   BUSINESS     1  
ITEM 1A.   

RISK FACTORS

    26  
ITEM 1B.   

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

    52  
ITEM 2.   

PROPERTIES

    52  
ITEM 3.   

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    52  
ITEM 4.   

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

    52  

PART II

    
ITEM 5.   

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

    53  
ITEM 6.   

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

    56  
ITEM 7.   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    58  
ITEM 7A.   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

    87  
ITEM 8.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

    88  
ITEM 9.   

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

    161  
ITEM 9A.   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

    161  
ITEM 9B.   

OTHER INFORMATION

    162  

PART III

    
ITEM 10.   

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

    163  
ITEM 11.   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    163  
ITEM 12.   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

    163  
ITEM 13.   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

    163  
ITEM 14.   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

    163  

PART IV

    
ITEM 15.   

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    164  
   SIGNATURES     168  


Table of Contents

PART I

Many of the amounts and percentages presented in Part I have been rounded for convenience of presentation and all dollar amounts, excluding share and per share amounts, are presented in thousands unless otherwise noted.

 

Item 1. Business.

Summary

FS Investment Corporation (NYSE: FSIC), or the Company, which may also be referred to as “we,” “us” or “our,” was incorporated under the general corporation laws of the State of Maryland on December 21, 2007 and formally commenced investment operations on January 2, 2009. We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. As such, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. In addition, we have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. As of December 31, 2016, we had total assets of approximately $4.1 billion.

We are managed by FB Income Advisor, LLC, or FB Advisor, a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act, which oversees the management of our operations and is responsible for making investment decisions with respect to our portfolio. FB Advisor has engaged GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC, or GDFM, to act as our investment sub-adviser. GDFM assists FB Advisor in identifying investment opportunities and makes investment recommendations for approval by FB Advisor, according to guidelines set by FB Advisor. GDFM, a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSO Capital Partners LP, or GSO. GSO is the credit platform of The Blackstone Group L.P., or Blackstone, a leading global alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services. GSO is one of the world’s largest credit platforms in the alternative asset business with approximately $93.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2016.

Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. We seek to meet our investment objectives by:

 

   

utilizing the experience and expertise of the management teams of FB Advisor and GDFM, along with the broader resources of GSO, which include its access to the relationships and human capital of its parent, Blackstone, in sourcing, evaluating and structuring transactions;

 

   

employing a defensive investment approach focused on long-term credit performance and principal protection;

 

   

focusing primarily on debt investments in a broad array of private U.S. companies, including middle-market companies, which we define as companies with annual revenues of $50 million to $2.5 billion at the time of investment. In many market environments, we believe such a focus offers an opportunity for superior risk adjusted returns;

 

   

investing primarily in established, stable enterprises with positive cash flows; and

 

   

maintaining rigorous portfolio monitoring, in an attempt to anticipate and pre-empt negative credit events within our portfolio.

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in senior secured loans and second lien secured loans of private middle market U.S. companies and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies. Although we do not expect a significant portion of our portfolio to be comprised of subordinated loans, there is no limit on the amount of such loans in which we may invest. We may purchase interests in loans or make other

 

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debt investments, including investments in senior secured bonds, through secondary market transactions in the “over-the-counter” market or directly from our target companies as primary market or directly originated investments. In connection with our debt investments, we may on occasion receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. We may also purchase or otherwise acquire minority interests in the form of common or preferred equity or equity-related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity or the cash value of common stock or other equity, in our target companies, generally in conjunction with one of our debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor, such as an institutional investor or private equity firm. In addition, a portion of our portfolio may be comprised of corporate bonds, collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, other debt securities and derivatives, including total return swaps and credit default swaps. FB Advisor will seek to tailor our investment focus as market conditions evolve. Depending on market conditions, we may increase or decrease our exposure to less senior portions of the capital structure or otherwise make opportunistic investments.

The senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and senior secured bonds in which we invest generally have stated terms of three to seven years and subordinated debt investments that we make generally have stated terms of up to ten years, but the expected average life of such securities is generally between three and seven years. However, there is no limit on the maturity or duration of any security in our portfolio. Our debt investments may be rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or NRSRO, and, in such case, generally will carry a rating below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or Moody’s, or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, or S&P). We also invest in non-rated debt securities.

To seek to enhance our returns, we employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of FB Advisor, but in no event will leverage employed exceed 50% of the value of our assets, as required by the 1940 Act.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we made investments in portfolio companies totaling $1,157,827. During the same period, we sold investments for proceeds of $547,222 and received principal repayments of $1,041,276. As of December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio, with a total fair value of $3,726,816 (52% in first lien senior secured loans, 16% in second lien senior secured loans, 4% in senior secured bonds, 12% in subordinated debt, 2% in collateralized securities and 14% in equity/other), consisted of interests in 102 portfolio companies. The portfolio companies that comprised our portfolio as of such date had an average annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of approximately $100.0 million. As of December 31, 2016, the debt investments in our portfolio were purchased at a weighted average price of 98.6% of par, and our estimated gross portfolio yield (which represents the expected annualized yield to be generated by us on our portfolio based on the composition of our portfolio as of such date), prior to leverage, was 9.1% based upon the amortized cost of our investments. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our total return based on net asset value was 13.19% and our total return based on market value was 25.91%.

Our estimated gross portfolio yield may be higher than an investor’s yield on an investment in shares of our common stock. Our estimated gross portfolio yield does not reflect operating expenses that may be incurred by us. In addition, our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return figures disclosed above do not consider the effect of any sales commissions or charges that may be incurred in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock. Our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return based on net asset value do not represent actual investment returns to stockholders. Our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return figures are subject to change and, in the future, may be greater or less than the rates set forth above. See footnotes 6 and 7 to the table included in Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included herein for information regarding the calculation of our total return based on net asset value and total return based on market value, respectively.

As a BDC, we are subject to certain regulatory restrictions in making our investments. For example, BDCs generally are not permitted to co-invest with certain affiliated entities in transactions originated by the BDC or its

 

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affiliates in the absence of an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. However, BDCs are permitted to, and may, simultaneously co-invest in transactions where price is the only negotiated term. In an order dated June 4, 2013, the SEC granted exemptive relief permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with certain affiliates of FB Advisor, including FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, FS Investment Corporation IV and any future BDCs that are advised by FB Advisor or its affiliated investment advisers, or collectively our co-investment affiliates. We believe this relief has and may continue to enhance our ability to further our investment objectives and strategy. We believe this relief may also increase favorable investment opportunities for us, in part, by allowing us to participate in larger investments, together with our co-investment affiliates, than would be available to us if such relief had not been obtained. Because we did not seek exemptive relief to engage in co-investment transactions with GDFM and its affiliates, we are permitted to co-invest with GDFM and its affiliates only in accordance with existing regulatory guidance (e.g., where price is the only negotiated term).

About FB Advisor

FB Advisor is a subsidiary of our affiliate, Franklin Square Holdings, L.P. (which does business as FS Investments), or FS Investments, a national sponsor of alternative investments designed for the individual investor. FB Advisor is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act and is led by substantially the same personnel that form the investment and operations teams of FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FSIC III Advisor, LLC, FSIC IV Advisor, LLC and FS Global Advisor, LLC. FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FSIC III Advisor, LLC and FSIC IV Advisor, LLC are registered investment advisers that manage FS Investments’ four other affiliated BDCs, FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III and FS Investment Corporation IV, respectively. FS Global Advisor, LLC is a registered investment adviser that manages FS Investments’ affiliated closed-end management investment company, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund.

In addition to managing our investments, the managers, officers and other personnel of FB Advisor also currently manage the following entities through affiliated investment advisers:

 

Name

 

Entity

 

Investment Focus

  Gross
Assets(1)
 

FS Energy and Power Fund

  BDC   Primarily invests in debt and income-oriented equity securities of privately-held U.S. companies in the energy and power industry.   $ 4,073,753  

FS Investment Corporation II

  BDC   Primarily invests in senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies.   $ 4,910,727  

FS Investment Corporation III

  BDC   Primarily invests in senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies.   $ 3,537,116  

FS Investment Corporation IV

  BDC   Primarily invests in senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies.   $ 156,163  

FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund(2)

  Closed-end management investment company   Primarily invests in secured and unsecured floating and fixed rate loans, bonds and other types of credit instruments.   $ 1,728,218  

 

(1) As of September 30, 2016, except as otherwise noted below.

 

(2)

Two funds affiliated with FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund—T and FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund—ADV, or together, the FSGCOF Offered Funds, which have the

 

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  same investment objectives and strategies as FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, currently offer common shares of beneficial interest to the public and invest substantially all of the net proceeds of their respective offerings in FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund. Two other funds affiliated with FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund—A and FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund—D, or together, the FSGCOF Closed Funds, which also have the same investment objectives and strategies as FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, closed their respective continuous public offerings to new investors in April 2016. Gross assets shown as of June 30, 2016.

Our chairman and chief executive officer, Michael C. Forman, has led FB Advisor since its inception. In 2007, he co-founded FS Investments with the goal of delivering alternative investment solutions, advised by what FS Investments believes to be best-in-class institutional asset managers, to individual investors nationwide. In addition to leading FB Advisor, Mr. Forman currently serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer of FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FS Energy and Power Fund, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation II, FSIC III Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation III, FSIC IV Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation IV, FS Global Advisor, LLC, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, the FSGCOF Offered Funds and the FSGCOF Closed Funds.

FB Advisor’s senior management team has significant experience in private lending and private equity investing, and has developed an expertise in using all levels of a firm’s capital structure to produce income-generating investments, while focusing on risk management. The team also has extensive knowledge of the managerial, operational and regulatory requirements of publicly registered alternative asset entities, such as BDCs. We believe that the active and ongoing participation by FS Investments and its affiliates in the credit markets, and the depth of experience and disciplined investment approach of FB Advisor’s management team, will allow FB Advisor to successfully execute our investment strategy.

All investment decisions require the unanimous approval of FB Advisor’s investment committee, which is currently comprised of Mr. Forman, Gerald F. Stahlecker, Zachary Klehr and Sean Coleman. Our board of directors, including a majority of independent directors, oversees and monitors our investment performance and annually reviews our amended and restated investment advisory agreement, dated July 17, 2014, or the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, and the investment sub-advisory agreement, dated April 13, 2008, or the investment sub-advisory agreement, that FB Advisor has entered into with GDFM to determine, among other things, whether the fees payable under such agreements are reasonable in light of the services provided.

About GDFM

From time to time, FB Advisor may enter into sub-advisory relationships with registered investment advisers that possess skills that FB Advisor believes will aid it in achieving our investment objectives. FB Advisor has engaged GDFM to act as our investment sub-adviser. GDFM assists FB Advisor in identifying investment opportunities and makes investment recommendations for approval by FB Advisor according to guidelines set by FB Advisor. GDFM also serves as the investment sub-adviser to FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III and FS Investment Corporation IV. Furthermore, GDFM’s parent, GSO, serves as the investment sub-adviser to FS Energy and Power Fund and FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund. GDFM is a Delaware limited liability company with principal offices located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.

GDFM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSO. GSO is the credit platform of Blackstone, a leading global alternative asset manager. As of December 31, 2016, GSO and its affiliates, excluding Blackstone, managed approximately $93.3 billion of assets across multiple strategies and investment types within the leveraged finance marketplace, including leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, distressed, mezzanine and private equity. As investment sub-adviser, GDFM makes recommendations to FB Advisor in a manner that is consistent with its existing investment and monitoring processes.

 

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Blackstone is a leading global alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services. It is one of the largest independent managers of private capital in the world, with assets under management of approximately $366.6 billion as of December 31, 2016. Blackstone’s alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles, separately managed accounts and publicly-traded closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone is a publicly traded limited partnership that has common units which trade on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the ticker symbol “BX.” Information about Blackstone and its various affiliates, including certain ownership, governance and financial information, is disclosed in Blackstone’s periodic filings with the SEC, which can be obtained from Blackstone’s website at http://ir.blackstone.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information contained on Blackstone’s website and in Blackstone’s filings with the SEC is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and you should not consider that information to be part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Market Opportunity

We believe that there are and will continue to be significant investment opportunities in the senior secured and second lien secured loan asset class, as well as investments in debt securities of middle market companies.

Attractive Opportunities in Senior Secured and Second Lien Secured Loans

We believe that opportunities in senior secured and second lien secured loans are significant because of the variable rate structure of most senior secured debt issues and because of the strong defensive characteristics of this investment class. Given current market conditions, we believe that debt issues with variable interest rates often offer a superior return profile to fixed-rate securities, since variable interest rate structures are generally less susceptible to declines in value experienced by fixed-rate securities in a rising interest rate environment.

Senior secured debt also provides strong defensive characteristics. Because this debt has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders (i.e., holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equityholders), they carry the least potential risk among investments in the issuer’s capital structure. Further, these investments are secured by the issuer’s assets, which may be seized in the event of a default, if necessary. They generally also carry restrictive covenants aimed at ensuring repayment before junior creditors, such as most types of unsecured bondholders, and other security holders and preserving collateral to protect against credit deterioration.

The chart below illustrates examples of the collateral used to secure senior secured and second lien secured debt.

 

 

LOGO

 

Source: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

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Opportunity in Middle Market Private Companies

In addition to investing in senior secured and second lien secured loans generally, we believe that the market for lending to private companies, particularly middle market private companies within the United States, is underserved and presents a compelling investment opportunity. We believe that the following characteristics support our belief:

Large Target Market

According to The U.S. Census Bureau, in its 2012 economic census, there were approximately 42,600 middle market companies in the United States with annual revenues between $50 million and $2.5 billion, compared with approximately 1,350 companies with revenues greater than $2.5 billion. These middle market companies represent, we believe, a significant portion of the growth segment of the U.S. economy and often require substantial capital investment to grow their businesses. Middle market companies have generated a significant number of investment opportunities for us and investment programs managed by our affiliates and GDFM over the past several years, and we believe that this market segment will continue to produce significant investment opportunities for us.

Limited Investment Competition

Despite the size of the market, we believe that regulatory changes and other factors have diminished the role of traditional financial institutions and certain other capital providers in providing financing to middle market companies. As tracked by S&P Capital IQ LCD, U.S. banks’ share of senior secured loans to middle market companies represented 6% of overall middle market loan volume in 2016, down slightly from 7% in 2015 and down from nearly 20% in 2011. However, the continuation of this trend is uncertain as a result of the potentially changing regulatory landscape due to the new presidential administration.

In addition, regulatory uncertainty regarding CLOs may limit financing available to middle market companies. Risk retention and certain limitations placed on some banks’ ability to hold CLO securities may also inhibit future CLO creation and future lending to middle market companies. CLOs represented 62.3% of the institutional investor base for broadly syndicated loans in 2016, as tracked by S&P Capital IQ LCD, and any decline in the formation of new CLOs will likely have broad implications for the senior secured loan marketplace and for middle market borrowers.

We also believe that lending and originating new loans to middle market companies, which are often private, generally requires a greater dedication of the lender’s time and resources compared to lending to larger companies, due in part to the smaller size of each investment and the often fragmented nature of information available from these companies. Further, many investment firms lack the breadth and scale necessary to identify investment opportunities, particularly in regards to directly originated investments in middle market companies, and thus we believe that attractive investment opportunities are often overlooked. In addition, middle market companies may require more active monitoring and participation on the lender’s part. We believe that many large financial organizations, which often have relatively high cost structures, are not suited to deal with these factors and instead emphasize services and transactions to larger corporate clients with a consequent reduction in the availability of financing to middle market companies.

Attractive Market Segment

We believe that the underserved nature of such a large segment of the market can at times create a significant opportunity for investment. In many environments, we believe that middle market companies are more likely to offer attractive economics in terms of transaction pricing, up-front and ongoing fees, prepayment penalties and security features in the form of stricter covenants and quality collateral than loans to larger companies. In addition, as compared to larger companies, middle market companies often have simpler capital structures and carry less leverage, thus aiding the structuring and negotiation process and allowing us greater

 

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flexibility in structuring favorable transactions. We believe that these factors will result in advantageous conditions in which to pursue our investment objectives of generating current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation.

Characteristics of and Risks Related to Investments in Private Companies

We invest primarily in the debt of private middle market U.S. companies. Investments in private companies pose significantly greater risks than investments in public companies. First, private companies have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and ability to withstand financial distress. As a result, these companies, which may present greater credit risk than public companies, may be unable to meet the obligations under their debt securities that we hold. Second, the investments themselves may often be illiquid. The securities of most of the companies in which we invest are not publicly-traded or actively-traded on the secondary market and are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. In addition, our directly originated investments generally will not be traded on any secondary market and a trading market for such investments may not develop. These securities may also be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale. As such, we may have difficulty exiting an investment promptly or at a desired price prior to maturity or outside of a normal amortization schedule. These investments may also be difficult to value because little public information generally exists about private companies, requiring an experienced due diligence team to analyze and value the potential portfolio company. Finally, these companies often may not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of FB Advisor and/or GDFM to obtain adequate information through their due diligence efforts to evaluate the creditworthiness of, and risks involved in, investing in these companies, and to determine the optimal time to exit an investment. These companies and their financial information will also generally not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other rules and regulations that govern public companies that are designed to protect investors.

Investment Strategy

Our principal focus is to invest in senior secured and second lien secured loans of private middle market U.S. companies, and to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies. Although we do not expect a significant portion of our portfolio to be comprised of subordinated loans, there is no limit on the amount of such loans in which we may invest. We may purchase interests in loans or make other debt investments, including investments in senior secured bonds, through secondary market transactions in the “over-the-counter” market or directly from our target companies as primary market or directly originated investments. In connection with our debt investments, we may on occasion receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. We may also purchase or otherwise acquire minority interests in the form of common or preferred equity or equity-related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity or the cash value of common stock or other equity, in our target companies, generally in conjunction with one of our debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor, such as an institutional investor or private equity firm. In addition, a portion of our portfolio may be comprised of corporate bonds, CLOs, other debt securities and derivatives, including total return swaps and credit default swaps. FB Advisor will seek to tailor our investment focus as market conditions evolve. Depending on market conditions, we may increase or decrease our exposure to less senior portions of the capital structure or otherwise make opportunistic investments.

When identifying prospective portfolio companies, we focus primarily on the attributes set forth below, which we believe will help us generate higher total returns with an acceptable level of risk. While these criteria provide general guidelines for our investment decisions, we caution investors that, if we believe the benefits of investing are sufficiently strong, not all of these criteria necessarily will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest. These attributes are:

 

   

Leading, defensible market positions. We seek to invest in companies that have developed strong positions within their respective markets and exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows and

 

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profitability to service our debt in a range of economic environments. We seek companies that can protect their competitive advantages through scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing or product quality versus their competitors, thereby minimizing business risk and protecting profitability.

 

   

Investing in stable companies with positive cash flow. We seek to invest in established, stable companies with strong profitability and cash flows. Such companies, we believe, are well-positioned to maintain consistent cash flow to service and repay our loans and maintain growth in their businesses or market share. We do not intend to invest to any significant degree in start-up companies, turnaround situations or companies with speculative business plans.

 

   

Proven management teams. We focus on companies that have experienced management teams with an established track record of success. We typically prefer our portfolio companies to have proper incentives in place, which may include non-cash and performance-based compensation, to align management’s goals with ours.

 

   

Private equity sponsorship. Often, we seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what we believe to be sophisticated and seasoned private equity firms. FB Advisor’s management team believes that a private equity sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an endorsement of the quality of the investment. Further, by co-investing with such experienced private equity firms which commit significant sums of equity capital ranking junior in priority of payment to our debt investments, we may benefit from the due diligence review performed by the private equity firm, in addition to our own due diligence review. Further, strong private equity sponsors with significant investments at risk have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational or financial issues arise, which could provide additional protections for our investments.

 

   

Allocation among various issuers and industries. We seek to allocate our portfolio broadly among issuers and industries, thereby attempting to reduce the risk of a downturn in any one company or industry having a disproportionate adverse impact on the value of our portfolio.

 

   

Viable exit strategy. While we attempt to invest in securities that may be sold in a privately negotiated over-the-counter market, providing us a means by which we may exit our positions, we expect that a large portion of our portfolio may not be sold on this secondary market. For any investments that are not able to be sold within this market, we focus primarily on investing in companies whose business models and growth prospects offer attractive exit possibilities, including repayment of our investments, an initial public offering of equity securities, a merger, a sale or a recapitalization, in each case with the potential for capital gains.

In addition, in an order dated June 4, 2013, the SEC granted exemptive relief that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, expands our ability to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with our co-investment affiliates, which we believe has and may continue to enhance our ability to further our investment objectives and strategy.

Potential Competitive Strengths

We believe that we offer investors the following potential competitive strengths:

Global platform with seasoned investment professionals

We believe that the breadth and depth of the experience of FB Advisor’s senior management team, together with the wider resources of GSO’s investment team, which is dedicated to sourcing, structuring, executing, monitoring and harvesting a broad range of private investments, as well as the specific expertise of GDFM, provide us with a significant competitive advantage in sourcing and analyzing attractive investment opportunities.

 

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Long-term investment horizon

Our long-term investment horizon gives us great flexibility, which we believe allows us to maximize returns on our investments. Unlike most private equity and venture capital funds, as well as many private debt funds, we are not required to return capital to our stockholders once we exit a portfolio investment. We believe that freedom from such capital return requirements, which allows us to invest using a longer-term focus, provides us with the opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital, compared to other private company investment vehicles.

GDFM transaction sourcing capability

FB Advisor seeks to leverage GDFM’s significant access to transaction flow. GDFM seeks to generate investment opportunities through syndicate and club deals (generally, investments made by a small group of investment firms) and, subject to regulatory constraints as discussed under “—Regulation,” and the allocation policies of GDFM and its affiliates, as applicable, also through GSO’s direct origination channels. GDFM also relies on its relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks to source investment opportunities. These include significant contacts to participants in the credit and leveraged finance marketplace, which it can draw upon in sourcing investment opportunities for us. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GDFM has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. With respect to GDFM’s origination channel, FB Advisor seeks to leverage the global presence of GSO to generate access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with attractive investment characteristics. We believe that the broad network of GDFM provides a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us. GDFM also has a significant trading platform, which, we believe, allows us access to the secondary market for investment opportunities.

Disciplined, income-oriented investment philosophy

FB Advisor and GDFM employ a defensive investment approach focused on long-term credit performance and principal protection. This investment approach involves a multi-stage selection process for each investment opportunity, as well as ongoing monitoring of each investment made, with particular emphasis on early detection of deteriorating credit conditions at portfolio companies which would result in adverse portfolio developments. This strategy is designed to maximize current income and minimize the risk of capital loss while maintaining the potential for long-term capital appreciation.

Investment expertise across all levels of the corporate capital structure

FB Advisor and GDFM believe that their broad expertise and experience investing at all levels of a company’s capital structure enable us to manage risk while affording us the opportunity for significant returns on our investments. We attempt to capitalize on this expertise in an effort to produce and maintain an investment portfolio that will perform in a broad range of economic conditions.

Operating and Regulatory Structure

Our investment activities are managed by FB Advisor and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent. Under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, we have agreed to pay FB Advisor an annual base management fee based on the average value of our gross assets and an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations” for a description of the fees we pay to FB Advisor.

From time to time, FB Advisor may enter into sub-advisory relationships with registered investment advisers that possess skills or attributes that FB Advisor believes will aid it in achieving our investment

 

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objectives. FB Advisor has engaged GDFM to act as our investment sub-adviser. GDFM assists FB Advisor in identifying investment opportunities and makes investment recommendations for approval by FB Advisor according to guidelines set by FB Advisor.

FB Advisor oversees our day-to-day operations, including the provision of general ledger accounting, fund accounting, legal services, investor relations and other administrative services. FB Advisor also performs, or oversees the performance of, our corporate operations and required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports for our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, FB Advisor assists us in calculating our net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others.

Pursuant to our administration agreement, dated April 16, 2014, or the administration agreement, we reimburse FB Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations, including FB Advisor’s allocable portion of the compensation and related expenses of certain personnel of FS Investments providing administrative services to us on behalf of FB Advisor. We reimburse FB Advisor no less than quarterly for all costs and expenses incurred by FB Advisor in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the administration agreement. FB Advisor allocates the cost of such services to us based on factors such as total assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. Our board of directors reviews the methodology employed in determining how the expenses are allocated to us and the proposed allocation of administrative expenses among us and certain affiliates of FB Advisor. Our board of directors then assesses the reasonableness of such reimbursements for expenses allocated to us based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to us of obtaining similar services from third-party service providers known to be available. In addition, our board of directors considers whether any single third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality. Finally, our board of directors compares the total amount paid to FB Advisor for such services as a percentage of our net assets to the same ratio as reported by other comparable BDCs.

We have contracted with State Street Bank and Trust Company to provide various accounting and administrative services, including, but not limited to, preparing preliminary financial information for review by FB Advisor, preparing and monitoring expense budgets, maintaining accounting and corporate books and records, processing trade information provided by us and performing testing with respect to RIC compliance. Prior to April 1, 2015, we had contracted with Vigilant Compliance, LLC to provide the services of Salvatore Faia as our chief compliance officer.

As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. Also, while we are permitted to finance investments using debt, our ability to use debt will be limited in certain significant respects pursuant to the 1940 Act. Within the limits of existing regulation, we will adjust our use of debt, according to market conditions, to the level we believe will allow us to generate maximum risk-adjusted returns. See “—Regulation.” We have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

Investment Types

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in senior secured loans and second lien secured loans of private middle market U.S. companies and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies. Although we do not expect a significant portion of our portfolio to be comprised of subordinated loans, there is no limit on the amount of such loans in which we may invest. We may purchase interests in loans or make other debt investments, including investments in senior secured bonds, through secondary market transactions in the “over-the- counter” market or directly from our target companies as primary market or directly originated

 

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investments. In connection with our debt investments, we may on occasion receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. We may also purchase or otherwise acquire minority interests in the form of common or preferred equity or equity-related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity or the cash value of common stock or other equity, in our target companies, generally in conjunction with one of our debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor, such as an institutional investor or private equity firm. In addition, a portion of our portfolio may be comprised of corporate bonds, CLOs, other debt securities and derivatives, including total return swaps and credit default swaps. FB Advisor will seek to tailor our investment focus as market conditions evolve. Depending on market conditions, we may increase or decrease our exposure to less senior portions of the capital structure, where returns tend to be stronger in a more stable or growing economy, but less secure in weak economic environments. Below is a diagram illustrating where these investments lie in a typical portfolio company’s capital structure. Senior secured debt is situated at the top of the capital structure and typically has the first claim on the assets and cash flows of the company, followed by second lien secured debt, subordinated debt, preferred equity and, finally, common equity. Due to this priority of cash flows, an investment’s risk increases as it moves further down the capital structure. Investors are usually compensated for this risk associated with junior status in the form of higher returns, either through higher interest payments or potentially higher capital appreciation. We rely on FB Advisor’s and GDFM’s experience to structure investments, possibly using all levels of the capital structure, which we believe will perform in a broad range of economic environments.

Typical Leveraged Capital Structure Diagram

 

 

LOGO

Senior Secured Loans

Senior secured loans are situated at the top of the capital structure. Because these loans generally have priority in payment, they carry the least risk among all investments in a firm. Generally, our senior secured loans are expected to have maturities of three to seven years, offer some form of amortization, and have first priority security interests in the assets of the borrower. Generally, we expect that the interest rate on our senior secured loans typically will have variable rates ranging between 6.0% and 10.0% over a standard benchmark, such as the prime rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR.

 

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Second Lien Secured Loans

Second lien secured loans are immediately junior to senior secured loans and have substantially the same maturities, collateral and covenant structures as senior secured loans. Second lien secured loans, however, are granted a second priority security interest in the assets of the borrower, which means that any realization of collateral will generally be applied to pay senior secured loans in full before second lien secured loans are paid and the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both senior secured loans and second lien secured loans. In return for this junior ranking, second lien secured loans generally offer higher returns compared to senior secured debt. These higher returns come in the form of higher interest and in some cases the potential for equity participation through warrants, though to a lesser extent than with subordinated loans. Generally, we expect these loans to carry a fixed rate, or a floating current yield of 8.0% to 12.0% over a standard benchmark. In addition, we may receive additional returns from any warrants we may receive in connection with these investments.

Senior Secured Bonds

Senior secured bonds are generally secured by collateral on a senior, pari passu or junior basis with other debt instruments in an issuer’s capital structure and have similar maturities and covenant structures as senior secured loans. Generally, we expect these investments to carry a fixed rate of 7.0% to 14.0%.

Subordinated Debt

In addition to senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and senior secured bonds, we may invest a portion of our assets in subordinated debt. Subordinated debt investments usually rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt and are often unsecured, but are situated above preferred equity and common equity in the capital structure. In return for their junior status compared to senior debt, subordinated debt investments typically offer higher returns through both higher interest rates and possible equity ownership in the form of warrants, enabling the lender to participate in the capital appreciation of the borrower. These warrants typically require only a nominal cost to exercise. We generally target subordinated debt with interest-only payments throughout the life of the security, with the principal due at maturity. Typically, subordinated debt investments have maturities of five to ten years. Generally, we expect these securities to carry a fixed rate, or a floating current yield of 7.0% to 14.0% over a standard benchmark. In addition, we may receive additional returns from any warrants we may receive in connection with these investments. In some cases, a portion of the total interest may accrue or be paid-in-kind, or PIK.

Equity and Equity-Related Securities

While we intend to maintain our focus on investments in debt securities, from time to time, when we see the potential for extraordinary gain, or in connection with securing particularly favorable terms in a debt investment, we may enter into investments in preferred or common equity, typically in conjunction with a private equity sponsor we believe to be sophisticated and seasoned. In addition, we typically receive the right to make equity investments in a portfolio company whose debt securities we hold in connection with the next equity financing round for that company. This right may provide us with the opportunity to further enhance our returns over time through equity investments in our portfolio companies. In addition, we may hold equity-related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity or the cash value of common stock or other equity, generally obtained in conjunction with one of our debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor, such as an institutional investor or private equity firm. In the future, we may achieve liquidity through a merger or acquisition of a portfolio company, a public offering of a portfolio company’s stock or by exercising our right, if any, to require a portfolio company to repurchase the equity-related securities we hold. With respect to any preferred or common equity investments, we expect to target an annual investment return of at least 15%.

 

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Non-U.S. Securities

We may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in non-U.S. currencies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

We may invest in CLOs, which are a form of securitization where payments from multiple loans are pooled together. Investors may purchase one or more tranches of a CLO and each tranche typically reflects a different level of seniority in payment from the CLO.

Other Securities

We may also invest from time to time in derivatives, including total return swaps and credit default swaps. We anticipate that any use of derivatives would primarily be as a substitute for investing in conventional securities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We may maintain a certain level of cash or equivalent instruments to make follow-on investments, if necessary, in existing portfolio companies or to take advantage of new opportunities.

Comparison of Targeted Debt Investments to Corporate Bonds

Loans to private companies are debt instruments that can be compared to corporate bonds to aid an investor’s understanding. As with corporate bonds, loans to private companies can range in credit quality depending on security-specific factors, including total leverage, amount of leverage senior to the security in question, variability in the issuer’s cash flows, the quality of assets securing debt and the degree to which such assets cover the subject company’s debt obligations. As is the case in the corporate bond market, we will require greater returns for securities that we perceive to carry increased risk. The companies in which we invest may be leveraged, often as a result of leveraged buyouts or other recapitalization transactions, and, in many cases, will not be rated by national rating agencies. When our targeted debt investments do carry ratings from a NRSRO, we believe that such ratings generally will be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s or lower than “BBB-” by S&P). To the extent we make unrated investments, we believe that such investments would likely receive similar ratings if they were to be examined by a NRSRO. Compared to below-investment grade corporate bonds that are typically available to the public, our targeted senior secured and second lien secured loan investments are higher in the capital structure, have priority in receiving payment, are secured by the issuer’s assets, allow the lender to seize collateral if necessary, and generally exhibit higher rates of recovery in the event of default. Corporate bonds, on the other hand, are often unsecured obligations of the issuer.

The market for loans to private companies possesses several key differences compared to the corporate bond market. For instance, due to a possible lack of debt ratings for certain middle market firms, and also due to the reduced availability of information for private companies, investors must conduct extensive due diligence investigations before committing to an investment. This intensive due diligence process gives the investor significant access to management, which is often not possible in the case of corporate bondholders, who rely on underwriters, debt rating agencies and publicly available information for due diligence reviews and monitoring of corporate issuers. While holding these investments, private debt investors often receive monthly or quarterly updates on the portfolio company’s financial performance, along with possible representation on the company’s

board of directors, which allows the investor to take remedial action quickly if conditions happen to deteriorate. Due to reduced liquidity, the relative scarcity of capital and extensive due diligence and expertise required on the part of the investor, we believe that private debt securities typically offer higher returns than corporate bonds of equivalent credit quality.

 

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Sources of Income

The primary means through which our stockholders will receive a return of value is through interest income, dividends and capital gains generated by our investments. In addition to these sources of income, we may receive fees paid by our portfolio companies, including one-time closing fees paid at the time each investment is made. Closing fees typically range from 1.0% to 2.0% of the purchase price of an investment. In addition, we may generate revenues in the form of non-recurring commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance, consulting fees and performance-based fees.

Risk Management

We seek to limit the downside potential of our investment portfolio by:

 

   

applying our investment strategy guidelines for portfolio investments;

 

   

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

 

   

allocating our portfolio among various issuers and industries, size permitting, with an adequate number of companies, across different industries, with different types of collateral; and

 

   

negotiating or seeking debt investments with covenants or features that protect us while affording portfolio companies flexibility in managing their businesses consistent with preservation of capital, which may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights.

We may also enter into interest rate hedging transactions at the sole discretion of FB Advisor. Such transactions will enable us to selectively modify interest rate exposure as market conditions dictate.

Affirmative Covenants

Affirmative covenants require borrowers to take actions that are meant to ensure the solvency of the company, facilitate the lender’s monitoring of the borrower, and ensure payment of interest and loan principal due to lenders. Examples of affirmative covenants include covenants requiring the borrower to maintain adequate insurance, accounting and tax records, and to produce frequent financial reports for the benefit of the lender.

Negative Covenants

Negative covenants impose restrictions on the borrower and are meant to protect lenders from actions that the borrower may take that could harm the credit quality of the lender’s investments. Examples of negative covenants include restrictions on the payment of dividends and restrictions on the issuance of additional debt without the lender’s approval. In addition, certain covenants restrict a borrower’s activities by requiring it to meet certain earnings interest coverage ratio and leverage ratio requirements. These covenants are also referred to as financial or maintenance covenants.

Investment Process

The investment professionals employed by FB Advisor and GDFM have spent their careers developing the resources necessary to invest in private companies. Our transaction process is highlighted below.

Our Transaction Process

 

 

LOGO

 

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Sourcing

In order to source transactions, FB Advisor seeks to leverage GDFM’s significant access to transaction flow, along with GDFM’s trading platform. GDFM seeks to generate investment opportunities through its trading platform, through syndicate and club deals, through relationships with investment banks, which may be exclusive to GDFM, and, subject to regulatory constraints and the allocation policies of GDFM and its affiliates, as applicable, through GSO’s direct origination channels. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GDFM has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. GDFM may compensate certain brokers or other financial services firms out of its own profits or revenues for services provided in connection with the identification of appropriate investment opportunities. With respect to GDFM’s origination channel, FB Advisor seeks to leverage the global presence of GSO to generate access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with attractive investment characteristics. We believe that the broad network of GDFM provides a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us.

Evaluation

Initial Review. In its initial review of an investment opportunity to present to FB Advisor, GDFM’s transaction team examines information furnished by the target company and external sources, including rating agencies, if applicable, to determine whether the investment meets our basic investment criteria and other guidelines specified by FB Advisor, within the context of proper allocation of our portfolio among various issuers and industries, and offers an acceptable probability of attractive returns with identifiable downside risk. For the majority of securities available on the secondary market, a comprehensive analysis is conducted and continuously maintained by a dedicated GDFM research analyst, the results of which are available for the transaction team to review. In the case of a directly originated transaction, FB Advisor and GDFM conduct detailed due diligence investigations as necessary.

Credit Analysis/Due Diligence. Before undertaking an investment, the transaction teams from FB Advisor and GDFM conduct a thorough due diligence review of the opportunity to ensure the company fits our investment strategy, which may include:

 

   

a full operational analysis to identify the key risks and opportunities of the target’s business, including a detailed review of historical and projected financial results;

 

   

a detailed analysis of industry dynamics, competitive position, regulatory, tax and legal matters;

 

   

on-site visits, if deemed necessary;

 

   

background checks to further evaluate management and other key personnel;

 

   

a review by legal and accounting professionals, environmental or other industry consultants, if necessary;

 

   

financial sponsor due diligence, including portfolio company and lender reference checks, if necessary; and

 

   

a review of management’s experience and track record.

When possible, our advisory team seeks to structure transactions in such a way that our target companies are required to bear the costs of due diligence, including those costs related to any outside consulting work we may require.

Execution

Recommendation. FB Advisor has engaged GDFM to identify and recommend investment opportunities for its approval. GDFM seeks to maintain a defensive approach toward its investment recommendations by

 

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emphasizing risk control in its transaction process, which includes (i) the pre-review of each opportunity by one of its portfolio managers to assess the general quality, value and fit relative to our portfolio, (ii) where possible, transaction structuring with a focus on preservation of capital in varying economic environments and (iii) ultimate approval of investment recommendations by GDFM’s investment committee.

Approval. After completing its internal transaction process, GDFM makes formal recommendations for review and approval by FB Advisor. In connection with its recommendation, it transmits any relevant underwriting material and other information pertinent to the decision-making process. In addition, GDFM makes its staff available to answer inquiries by FB Advisor in connection with its recommendations. The consummation of a transaction requires unanimous approval of the members of FB Advisor’s investment committee.

Monitoring

Portfolio Monitoring. FB Advisor, with the help of GDFM, monitors our portfolio with a focus toward anticipating negative credit events. To maintain portfolio company performance and help to ensure a successful exit, FB Advisor and GDFM work closely with, as applicable, the lead equity sponsor, loan syndicator, portfolio company management, consultants, advisers and other security holders to discuss financial position, compliance with covenants, financial requirements and execution of the company’s business plan. In addition, depending on the size, nature and performance of the transaction, we may occupy a seat or serve as an observer on a portfolio company’s board of directors or similar governing body.

Typically, FB Advisor and GDFM receive financial reports detailing operating performance, sales volumes, margins, cash flows, financial position and other key operating metrics on a quarterly basis from our portfolio companies. FB Advisor and GDFM use this data, combined with due diligence gained through contact with the company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, market research and other methods, to conduct an ongoing, rigorous assessment of the company’s operating performance and prospects. GDFM may rely on brokers or other financial services firms that may help identify potential investments from time to time for assistance in monitoring these investments.

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

 

Investment
Rating
  

Summary Description

1    Investment exceeding expectations and/or capital gain expected.
2    Performing investment generally executing in accordance with the portfolio company’s business plan—full return of principal and interest expected.
3    Performing investment requiring closer monitoring.
4    Underperforming investment—some loss of interest or dividend possible, but still expecting a positive return on investment.
5    Underperforming investment with expected loss of interest and some principal.

FB Advisor monitors and, when appropriate, changes the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. In connection with valuing our assets, our board of directors reviews these investment ratings on a quarterly basis. In the event that our advisory team determines that an investment is underperforming, or circumstances suggest that the risk associated with a particular investment has significantly increased, FB Advisor will attempt to sell the asset in the secondary market, if applicable, or to implement a plan to attempt to exit the investment or to correct the situation.

 

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The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Investment Rating

   Fair
Value
     Percentage  of
Portfolio
    Fair
Value
     Percentage  of
Portfolio
 

1

   $ 383,790        10   $ 723,402        18

2

     3,049,433        82     2,748,923        68

3

     242,608        7     501,659        13

4

     —          —         44,046        1

5

     50,985        1     11,341        0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,726,816        100   $ 4,029,371        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount of the portfolio in each grading category may vary substantially from period to period resulting primarily from changes in the composition of the portfolio as a result of new investment, repayment and exit activities. In addition, changes in the grade of investments may be made to reflect our expectation of performance and changes in investment values.

Valuation Process. Each quarter, we value investments in our portfolio, and such values are disclosed each quarter in reports filed with the SEC. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are recorded at such market quotations. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors determines the fair value of such investments in good faith, utilizing the input of our valuation committee, FB Advisor and any other professionals or materials that our board of directors deems relevant, including GDFM and independent third-party valuation services, if applicable. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies—Valuation of Portfolio Investments.”

Managerial Assistance. As a BDC, we must offer, and provide upon request, managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. Depending on the nature of the assistance required, FB Advisor or GDFM will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. To the extent fees are paid for these services, we, rather than FB Advisor or GDFM, will retain any fees paid for such assistance.

Exit

While we attempt to invest in securities that may be sold in a privately negotiated over-the-counter market, providing us a means by which we may exit our positions, we expect that a large portion of our portfolio may not be sold on this secondary market. For any investments that are not able to be sold within this market, we focus primarily on investing in companies whose business models and growth prospects offer attractive exit possibilities, including repayment of our investments, an initial public offering of equity securities, a merger, a sale or a recapitalization, in each case with the potential for capital gains.

 

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Financing Arrangements

To seek to enhance our returns, we employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of FB Advisor, but in no event will leverage employed exceed 50% of the value of our assets, as required by the 1940 Act. Below is a summary of our outstanding financing arrangements as of December 31, 2016:

 

Arrangement

 

Type of Arrangement

 

Rate

  Amount
Outstanding
    Amount
Available
    Maturity Date

Hamilton Street Credit Facility

  Revolving Credit Facility   L+2.50%   $ 150,000     $ —       December 15, 2021

ING Credit Facility

  Revolving Credit Facility   L+2.50%   $ 44,932 (1)    $ 255,068     April 3, 2018

Locust Street Credit Facility

  Term Loan Credit Facility   L+2.68%   $ 425,000     $ —       November 1, 2020

4.000% Notes due 2019

  Unsecured Notes   4.00%   $ 400,000     $ —       July 15, 2019

4.250% Notes due 2020

  Unsecured Notes   4.25%   $ 405,000     $ —       January 15, 2020

4.750% Notes due 2022

  Unsecured Notes   4.75%   $ 275,000     $ —       May 15, 2022

Partial Loan Sale

  Secured Borrowing   L+4.50% (1% floor)   $ 2,857     $ —       July 29, 2022

 

(1) Borrowings in Euros. Euro balance outstanding of €42,575 has been converted to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.06 as of December 31, 2016 to reflect total amount outstanding in U.S. dollars.

Our average borrowings and weighted average interest rate, including the effect of non-usage fees, for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $1,793,749 and 3.84%, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, our weighted average effective interest rate on borrowings, including the effect of non-usage fees was 4.16%.

See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding our financing arrangements.

Regulation

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates, principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. The 1940 Act requires that a majority of our directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) 50% of our voting securities.

We will generally not be able to issue and sell our common stock at a price per share, after deducting underwriting commissions and discounts, that is below our net asset value per share. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Business Development Companies—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and a RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.” We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. At the 2016 annual stockholders meeting, our stockholders approved the sale of shares of our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value per share, subject to certain conditions, during the period beginning on July 13, 2016 and expiring on July 13, 2017. We currently do not intend to utilize this authority to sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value per share. In addition, we may generally issue new shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share in rights offerings to existing stockholders, in payment of dividends and in certain other limited circumstances.

 

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As a BDC, we are subject to certain regulatory restrictions in making our investments. For example, BDCs generally are not permitted to co-invest with certain affiliated entities in transactions originated by the BDC or its affiliates in the absence of an exemptive order from the SEC. However, BDCs are permitted to, and may, simultaneously co-invest in transactions where price is the only negotiated term. In an order dated June 4, 2013, the SEC granted exemptive relief permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with our co-investment affiliates. Under the terms of this relief, a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors must make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the proposed transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our investment objectives and strategy. We believe this relief has and may continue to enhance our ability to further our investment objectives and strategy. We believe this relief may also increase favorable investment opportunities for us, in part, by allowing us to participate in larger investments, together with our co-investment affiliates, than would be available to us if such relief had not been obtained. Because we did not seek exemptive relief to engage in co-investment transactions with GDFM and its affiliates, we are permitted to co-invest with GDFM and its affiliates only in accordance with existing regulatory guidance (e.g., where price is the only negotiated term).

Qualifying Assets

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  c. satisfies any of the following:

 

  i. does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;

 

  ii. has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;

 

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

 

  iv. is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4.0 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2.0 million.

 

  2. Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

In addition, a BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, we must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where we purchase such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

Temporary Investments

Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the diversification tests in order to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described below under “—Taxation as a RIC.” Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. FB Advisor will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

Senior Securities

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of debt and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Debt Financing” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Business Development Companies.”

 

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Code of Ethics

We and FB Advisor have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act that, among other things, establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the codes may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with each code’s requirements. Our code of ethics was filed as an exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016 and FB Advisor’s code of ethics was filed as an exhibit to pre-effective amendment no. 1 to our registration statement on Form N-2 filed with the SEC on June 16, 2014. You may also read and copy these codes of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. In addition, each code of ethics is available on our website at www.fsinvestmentcorp.com and on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of each code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

Compliance Policies and Procedures

We and FB Advisor have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. Our chief compliance officer and the chief compliance officer of FB Advisor are responsible for administering these policies and procedures.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to FB Advisor. The proxy voting policies and procedures of FB Advisor are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by FB Advisor and our independent directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, FB Advisor has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, it recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients. These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the investment advisory clients of FB Advisor are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 promulgated under, the Advisers Act.

FB Advisor will vote proxies relating to our securities in the best interest of its clients’ stockholders. It will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted for a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by its clients. Although FB Advisor will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, it may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

The proxy voting decisions of FB Advisor are made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of its clients’ investments. To ensure that its vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, it will require that: (a) anyone involved in the decision-making process disclose to its chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (b) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how FB Advisor intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

You may obtain information, without charge, regarding how FB Advisor voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, FS Investment Corporation, 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112 or by calling us collect at (215) 495-1150.

 

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Other

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

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

Securities Exchange Act and Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance

We are subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including the filing of quarterly, annual and current reports, proxy statements and other required items. In addition, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:

 

   

pursuant to Rule 13a-14 promulgated under the Exchange Act, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are required to certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;

 

   

pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports are required to disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;

 

   

pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act, our management is required to prepare a report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; and

 

   

pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K, our auditors must attest to, and report on, our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

Taxation as a RIC

We have elected to be subject to tax as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute each tax year as distributions to our stockholders. To qualify for and maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to maintain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each tax year, distributions generally of an amount at least equal to 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally the sum of our net ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid, or the Annual Distribution Requirement.

If we:

 

   

qualify as a RIC; and

 

   

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement,

then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our income or capital gains we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) as distributions to our stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) as distributions to our stockholders.

 

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As a RIC, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute distributions in a timely manner to our stockholders generally of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income, which is the excess of capital gains in excess of capital losses, or “capital gain net income” (as adjusted for certain ordinary losses), for the one-year period ending October 31 of that calendar year and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income for the preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax, or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. Any distribution declared by us during October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been paid by us, as well as received by our U.S. stockholders, on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.

We have previously incurred, and may incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and capital gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we generally will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the excise tax avoidance requirement.

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

 

   

continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each tax year;

 

   

derive in each tax year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities, loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly-traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or other securities, or the 90% Income Test; and

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly-traded partnerships,” or the Diversification Tests.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its investment company taxable income. If our expenses in a given tax year exceed our investment company taxable income, we may experience a net operating loss for that tax year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent tax years and such net operating losses do not pass through to its stockholders. In addition, deductible expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (that is, the excess of realized capital losses over realized capital gains) to offset its investment company taxable income, but may carry forward such net capital losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. Due to these limits on deductibility of expenses and net capital losses, we may for tax purposes have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our stockholders even if such taxable income is greater than the net income we actually earn during those years.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt instruments that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or,

 

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in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each tax year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same tax year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current tax year, instead of upon their disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expense for tax purposes.

We invest a portion of our net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt instruments in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. We will address these and other issues to the extent necessary in order to seek to ensure that we distribute sufficient income to avoid any material U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the tax year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. We may have to sell or otherwise dispose of some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

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

A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulties that require us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such transaction could, depending upon the specific terms of the transaction, result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such transaction could also result in our receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test or otherwise would not count toward satisfying the Diversification Tests.

Some of the income that we might otherwise earn, such as fees for providing managerial assistance, certain fees earned with respect to our investments, income recognized in a work-out or restructuring of a portfolio investment, or income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, may not satisfy the 90% Income Test. To manage the risk that such income might disqualify us as a RIC for failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, one or more subsidiary entities treated as U.S. corporations for entity-level income tax purposes may be employed to earn such income and (if applicable) hold the related asset. Such subsidiary entities will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield to our stockholders on such fees and income.

 

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Competition

Our primary competitors for investments include other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds and CLO funds). In addition, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in middle market private U.S. companies. We also compete with traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks. We believe we will be able to compete with these entities for financing opportunities on the basis of, among other things, the experience of FB Advisor’s senior management team, together with the wider resources of GSO’s investment team. Furthermore, while we believe that regulatory changes and other factors have diminished the role of traditional financial institutions and certain other capital providers in providing financing to middle market private U.S. companies, we are not certain whether this trend will continue as a result of the potentially changing regulatory landscape due to the new presidential administration. For additional information, see “—Market Opportunity” and “—Potential Competitive Strengths.”

Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.”

Employees

We do not currently have any employees. Each of our executive officers is a principal, officer or employee of FB Advisor, which manages and oversees our investment operations. In the future, FB Advisor may retain additional investment personnel based upon its needs.

Available Information

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by calling us collect at (215) 495-1150 or on our website at www.fsinvestmentcorp.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K and you should not consider such information to be part of this annual report on Form 10-K. You also may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as this annual report on Form 10-K and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. You also can obtain copies of such information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending a request by e-mail to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, investors should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the net asset value and market price of our common stock could decline or the value of our debt or equity investments may decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

Future disruptions or instability in capital markets could negatively impact the valuation of our investments and our ability to raise capital.

From time to time, the global capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability, which could be prolonged and which could materially and adversely impact the broader financial and credit markets, have a negative impact on the valuations of our investments and reduce the availability to us of debt and equity capital. For example, between 2008 and 2009, instability in the global capital markets resulted in disruptions in liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major domestic and international financial institutions. In particular, the financial services sector was negatively impacted by significant write-offs as the value of the assets held by financial firms declined, impairing their capital positions and abilities to lend and invest. More recently, the macroeconomic environment, including recent social and political tensions in the U.S. and around the world (e.g., the United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union), concerns regarding the Chinese economy and declines in commodity prices, has led to, and may continue to lead to, volatility in the broadly syndicated credit market as investors re-price credit risk.

While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity) and impairments of the market values or fair market values of our investments, even if unrealized, must be reflected in our financial statements for the applicable period, which could result in significant reductions to our net asset value for the period. With certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to borrow amounts or issue debt securities if our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% immediately after such borrowing. Equity capital may also be difficult to raise during periods of adverse or volatile market conditions because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than net asset value without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. If we are unable to raise capital or refinance existing debt on acceptable terms, then we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies. Significant changes in the capital markets may also affect the pace of our investment activity and the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. Thus, the illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes.

Uncertainty with respect to the financial stability of the United States and several countries in the European Union (EU) could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In August 2011, S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. from “AAA” to “AA+,” which was last affirmed by S&P in November 2016. Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, Inc. have also warned that they may downgrade the U.S. federal government’s credit rating. In addition, the economic downturn and the significant government interventions into the financial markets and fiscal stimulus spending over the last several years have contributed to significantly increased U.S. budget deficits. The U.S. government has on several occasions adopted legislation to suspend the federal debt ceiling to allow the U.S. Treasury Department to issue

 

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additional debt. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P or other rating agencies, and the U.S. government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, including issues around the federal debt ceiling, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Furthermore, in February 2014, the Federal Reserve began scaling back its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which it ended in October 2014. Quantitative easing was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities until key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, showed signs of improvement. The Federal Reserve also raised interest rates during the fourth quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2016. It is unclear what effect, if any, the end of quantitative easing, future interest rate raises, if any, and the pace of any such raises will have on the value of our investments or our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.

In 2010, a financial crisis emerged in Europe, triggered by high budget deficits and rising direct and contingent sovereign debt in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, which created concerns about the ability of these nations to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations. In January 2012, S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating for France, Italy, Spain and six other European countries, which has negatively impacted global markets and economic conditions. In addition, in April 2012, S&P further lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating for Spain. While the financial stability of such countries has improved, risks resulting from any future debt crisis in Europe or any similar crisis could have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in these countries and the financial condition of U.S. and European financial institutions. Furthermore, following the United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the European Union, S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating. In addition the terms of the United Kingdom’s exit and any future referendums in other European countries may disrupt the global market. Market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, could negatively impact the global economy, and there can be no assurance that assistance packages will be available, or if available, will be sufficient to stabilize countries and markets in Europe. To the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe negatively impacts consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, or other credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

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

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our debt investments during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of any collateral securing our debt investments. A prolonged recession may further decrease the value of such collateral and result in losses of value in our portfolio and a decrease in our revenues, net income and net asset value. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us on terms we deem acceptable. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results. Economic downturns or recessions may also result in a portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders, which could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its assets representing collateral for its obligations, which could trigger cross defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold and the value of any equity securities we own. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.

A prolonged continuation of depressed oil and natural gas prices could negatively impact the energy and power industry and energy-related investments within our investment portfolio.

Prices for oil and natural gas, which historically have been volatile and may continue to be volatile, may be subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and

 

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natural gas. A prolonged continuation of depressed oil and natural gas prices would adversely affect the credit quality and performance of certain of our debt and equity investments in energy and power and related companies. A decrease in credit quality and performance would, in turn, negatively affect the fair value of these investments, which would consequently negatively affect our net asset value. Should a prolonged period of depressed oil and natural gas prices occur, the ability of certain of our portfolio companies in the energy and power and related industries to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders may be adversely affected, which could, in turn, negatively impact their financial condition and their ability to satisfy their debt service and other obligations. Likewise, should a prolonged period of depressed oil and natural gas prices occur, it is possible that the cash flow and profit generating capacity of these portfolio companies could also be adversely affected thereby negatively impacting their ability to pay us dividends or distributions on our investments.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives depends on FB Advisor’s and GDFM’s ability to manage and support our investment process and if either our agreement with FB Advisor or FB Advisor’s agreement with GDFM were to be terminated, or if either FB Advisor or GDFM lose any members of their respective senior management teams, our ability to achieve our investment objectives could be significantly harmed.

Because we have no employees, we depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of FB Advisor and GDFM. FB Advisor, with the assistance of GDFM, evaluates, negotiates, structures, executes, monitors and services our investments. Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of FB Advisor and GDFM, as well as their respective senior management teams. The departure of any members of FB Advisor’s senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objectives. Likewise, the departure of any key employees of GDFM or termination of key industry relationships may impact its ability to render services to us under the terms of its investment sub-advisory agreement with FB Advisor.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives depends on FB Advisor’s ability, with the assistance of GDFM, to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. FB Advisor’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve our investment objectives, FB Advisor may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process. FB Advisor may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support our investment process could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, each of the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and administration agreement that FB Advisor has entered into with us, as well as the investment sub-advisory agreement that FB Advisor has entered into with GDFM, have termination provisions that allow the parties to terminate the agreements without penalty. The July 2014 investment advisory agreement and administration agreement may each be terminated at any time, without penalty, by FB Advisor, upon 60 days’ notice to us. The investment sub-advisory agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice by GDFM or, if our board of directors or the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities determine that the investment sub-advisory agreement with GDFM should be terminated, by FB Advisor. If either agreement is terminated, it may adversely affect the quality of our investment opportunities. In addition, in the event such agreements are terminated, it may be difficult for us to replace FB Advisor or for FB Advisor to replace GDFM. Furthermore, the termination of either of these agreements may adversely impact the terms of any financing arrangement into which we may enter, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

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Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, the inability of FB Advisor and GDFM to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

If FB Advisor or GDFM fails to maintain its existing relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks on which they rely to provide us with potential investment opportunities, or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom FB Advisor and GDFM have relationships generally are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us. GDFM may compensate certain brokers or other financial services firms out of its own profits or revenues for services provided in connection with the identification of appropriate investment opportunities.

We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.

We compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds and CLO funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in middle market private U.S. companies. Furthermore, the potentially changing regulatory landscape as a result of the new presidential administration may increase the number of middle-market investors. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in middle market private U.S. companies may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in middle market private U.S. companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

Our board of directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. Moreover, we have significant investment flexibility within our investment strategies. Therefore, we may invest our assets in ways with which investors may not agree. We also cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and the value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay stockholders distributions and cause them to lose all or part of their investment.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our business partners may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We, our portfolio companies and our business partners are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including

 

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those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make and the deductability of interest expense by our portfolio companies, potentially with retroactive effect. In particular, over the last several years there has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. New or repealed legislation, interpretations, rulings or regulations could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In addition, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations, including with respect to permitted investments, may cause us to alter our investment strategy to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities or make other changes to our business. Such changes could result in material differences to our strategies and plans as set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of FB Advisor and GDFM to other types of investments in which FB Advisor and GDFM may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of a stockholder’s investment.

The impact on us of recent financial reform legislation, including the Dodd-Frank Act, is uncertain.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as amended, or the Dodd-Frank Act, institutes a wide range of reforms that will have an impact on financial institutions. Many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act are expected to be implemented over time, most of which will likely be subject to implementing regulations over the course of several years. However, the new presidential administration has announced its intention to repeal, amend or replace certain portions of Dodd-Frank and the regulations implemented thereunder. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which and whether the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented, repealed, amended or replaced, the full impact such requirements will have on our business, results of operations or financial condition is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act or any changes to the regulations already implemented thereunder may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with any such laws, regulations or principles, or changes thereto, may negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. While we cannot predict what effect any changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations would have on us as a result of recent financial reform legislation, these changes could be materially adverse to us and our stockholders.

Future legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.

As a BDC, we are generally not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we have an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed 50% of the value of our assets). Legislation was previously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that proposed a modification of this section of the 1940 Act to permit an increase in the amount of debt that BDCs could incur by modifying the percentage from 200% to 150%. Similar legislation may be reintroduced and may pass that permits us to incur additional leverage under the 1940 Act. As a result, we may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future, and, therefore, the risk of an investment in us may increase.

Future legislation or rules could modify how we treat derivatives and other financial arrangements for purposes of our compliance with the leverage limitations of the 1940 Act.

Future legislation or rules may modify how we treat derivatives and other financial arrangements for purposes of our compliance with the leverage limitations of the 1940 Act. For example, the SEC proposed a new rule in December 2015 that is designed to enhance the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investments companies and business development companies. While the adoption of the December 2015 rule is currently uncertain, the proposed rule, if adopted, or any future legislation or rules, may modify how leverage is calculated under the 1940 Act and, therefore, may increase or decrease the amount of leverage currently available to us under the 1940 Act, which may be materially adverse to us and our stockholders.

 

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As a public company, we are subject to regulations not applicable to private companies, such as provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Efforts to comply with such regulations will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with such regulations may adversely affect us.

As a public company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other rules implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. Our management is required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. In particular, our management is required to review on an annual basis our internal control over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose changes in our internal control over financial reporting. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also generally requires an attestation from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

We incur significant expenses in connection with our compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulations applicable to public companies, which may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. Compliance with such regulations also requires a significant amount of our management’s time and attention. For example, we cannot be certain as to the timing of the completion of our Sarbanes-Oxley mandated evaluations, testings and remediation actions, if any, or the impact of the same on our operations, and we may not be able to ensure that the process is effective or that our internal control over financial reporting are or will be deemed effective in the future. In the event that we are unable to maintain an effective system of internal control and maintain compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we may be adversely affected.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

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

If we, our affiliates and our and their respective third-party service providers are unable to maintain the availability of electronic data systems and safeguard the security of data, our ability to conduct business may be compromised, which could impair our liquidity, disrupt our business, damage our reputation or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Cybersecurity refers to the combination of technologies, processes, and procedures established to protect information technology systems and data from unauthorized access, attack, or damage. We, our affiliates and our and their respective third-party service providers are subject to cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity risks have significantly increased in recent years and, while we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches, we could suffer such losses in the future. Our, our affiliates and our and their respective third-party service providers’ computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events that could have a security impact. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize confidential and other information, including nonpublic personal information and sensitive business data, processed and stored in, and transmitted through, computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or the operations of our affiliates and our and their respective third-party service providers. This could result in significant losses, reputational damage, litigation, regulatory fines or penalties, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Privacy and information security laws and

 

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regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes. In addition, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks.

Our business and operations could be negatively affected if we become subject to stockholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder the execution of our investment strategy or impact our stock price.

Stockholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing in the BDC space recently. While we are currently not subject to any stockholder activism, due to the potential volatility of our stock price and for a variety of other reasons, we may in the future become the target of stockholder activism. Stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert management’s and our board of directors’ attention and resources from our business. Additionally, such stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future and adversely affect our relationships with service providers and our portfolio companies. Also, we may be required to incur significant legal and other expenses related to any activist stockholder matters. Further, our stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any stockholder activism.

Risks Related to FB Advisor, GDFM and their respective Affiliates

FB Advisor, GDFM and their respective affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, face conflicts of interest as a result of compensation arrangements between us and FB Advisor, and FB Advisor and GDFM, which could result in actions that are not in the best interests of our stockholders.

FB Advisor, GDFM and their respective affiliates receive substantial fees from us in return for their services, and these fees could influence the advice provided to us. We pay to FB Advisor an incentive fee that is based on the performance of our portfolio and an annual base management fee that is based on the average value of our gross assets, and FB Advisor shares a portion of these fees with GDFM pursuant to the investment sub-advisory agreement between FB Advisor and GDFM. Because the incentive fee is based on the performance of our portfolio, FB Advisor may be incentivized to make investments on our behalf, and GDFM may be incentivized to recommend investments for us to FB Advisor, that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee is determined may also encourage FB Advisor to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. In addition, because the base management fee is based upon the average value of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes, FB Advisor may be incentivized to recommend the use of leverage or the issuance of additional equity to make additional investments and increase the average value of our gross assets. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which could disfavor holders of our common stock. Our compensation arrangements could therefore result in our making riskier or more speculative investments, or relying more on leverage to make investments, than would otherwise be the case. This could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

We may be obligated to pay FB Advisor incentive compensation on income that we have not received.

Any incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. FB Advisor is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued income that we never received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income, and such circumstances would result in our paying an incentive fee on income we never received.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are required to recognize taxable income (such as deferred interest that is accrued as original issue discount) in some circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding

 

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payment in cash. Under such circumstances, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. This difficulty in making the required distribution may be amplified to the extent that we are required to pay an incentive fee with respect to such accrued income. As a result, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

There may be conflicts of interest related to obligations FB Advisor’s and GDFM’s senior management and investment teams have to our affiliates and to other clients.

The members of the senior management and investment teams of both FB Advisor and GDFM serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment vehicles managed by the same personnel. For example, the officers, managers and other personnel of FB Advisor also serve in similar capacities for the investment advisers to FS Investments’ four other affiliated BDCs, FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III and FS Investment Corporation IV, and FS Investments’ affiliated closed-end management investment company, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, and may serve in similar or other capacities for the investment advisers to future investment vehicles affiliated with FS Investments. In serving in these multiple and other capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in our best interests or in the best interest of our stockholders. Our investment objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of such investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. For example, we rely on FB Advisor to manage our day-to-day activities and to implement our investment strategy. FB Advisor and certain of its affiliates are presently, and plan in the future to continue to be, involved with activities which are unrelated to us. As a result of these activities, FB Advisor, its employees and certain of its affiliates will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between us and other activities in which they are or may become involved, including the management of other entities affiliated with FS Investments. FB Advisor and its employees will devote only as much of its or their time to our business as FB Advisor and its employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time.

Furthermore, GDFM, on which FB Advisor relies to assist it in identifying investment opportunities and making investment recommendations, has similar conflicts of interest. GDFM or its parent, GSO, serves as investment sub-adviser to FS Investments’ four other affiliated BDCs and FS Investments’ affiliated closed-end management investment company. GDFM, its affiliates and their respective members, partners, officers and employees will devote as much of their time to our activities as they deem necessary and appropriate. GDFM and its affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment vehicles, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with us and/or may involve substantial time and resources of GDFM. Also, in connection with such business activities, GDFM and its affiliates may have existing business relationships or access to material, non-public information that may prevent it from recommending investment opportunities that would otherwise fit within our investment objectives. All of these factors could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time, effort and ability of the members of GDFM, its affiliates and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to our business but will be allocated between us and the management of the monies of other advisees of GDFM and its affiliates.

The time and resources that individuals employed by FB Advisor and GDFM devote to us may be diverted and we may face additional competition due to the fact that individuals employed by FB Advisor and GDFM are not prohibited from raising money for or managing another entity that makes the same types of investments that we target.

Neither FB Advisor nor GDFM, or individuals employed by FB Advisor or GDFM, are prohibited from raising money for and managing another investment entity that makes the same types of investments as those we

 

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target. As a result, the time and resources that these individuals may devote to us may be diverted. In addition, we may compete with any such investment entity for the same investors and investment opportunities. In an order dated June 4, 2013, the SEC granted exemptive relief permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with our co-investment affiliates. Because we did not seek exemptive relief to engage in co-investment transactions with GDFM and its affiliates, we are permitted to co-invest with GDFM and its affiliates only in accordance with existing regulatory guidance (e.g., where price is the only negotiated term). Affiliates of GDFM, whose primary businesses include the origination of investments, engage in investment advisory business with accounts that compete with us. Affiliates of GDFM have no obligation to make their originated investment opportunities available to GDFM or to us.

FB Advisor’s liability is limited under each of the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and our administration agreement, and we are required to indemnify it against certain liabilities, which may lead it to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Pursuant to each of the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and our administration agreement, FB Advisor and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their members, including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with FB Advisor will not be liable to us for their acts under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement or our administration agreement, as applicable, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect FB Advisor and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their members, including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with FB Advisor with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of FB Advisor not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement or our administration agreement, as applicable. These protections may lead FB Advisor to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Risks Related to Business Development Companies

Failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.

We are uncertain of our sources for funding our future capital needs and if we cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, or at all, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected.

Any working capital reserves we maintain may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and we may require debt or equity financing to operate. We may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent maturing obligations are not repaid with cash flows from operations. In order to maintain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute distributions to our stockholders each tax year on a timely basis generally of an amount at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid, and the amounts of such distributions will therefore not be available to fund investment originations or to repay maturing debt. In addition, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to borrow amounts or issue debt securities or preferred stock, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” such that our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% immediately after such borrowing, which, in certain circumstances, may restrict our ability to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock. In the event that we develop a need for additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason, and we cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, or at all, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected. As a result, we would

 

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be less able to allocate our portfolio among various issuers and industries and achieve our investment objectives, which may negatively impact our results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Therefore, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making additional investments in existing portfolio companies, which could result in the dilution of our position, or could require us to dispose of investments at an inopportune time to comply with the 1940 Act. If we were forced to sell non-qualifying investments in the portfolio for compliance purposes, the proceeds from such sale could be significantly less than the current value of such investments. Conversely, if we fail to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and a RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.

As a result of our need to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement in order to maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, we may need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We may issue “senior securities,” as defined in the 1940 Act, including issuing preferred stock, borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions, or issuing debt securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence or issuance. Our ability to issue certain other types of securities is also limited. Under the 1940 Act, we are also generally prohibited from issuing or selling our common stock at a price per share, after deducting underwriting commissions, that is below our net asset value per share, without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. Compliance with these limitations on our ability to raise capital may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities. These limitations may also reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend.

In addition, because we incur indebtedness for investment purposes, if the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act, which would prohibit us from paying distributions and, as a result, could cause us to be subject to corporate-level tax on our income and capital gains, regardless of the amount of distributions paid. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of a majority of the independent members of our board of directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we will generally be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our board of directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our board of directors and, in some cases, the SEC. In an order dated June 4, 2013, the SEC granted exemptive relief permitting us, subject to the satisfaction

 

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of certain conditions, to co-invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions with our co-investment affiliates. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons to the extent not covered by the exemptive relief, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their respective affiliates. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any portfolio company of a fund managed by FB Advisor without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

Risks Related to Our Investments

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

Our investments in senior secured loans, second lien secured loans, senior secured bonds, subordinated debt and equity of private U.S. companies, including middle market companies, may be risky and there is no limit on the amount of any such investments in which we may invest.

Senior Secured Loans, Second Lien Secured Loans and Senior Secured Bonds. There is a risk that any collateral pledged by portfolio companies in which we have taken a security interest may decrease in value over time or lose its entire value, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. To the extent our debt investment is collateralized by the securities of a portfolio company’s subsidiaries, such securities may lose some or all of their value in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the portfolio company. Also, in some circumstances, our security interest may be contractually or structurally subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the debt. Secured debt that is under-collateralized involves a greater risk of loss. In addition, second lien secured debt is granted a second priority security interest in collateral, which means that any realization of collateral will generally be applied to pay senior secured debt in full before second lien secured debt is paid. Consequently, the fact that debt is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the debt’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the debt should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

Subordinated Debt. Our subordinated debt investments will generally rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt and will generally be unsecured. This may result in a heightened level of risk and volatility or a loss of principal, which could lead to the loss of the entire investment. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject us and our stockholders to non-cash income. Because we will not receive any principal repayments prior to the maturity of some of our subordinated debt investments, such investments will be of greater risk than amortizing loans.

Equity Investments. We may make select equity investments. In addition, in connection with our debt investments, we on occasion receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. The equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Non-U.S. Securities. We may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in non-U.S. currencies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Because evidences of ownership of such securities usually are held outside the United States, we would be subject to additional risks if we invested in non-U.S. securities, which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure or

 

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nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental restrictions which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on the non-U.S. securities to investors located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Because non-U.S. securities may be purchased with and payable in foreign currencies, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations.

Below Investment Grade Risk. In addition, we invest in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be difficult to value and illiquid.

Investing in middle market companies involves a number of significant risks, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Investments in middle market companies involve some of the same risks that apply generally to investments in larger, more established companies. However, such investments have more pronounced risks in that they:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.

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

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any proceeds. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

 

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There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

If one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In situations where a bankruptcy carries a high degree of political significance, our legal rights may be subordinated to other creditors. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or in instances where we exercise control over the borrower or render significant managerial assistance.

Second priority liens on collateral securing debt investments that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

Certain debt investments that we make in portfolio companies may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing first priority debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by such company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the debt obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the debt obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against such company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the debt investments we make in our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

Our investments in CLOs may be riskier than a direct investment in the debt or other securities of the underlying companies.

When investing in CLOs, we may invest in any level of a CLO’s subordination chain, including subordinated (lower-rated) tranches and residual interests (the lowest tranche). CLOs are typically highly levered and therefore, the junior debt and equity tranches that we may invest in are subject to a higher risk of total loss and deferral or nonpayment of interest than the more senior tranches to which they are subordinated. In addition, we will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or entities that sponsored the CLOs. Furthermore, the investments we make in CLOs are at times thinly traded or have only a limited trading market. As a result, investments in such CLOs may be characterized as illiquid securities.

 

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We generally will not control our portfolio companies.

We do not expect to control most of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements with such portfolio companies may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

Declines in market values or fair market values of our investments could result in significant net unrealized depreciation of our portfolio, which in turn would reduce our net asset value.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity) and impairments of the market values or fair market values of our investments, even if unrealized, must be reflected in our financial statements for the applicable period as unrealized depreciation, which could result in a significant reduction to our net asset value for a given period.

A significant portion of our investment portfolio is and will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value, as determined by our board of directors. There is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest. Most of our investments are not publicly traded or actively traded on a secondary market but are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the- counter secondary market for institutional investors or are not traded at all. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors.

Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include dealer quotes for securities traded on the secondary market for institutional investors, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable publicly traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these non-traded securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more of our investments.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, investment opportunities and cost of capital and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives, our rate of return on invested capital and our ability to service our debt and make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt for our financing needs, if any.

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of senior secured debt with maturities typically ranging from three to seven years. The longer the duration of these securities, generally, the more susceptible they are to

 

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changes in market interest rates. As market interest rates increase, those securities with a lower yield-at-cost can experience a mark-to-market unrealized loss. An impairment of the fair market value of our investments, even if unrealized, must be reflected in our financial statements for the applicable period and may therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period.

Because we incur indebtedness to make investments, our net investment income is dependent, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest on outstanding debt securities and the rate at which we invest these funds. An increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt to finance our investments or to refinance our current financing arrangements. In addition, certain of our financing arrangements provide for adjustments in the loan interest rate along with changes in market interest rates. Therefore, in periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds will increase, which could materially reduce our net investment income. Any reduction in the level of interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on our current investments could also adversely impact our net investment income.

We have and may continue to structure the majority of our debt investments with floating interest rates to position our portfolio for rate increases. However, there can be no assurance that this will successfully mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk. For example, in the event of a rising interest rate environment, payments under floating rate debt instruments generally would rise and there may be a significant number of issuers of such floating rate debt instruments that would be unable or unwilling to pay such increased interest costs and may otherwise be unable to repay their loans. Investments in floating rate debt instruments may also decline in value in response to rising interest rates if the interest rates of such investments do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Similarly, during periods of rising interest rates, our fixed rate investments may decline in value because the fixed rate of interest paid thereunder may be below market interest rates.

We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. However, these activities may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portion of our portfolio. We also have limited experience in entering into hedging transactions, and we will initially have to develop such expertise or arrange for such expertise to be provided. Adverse developments resulting from hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Furthermore, because a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate in the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to FB Advisor with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income.

A covenant breach by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.

Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.

Some of our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged, which may have adverse consequences to these companies and to us as an investor. These companies may be subject to restrictive financial and operating

 

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covenants and the leverage may impair these companies’ ability to finance their future operations and capital needs. As a result, these companies’ flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to take advantage of business opportunities may be limited. Further, a leveraged company’s income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Certain investments that we may make may include equity related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or the cash value of the common stock. In addition, we may make direct equity investments in portfolio companies. The equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We may also be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We may be unable to exercise any put rights we acquire, which grant us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company, for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies.

Our investments are primarily in privately held companies. Investments in private companies pose significantly greater risks than investments in public companies. First, private companies have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and the ability to withstand financial distress. As a result, these companies, which may present greater credit risk than public companies, may be unable to meet the obligations under their debt securities that we hold. Second, the investments themselves often may be illiquid. The securities of most of the companies in which we invest are not publicly traded or actively traded on the secondary market and are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. In addition, such securities may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale. As such, we may have difficulty exiting an investment promptly or at a desired price prior to maturity or outside of a normal amortization schedule. In addition, in a restructuring, we may receive substantially different securities than our original investment in a portfolio company, including securities in a different part of the capital structure. These investments may also be difficult to value because little public information generally exists about private companies, requiring an experienced due diligence team to analyze and value the potential portfolio company. Finally, these companies often may not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of FB Advisor and/or GDFM to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies. These companies and their financial information will generally not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules and regulations that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.

A lack of liquidity in certain of our investments may adversely affect our business.

We invest in certain companies whose securities are not publicly traded or actively traded on the secondary market and are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors and whose securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of certain of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. The reduced liquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price or at all, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

 

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We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies. After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected return on the investment.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact our return on equity.

Our investments may include original issue discount and PIK instruments.

To the extent that we invest in original issue discount or PIK instruments and the accretion of original issue discount or PIK interest income constitutes a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with the requirement to include such non-cash income in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

 

   

The higher interest rates on PIK instruments reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and PIK instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans;

 

   

Original issue discount and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because the accruals require judgments about collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral;

 

   

An election to defer PIK interest payments by adding them to the principal on such instruments increases our future investment income which increases our gross assets and, as such, increases FB Advisor’s future base management fees which, thus, increases FB Advisor’s future income incentive fees at a compounding rate;

 

   

Market prices of PIK instruments and other zero coupon instruments are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and may be more volatile than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash. While PIK instruments are usually less volatile than zero coupon debt instruments, PIK instruments are generally more volatile than cash pay securities;

 

   

The deferral of PIK interest on an instrument increases the loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan, with respect to such instrument;

 

   

Even if the conditions for income accrual under GAAP are satisfied, a borrower could still default when actual payment is due upon the maturity of such loan;

 

   

For accounting purposes, cash distributions to investors representing original issue discount income are not derived from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the offering proceeds. Thus, although

 

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a distribution of original issue discount income may come from the cash invested by investors, the 1940 Act does not require that investors be given notice of this fact;

 

   

The required recognition of PIK interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity, as it represents a non-cash component of our investment company taxable income that may require cash distributions to stockholders in order to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC; and

 

   

Original issue discount may create a risk of non-refundable cash payments to FB Advisor based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized.

We may from time to time enter into total return swaps, credit default swaps or other derivative transactions which expose us to certain risks, including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

We may from time to time enter into total return swaps, credit default swaps or other derivative transactions that seek to modify or replace the investment performance of a particular reference security or other asset. These transactions are typically individually negotiated, non-standardized agreements between two parties to exchange payments, with payments generally calculated by reference to a notional amount or quantity. Swap contracts and similar derivative contracts are not traded on exchanges; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in these markets. These investments may present risks in excess of those resulting from the referenced security or other asset. Because these transactions are not an acquisition of the referenced security or other asset itself, the investor has no right directly to enforce compliance with the terms of the referenced security or other asset and has no voting or other consensual rights of ownership with respect to the referenced security or other asset. In the event of insolvency of a counterparty, we will be treated as a general creditor of the counterparty and will have no claim of title with respect to the referenced security or other asset.

A total return swap is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the referenced security or other assets underlying the total return swap during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate.

A total return swap is subject to market risk, liquidity risk and risk of imperfect correlation between the value of the total return swap and the debt obligations underlying the total return swap. In addition, we may incur certain costs in connection with a total return swap that could in the aggregate be significant.

A credit default swap is a contract in which one party buys or sells protection against a credit event with respect to an issuer, such as an issuer’s failure to make timely payments of interest or principal on its debt obligations, bankruptcy or restructuring during a specified period. Generally, if we sell credit protection using a credit default swap, we will receive fixed payments from the swap counterparty and if a credit event occurs with respect to the applicable issuer, we will pay the swap counterparty par for the issuer’s defaulted debt securities and the swap counterparty will deliver the defaulted debt securities to us. Generally, if we buy credit protection using a credit default swap, we will make fixed payments to the counterparty and if a credit event occurs with respect to the applicable issuer, we will deliver the issuer’s defaulted securities underlying the swap to the swap counterparty and the counterparty will pay us par for the defaulted securities. Alternatively, a credit default swap may be cash settled and the buyer of protection would receive the difference between the par value and the market value of the issuer’s defaulted debt securities from the seller of protection.

Credit default swaps are subject to the credit risk of the underlying issuer. If we are selling credit protection, there is a risk that we will not properly assess the risk of the underlying issuer, a credit event will occur and we will have to pay the counterparty. If we are buying credit protection, there is a risk that we will not properly assess the risk of the underlying issuer, no credit event will occur and we will receive no benefit for the premium paid.

 

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A derivative transaction is also subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations thereunder or that we will not be able to meet our obligations to the counterparty. In some cases, we may post collateral to secure our obligations to the counterparty, and we may be required to post additional collateral upon the occurrence of certain events such as a decrease in the value of the reference security or other asset. In some cases, the counterparty may not collateralize any of its obligations to us.

Derivative investments effectively add leverage to a portfolio by providing investment exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. In addition to the risks described above, such arrangements are subject to risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

Risks Related to Debt Financing

We currently incur indebtedness to make investments, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in our common stock and may increase the risk of investing in our common stock.

The use of borrowings and other types of financing, also known as leverage, magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increases the risks associated with investing in our common stock. When we use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowing from banks and other lenders or issuing debt securities, we, and therefore our stockholders, will experience increased risks of investing in our common stock. Any lenders and debt holders would have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are senior to the claims of our stockholders. If the value of our assets increases, then leverage would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not utilized leverage. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not utilized leverage. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on our indebtedness would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not utilized leverage. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make distributions to stockholders. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. In addition, the decision to utilize leverage will increase our assets and, as a result, will increase the amount of base management fees payable to FB Advisor.

Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in shares of our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below. The calculation assumes (i) $4.1 billion in total assets, (ii) a weighted average cost of funds of 4.16%, (iii) $2.0 billion in debt outstanding (i.e., assumes that the full $2.0 billion available to us as of December 31, 2016 under our financing arrangements as of such date is outstanding) and (iv) $2.3 billion in stockholders’ equity. In order to compute the “Corresponding return to stockholders,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (net of expenses)” is multiplied by the assumed total assets to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense is calculated by multiplying the assumed weighted average cost of funds times the assumed debt outstanding, and the product is subtracted from the assumed return to us in order to determine the return available to stockholders. The return available to stockholders is then divided by our stockholders’ equity to determine the “Corresponding return to stockholders.” Actual interest payments may be different.

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (net of expenses)

     -10%     -5%     0%     5%      10%  

Corresponding return to stockholders

       (21.44 )%      (12.49 )%      (3.55 )%      5.40      14.35

Similarly, assuming (i) $4.1 billion in total assets, (ii) a weighted average cost of funds of 4.16% and (iii) $2.0 billion in debt outstanding (i.e., assuming that the full $2.0 billion available to us as of December 31, 2016 under the financing arrangements as of such date is outstanding), our assets would need to yield an annual return (net of expenses) of approximately 1.98% in order to cover the annual interest payments on our outstanding debt.

 

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The agreements governing our debt financing arrangements contain, and agreements governing future debt financing arrangements may contain, various covenants which, if not complied with, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our investment obligations and to pay distributions to our stockholders.

The agreements governing certain of our debt financing arrangements contain, and agreements governing future debt financing arrangements may contain, certain financial and operational covenants. These covenants require us and our subsidiaries to, among other things, maintain certain financial ratios, including asset coverage and minimum stockholders’ equity. Compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our and their control. In the event of deterioration in the capital markets and pricing levels subsequent to this period, net unrealized depreciation in our and our subsidiaries’ portfolios may increase in the future and could result in non-compliance with certain covenants, or our taking actions which could disrupt our business and impact our ability to meet our investment objectives.

There can be no assurance that we and our subsidiaries will continue to comply with the covenants under our financing arrangements. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default which, if we and our subsidiaries were unable to obtain a waiver from the debt holders, could accelerate repayment under any or all of our and their debt instruments and thereby force us to liquidate investments at a disadvantageous time and/or at a price which could result in losses, or allow our lenders to sell assets pledged as collateral under our financing arrangements in order to satisfy amounts due thereunder. These occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay distributions. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a more detailed discussion of the terms of our debt financings.

Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive distributions.

We cannot assure stockholders that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our net investment income, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. Furthermore, we are permitted to issue senior securities, including multiple classes of debt and one class of stock senior to our shares of common stock. If any such senior securities are outstanding, we are prohibited from paying distributions to holders of shares of our common stock unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of distribution. As a result, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. See “Item 1. Business—Regulation—Senior Securities.”

Our distribution proceeds may exceed our earnings. Therefore, portions of the distributions that we make may represent a return of capital to stockholders, which will lower their tax basis in their shares of common stock.

The tax treatment and characterization of our distributions may vary significantly from time to time due to the nature of our investments. The ultimate tax characterization of our distributions made during a tax year may not finally be determined until after the end of that tax year. We may make distributions during a tax year that exceed our investment company taxable income and net capital gains for that tax year. In such a situation, the amount by which our total distributions exceed investment company taxable income and net capital gains generally would be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a stockholder’s tax basis in the shares, with any amounts exceeding such tax basis treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. A return of capital generally is a return of a stockholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from our investment activities. Moreover, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of the sale of shares of our common stock or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which could constitute a return of stockholders’ capital and will lower such stockholders’ tax basis in our shares, which may result in increased tax liability to stockholders when they sell such shares.

 

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Our shares of common stock may trade at a discount to net asset value.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, may trade at a market price that is less than the net asset value that is attributable to those shares. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. It is not possible to predict whether shares of our common stock will trade at, above, or below net asset value. In the recent past, including during much of 2009, the stocks of BDCs as an industry traded below net asset value and at near historic lows as a result of concerns over liquidity, leverage restrictions and distribution requirements. If our common stock is trading at a price below its net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to issue additional shares of our common stock at their market price without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. In past years, we obtained the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of common stock at prices below the then-current net asset value of our common stock, subject to certain conditions, during the twelve-month periods beginning on the dates of such approvals. The current authorization expires on July 13, 2017. We may again seek the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current net asset value per share for a twelve-month period following stockholder approval. However, we may not obtain the necessary approvals to sell shares of common stock below net asset value after July 13, 2017.

We may pay distributions from offering proceeds, borrowings or the sale of assets to the extent our cash flows from operations, net investment income or earnings are not sufficient to fund declared distributions.

We may fund distributions from the uninvested proceeds of a securities offering and borrowings, and we have not established limits on the amount of funds we may use from such proceeds or borrowings to make any such distributions. We have paid and may continue to pay distributions from the sale of assets to the extent distributions exceed our earnings or cash flows from operations. Distributions from offering proceeds or from borrowings could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in our portfolio companies.

A stockholder’s interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of an investment in us.

Our investors do not have preemptive rights to any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue 450,000,000 shares of common stock. Pursuant to our charter, a majority of our entire board of directors may amend our charter to increase the number of authorized shares of stock without stockholder approval. After an investor purchases shares, our board of directors may elect to sell additional shares in the future, issue equity interests in private offerings or issue share-based awards to our independent directors or employees of FB Advisor. To the extent we issue additional equity interests after an investor purchases our shares, an investor’s percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, an investor may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of his or her shares.

Stockholders may experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan.

Stockholders who do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium to net asset value and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our stockholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the distribution payable to a stockholder.

Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws as well as provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the value of our common stock.

The Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, and our charter and bylaws contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of our

 

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company or the removal of our incumbent directors. Under the Business Combination Act of the MGCL, certain business combinations between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally to include any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares) or an affiliate thereof is prohibited for five years and thereafter is subject to special stockholder voting requirements, to the extent that such statute is not superseded by applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. However, our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any person to the extent that such business combination receives the prior approval of our board of directors, including a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act. Under the Control Share Acquisition Act of the MGCL, “control shares” acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our common stock, but such provision may be repealed at any time (before or after a control share acquisition). However, we will amend our bylaws to repeal such provision (so as to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act) only if our board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the staff of the SEC does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The Business Combination Act (if our board of directors should repeal the resolution) and the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to that Act) may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter: (a) classifying our board of directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, (b) providing that a director may be removed only for cause and only by vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast, and (c) authorizing our board of directors to (i) classify or reclassify shares of our stock into one or more classes or series, (ii) cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, and (iii) amend our charter from time to time, without stockholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may discourage, delay, defer, make more difficult or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

The net asset value of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The net asset value and liquidity, if any, of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include: (i) changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs; (ii) loss of RIC or BDC status; (iii) changes in earnings or variations in operating results; (iv) changes in the value of our portfolio of investments; (v) changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments; (vi) any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors; (vii) departure of our investment adviser or sub-adviser or certain of their respective key personnel; (viii) general economic trends and other external factors; and (ix) loss of a major funding source.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

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

 

   

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

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;

 

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changes in law, regulatory policies or tax guidelines, or interpretations thereof, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;

 

   

loss of our BDC or RIC status;

 

   

changes in our earnings or variations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;

 

   

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

 

   

departure of FB Advisor’s or GDFM’s key personnel;

 

   

operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

   

short-selling pressure with respect to shares of our common stock or BDCs generally;

 

   

future sales of our securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock or the conversion of such securities;

 

   

uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy;

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

   

loss of a major funding source.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If the market price of our common stock fluctuates significantly, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

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

We also cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt securities would likely cause the net asset value and market value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or debt securities. Any decline in the net asset value of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock. This decline in net asset value would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for our common stock.

There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios which may be required by the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or units or of a downgrade in the ratings of the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or units or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, debt securities,

 

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convertible debt or any combination of these securities. Holders of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.

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

The 1940 Act requires that holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, until such arrearage is eliminated. In addition, certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status and, accordingly, preferred stockholders could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We may again obtain the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock, and any such issuance could materially dilute our stockholders’ interest in our common stock and reduce our net asset value per share.

In past years, we obtained the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current net asset value of our common stock, subject to certain conditions, during the twelve-month periods beginning on the dates of such approvals. The current authorization expires on July 13, 2017. We may again seek the approval of our stockholders to issue shares of our common stock at prices below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock in one or more offerings for a twelve-month period following stockholder approval. If such approval is obtained, it may allow us to access the capital markets in a way that we typically are unable to do as a result of restrictions that, absent stockholder approval, apply to BDCs under the 1940 Act.

Any sale or other issuance of shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share would result in an immediate dilution to our common stock and a reduction of our net asset value per share. This dilution would occur as a result of a proportionately greater decrease in a stockholder’s interest in our earnings and assets and voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. Because the number of future shares of common stock that may be issued below our net asset value per share and the price and timing of such issuances are not currently known, we cannot predict the actual dilutive effect of any such issuance nor can we predict the resulting reduction in our net asset value per share, however, such effects may be material. We undertake to describe the material risks and dilutive effects of any offering that we make at a price below our then-current net asset value in the future in a prospectus supplement issued in connection with any such offering.

Risks Related to U.S. Federal Income Tax

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or to satisfy the RIC annual distribution requirements.

Besides maintaining our election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, in order for us to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. See “Item 1. Business—Taxation as a RIC.”

 

   

The 90% Income Test will be satisfied if we earn at least 90% of our gross income for each tax year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of securities or similar sources.

 

   

The Diversification Tests will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our tax year. To satisfy these requirements, at least 50% of the value of our

 

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assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly-traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

In any tax year in which we qualify as a RIC, in order for us to be able to be subject to tax as a RIC, we are required to meet an annual distribution requirement. The annual distribution requirement for RIC tax treatment will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders, for each tax year, dividends of an amount generally at least equal to the sum of 90% of our investment company taxable income, which is generally the sum of our ordinary net income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, without regard to any deduction for dividends paid. Because we may use debt financing, we are subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and may in the future become subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the annual distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

We must satisfy these tests on an ongoing basis in order to maintain RIC tax treatment, and may be required to make distributions to stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to invest cash in our existing or other investments, or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with the RIC tax requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits and the value of our stockholders’ investments. Also, the rules applicable to our qualification as a RIC are complex, with many areas of uncertainty. If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure may have a material adverse effect on us and on any investment in us. The Code provides certain form relief from RIC disqualification due to failures of the 90% Income Test or any of the Diversification Tests, although there may be additional taxes due in such cases. We cannot assure you that we would qualify for any such relief should we fail either the 90% Income Test or any of the Diversification Tests.

Some of our investments may be subject to corporate-level income tax.

We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding and value added taxes).

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

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, our investments may include debt instruments that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants). To the extent original issue discount or PIK interest constitutes a portion of our income, we must include in taxable income each tax year a portion of the original issue discount or PIK interest that accrues over the life of the instrument, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same tax year. We

 

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may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current tax year, instead of upon disposition, as not making the election would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes.

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the tax year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

Furthermore, we may invest in the equity securities of non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations as “passive foreign investment companies” and/or “controlled foreign corporations.” The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances, these rules also could require us to recognize taxable income or gains where we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash and, under recently proposed U.S. federal income tax regulations, all or a portion of such taxable income and gains may not be considered qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test.

Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues.

Investments in below-investment grade debt instruments and certain equity securities may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless debt in equity securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and interest income, as well as whether exchanges of debt instruments in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. Such matters could cause us to recognize taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even in the absence of cash or economic gain, and require us to make taxable distributions to our stockholders to maintain our RIC status or preclude the imposition of either U.S. federal corporate income or excise taxation. Additionally, because such taxable income may not be matched by corresponding cash received by us, we may be required to borrow money or dispose of other investments to be able to make distributions to our stockholders. These and other issues will be considered by us, to the extent determined necessary, in order that we minimize the level of any U.S. federal income or excise tax that we would otherwise incur. See “Item 1. Business—Taxation as a RIC.”

If we do not qualify as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, you will be taxed as though you received a distribution of some of our expenses.

A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the tax year. If we do not qualify as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any tax year, a noncorporate stockholder’s allocable portion of our affected expenses, including our management fees, will be treated as an additional distribution to the stockholder and will be deductible by such stockholder only to the extent permitted under the limitations described below. For noncorporate stockholders, including individuals, trusts, and estates, significant limitations generally apply to the deductibility of certain

 

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expenses of a non-publicly offered regulated investment company, including management fees. In particular, these expenses, referred to as miscellaneous itemized deductions, are deductible to an individual only to the extent they exceed 2% of such a stockholder’s adjusted gross income, are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions imposed by the Code. Although we believe that we are currently considered a publicly offered regulated investment company, as defined in the Code, there can be no assurance, however, that we will be considered a publicly offered regulated investment company in the future.

Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect investors.

At any time, the federal income tax laws governing RICs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any of those new laws, regulations or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect the taxation of us or our stockholders. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of an investment in our shares or the value or the resale potential of our investments.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

 

Item 2. Properties.

We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Our headquarters are located at 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19112. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is presently conducted.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us. From time to time, we may be party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of any legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

Many of the amounts and percentages presented in Part II have been rounded for convenience of presentation, and all dollar amounts, excluding share and per share amounts, are presented in thousands unless otherwise noted.

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

Our common stock has been listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FSIC” since April 16, 2014. Prior to such date, there was no public market for our common stock. Our shares of common stock have historically traded at prices both above and below our net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict whether shares of our common stock will trade at, above or below our net asset value in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock—Our shares of common stock may trade at a discount to net asset value.”

The following table sets forth: (i) the net asset value per share of our common stock as of the applicable period end, (ii) the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock as reported on the NYSE during the applicable period and (iii) the closing high and low sales prices as a premium (discount) to net asset value during the applicable period. On February 28, 2017, the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $10.75 per share.

 

     Net Asset  Value
Per Share(1)
     Closing Sales Price      Premium (Discount)
of High Sales Price
to Net Asset Value

Per Share(2)
    Premium (Discount)
of Low Sales Price
to Net Asset Value

Per Share(2)
 

For the Three Months Ended

        High          Low         

Fiscal 2015

             

March 31, 2015

   $ 9.90      $ 10.16      $ 9.19        2.63     (7.17 )% 

June 30, 2015

     9.89        10.52        9.84        6.37     (0.51 )% 

September 30, 2015

     9.64        10.36        9.01        7.47     (6.54 )% 

December 31, 2015

     9.10        9.98        8.92        9.55     (1.98 )% 

Fiscal 2016

             

March 31, 2016

     8.82        9.30        7.73        5.44     (12.36 )% 

June 30, 2016

     9.18        9.42        8.61        2.61     (6.21 )% 

September 30, 2016

     9.42        9.94        9.00        5.52     (4.46 )% 

December 31, 2016

     9.41        10.45        9.25        11.05     (1.70 )% 

 

(1) Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant period and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant period.

 

(2) Calculated as the respective high or low closing sale price less net asset value, divided by net asset value (in each case, as of the applicable period).

As of February 28, 2017, we had 2,154 record holders of our common stock which does not include beneficial owners of shares of common stock held in “street name” by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders.

Distributions

Subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of our board of directors, we intend to declare and pay regular cash distributions on a quarterly basis. From time to time, we may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or shares of our common stock at the discretion of our board of directors. The timing and amount of any future distributions to stockholders are subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of our board of directors.

 

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The following table reflects the cash distributions per share that we have declared on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Distribution  

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Per Share      Amount  

2014(1)

   $ 1.0843      $ 267,856  

2015

     0.8910        215,606  

2016

     0.8910        216,933  

 

(1) On March 31, 2014, our board of directors determined to increase the amount of the regular monthly cash distribution payable to stockholders of record from $0.0720 per share to $0.07425 per share, effective as of April 30, 2014. On July 1, 2014, our board of directors declared a special cash distribution of $0.10 per share, which was paid on August 15, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2014. On October 10, 2014, our board of directors also declared a special cash distribution of $0.10 per share, which was paid on November 14, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 31, 2014.

On February 23, 2017, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.22275 per share, which will be paid on or about April 4, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 22, 2017.

For additional information regarding our distributions and our distribution reinvestment plan, including certain related tax considerations, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—RIC Status and Distributions.”

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases

The table below provides information concerning purchases of our shares of common stock by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined by Rule 10b-18(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act during the period ended December 31, 2016. Dollar amounts in the table below and the related notes are presented in thousands, except for share and per share amounts.

 

Period

   Total
Number  of
Shares
Purchased
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs(1)
     Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs(2)
 

October 1 to October 31, 2016

     —          —          —        $ 1,500  

November 1 to November 30, 2016

     —          —          —        $ 1,500  

December 1 to December 31, 2016

     —          —          —        $ 1,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     —          —          —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) On August 22, 2016 and December 6, 2016, Franklin Square Holdings, L.P. entered into written trading plans in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or the FSH Trading Plans, to facilitate the purchase of shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plan. Each of the FSH Trading Plans provides for the purchase of up to $1,500 worth of shares of our common stock, subject to the limitations provided therein. The August 22, 2016 FSH Trading Plan expired on December 31, 2016. The December 6, 2016 FSH Trading Plan is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2017.
(2) The approximate dollar value of shares that could be purchased under the FSH Trading Plan during the applicable period does not reflect any brokerage commissions associated with shares that have not yet been purchased.

 

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Stock Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of FS Investment Corporation under the Securities Act.

The following graph shows a comparison from April 16, 2014 (the date our shares of common stock commenced trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2016 of the cumulative total return for our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index and the Wells Fargo® BDC Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested at the market close on April 16, 2014 in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index and the Wells Fargo® BDC Index, is based on historical stock prices and assumes all dividends or distributions are reinvested on the respective dividend or distribution payment dates without commissions. The stock price performance reflected by the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

 

LOGO

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is derived from our consolidated financial statements which have been audited by RSM US LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. The data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Statements of operations data:

         

Investment income

  $ 422,809     $ 474,797     $ 464,819     $ 474,566     $ 303,222  

Operating expenses

         

Total expenses and excise taxes

    215,486       209,707       225,648       229,590       169,315  

Less: Management fee waiver

    —         —         (2,837     —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses and excise taxes

    215,486       209,707       222,811       229,590       169,315  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    207,323       265,090       242,008       244,976       133,907  

Total net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    86,968       (226,705     (47,227     20,864       196,292  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 294,291     $ 38,385     $ 194,781     $ 265,840     $ 330,199  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

         

Net investment income (loss)—basic and diluted(1)

  $ 0.85     $ 1.10     $ 0.97     $ 0.96     $ 0.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations—basic and diluted(1)

  $ 1.21     $ 0.16     $ 0.78     $ 1.04     $ 1.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions declared(2)

  $ 0.89     $ 0.89     $ 1.08     $ 0.83     $ 0.86  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance sheet data:

         

Total assets

  $ 4,110,071     $ 4,148,173     $ 4,354,886     $ 4,444,577     $ 4,346,753  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit facilities, notes, secured borrowing and repurchase agreement payable

  $ 1,693,513     $ 1,822,899     $ 1,863,827     $ 1,673,682     $ 1,649,713  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 2,297,377     $ 2,208,928     $ 2,366,986     $ 2,640,992     $ 2,511,738  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other data:

         

Total return based on net asset value(3)

    13.19     1.63     7.17     10.43     15.83

Total return based on market value(4)

    25.91     (0.78 )%      5.52     —         —    

Number of portfolio company investments at period end

    102       114       118       165       263  

Total portfolio investments for the period

  $ 1,157,827     $ 1,647,620     $ 2,178,075     $ 2,641,733     $ 3,863,334  

Proceeds from sales and prepayments of investments

  $ 1,588,498     $ 1,625,520     $ 2,121,939     $ 2,510,887     $ 1,971,447  

 

(1) The per share data was derived by using the weighted average shares outstanding during the applicable period.

 

(2) The per share data for distributions reflects the actual amount of distributions paid per share during the applicable period.

 

(3)

The total return based on net asset value for each year presented was calculated by taking the net asset value per share as of the end of the applicable year, adding the cash distributions per share that were declared

 

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  during the applicable calendar year and dividing the total by the net asset value per share at the beginning of the applicable year. Total return based on net asset value does not consider the effect of any sales commissions or charges that may be incurred in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock. The historical calculation of total return based on net asset value in the table should not be considered a representation of our future total return based on net asset value, which may be greater or less than the return shown in the table due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rates payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any previous period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods. The total return calculations set forth above represent the total return on our investment portfolio during the applicable period and do not represent an actual return to stockholders.

 

(4) The total return based on market value for each period presented was calculated based on the change in market price during the applicable period, including the impact of distributions reinvested in accordance with the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan. The total return based on market value for the year ended December 31, 2014 was calculated based on the period from April 16, 2014, the first day the shares began trading on the NYSE at a closing price of $10.25, to December 31, 2014. Total return based on market value does not consider the effect of any sales commissions or charges that may be incurred in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock. The historical calculation of total return based on market value in the table should not be considered a representation of our future total return based on market value, which may be greater or less than the return shown in the table due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet its investment criteria, the interest rates payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, general economic conditions and fluctuations in per share market value. As a result of these factors, results for any previous period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this annual report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K may include statements as to:

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of the companies in which we may invest;

 

   

the impact of the investments that we expect to make;

 

   

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

   

our current and expected financings and investments;

 

   

receiving and maintaining corporate credit ratings and changes in the general interest rate environment;

 

   

the adequacy of our cash resources, financing sources and working capital;

 

   

the timing and amount of cash flows, distributions and dividends, if any, from our portfolio companies;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

actual and potential conflicts of interest with FB Advisor, FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FS Energy and Power Fund, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation II, FSIC III Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation III, FSIC IV Advisor, LLC, FS Investment Corporation IV, FS Global Advisor, LLC, FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, GDFM or any of their affiliates;

 

   

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

 

   

our use of financial leverage;

 

   

the ability of FB Advisor to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;

 

   

the ability of FB Advisor or its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

   

our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC and as a BDC;

 

   

the impact on our business of the Dodd-Frank Act, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder;

 

   

the effect of changes to tax legislation on us and the portfolio companies in which we may invest and our and their tax position; and

 

   

the tax status of the enterprises in which we may invest.

In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect” and “intend” indicate a forward-looking statement, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including those factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include:

 

   

changes in the economy;

 

   

risks associated with possible disruption in our operations or the economy generally due to terrorism or natural disasters;

 

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future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in our operating areas; and

 

   

the price at which shares of our common stock may trade on the NYSE.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K on information available to us on the date of this annual report on Form 10-K. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Stockholders are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to stockholders or through reports that we may file in the future with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements and projections contained in this annual report on Form 10-K are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.

Overview

We were incorporated under the general corporation laws of the State of Maryland on December 21, 2007 and formally commenced investment operations on January 2, 2009. We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and has elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

On April 16, 2014, shares of our common stock began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FSIC”. This listing accomplished our goal of providing our stockholders with greatly enhanced liquidity.

Our investment activities are managed by FB Advisor and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent. Under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, we have agreed to pay FB Advisor an annual base management fee based on the average value of our gross assets and an incentive fee based on our performance. FB Advisor has engaged GDFM to act as our investment sub-adviser. GDFM assists FB Advisor in identifying investment opportunities and makes investment recommendations for approval by FB Advisor according to guidelines set by FB Advisor.

Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. We have identified and intend to focus on the following investment categories, which we believe will allow us to generate an attractive total return with an acceptable level of risk.

Direct Originations: We intend to leverage our relationship with GDFM and its global sourcing and origination platform, including its industry relationships, to directly source investment opportunities. Such investments are originated or structured for us or made by us and are not generally available to the broader market. These investments may include both debt and equity components, although we do not generally make equity investments independent of having an existing credit relationship. We believe directly originated investments may offer higher returns and more favorable protections than broadly syndicated transactions.

Opportunistic: We intend to seek to capitalize on market price inefficiencies by investing in loans, bonds and other securities where the market price of such investment reflects a lower value than deemed warranted by our fundamental analysis. We believe that market price inefficiencies may occur due to, among other things, general dislocations in the markets, a misunderstanding by the market of a particular company or an industry being out of favor with the broader investment community. We seek to allocate capital to these securities that have been misunderstood or mispriced by the market and where we believe there is an opportunity to earn an attractive return on our investment. Such opportunities may include event driven investments, anchor orders and CLOs.

In the case of event driven investments, we intend to take advantage of dislocations that arise in the markets due to an impending event and where the market’s apparent expectation of value differs substantially from our

 

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fundamental analysis. Such events may include a looming debt maturity or default, a merger, spin-off or other corporate reorganization, an adverse regulatory or legal ruling, or a material contract expiration, any of which may significantly improve or impair a company’s financial position. Compared to other investment strategies, event driven investing depends more heavily on our ability to successfully predict the outcome of an individual event rather than on underlying macroeconomic fundamentals. As a result, successful event driven strategies may offer both substantial diversification benefits and the ability to generate performance in uncertain market environments.

We may also invest in certain opportunities that are originated and then syndicated by a commercial or investment bank, but where we provide a capital commitment significantly above the average syndicate participant, i.e., an anchor order. In these types of investments, we may receive fees, preferential pricing or other benefits not available to other lenders in return for our significant capital commitment. Our decision to provide an anchor order to a syndicated transaction is predicated on a rigorous credit analysis, our familiarity with a particular company, industry or financial sponsor, and the broader investment experiences of FB Advisor and GDFM.

In addition, our relationship with GSO, one of the largest CLO managers in the world, allows us to opportunistically invest in CLOs. CLOs are a form of securitization where the cash flow from a pooled basket of syndicated loans is used to support distribution payments made to different tranches of securities. While collectively CLOs represent nearly fifty percent of the broadly syndicated loan universe, investing in individual CLO tranches requires a high degree of investor sophistication due to their structural complexity and the illiquid nature of their securities.

Broadly Syndicated/Other: Although our primary focus is to invest in directly originated transactions and opportunistic investments, in certain circumstances we will also invest in the broadly syndicated loan and high yield markets. Broadly syndicated loans and bonds are generally more liquid than our directly originated investments and provide a complement to our less liquid strategies. In addition, and because we typically receive more attractive financing terms on these positions than we do on our less liquid assets, we are able to leverage the broadly syndicated portion of our portfolio in such a way that maximizes the levered return potential of our portfolio.

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in senior secured loans and second lien secured loans of private middle market U.S. companies and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans of private U.S. companies. Although we do not expect a significant portion of our portfolio to be comprised of subordinated loans, there is no limit on the amount of such loans in which we may invest. We may purchase interests in loans or make other debt investments, including investments in senior secured bonds, through secondary market transactions in the “over-the-counter” market or directly from our target companies as primary market or directly originated investments. In connection with our debt investments, we may on occasion receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. We may also purchase or otherwise acquire minority interests in the form of common or preferred equity or equity-related securities, such as rights and warrants that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity or the cash value of common stock or other equity, in our target companies, generally in conjunction with one of our debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor, such as an institutional investor or private equity firm. In addition, a portion of our portfolio may be comprised of corporate bonds, CLOs, other debt securities and derivatives, including total return swaps and credit default swaps. FB Advisor will seek to tailor our investment focus as market conditions evolve. Depending on market conditions, we may increase or decrease our exposure to less senior portions of the capital structure or otherwise make opportunistic investments.

The senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and senior secured bonds in which we invest generally have stated terms of three to seven years and subordinated debt investments that we make generally have stated terms of up to ten years, but the expected average life of such securities is generally between three and seven years. However, there is no limit on the maturity or duration of any security in our portfolio. Our debt investments may be

 

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rated by a NRSRO and, in such case, generally will carry a rating below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s or lower than “BBB-” by S&P). We also invest in non-rated debt securities.

Revenues

The principal measure of our financial performance is net increase in net assets resulting from operations, which includes net investment income, net realized gain or loss on investments, net realized gain or loss on foreign currency, net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and net unrealized gain or loss on foreign currency. Net investment income is the difference between our income from interest, dividends, fees and other investment income and our operating and other expenses. Net realized gain or loss on investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their amortized cost, including the respective realized gain or loss on foreign currency for those foreign denominated investment transactions. Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency is the portion of realized gain or loss attributable to foreign currency fluctuations. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio, including the respective unrealized gain or loss on foreign currency for those foreign denominated investments. Net unrealized gain or loss on foreign currency is the net change in the value of receivables or accruals due to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

We principally generate revenues in the form of interest income on the debt investments we hold. In addition, we generate revenues in the form of non-recurring commitment, closing, origination, structuring or diligence fees, monitoring fees, fees for providing managerial assistance, consulting fees, prepayment fees and performance-based fees. Any such fees generated in connection with our investments will be recognized as earned. We may also generate revenues in the form of dividends and other distributions on the equity or other securities we hold.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of management and incentive fees and other expenses under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement, interest expense from financing facilities and other indebtedness, and other expenses necessary for our operations. The management and incentive fees compensate FB Advisor for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, executing, monitoring and servicing our investments. FB Advisor is responsible for compensating our investment sub-adviser.

FB Advisor oversees our day-to-day operations, including the provision of general ledger accounting, fund accounting, legal services, investor relations and other administrative services. FB Advisor also performs, or oversees the performance of, our corporate operations and required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports for our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, FB Advisor assists us in calculating our net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others.

Pursuant to the administration agreement, we reimburse FB Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations, including FB Advisor’s allocable portion of the compensation and related expenses of certain personnel of FS Investments providing administrative services to us on behalf of FB Advisor. We reimburse FB Advisor no less than quarterly for all costs and expenses incurred by FB Advisor in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the administration agreement. FB Advisor allocates the cost of such services to us based on factors such as total assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. Our board of directors reviews the methodology employed in determining how the expenses are allocated to us and the proposed allocation of administrative expenses among us and certain affiliates of FB Advisor. Our board of directors then assesses the reasonableness of such

 

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reimbursements for expenses allocated to us based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to us of obtaining similar services from third-party service providers known to be available. In addition, our board of directors considers whether any single third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality. Finally, our board of directors compares the total amount paid to FB Advisor for such services as a percentage of our net assets to the same ratio as reported by other comparable BDCs.

We bear all other expenses of our operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to:

 

   

corporate and organization expenses relating to offerings of our securities, subject to limitations included in the July 2014 investment advisory agreement;

 

   

the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party pricing or valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our common stock and other securities;

 

   

investment advisory fees;

 

   

fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments and valuing investments, including fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments;

 

   

interest payments on our debt or related obligations;

 

   

transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

   

research and market data (including news and quotation equipment and services, and any computer hardware and connectivity hardware (e.g., telephone and fiber optic lines) incorporated into the cost of obtaining such research and market data);

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

fees and expenses of directors not also serving in an executive officer capacity for us or FB Advisor;

 

   

costs of proxy statements, stockholders’ reports, notices and other filings;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with accounting, corporate governance, independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

   

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

brokerage commissions for our investments; and

 

   

all other expenses incurred by FB Advisor, GDFM or us in connection with administering our business, including expenses incurred by FB Advisor or GDFM in performing administrative services for us and administrative personnel paid by FB Advisor or GDFM, to the extent they are not controlling persons of FB Advisor, or GDFM, or any of their respective affiliates, subject to the limitations included in the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement.

 

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In addition, we have contracted with State Street Bank and Trust Company to provide various accounting and administrative services, including, but not limited to, preparing preliminary financial information for review by FB Advisor, preparing and monitoring expense budgets, maintaining accounting and corporate books and records, processing trade information provided by us and performing testing with respect to RIC compliance.

Portfolio Investment Activity for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we made investments in portfolio companies totaling $1,157,827. During the same period, we sold investments for proceeds of $547,222 and received principal repayments of $1,041,276. As of December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio, with a total fair value of $3,726,816 (52% in first lien senior secured loans, 16% in second lien senior secured loans, 4% in senior secured bonds, 12% in subordinated debt, 2% in collateralized securities and 14% in equity/other), consisted of interests in 102 portfolio companies. The portfolio companies that comprised our portfolio as of such date had an average annual EBITDA of approximately $100.0 million. As of December 31, 2016, the debt investments in our portfolio were purchased at a weighted average price of 98.6% of par, and our estimated gross portfolio yield, prior to leverage, was 9.1% based upon the amortized cost of our investments. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our total return based on net asset value was 13.19% and our total return based on market value was 25.91%.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we made investments in portfolio companies totaling $1,647,620. During the same period, we sold investments for proceeds of $607,368 and received principal repayments of $1,018,152. As of December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio, with a total fair value of $4,029,371 (54% in first lien senior secured loans, 15% in second lien senior secured loans, 6% in senior secured bonds, 11% in subordinated debt, 2% in collateralized securities and 12% in equity/other), consisted of interests in 114 portfolio companies. The portfolio companies that comprised our portfolio as of such date had an average annual EBITDA of approximately $113.2 million. As of December 31, 2015, the debt investments in our portfolio were purchased at a weighted average price of 98.3% of par, and our estimated gross portfolio yield, prior to leverage, was 9.8% based upon the amortized cost of our investments. For the year ended December 31, 2015, our total return based on net asset value was 1.63% and our total return based on market value was (0.78)%.

Our estimated gross portfolio yield may be higher than an investor’s yield on an investment in shares of our common stock. Our estimated gross portfolio yield does not reflect operating expenses that may be incurred by us. In addition, our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return figures disclosed above do not consider the effect of any sales commissions or charges that may be incurred in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock. Our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return based on net asset value do not represent actual investment returns to stockholders. Our estimated gross portfolio yield and total return figures are subject to change and, in the future, may be greater or less than the rates set forth above. See footnotes 6 and 7 to the table included in Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included herein for information regarding the calculation of our total return based on net asset value and total return based on market value, respectively.

Total Portfolio Activity

The following tables present certain selected information regarding our portfolio investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     For the Year Ended  

Net Investment Activity

   December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Purchases

   $ 1,157,827     $ 1,647,620  

Sales and Redemptions

     (1,588,498     (1,625,520
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Portfolio Activity

   $ (430,671   $ 22,100  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     For the Year Ended  
     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

New Investment Activity by Asset Class

   Purchases      Percentage     Purchases      Percentage  

Senior Secured Loans—First Lien

   $ 896,207        77   $ 941,661        57

Senior Secured Loans—Second Lien

     52,526        5     268,790        16

Senior Secured Bonds

     13,189        1     108,787        7

Subordinated Debt

     67,563        6     200,471        12

Collateralized Securities

     4,575        0     482        0

Equity/Other

     123,767        11     127,429        8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,157,827        100   $ 1,647,620        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the composition of our investment portfolio at cost and fair value as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
    Amortized
Cost(1)
    Fair Value     Percentage
of Portfolio
    Amortized
Cost(1)
    Fair Value     Percentage
of Portfolio
 

Senior Secured Loans—First Lien

  $ 1,992,159     $ 1,935,441       52   $ 2,248,419     $ 2,173,829       54

Senior Secured Loans—Second Lien

    619,892       599,155       16     661,742       624,814       15

Senior Secured Bonds

    205,657       159,470       4     344,196       240,754       6

Subordinated Debt

    498,080       454,045       12     492,658       438,414       11

Collateralized Securities

    59,225       72,058       2     94,694       85,007       2

Equity/Other

    368,927       506,647       14     353,477       466,553       12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 3,743,940     $ 3,726,816       100   $ 4,195,186     $ 4,029,371       100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Amortized costs represent the original cost adjusted for the amortization of premiums and/or accretion of discounts, as applicable, on investments.

The following table presents certain selected information regarding the composition of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Number of Portfolio Companies

     102       114  

% Variable Rate (based on fair value)

     67.0     66.8

% Fixed Rate (based on fair value)

     19.4     21.6

% Income Producing Equity/Other Investments (based on fair value)

     2.7     4.1

% Non-Income Producing Equity/Other Investments (based on fair value)

     10.9     7.5

Average Annual EBITDA of Portfolio Companies

   $ 100,000     $ 113,200  

Weighted Average Purchase Price of Debt Investments (as a % of par)

     98.6     98.3

% of Investments on Non-Accrual (based on fair value)

     0.2     —    

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost)

     9.1     9.8

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost)—Excluding Non-Income Producing Assets

     10.1     10.4

 

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Direct Originations

The following tables present certain selected information regarding our direct originations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016:

 

New Direct Originations

   For the
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Total Commitments (including unfunded commitments)

   $ 526,589     $ 1,113,309  

Exited Investments (including partial paydowns)

     (598,468     (1,296,693
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Direct Originations

   $ (71,879   $ (183,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     For the Three Months Ended
December 31, 2016
    For the Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

New Direct Originations by Asset Class
(including unfunded commitments)

   Commitment
Amount
     Percentage     Commitment
Amount
     Percentage  

Senior Secured Loans—First Lien

   $ 465,399        88   $ 913,941        82

Senior Secured Loans—Second Lien

     26,473        5     56,376        5

Senior Secured Bonds

     5,132        1     13,273        1

Subordinated Debt

     11,458        2     33,187        3

Collateralized Securities

     —          —         —          —    

Equity/Other

     18,127        4     96,532        9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 526,589        100   $ 1,113,309        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
December 31,
2016
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Average New Direct Origination Commitment Amount

   $ 29,255     $ 29,298  

Weighted Average Maturity for New Direct Originations

     6/20/23       4/24/22  

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost) of New Direct Originations Funded during Period

     8.8     8.8

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost) of New Direct Originations Funded during Period—Excluding Non-Income Producing Assets

     9.1     9.7

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost) of Direct Originations Exited during Period

     8.0     8.9

The following table presents certain selected information regarding our direct originations as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

Characteristics of All Direct Originations held in Portfolio

   December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Number of Portfolio Companies

     67       71  

Average Annual EBITDA of Portfolio Companies

   $ 64,600     $ 61,500  

Average Leverage Through Tranche of Portfolio Companies—Excluding Equity/Other and Collateralized Securities

     4.8x       4.9x  

% of Investments on Non-Accrual

     0.1     —    

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost) of Funded Direct Originations

     9.1     9.7

Gross Portfolio Yield Prior to Leverage (based on amortized cost) of Funded Direct Originations—Excluding Non-Income Producing Assets

     10.1     10.4

 

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Portfolio Composition by Strategy and Industry

The table below summarizes the composition of our investment portfolio by strategy and enumerates the percentage, by fair value, of the total portfolio assets in such strategies as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Portfolio Composition by Strategy

   Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Portfolio
    Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Portfolio
 

Direct Originations

   $ 3,264,395        88   $ 3,434,588        85

Opportunistic

     352,937        9     488,969        12

Broadly Syndicated/Other

     109,484        3     105,814        3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,726,816        100   $ 4,029,371        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below describes investments by industry classification and enumerates the percentage, by fair value, of the total portfolio assets in such industries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Industry Classification

   Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Portfolio
    Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Portfolio
 

Automobiles & Components

   $ 27,525        1   $ 95,950        2

Capital Goods

     708,946        19     906,387        22

Commercial & Professional Services

     514,682        14     327,407        8

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     198,752        5     259,789        6

Consumer Services

     343,211        9     426,534        11

Diversified Financials

     184,355        5     154,651        4

Energy

     432,047        12     365,698        9

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

     —          —         10,648        0

Health Care Equipment & Services

     199,064        5     195,420        5

Materials

     263,849        7     275,429        7

Media

     113,455        3     126,742        3

Retailing

     110,262        3     64,647        2

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     5,328        0     5,530        0

Software & Services

     265,501        7     425,992        11

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     108,500        3     127,682        3

Telecommunication Services

     161,544        4     160,206        4

Transportation

     89,795        3     100,659        3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,726,816        100   $ 4,029,371        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2016, except for JW Aluminum Co., in which we have a second lien secured loan investment and two equity/other investments, we did not “control” any of our portfolio companies, as defined in the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2016, except for ASG Technologies Group, Inc. (formerly Allen Systems Group, Inc.), in which we have two senior secured loan investments and two equity/other investments, Roadhouse Holding Inc. (Logan’s Roadhouse, Inc.), in which we have one senior secured loan investment and one equity/other investment, and Fronton Investor Holdings, LLC, in which we have an equity/other investment, we were not an “affiliated person” of any of our portfolio companies, as defined in the 1940 Act. In general, under the 1940 Act, we would be presumed to “control” a portfolio company if we owned more than 25% of its voting securities or we had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company, and would be an “affiliated person” of a portfolio company if we owned 5% or more of its voting securities.

Our investment portfolio may contain loans and other unfunded arrangements that are in the form of lines of credit, revolving credit facilities, delayed draw credit facilities or other investments, which require us to provide

 

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funding when requested by portfolio companies in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements. As of December 31, 2016, we had seventeen unfunded debt investments with aggregate unfunded commitments of $186,233 and one unfunded commitment to purchase up to $362 in shares of preferred stock of Altus Power America Holdings, LLC. As of December 31, 2015, we had nineteen unfunded debt investments with aggregate unfunded commitments of $129,660, one unfunded commitment to purchase up to $467 in shares of preferred stock of Altus Power America Holdings, LLC and one unfunded equity investment in Sunnova Holdings, LLC with an unfunded commitment of $123. We maintain sufficient cash on hand and available borrowings to fund such unfunded commitments should the need arise. For additional details regarding our unfunded debt investments, see our audited consolidated schedule of investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Portfolio Asset Quality

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

 

Investment
Rating
  

Summary Description

1    Investment exceeding expectations and/or capital gain expected.
2    Performing investment generally executing in accordance with the portfolio company’s business plan—full return of principal and interest expected.
3    Performing investment requiring closer monitoring.
4    Underperforming investment—some loss of interest or dividend possible, but still expecting a positive return on investment.
5    Underperforming investment with expected loss of interest and some principal.

The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Investment Rating

   Fair
Value
     Percentage  of
Portfolio
    Fair
Value
     Percentage  of
Portfolio
 

1

   $ 383,790        10   $ 723,402        18

2

     3,049,433        82     2,748,923        68

3

     242,608        7     501,659        13

4

     —          —         44,046        1

5

     50,985        1     11,341        0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,726,816        100   $ 4,029,371        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount of the portfolio in each grading category may vary substantially from period to period resulting primarily from changes in the composition of the portfolio as a result of new investment, repayment and exit activities. In addition, changes in the grade of investments may be made to reflect our expectation of performance and changes in investment values.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

Revenues

We generated investment income of $422,809 and $474,797 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the form of interest and fees earned on senior secured loans (first and second lien), senior secured bonds, subordinated debt and collateralized securities in our portfolio and dividends and other distributions earned on equity/other investments. Such revenues represent $382,147 and $440,121 of cash income earned as well as $40,662 and $34,676 in non-cash portions relating to accretion of discount and PIK interest for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash flows related to such non-cash revenues may not occur for a number of reporting periods or years after such revenues are recognized.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we generated $383,565 and $423,817, respectively, of interest income, which represented 90.7% and 89.3%, respectively, of total investment income. The level of interest income we receive is generally related to the balance of income-producing investments, multiplied by the weighted average yield of our investments.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we generated $36,293 and $44,182, respectively, of fee income, which represented 8.6% and 9.3%, respectively, of total investment income. Fee income is transaction based, and typically consists of amendment and consent fees, prepayment fees, structuring fees and other non-recurring fees. As such, fee income is generally dependent on new direct origination investments and the occurrence of events at existing portfolio companies resulting in such fees.

The decrease in interest income and fee income in the aggregate during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to reduced leverage levels, prepayments of certain higher-yielding assets and increased equity holdings as a result of a number of restructurings during the year ended December 31, 2016.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we generated $2,951 and $6,798, respectively, of dividend income. The decrease in dividend income was due primarily to a one-time dividend paid in respect of one of our investments during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Expenses

Our net expenses were $209,932 and $203,651 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our operating expenses include base management fees attributed to FB Advisor of $71,280 and $75,401 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our expenses also include administrative services expenses attributed to FB Advisor of $3,475 and $4,182 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

FB Advisor is eligible to receive incentive fees based on our performance. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we accrued a subordinated incentive fee on income of $51,830. As of December 31, 2016, a subordinated incentive fee on income of $12,885 was payable to FB Advisor. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we accrued a subordinated incentive fee on income of $61,036. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we accrued no capital gains incentive fees based on the performance of our portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we reversed capital gains incentive fees of $21,075 based on the performance of our portfolio. No capital gains incentive fees are actually payable by us with respect to unrealized gains unless and until those gains are actually realized. See “—Critical Accounting Policies—Capital Gains Incentive Fee” for additional information about how the incentive fees are calculated.

We recorded interest expense of $74,058 and $75,127 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in connection with our financing arrangements. The fees incurred with our fund administrator,

 

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which provides various accounting and administrative services to us, totaled $966 and $1,082 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Fees for our board of directors were $1,139 and $1,026 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our other general and administrative expenses totaled $7,184 and $6,872 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and consisted of the following:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2016      2015  

Expenses associated with our independent audit and related fees

   $ 481      $ 486  

Compensation of our chief compliance officer(1)

     —          25  

Legal fees

     910        1,826  

Printing fees

     1,329        1,079  

Stock transfer agent fees

     179        134  

Other

     4,285        3,322  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,184      $ 6,872  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) On April 1, 2015, James F. Volk was appointed as our chief compliance officer. Prior to that date, we had contracted with Vigilant Compliance, LLC to provide the services of Salvatore Faia as our chief compliance officer. Mr. Volk is employed by FS Investments and will not receive any direct compensation from us in this capacity.

Other expenses during the year ended December 31, 2016 include $938 of breakage fees associated with the partial paydown of the JPM Facility.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we accrued $5,554 and $6,056, respectively, for excise taxes.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the ratio of our expenses to our average net assets was 9.69% and 8.90%, respectively. Our ratio of expenses to our average net assets during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 includes $74,058 and $75,127, respectively, related to interest expense, $51,830 and $39,961, respectively, related to accruals for incentive fees and an accrual of $5,554 and $6,056, respectively, for excise taxes. Without such expenses, our ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 3.78% and 3.75% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Incentive fees and interest expense, among other things, may increase or decrease our expense ratios relative to comparative periods depending on portfolio performance and changes in amounts outstanding under our financing arrangements and benchmark interest rates such as LIBOR, among other factors.

Net Investment Income

Our net investment income totaled $207,323 ($0.85 per share) and $265,090 ($1.10 per share) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in net investment income can be attributed to the reversal of capital gains incentive fees that reduced expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as lower yields on newly purchased investments and less fee income received during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net Realized Gains or Losses

We sold investments and received principal repayments of $547,222 and $1,041,276, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2016, from which we realized a net loss of $63,561. We also realized a net gain of $330 from settlements on foreign currency during the year ended December 31, 2016. We sold investments and

 

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received principal repayments of $607,368 and $1,018,152, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2015, from which we realized a net loss of $62,426. We also realized a net loss of $640 from settlements on foreign currency during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Secured Borrowing and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and secured borrowing totaled $148,642 and the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency totaled $1,557. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments totaled $(167,165) and the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency totaled $3,526. The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on our investments during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily driven by a general tightening of credit spreads and an increase in the valuation of certain of our energy investments and Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc. loans following positive developments in restructuring efforts concerning these loans.

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $294,291 ($1.21 per share) compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $38,385 ($0.16 per share) during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

Revenues

We generated investment income of $474,797 and $464,819 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in the form of interest and fees earned on senior secured loans (first and second lien), senior secured bonds, subordinated debt and collateralized securities in our portfolio and dividends and other distributions earned on equity/other investments. Such revenues represent $440,121 and $423,550 of cash income earned as well as $34,676 and $41,269 in non-cash portions relating to accretion of discount and PIK interest for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash flows related to such non-cash revenues may not occur for a number of reporting periods or years after such revenues are recognized.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we generated $423,817 and $418,749, respectively, of interest income, which represented 89.3% and 90.1%, respectively, of total investment income. The level of interest income we receive is generally related to the balance of income-producing investments, multiplied by the weighted average yield of our investments.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we generated $44,182 and $44,961, respectively, of fee income, which represented 9.3% and 9.7%, respectively, of total investment income. Fee income is transaction based, and typically consists of amendment and consent fees, prepayment fees, structuring fees and other non-recurring fees. As such, fee income is generally dependent on new direct origination investments and the occurrence of events at existing portfolio companies resulting in such fees.

The increase in interest income is due primarily to increased prepayment activity during the year ended December 31, 2015.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we generated $6,798 and $1,109, respectively, of dividend income. The increase in dividend income was due primarily to a one-time dividend paid in respect of one of our investments during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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Expenses

Our net expenses were $203,651 and $217,411 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our operating expenses include base management fees attributed to FB Advisor of $75,401 and $84,617 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our expenses also include administrative services expenses attributed to FB Advisor of $4,182 and $4,794 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

FB Advisor is eligible to receive incentive fees based on our performance. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we accrued a subordinated incentive fee on income of $61,036. As of December 31, 2015, a subordinated incentive fee on income of $13,374 was payable to FB Advisor. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we accrued a subordinated incentive fee on income of $58,122. During the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we reversed capital gains incentive fees of $21,075 and $9,468, respectively, based on the performance of our portfolio. No capital gains incentive fees are actually payable by us with respect to unrealized gains unless and until those gains are actually realized. See “— Critical Accounting Policies—Capital Gains Incentive Fee” for additional information about how the incentive fees are calculated.

We recorded interest expense of $75,127 and $64,804 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in connection with our financing arrangements. The fees incurred with our fund administrator, which provides various accounting and administrative services to us, totaled $1,082 and $1,223 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Fees for our board of directors were $1,026 and $1,027 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our other general and administrative expenses totaled $6,872 and $10,086 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and consisted of the following:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2015              2014      

Expenses associated with our independent audit and related fees

   $ 486      $ 456  

Compensation of our chief compliance officer(1)

     25        100  

Legal fees

     1,826        3,071  

Printing fees

     1,079        1,792  

Stock transfer agent fees

     134        1,037  

Other

     3,322        3,630  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,872      $ 10,086  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) On April 1, 2015, James F. Volk was appointed as our chief compliance officer. Prior to that date, we had contracted with Vigilant Compliance, LLC to provide the services of Salvatore Faia as our chief compliance officer. Mr. Volk is employed by FS Investments and will not receive any direct compensation from us in this capacity.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we accrued $6,056 and $5,400, respectively, for excise taxes.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the ratio of our expenses to our average net assets was 8.90% and 8.79%, respectively. Our ratio of expenses to our average net assets during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes $75,127 and $64,804, respectively, related to interest expense, $39,961 and $48,654, respectively, related to accruals for incentive fees and an accrual of $6,056 and $5,400, respectively, for excise taxes. Without such expenses, our ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 3.75% and 4.10% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Incentive fees and interest expense, among other things, may increase or decrease our expense ratios relative to comparative periods

 

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depending on portfolio performance and changes in amounts outstanding under our financing arrangements and benchmark interest rates such as LIBOR, among other factors. The lower ratio of adjusted expenses to average net assets during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 can primarily be attributed to a reduction in management fees, as well as lower legal fees, administrative services expenses and stock transfer agent fees charged to us during the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as the costs associated with the listing of shares of our common stock on the NYSE incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Net Investment Income

Our net investment income totaled $265,090 ($1.10 per share) and $242,008 ($0.97 per share) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in net investment income can be attributed to, among other things, the increase in revenues from interest and dividend income, and the decrease in operating expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2015, in each case, as described above.

Net Realized Gains or Losses

We sold investments and received principal repayments of $607,368 and $1,018,152, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2015, from which we realized a net loss of $62,426. We also realized a net loss of $640 from settlements on foreign currency during the year ended December 31, 2015. We sold investments and received principal repayments of $1,246,624 and $875,315, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2014, from which we realized a net gain of $30,607. We also realized a net loss of $301 from settlements on foreign currency during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments totaled $(167,165) and the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency totaled $3,526. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments totaled $(82,146) and the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency totaled $4,613. The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on our investments during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily driven by a general widening of credit spreads and decreased valuations of certain energy investments.

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $38,385 ($0.16 per share) compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $194,781 ($0.78 per share) during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of December 31, 2016, we had $264,598 in cash and foreign currency, which we or our wholly-owned financing subsidiaries held in custodial accounts, and $255,068 in borrowings available under our financing arrangements, subject to borrowing base and other limitations. As of December 31, 2016, we also had broadly syndicated investments and opportunistic investments that could be sold to create additional liquidity. As of December 31, 2016, we had seventeen unfunded debt investments with aggregate unfunded commitments of $186,233 and one unfunded commitment to purchase up to $362 of preferred stock. We maintain sufficient cash on hand and available borrowings to fund such unfunded commitments should the need arise.

We currently generate cash primarily from cash flows from fees, interest and dividends earned from our investments, as well as principal repayments and proceeds from sales of our investments. To seek to enhance our

 

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returns, we also employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of FB Advisor, but in no event will leverage employed exceed 50% of the value of our assets, as required by the 1940 Act. See “— Financing Arrangements.”

Prior to investing in securities of portfolio companies, we invest the cash received from fees, interest and dividends earned from our investments and principal repayments and proceeds from sales of our investments primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, consistent with our BDC election and our election to be taxed as a RIC.

Financing Arrangements

The following table presents summary information with respect to our outstanding financing arrangements as of December 31, 2016:

 

Arrangement

 

Type of Arrangement

 

Rate

  Amount
Outstanding
    Amount
Available
   

Maturity Date

Hamilton Street Credit Facility

  Revolving Credit Facility   L+2.50%   $ 150,000     $ —       December 15, 2021

ING Credit Facility

  Revolving Credit Facility   L+2.50%   $ 44,932 (1)    $ 255,068     April 3, 2018

Locust Street Credit Facility

  Term Loan Credit Facility   L+2.68%   $ 425,000     $ —       November 1, 2020

4.000% Notes due 2019

  Unsecured Notes   4.00%   $ 400,000     $ —       July 15, 2019

4.250% Notes due 2020

  Unsecured Notes   4.25%   $ 405,000     $ —       January 15, 2020

4.750% Notes due 2022

  Unsecured Notes   4.75%   $ 275,000     $ —       May 15, 2022

Partial Loan Sale

 

Secured

Borrowing

  L+4.50% (1% floor)   $ 2,857     $ —       July 29, 2022

 

(1) Borrowings in Euros. Euro balance outstanding of €42,575 has been converted to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.06 as of December 31, 2016 to reflect total amount outstanding in U.S. dollars.

Our average borrowings and weighted average interest rate, including the effect of non-usage fees, for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $1,793,749 and 3.84%, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, our weighted average effective interest rate on borrowings, including the effect of non-usage fees, was 4.16%.

For additional information regarding our financing arrangements, see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.

RIC Status and Distributions

We have elected to be subject to tax as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, make distributions of an amount at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid, each tax year. As long as the distributions are declared by the later of the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of a tax year or the due date of the tax return for such tax year, including extensions, distributions paid up to twelve months after the current tax year can be carried back to the prior tax year for determining the distributions paid in such tax year. We intend to make sufficient distributions to our stockholders to qualify for and maintain our RIC tax status each tax year. We are also subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise taxes on certain undistributed income unless we make distributions in a timely manner to our stockholders generally of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income, which is the excess of capital gains in excess of capital losses, or “capital gain net income” (adjusted for certain ordinary losses), for the one-year period ending October 31 of that calendar year and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income for the preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax. Any distribution declared by us during October, November or December of any

 

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calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been paid by us, as well as received by our U.S. stockholders, on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit us to pay any cash distributions. If we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

Subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of our board of directors, we intend to authorize, declare and pay regular cash distributions on a quarterly basis. We will calculate each stockholder’s specific distribution amount for the period using record and declaration dates and each stockholder’s distributions will begin to accrue on the date that shares of our common stock are issued to such stockholder. From time to time, we may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or shares of our common stock at the discretion of our board of directors. The timing and amount of any future distributions to stockholders are subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of our board of directors.

During certain periods, our distributions may exceed our earnings. As a result, it is possible that a portion of the distributions we make may represent a return of capital. A return of capital generally is a return of a stockholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from our investment activities. Each year a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions will be mailed to our stockholders. No portion of the distributions paid during the tax years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014 represented a return of capital.

We intend to continue to make our regular distributions in the form of cash, out of assets legally available for distribution, except for those stockholders who receive their distributions in the form of shares of our common stock under the new DRP. Any distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to a U.S. stockholder.

The following table reflects the cash distributions per share that we have declared on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Distribution  

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Per Share      Amount  

2014(1)

   $ 1.0843      $ 267,856  

2015

     0.8910        215,606  

2016

     0.8910        216,933  

 

(1) On March 31, 2014, our board of directors determined to increase the amount of the regular monthly cash distribution payable to stockholders of record from $0.0720 per share to $0.07425 per share, effective as of April 30, 2014. On July 1, 2014, our board of directors declared a special cash distribution of $0.10 per share, which was paid on August 15, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2014. On October 10, 2014, the board of directors of the Company also declared a special cash distribution of $0.10 per share, which was paid on November 14, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 31, 2014.

On February 23, 2017, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.22275 per share, which will be paid on or about April 4, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 22, 2017. The timing and amount of any future distributions to stockholders are subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of our board of directors.

Historically, we had an “opt in” distribution reinvestment plan for our stockholders, or the old DRP, which terminated upon the listing of our shares of common stock on the NYSE. The final distribution reinvestment

 

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under the old DRP was made in connection with the regular monthly cash distribution paid on March 31, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 28, 2014. Under the old DRP, if we made a cash distribution, our stockholders received distributions in cash unless they specifically “opted in” to the distribution reinvestment plan so as to have their cash distributions reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. On May 23, 2014, we adopted an “opt out” distribution reinvestment plan, or the new DRP, which was effective June 2, 2014. The new DRP was first implemented in connection with the regular monthly cash distribution paid on July 2, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 24, 2014. Pursuant to the new DRP, we will reinvest all cash dividends or distributions declared by our board of directors on behalf of stockholders who do not elect to receive their distributions in cash. As a result, if our board of directors declares a distribution, then stockholders who have not elected to “opt out” of the new DRP will have their distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock.

With respect to each distribution pursuant to the new DRP, we reserve the right to either issue new shares of common stock or purchase shares of common stock in the open market in connection with implementation of the new DRP. Unless in our sole discretion, we otherwise direct the plan administrator, (A) if the per share market price (as defined in the new DRP) is equal to or greater than the estimated net asset value per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of our common stock on the payment date for the distribution, then we will issue shares of common stock at the greater of (i) net asset value per share of common stock or (ii) 95% of the market price; or (B) if the market price is less than the net asset value per share, then, in our sole discretion, (i) shares of common stock will be purchased in open market transactions for the accounts of participants to the extent practicable, or (ii) we will issue shares of common stock at net asset value per share. Pursuant to the terms of the new DRP, the number of shares of common stock to be issued to a participant will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by the price per share at which we issue such shares; provided, however, that shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a participant based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market.

If a stockholder receives distributions in the form of common stock pursuant to the new DRP, such stockholder generally will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as if it elected to receive distributions in cash. If our common stock is trading at or below net asset value, a stockholder receiving distributions in the form of additional common stock will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash. If our common stock is trading above net asset value, a stockholder receiving distributions in the form of additional common stock will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of our common stock. The stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of common stock received in a distribution will be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a distribution will have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares of common stock are credited to the stockholder’s account.

We may fund our cash distributions to stockholders from any sources of funds legally available to us, including proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets, non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets and dividends or other distributions paid to us on account of preferred and common equity investments in portfolio companies. We have not established limits on the amount of funds we may use from available sources to make distributions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.

 

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The following table reflects the sources of the cash distributions on a tax basis that we have paid on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  

Source of Distribution

  Distribution
Amount
    Percentage     Distribution
Amount
    Percentage     Distribution
Amount
    Percentage  

Offering proceeds

  $ —         —       $ —         —       $ —         —    

Borrowings

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Net investment income(1)

    216,933       100     181,509       84     196,227       73

Short-term capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets

    —         —         —         —         39,835       15

Long-term capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets

    —         —         34,097       16     31,794       12

Non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Distributions on account of preferred and common equity

    —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 216,933       100   $ 215,606       100   $ 267,856       100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 90.4%, 92.7% and 91.1%, respectively, of our gross investment income was attributable to cash income earned, 1.8%, 2.3% and 5.2%, respectively, was attributable to non-cash accretion of discount and 7.8%, 5.0% and 3.7%, respectively, was attributable to PIK interest.

See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our distributions, including a reconciliation of our GAAP-basis net investment income to our tax-basis net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Critical accounting policies are those that require the application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. In preparing the financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. In preparing the financial statements, management has utilized available information, including our past history, industry standards and the current economic environment, among other factors, in forming its estimates and judgments, giving due consideration to materiality. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In addition, other companies may utilize different estimates, which may impact the comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses. As we execute our operating plans, we will describe additional critical accounting policies in the notes to our future financial statements in addition to those discussed below.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

We determine the net asset value of our investment portfolio each quarter. Securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. In connection with that determination, FB Advisor provides our board of directors with portfolio company valuations which are based on relevant inputs, including, but not limited to, indicative dealer quotes, values of like securities, recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts, and valuations prepared by independent third-party valuation services.

 

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Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, or ASC Topic 820, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, clarifies the definition of fair value and requires companies to expand their disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial recognition. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, which includes inputs such as quoted prices for similar securities in active markets and quoted prices for identical securities where there is little or no activity in the market; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, we undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

our quarterly fair valuation process begins with FB Advisor’s management team reviewing and documenting valuations of each portfolio company or investment, which valuations may be obtained from an independent third-party valuation service, if applicable;

 

   

FB Advisor’s management team then provides the valuation committee with the preliminary valuations for each portfolio company or investment;

 

   

preliminary valuations are then discussed with the valuation committee;

 

   

our valuation committee reviews the preliminary valuations and FB Advisor’s management team, together with our independent third-party valuation services, if applicable, supplement the preliminary valuations to reflect any comments provided by the valuation committee;

 

   

following its review, the valuation committee will recommend that our board of directors approve our fair valuations; and

 

   

our board of directors discusses the valuations and determines the fair value of each such investment in our portfolio in good faith based on various statistical and other factors, including the input and recommendation of FB Advisor, the valuation committee and any independent third-party valuation services, if applicable.

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations and any change in such valuations on our consolidated financial statements. In making its determination of fair value, our board of directors may use any approved independent third-party pricing or valuation services. However, our board of directors is not required to determine fair value in accordance with the valuation provided by any single source, and may use any relevant data, including information obtained from FB Advisor or any approved independent third-party valuation or pricing service that our board of directors deems to be reliable in determining fair value under the circumstances. Below is a description of factors that FB Advisor’s management team, any approved independent third-party valuation services and our board of directors may consider when determining the fair value of our investments.

Valuation of fixed income investments, such as loans and debt securities, depends upon a number of factors, including prevailing interest rates for like securities, expected volatility in future interest rates, call features, put features and other relevant terms of the debt. For investments without readily available market prices, we may incorporate these factors into discounted cash flow models to arrive at fair value. Other factors that may be considered include the borrower’s ability to adequately service its debt, the fair market value of the borrower in relation to the face amount of its outstanding debt and the quality of collateral securing our debt investments.

For convertible debt securities, fair value generally approximates the fair value of the debt plus the fair value of an option to purchase the underlying security (i.e., the security into which the debt may convert) at the conversion price. To value such an option, a standard option pricing model may be used.

 

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Our equity interests in portfolio companies for which there is no liquid public market are valued at fair value. Our board of directors, in its determination of fair value, may consider various factors, such as multiples of EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues or, in limited instances, book value or liquidation value. All of these factors may be subject to adjustments based upon the particular circumstances of a portfolio company or our actual investment position. For example, adjustments to EBITDA may take into account compensation to previous owners or acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring or other related items.

FB Advisor’s management team, any approved independent third-party valuation services and our board of directors may also consider private merger and acquisition statistics, public trading multiples discounted for illiquidity and other factors, valuations implied by third-party investments in the portfolio companies or industry practices in determining fair value. FB Advisor’s management team, any approved independent third-party valuation services and our board of directors may also consider the size and scope of a portfolio company and its specific strengths and weaknesses, and may apply discounts or premiums, where and as appropriate, due to the higher (or lower) financial risk and/or the smaller size of portfolio companies relative to comparable firms, as well as such other factors as our board of directors, in consultation with FB Advisor’s management team and any approved independent third-party valuation services, if applicable, may consider relevant in assessing fair value. Generally, the value of our equity interests in public companies for which market quotations are readily available is based upon the most recent closing public market price. Portfolio securities that carry certain restrictions on sale are typically valued at a discount from the public market value of the security.

When we receive warrants or other equity securities at nominal or no additional cost in connection with an investment in a debt security, the cost basis in the investment will be allocated between the debt securities and any such warrants or other equity securities received at the time of origination. Our board of directors subsequently values these warrants or other equity securities received at their fair value.

The fair values of our investments are determined in good faith by our board of directors. Our board of directors is solely responsible for the valuation of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to our valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. Our board of directors has delegated day-to-day responsibility for implementing our valuation policy to FB Advisor’s management team, and has authorized FB Advisor’s management team to utilize independent third-party valuation and pricing services that have been approved by our board of directors. The valuation committee is responsible for overseeing FB Advisor’s implementation of the valuation process.

Our investments as of December 31, 2016 consisted primarily of debt investments that were acquired directly from the issuer. Sixty senior secured loan investments, four senior secured bond investments and sixteen subordinated debt investments, for which broker quotes were not available, were valued by independent valuation firms, which determined the fair value of such investments by considering, among other factors, the borrower’s ability to adequately service its debt, prevailing interest rates for like investments, expected cash flows, call features and other relevant terms of the debt. Except as described below, all of our equity/other investments were also valued by independent valuation firms, which determined the fair value of such investments by considering, among other factors, contractual rights ascribed to such investments, as well as various income scenarios and multiples of EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues or, in limited instances, book value or liquidation value. Three equity investments, which were traded on an active public market, were valued at their respective closing prices as of December 31, 2016. One senior secured loan investment, which was newly issued and purchased near December 31, 2016, was valued at cost as our board of directors determined that the cost of this investment was the best indication of its fair value.

Our investments as of December 31, 2015 consisted primarily of debt investments that were acquired directly from the issuer. Sixty senior secured loan investments, three senior secured bond investments, fourteen subordinated debt investments and one collateralized security, for which broker quotes were not available, were valued by independent valuation firms, which determined the fair value of such investments by considering, among other factors, the borrower’s ability to adequately service its debt, prevailing interest rates for like

 

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investments, expected cash flows, call features and other relevant terms of the debt. Except as described below, all of our equity/other investments were also valued by independent valuation firms, which determined the fair value of such investments by considering, among other factors, contractual rights ascribed to such investments, as well as various income scenarios and multiples of EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues or, in limited instances, book value or liquidation value. One equity investment, which was traded on an active public market, was valued at its closing price as of December 31, 2015. Two senior secured loan investments, which were newly issued and purchased near December 31, 2015, were valued at cost as our board of directors determined that the cost of each such investment was the best indication of its fair value.

We periodically benchmark the bid and ask prices we receive from the third-party pricing services and/or dealers, as applicable, against the actual prices at which we purchase and sell our investments. Based on the results of the benchmark analysis and the experience of our management in purchasing and selling these investments, we believe that these prices are reliable indicators of fair value. However, because of the private nature of this marketplace (meaning actual transactions are not publicly reported), we believe that these valuation inputs are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. We may also use other methods, including the use of an independent valuation firm, to determine fair value for securities for which we cannot obtain prevailing bid and ask prices through third-party pricing services or independent dealers, or where our board of directors otherwise determines that the use of such other methods is appropriate. We periodically benchmark the valuations provided by the independent valuation firm against the actual prices at which we purchase and sell our investments. The valuation committee of the board of directors and the board of directors reviewed and approved the valuation determinations made with respect to these investments in a manner consistent with our valuation process.

Revenue Recognition

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. We record interest income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We record dividend income on the ex-dividend date. We do not accrue as a receivable interest or dividends on loans and securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such income. Our policy is to place investments on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that interest income will be collected. We consider many factors relevant to an investment when placing it on or removing it from non-accrual status including, but not limited to, the delinquency status of the investment, economic and business conditions, the overall financial condition of the underlying investment, the value of the underlying collateral, bankruptcy status, if any, and any other facts or circumstances relevant to the investment. If there is reasonable doubt that we will receive any previously accrued interest, then the interest income will be written-off. Payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon the collectability of the remaining principal and interest. Non-accrual investments may be restored to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are likely to remain current based on our judgment.

Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount are capitalized and we amortize such amounts as interest income over the respective term of the loan or security. Upon the prepayment of a loan or security, any unamortized loan origination fees and original issue discount are recorded as interest income. Structuring and other non-recurring upfront fees are recorded as fee income when earned. We record prepayment premiums on loans and securities as fee income when we receive such amounts.

Net Realized Gains or Losses, Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation and Net Change in Unrealized Gains or Losses on Foreign Currency

Gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated by using the specific identification method. We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, but considering unamortized fees. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the

 

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change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including any reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses when gains or losses are realized. Net change in unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency reflects the change in the value of receivables or accruals during the reporting period due to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Capital Gains Incentive Fee

Pursuant to the terms of each of the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, the incentive fee on capital gains is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of such agreement). Such fee will equal 20.0% of our incentive fee capital gains (i.e., our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception, calculated as of the end of the applicable period, net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis), less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees. On a quarterly basis, we accrue for the capital gains incentive fee by calculating such fee as if it were due and payable as of the end of such period.

While none of the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement or the July 2014 investment advisory agreement include or contemplate the inclusion of unrealized gains in the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee, pursuant to an interpretation of an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or AICPA, Technical Practice Aid for investment companies, commencing during the quarter ended December 31, 2010, we changed our methodology for accruing for this incentive fee to include unrealized gains in the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee expense and related accrued capital gains incentive fee. This accrual reflects the incentive fees that would be payable to FB Advisor if our entire portfolio was liquidated at its fair value as of the balance sheet date even though FB Advisor is not entitled to an incentive fee with respect to unrealized gains unless and until such gains are actually realized.

Subordinated Income Incentive Fee

Pursuant to the terms of each of the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, FB Advisor may also be entitled to receive a subordinated incentive fee on income. The subordinated incentive fee on income under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, which was calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, equaled 20.0% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter and was subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on adjusted capital, as defined in the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, equal to 2.0% per quarter, or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.0%. As a result, FB Advisor did not earn this incentive fee for any quarter until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter exceeded the hurdle rate of 2.0%. Once our pre-incentive fee net investment income in any quarter exceeded the hurdle rate, FB Advisor was entitled to a “catch-up” fee equal to the amount of the pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate, until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter equaled 2.5%, or 10.0% annually, of adjusted capital. Thereafter, FB Advisor received 20.0% of pre-incentive fee net investment income. Under the April 2014 investment advisory agreement, the subordinated incentive fee on income was calculated in the same manner, except that the hurdle rate used to compute the subordinated incentive fee on income was based on the value of our net assets rather than adjusted capital.

Under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, the hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets, was reduced from 2.0% to 1.875% per quarter, or an annualized hurdle rate of 7.5%. As a result, FB Advisor will not earn this incentive fee for any quarter until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.875%. Once our pre-incentive fee net investment income in any quarter exceeds the hurdle rate, FB Advisor will be entitled to a “catch-up” fee equal to the amount of the pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate, until our pre-incentive fee net investment

 

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income for such quarter equals 2.34375%, or 9.375% annually, of net assets. Thereafter, FB Advisor will be entitled to receive 20.0% of pre-incentive fee net investment income.

Under both the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, the subordinated incentive fee on income is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of our pre-incentive fee net investment income will be payable except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations over the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid for the eleven preceding calendar quarters. Accordingly, any subordinated incentive fee on income that is payable in a calendar quarter will be limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter exceeds the applicable quarterly hurdle rate, subject to the “catch-up” provision, and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid for the eleven preceding calendar quarters. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, base management fees, realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation for the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters. There will be no accumulation of amounts on the hurdle rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there will be no clawback of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the applicable quarterly hurdle rate and there will be no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the applicable quarterly hurdle rate.

Uncertainty in Income Taxes

We evaluate our tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax benefits or liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Recognition of a tax benefit or liability with respect to an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax liabilities as income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we did not incur any interest or penalties.

Contractual Obligations

We have entered into agreements with FB Advisor to provide us with investment advisory and administrative services. Payments for investment advisory services under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement are equal to (a) an annual base management fee based on the average value of our gross assets and (b) an incentive fee based on our performance. FB Advisor, and to the extent it is required to provide such services, GDFM, are reimbursed for administrative expenses incurred on our behalf. See “— Related Party Transactions—Compensation of the Investment Adviser” for a discussion of these agreements and for the amount of fees and expenses accrued under these agreements during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $71,280, $75,401 and $81,780, respectively, in base management fees and $3,475, $4,182 and $4,794, respectively, in administrative services expenses under the agreements governing investment advisory and administrative services. In addition, FB Advisor is eligible to receive incentive fees based on the performance of our portfolio. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we accrued a subordinated incentive fee on income of $51,830, $61,036 and $58,122, respectively, based upon the performance of our portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we paid FB Advisor $52,319 in subordinated incentive fees on income. As of December 31, 2016, subordinated incentive fees on income of $12,885 were payable to FB Advisor. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we reversed $21,075 and $9,468, respectively, of capital gains incentive fees based on the performance of our portfolio. We paid FB Advisor no capital gains incentive fees during the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, we had accrued no capital gains incentive fees.

 

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A summary of our significant contractual payment obligations for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

     Payments Due By Period  
     Total      Less than 1 year      1-3 years      3-5 years      More than 5 years  

Hamilton Street Credit Facility(1)

   $ 150,000        —          —        $ 150,000        —    

ING Credit Facility(2)

   $ 44,932        —        $ 44,932        —          —    

Locust Street Credit Facility(3)

   $ 425,000        —          —        $ 425,000        —    

4.000% Notes due 2019(4)

   $ 400,000        —        $ 400,000        —          —    

4.250% Notes due 2020(5)

   $ 405,000        —          —        $ 405,000        —    

4.750% Notes due 2022(6)

   $ 275,000        —          —          —        $ 275,000  

Partial Loan Sale(7)

   $ 2,857        —          —          —        $ 2,857  

 

(1) At December 31, 2016, no amounts remained unused under the Hamilton Street credit facility.

 

(2) At December 31, 2016, $255,068 remained unused under the ING credit facility. Amounts outstanding under the ING credit facility will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on April 3, 2018. Borrowings in Euros. Euro balance outstanding of €42,575 has been converted to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of €1.00 to $1.06 as of December 31, 2016 to reflect total amount outstanding in U.S. dollars.

 

(3) At December 31, 2016, no amounts remained unused under the Locust Street credit facility.

 

(4) All amounts will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on July 15, 2019.

 

(5) All amounts will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on January 15, 2020.

 

(6) All amounts will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on May 15, 2022.

 

(7) All amounts will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on July 29, 2022.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements, including any risk management of commodity pricing or other hedging practices.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

None.

Related Party Transactions

Compensation of the Investment Adviser

Pursuant to the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, FB Advisor is entitled to an annual base management fee based on the average value of our gross assets and an incentive fee based on our performance. We commenced accruing fees under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement on January 2, 2009, upon commencement of our investment operations. Base management fees are paid on a quarterly basis in arrears. The annual base management fees under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement and the April 2014 investment advisory agreement were equal to 2.0% of the average value of our gross assets.

 

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In anticipation of the listing of our shares of common stock on the NYSE, FB Advisor recommended that the April 2014 investment advisory agreement be further amended to (i) reduce the annualized hurdle rate used in connection with the calculation of the subordinated incentive fee on income, expressed as a rate of return on our net assets, from 8% to 7.5% and (ii) assuming the reduction to the hurdle rate was approved, reduce the base management fee from 2.0% to 1.75% of the average value of our gross assets. At a special meeting of stockholders that was adjourned on June 23, 2014 and reconvened on July 17, 2014, we received stockholder approval to amend and restate the April 2014 investment advisory agreement to reflect the amendments approved by our stockholders. On July 17, 2014, we entered into the July 2014 investment advisory agreement. While stockholder approval of the proposal was pending, FB Advisor agreed, effective April 1, 2014, to waive a portion of the base management fee to which it was entitled under the April 2014 investment advisory agreement so that the fee received equaled 1.75% of the average value of our gross assets.

The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part of the incentive fee, which is referred to as the subordinated incentive fee on income, is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, and equals 20.0% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter. Under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement the subordinated incentive fee on income was subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on adjusted capital, as defined in the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, equal to 2.0% per quarter, or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.0%. As a result, FB Advisor did not earn this incentive fee for any quarter until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter exceeded the hurdle rate of 2.0%. Once our pre-incentive fee net investment income in any quarter exceeded the hurdle rate, FB Advisor was entitled to a “catch-up” fee equal to the amount of the pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate, until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter equaled 2.5%, or 10.0% annually, of adjusted capital. Thereafter, FB Advisor received 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income. Under the April 2014 investment advisory agreement, the subordinated incentive fee on income was calculated in the same manner, except that the hurdle rate used to compute the subordinated incentive fee on income was based on the value of our net assets rather than adjusted capital.

Under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, the hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets, was reduced from 2.0% to 1.875% per quarter, or an annualized hurdle rate of 7.5%. As a result, FB Advisor will not earn this incentive fee for any quarter until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.875%. Once our pre-incentive fee net investment income in any quarter exceeds the hurdle rate, FB Advisor will be entitled to a “catch-up” fee equal to the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate, until our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such quarter equals 2.34375%, or 9.375% annually, of the value of our net assets. Thereafter, FB Advisor will be entitled to receive 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income.

Under both the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement, the subordinated incentive fee on income is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of our pre-incentive fee net investment income will be payable except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations over the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid for the eleven preceding calendar quarters. Accordingly, any subordinated incentive fee on income that is payable in a calendar quarter will be limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter exceeds the applicable quarterly hurdle rate, subject to the “catch-up” provision, and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid for the eleven preceding calendar quarters. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, base management fees, realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation for the then-current and eleven preceding calendar quarters. There will be no accumulation of amounts on the hurdle rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there will be no clawback of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the applicable quarterly hurdle rate and there will be no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the applicable quarterly hurdle rate.

 

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The second part of the incentive fee, which is referred to as the incentive fee on capital gains, is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the July 2014 investment advisory agreement). This fee equals 20.0% of our incentive fee capital gains, which equal our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception, calculated as of the end of the applicable period, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. We accrue for the capital gains incentive fee, which, if earned, is paid annually. We accrue the incentive fee based on net realized and unrealized gains; however, the fee payable to FB Advisor is based on realized gains and no such fee is payable with respect to unrealized gains unless and until such gains are actually realized. The methodology for calculating the capital gains incentive fee is identical under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement and the July 2014 investment advisory agreement.

Pursuant to the investment sub-advisory agreement, GDFM will receive 50% of all management and incentive fees payable to FB Advisor under the July 2014 investment advisory agreement with respect to each year.

Pursuant to the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, we reimbursed FB Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations. The amount of this reimbursement was set at the lesser of (1) FB Advisor’s actual costs incurred in providing such services and (2) the amount that we estimated it would be required to pay alternative service providers for comparable services in the same geographic location. FB Advisor was required to allocate the cost of such services to us based on factors such as total assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. Our board of directors then assessed the reasonableness of such reimbursements based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to us of obtaining similar services from third-party providers known to be available. In addition, our board of directors considered whether any single third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality. Finally, our board of directors compared the total amount paid to FB Advisor for such services as a percentage of our net assets to the same ratio as reported by other comparable BDCs.

Pursuant to the administration agreement, we reimburse FB Advisor for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations, including FB Advisor’s allocable portion of the compensation and related expenses of certain personnel of FS Investments providing administrative services to us on behalf of FB Advisor. We reimburse FB Advisor no less than quarterly for all costs and expenses incurred by FB Advisor in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the administration agreement. FB Advisor allocates the cost of such services to us based on factors such as total assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. Our board of directors reviews the methodology employed in determining how the expenses are allocated to us and the proposed allocation of administrative expenses among us and certain affiliates of FB Advisor. Our board of directors then assesses the reasonableness of such reimbursements for expenses allocated to us based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to us of obtaining similar services from third-party service providers known to be available. In addition, our board of directors considers whether any single third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality. Finally, our board of directors compares the total amount paid to FB Advisor for such services as a percentage of our net assets to the same ratio as reported by other comparable BDCs.

 

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The following table describes the fees and expenses we accrued under the 2008 investment advisory and administrative services agreement, the April 2014 investment advisory agreement, the July 2014 investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement, as applicable, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 

              Year Ended December 31,  

Related Party

 

Source Agreement

  

Description

       2016              2015             2014      

FB Advisor

  2008 Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, April 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement and July 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement    Base Management Fee(1)    $ 71,280      $ 75,401     $ 81,780  

FB Advisor

  2008 Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, April 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement and July 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement    Capital Gains Incentive Fee(2)      —        $ (21,075   $ (9,468

FB Advisor

  2008 Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, April 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement and July 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement    Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income(3)    $ 51,830      $ 61,036     $ 58,122  

FB Advisor

  2008 Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement, April 2014 Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement    Administrative Services Expenses(4)    $ 3,475      $ 4,182     $ 4,794  

 

(1) FB Advisor agreed, effective April 1, 2014, to waive a portion of the base management fee to which it was entitled under the April 2014 investment advisory agreement so that the fee received equaled 1.75% of the average value of our gross assets. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the amount shown is net of waivers of $2,837. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, $71,673, $76,546, and $84,920, respectively, in base management fees were paid to FB Advisor. As of December 31, 2016, $18,022 in base management fees were payable to FB Advisor.

 

(2) During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we reversed capital gains incentive fees of $21,075 and $9,468, respectively, based on the performance of our portfolio. We paid FB Advisor no capital gains incentive fees during the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, no capital gains incentive fees were accrued.

 

(3) During the year ended December 31, 2016, $52,319 of subordinated incentive fees on income were paid to FB Advisor. As of December 31, 2016, a subordinated incentive fee on income of $12,885 was payable to FB Advisor.

 

(4) During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, $3,194, $3,664 and $3,849, respectively, of administrative services expenses related to the allocation of costs of administrative personnel for services rendered to us by FB Advisor and the remainder related to other reimbursable expenses. We paid $3,905, $4,646 and $4,537, respectively, in administrative services expenses to FB Advisor during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our agreements with FB Advisor and our other related party transactions and relationships, including our exemptive relief order, our terminated expense reimbursement agreement and our trademark license agreement with FS Investments.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

FB Advisor’s senior management team is comprised of substantially the same personnel as the senior management teams of FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FSIC III Advisor, LLC, FSIC IV

 

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Advisor, LLC and FS Global Advisor, LLC, the investment advisers to certain other BDCs and a closed-end management investment company affiliated with FS Investments, and such personnel may serve in similar or other capacities for the investment advisers to future investment vehicles affiliated with FS Investments. As a result, such personnel provide investment advisory services to us and each of FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, FS Investment Corporation IV and FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund. While none of FB Advisor, FS Investment Advisor, LLC, FSIC II Advisor, LLC, FSIC III Advisor, LLC, FSIC IV Advisor, LLC or FS Global Advisor, LLC, is currently making private corporate debt investments for clients other than us, FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, FS Investment Corporation IV or FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund, respectively, any, or all, may do so in the future. In the event that FB Advisor undertakes to provide investment advisory services to other clients in the future, it intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with our investment objectives and strategies, if necessary, so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any other client of FB Advisor or its management team. In addition, even in the absence of FB Advisor retaining additional clients, it is possible that some investment opportunities may be provided to FS Energy and Power Fund, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, FS Investment Corporation IV and/or FS Global Credit Opportunities Fund rather than to us.

 

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2016, 67.0% of our portfolio investments (based on fair value) paid variable interest rates, 19.4% paid fixed interest rates, 2.7% were income producing equity or other investments, and the remaining 10.9% consisted of non-income producing equity or other investments. A rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to any variable rate investments we hold and to declines in the value of any fixed rate investments we hold. However, many of our variable rate investments provide for an interest rate floor, which may prevent our interest income from increasing until benchmark interest rates increase beyond a threshold amount. To the extent that a substantial portion of our investments may be in variable rate investments, an increase in interest rates beyond this threshold would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the hurdle rate applicable to the subordinated incentive fee on income, and may result in a substantial increase in our net investment income and to the amount of incentive fees payable to FB Advisor with respect to our increased pre-incentive fee net investment income.

Pursuant to the terms of the Hamilton Street credit facility, ING credit facility, Locust Street credit facility and secured borrowing arrangement, we borrow at a floating rate based on a benchmark interest rate. Under the indenture governing the 4.000% notes, the 4.250% notes and the 4.750% notes, we pay interest to the holders of such notes at a fixed rate. To the extent that any present or future credit facilities or other financing arrangements that we or any of our subsidiaries enter into are based on a floating interest rate, we will be subject to risks relating to changes in market interest rates. In periods of rising interest rates when we or our subsidiaries have such debt outstanding, or financing arrangements in effect, our interest expense would increase, which could reduce our net investment income, especially to the extent we hold fixed rate investments.

The following table shows the effect over a twelve month period of changes in interest rates on our interest income, interest expense and net interest income, assuming no changes in the composition of our investment portfolio, including the accrual status of our investments, and our financing arrangements in effect as of December 31, 2016 (dollar amounts are presented in thousands):

 

Basis Point Change in Interest Rates

   Increase
(Decrease)
in Interest
Income(1)
    Increase
(Decrease)
in Interest
Expense
    Increase
(Decrease) in
Net Interest
Income
     Percentage
Change in Net
Interest Income
 

Down 100 basis points

   $ (1,294   $ (4,430   $ 3,136        1.2

No change

     —         —         —          —    

Up 100 basis points

     21,125       4,430       16,695        6.3

Up 300 basis points

     70,382       13,291       57,091        21.4

Up 500 basis points

     119,868       22,151       97,717        36.6

 

(1) Assumes no defaults or prepayments by portfolio companies over the next twelve months.

We expect that our long-term investments will be financed primarily with equity and debt. If deemed prudent, we may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 we did not engage in interest rate hedging activities.

In addition, we may have risk regarding portfolio valuation. See “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies—Valuation of Portfolio Investments.”

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Index to Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     89  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     90  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     91  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

     92  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     93  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December  31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     94  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     95  

Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

     96  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     113  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements, management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013 (“COSO”). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of those controls. Based on this evaluation, we have concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been audited by our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

FS Investment Corporation

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We have audited FS Investment Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. FS Investment Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, FS Investment Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets, including the consolidated schedules of investments, of FS Investment Corporation as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 and our report dated March 1, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ RSM US LLP

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

March 1, 2017

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

FS Investment Corporation

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, including the consolidated schedules of investments, of FS Investment Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 by correspondence with the custodians and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FS Investment Corporation as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), FS Investment Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated March 1, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of FS Investment Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ RSM US LLP

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

March 1, 2017

 

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Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FS Investment Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

    December 31,  
    2016     2015  

Assets

   

Investments, at fair value

   

Non-controlled/unaffiliated investments (amortized cost—$3,509,899 and $4,027,950, respectively)

  $ 3,440,951     $ 3,820,283  

Non-controlled/affiliated investments (amortized cost—$153,167 and $91,248, respectively)

    202,795       132,357  

Controlled/affiliated investments (amortized cost—$80,874 and $75,988, respectively)

    83,070       76,731  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments, at fair value (amortized cost—$3,743,940 and $4,195,186, respectively)

  $ 3,726,816     $ 4,029,371  

Cash

    264,594       80,807  

Foreign currency, at fair value (cost—$4 and $1,175, respectively)

    4       1,180  

Receivable for investments sold and repaid

    75,921       66  

Interest receivable

    36,106       34,600  

Deferred financing costs

    5,828       1,420  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    802       729  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 4,110,071     $ 4,148,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

   

Payable for investments purchased

  $ 5,748     $ —    

Credit facilities payable

    619,932       34,625  

Unsecured notes payable (net of deferred financing costs of $1,884 and $1,490, respectively)

    1,070,701       988,274  

Repurchase agreement payable(1)

    —         800,000  

Secured borrowing, at fair value (proceeds of $2,831 and $0, respectively)

    2,880       —    

Stockholder distributions payable

    54,364       54,093  

Management fees payable

    18,022       18,415  

Subordinated income incentive fees payable(2)

    12,885       13,374  

Administrative services expense payable

    516       946  

Interest payable

    20,144       22,061  

Directors’ fees payable

    281       282  

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

    7,221       7,175  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,812,694       1,939,245  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies(3)

    —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

   

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

    —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized, 244,063,357 and 242,847,016 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    244       243  

Capital in excess of par value

    2,261,040       2,264,345  

Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/loss on investments and gain/loss on foreign currency(4)

    (104,274     (45,748

Accumulated undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income(4)

    148,026       147,946  

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and secured borrowing and unrealized gain/loss on foreign currency

    (7,659     (157,858
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

    2,297,377       2,208,928  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 4,110,071     $ 4,148,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value per share of common stock at year end

  $ 9.41     $ 9.10  

 

(1) See Note 8 for a discussion of the Company’s repurchase transaction, which the Company terminated on November 1, 2016.

 

(2) See Note 2 and Note 4 for a discussion of the methodology employed by the Company in calculating the capital gains incentive fees and subordinated income incentive fees.

 

(3) See Note 9 for a discussion of the Company’s commitments and contingencies.

 

(4) See Note 5 for a discussion of the sources of distributions paid by the Company.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

FS Investment Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  

Investment income

     

From non-controlled/unaffiliated investments:

     

Interest income

  $ 373,158     $ 420,834     $ 418,749  

Fee income

    35,541       43,392       44,961  

Dividend income

    2,727       6,499       810  

From non-controlled/affiliated investments:

     

Interest income

    6,824       2,603       —    

Fee income

    752       790       —    

Dividend income

    224       299       299  

From controlled/affiliated investments:

     

Interest income

    3,583       380       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    422,809       474,797       464,819  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     

Management fees(1)

    71,280       75,401       84,617  

Capital gains incentive fees(2)

    —         (21,075     (9,468

Subordinated income incentive fees(2)

    51,830       61,036       58,122  

Administrative services expenses

    3,475       4,182       4,794  

Accounting and administrative fees

    966       1,082       1,223  

Interest expense

    74,058       75,127       64,804  

Directors’ fees

    1,139       1,026       1,027  

Listing advisory fees

    —         —         5,043  

Other general and administrative expenses

    7,184       6,872       10,086  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    209,932       203,651       220,248  

Management fee waiver(1)

    —         —         (2,837
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

    209,932       203,651       217,411  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before taxes

    212,877       271,146       247,408  

Excise taxes

    5,554       6,056       5,400  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

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