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N-2 - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 08, 2024
Aug. 14, 2023
Feb. 03, 2021
Feb. 05, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2018
Jan. 31, 2018
Feb. 28, 2017
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Jun. 30, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Sep. 30, 2021
Jun. 30, 2021
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Cover [Abstract]                                                        
Entity Central Index Key                 0001508655                                      
Amendment Flag                 false                                      
Securities Act File Number                 001-36364                                      
Document Type                 10-K                                      
Entity Registrant Name                 Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.                                      
Entity Address, Address Line One                 2100 McKinney Avenue                                      
Entity Address, Address Line Two                 Suite 1500                                      
Entity Address, City or Town                 Dallas                                      
Entity Address, State or Province                 TX                                      
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code                 75201                                      
City Area Code                 469                                      
Local Phone Number                 621-3001                                      
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer                 Yes                                      
Entity Emerging Growth Company                 false                                      
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities [Table Text Block]                  

SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of the last ten fiscal years. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2023 is attached as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 10-K. The “-” indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.

 

Class and Year/Period

 

Total Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Treasury
Securities
(1)
($ in millions)

 

 

Asset Coverage
Per Unit
(2)

 

 

Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference Per
Unit
(3)

 

 

Average
Market Value
Per Unit
(4)

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

889.7

 

 

$

1,815.9

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

719.3

 

 

 

1,885.7

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

316.4

 

 

 

2,053.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2020

 

 

472.3

 

 

 

2,045.4

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2019

 

 

495.7

 

 

 

2,004.1

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2018

 

 

187.5

 

 

 

2,705.2

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2017

 

 

486.8

 

 

 

2,355.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2016

 

 

578.7

 

 

 

2,376.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2015

 

 

540.3

 

 

 

2,257.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2014

 

 

283.9

 

 

 

3,110.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

Convertible Senior Notes due 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2018

 

 

114.3

 

 

 

2,705.2

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2017

 

 

113.7

 

 

 

2,355.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2016

 

 

113.1

 

 

 

2,376.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2015

 

 

112.5

 

 

 

2,257.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2014

 

 

111.9

 

 

 

3,110.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

Convertible Senior Note due 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

2,053.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2020

 

 

142.5

 

 

 

2,045.4

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2019

 

 

171.9

 

 

 

2,004.1

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2018

 

 

171.7

 

 

 

2,705.2

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2017

 

 

114.7

 

 

 

2,355.3

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

2023 Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

1,885.7

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

2,053.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2020

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

2,045.4

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2019

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

2,004.1

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2018

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

2,705.2

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

2024 Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

347.2

 

 

$

1,815.9

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

346.8

 

 

 

1,885.7

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

346.4

 

 

 

2,053.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2020

 

 

346.1

 

 

 

2,045.4

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2019

 

 

297.2

 

 

 

2,004.1

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

2026 Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

298.9

 

 

$

1,815.9

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2022

 

 

298.5

 

 

 

1,885.7

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

December 31, 2021

 

 

298.1

 

 

 

2,053.6

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

2028 Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

$

298.3

 

 

$

1,815.9

 

 

$

 

 

N/A

 

(1)
Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at carrying value, excluding the impact of deferred financing costs and hedge accounting relationships, at the end of the period presented.
(2)
Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total assets, less all liabilities excluding indebtedness represented by senior securities in this table, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness and is calculated on a consolidated basis.
(3)
The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon our involuntary liquidation in preference to any security junior to it. The “-” in this column indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4)
Not applicable because the senior securities are not registered for public trading.
                                   
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block]                

Our Investment Framework

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Since we began our investment activities in July 2011, through December 31, 2023, we have originated more than $31.5 billion aggregate principal amount of investments and retained approximately $10.0 billion aggregate principal amount of these investments on our balance sheet prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct investment originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds, equity securities, and other instruments.

By “middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of $10 million to $250 million, although we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. As of December 31, 2023, our core portfolio companies, which exclude certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 95.3% of our total investments based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $230.3 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $79.3 million.

We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt.

The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3 as defined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services, respectively), which is often referred to as “junk.”

The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). As of December 31, 2023, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 2.6% of our total investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2023, the average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $24.1 million based on fair value. Portfolio companies includes investments in structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized

loan obligation as a portfolio company investment. When excluding investments in structured credit investments, the average investment in our remaining portfolio companies was approximately $34.3 million as of December 31, 2023.

Through our Adviser, we consider potential investments utilizing a four-tiered investment framework and against our existing portfolio as a whole:

Business and sector selection. We focus on companies with enterprise value between $50 million and $1 billion. When reviewing potential investments, we seek to invest in businesses with high marginal cash flow, recurring revenue streams and where we believe credit quality will improve over time. We look for portfolio companies that we think have a sustainable competitive advantage in growing industries or distressed situations. We also seek companies where our investment will have a low loan-to-value ratio.

We currently do not limit our focus to any specific industry and we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.

As of December 31, 2023, the largest industry represented 18.0% of our total investment portfolio based on fair value.

Investment Structuring. We focus on investing at the top of the capital structure and protecting that position. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 92.4% of our portfolio was invested in secured debt, including 91.3% in first-lien debt investments. We carefully perform diligence and structure investments to include strong investor covenants. As a result, we structure investments with a view to creating opportunities for early intervention in the event of non-performance or stress. In addition, we seek to retain effective voting control in investments over the loans or particular class of securities in which we invest through maintaining affirmative voting positions or negotiating consent rights that allow us to retain a blocking position. We also aim for our loans to mature on a medium term, between two to six years after origination. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted average term on new investment commitments in new portfolio companies was 6.0 years.

Deal Dynamics. We focus on, among other deal dynamics, direct origination of investments, where we identify and lead the investment transaction. A substantial majority of our portfolio investments are sourced through our direct or proprietary relationships.

Risk Mitigation. We seek to mitigate non-credit-related risk on our returns in several ways, including call protection provisions to protect future interest income. As of December 31, 2023, we had call protection on 75.1% of our debt investments based on fair value, with weighted average call prices of 106.5% for the first year, 103.2% for the second year and 101.0% for the third year, in each case from the date of the initial investment. As of December 31, 2023, 99.7% of our debt investments based on fair value bore interest at floating rates, with 100% of these subject to interest rate floors, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation.

                                     
Risk Factors [Table Text Block]                

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described below. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Summary of Risk Factors

The following is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success.
We are subject to significant regulations governing our operation as a BDC, which affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. Changes in regulation could adversely affect our business.
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.
Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.
To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC.
We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.
Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.
Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street.
The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner.
Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.
Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies.
Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.
The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2023 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.
The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of

significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.
Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies.
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.
By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.
Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies and we may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.
Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.
The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.
Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues, and there are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations
that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.

Risks Related to Our Securities

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.
Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and could decline.
Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.
Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share and the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

General Risk Factors

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividend.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
The effect of geopolitical conflicts and global climate change may impact us and our portfolio companies.
                                     
Effects of Leverage [Table Text Block]                

Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2023

 

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio

(net of expenses) (1)

 

-10%

 

-5%

 

0%

 

5%

 

10%

Corresponding return to stockholder (2)

 

(31.9%)

 

(20.7%)

 

(9.6%)

 

1.6%

 

12.8%

 

(1)
The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2023. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2023.
(2)
In order to compute the “Corresponding return to stockholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2023 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average annualized stated interest rate of 7.79% by the approximately $1,837.2 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to stockholders. The return available to stockholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2023 to determine the “Corresponding return to stockholder.”
                                     
Return at Minus Ten [Percent]                   (31.90%)                                    
Return at Minus Five [Percent]                 (20.70%)                                      
Return at Zero [Percent]                 (9.60%)                                      
Return at Plus Five [Percent]                   0.60%                                    
Return at Plus Ten [Percent]                 12.80%                                      
NAV Per Share                 $ 17.04 $ 16.48 $ 16.97 $ 16.74 $ 16.59 $ 16.36 $ 16.27 $ 16.88 $ 16.84 $ 17.18 $ 16.85 $ 16.47 $ 17.16 $ 16.83 $ 16.25 $ 16.09 $ 15.95 $ 15.15 $ 15.53 $ 15.52
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt [Table Text Block]                

2022 Convertible Notes

In February 2017, we issued in a private offering $115.0 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes”). The 2022 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2022 Convertible Notes were unsecured, and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. In June 2018, we issued an additional $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes. The additional 2022 Convertible Notes were issued with identical terms, and were fungible with and were part of a single series with the previously outstanding $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Convertible Notes issued in February 2017. In connection with the offering of 2022 Convertible Notes in February 2017 and the reopening in June 2018, we entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps matched the amount of principal outstanding, and matured on August 1, 2022, matching the maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes.

On August 1, 2022, the 2022 Convertible Notes matured in accordance with the governing indenture. Holders of $79.2 million aggregate principal amount of notes provided valid notice of conversion and were subject to the combination settlement method previously elected by us, with a specified cash amount (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes) of $20.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes and any additional amounts in stock based on the applicable conversion rate as described in the indenture. In accordance with the settlement method, we issued a total of 4,360,125 shares of common stock, or $77.6 million at the adjusted conversion price per share of $17.92. The remaining balance of the notes that were not converted into newly issued shares of common stock were settled with existing cash resources, including through utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility. The interest rate swaps associated with the principal amount of the notes outstanding were terminated on the date of maturity of the 2022 Convertible Notes.

2023 Notes

In January 2018, we issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that matured on January 22, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2023 Notes was payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and were redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $146.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2023 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 2023 Notes matured on January 22, 2023 and were fully repaid in cash. The swap transaction associated with the issuance of the 2023 Notes also matured on January 22, 2023.

2024 Notes

In November 2019, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2024 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount were $292.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On February 5, 2020, we issued an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024. The additional 2024 Notes are a further issuance of, fungible with, rank equally in right of payment with and have the same terms (other than the issue date and the public offering price) as the initial issuance of 2024 Notes. Total proceeds from the issuance of the additional 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue premium were $50.1 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the 2024 Notes offering and reopening of the 2024 Notes, we entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the two interest rates swaps is $300.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, each of which matures on November 1, 2024, matching the maturity date of the 2024 Notes. As a result of the swaps, our effective interest rate on the 2024 Notes is three-month SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis).

During the year ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased on the open market and extinguished $2.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes for $2.4 million. These repurchases resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt of less than $0.1 million. This gain is included in the extinguishment of debt in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with the repurchase of the 2024 Notes, we entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap with a notional amount equal to the amount of 2024 Notes repurchased, which had the effect of reducing the notional exposure of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which were entered into in connection with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, to match the remaining principal amount of the 2024 Notes outstanding. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the outstanding 2024 Notes is SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis).

2026 Notes

On February 3, 2021, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 1, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2026 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on August 1, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $293.7 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2026 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 1, 2026, matching the maturity date of the 2026 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2026 Notes is SOFR plus 2.17%.

2028 Notes

On August 14, 2023, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 14, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2028 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on February 14, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $293.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2028 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the issuance of the 2028 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 14, 2028, matching the maturity date of the 2028 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2028 Notes is SOFR plus 2.99%.

2029 Notes

Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, on January 8, 2024, the we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2029 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2029 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on September 1, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $341.8 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2029 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, in connection with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $350.0 million, which matures on March 1, 2029, matching the maturity date of the 2029 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2029 Notes is SOFR plus 2.44%.

Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Aggregate Principal

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Amount

 

 

Carrying

 

($ in millions)

 

Amount Committed

 

 

Principal

 

 

Available (1)

 

 

Value (2)(3)

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

$

1,710.0

 

 

$

889.7

 

 

$

820.2

 

 

$

874.5

 

2024 Notes

 

 

347.5

 

 

 

347.5

 

 

 

 

 

335.9

 

2026 Notes

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

 

 

270.9

 

2028 Notes

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

 

 

299.0

 

Total Debt

 

$

2,657.5

 

 

$

1,837.2

 

 

$

820.2

 

 

$

1,780.3

 

(1)
The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding letters of credit issued and asset coverage requirements.
(2)
The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $15.2 million, $1.2 million, $3.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
(3)
The carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(10.4) million, $(26.1) million and $4.7 million, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Aggregate Principal

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Amount

 

 

Carrying

 

($ in millions)

 

Amount Committed

 

 

Principal

 

 

Available (1)

 

 

Value (2)(3)

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

$

1,585.0

 

 

$

719.3

 

 

$

865.7

 

 

$

706.2

 

2023 Notes

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

 

 

149.9

 

2024 Notes

 

 

347.5

 

 

 

347.5

 

 

 

 

 

325.5

 

2026 Notes

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

300.0

 

 

 

 

 

260.2

 

Total Debt

 

$

2,382.5

 

 

$

1,516.8

 

 

$

865.7

 

 

$

1,441.8

 

 

(1)
The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility and asset coverage requirements.
(2)
The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $13.2 million, less than $0.1 million, $2.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
(3)
The carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(19.4) million and $(35.7) million, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the terms of our debt arrangements. We intend to continue to utilize our credit facilities to fund investments and for other general corporate purposes.

                                     
Risks Related to Our Business and Structure [Member]                                                        
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Risk [Text Block]                

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success.
We are subject to significant regulations governing our operation as a BDC, which affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. Changes in regulation could adversely affect our business.
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.
Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.
To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC.
We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.
Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.
Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street.
The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner.
Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.
Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies.
Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.
The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2023 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success.

We depend on the experience, diligence, skill and network of business contacts of senior members of our Investment Team. Our Investment Team, together with other professionals at Sixth Street and its affiliates, identifies, evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and manages our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the senior members of our Investment Team. The senior members of our Investment Team are not contractually restricted from leaving the Adviser. The departure of any of these key personnel, including members of our Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, could have a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, we cannot assure you that the Adviser will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Sixth Street or its investment professionals. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice.

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

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. See ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company” for a discussion of BDC limitations. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in securities of nonpublic or thinly traded U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. These constraints may hinder the Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective.

We may need to periodically access the debt and equity capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments in excess of our repayments, and we may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent such maturing obligations are not repaid with availability under our revolving credit facilities or cash flows from operations.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital, and the ways in which we can do so. Raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage, and may result in dilution to our current stockholders. The 1940 Act limits our ability to incur borrowings and issue debt securities and preferred stock, which we refer to as senior securities, requiring that after any borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%.

We may need to continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets may limit our ability to refinance our existing debt obligations as they come due and/or to fully execute our business strategy and could limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our business, which could decrease our earnings, if any. Consequently, if the value of our assets declines or we are unable to access the capital markets we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when this may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we borrow money or issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank senior to common stock in our capital structure. Preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and may have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest. Holders of our common stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our common stock and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive dividends would be senior to those of holders of shares of our common stock.

Our Board may decide to issue additional common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. However, we generally are not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, elect to issue and 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 determines that the sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 25, 2023, we are currently permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below our then-current net asset value per share, subject to the approval of our

Board and certain other conditions. Such stockholder approval expires on May 25, 2024. We may in the future seek such approval again; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of those securities (less any distribution commission or discount). In the event we sell shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, existing stockholders will experience net asset value dilution. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock and would cause a proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted.

In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we could securitize our investments to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize our investments, we likely would create a wholly owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who we would expect would be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of investments before any of the debt securities would be exposed to the losses. An inability to successfully securitize our investment portfolio could limit our ability to grow or fully execute our business and could adversely affect our earnings, if any. The successful securitization of our investment could expose us to losses because the portions of the securitized investments that we would typically retain tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The 1940 Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization. In connection with any future securitization of investments, we may incur greater set-up and administration fees relating to such vehicles than we have in connection with financing of our investments in the past. See “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company InvestmentsWe may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.”

We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.

As part of our business strategy, we borrow from and may in the future issue additional senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these loans or senior securities would have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that have priority over the claims of our stockholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed. This decline could negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock. Our ability to service our borrowings depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, the Management Fee is payable based on our gross assets, including cash and assets acquired through the use of leverage, which may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.” The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Adviser’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

Our credit facilities and indentures governing our indebtedness also impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, remedies on default and similar matters. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are in compliance with the covenants of our credit facilities and indentures. However, our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, although we believe we will continue to be in compliance, we cannot assure you that we will continue to comply with the covenants in our credit facilities and indentures. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default. If we were unable to obtain a waiver of a default from the lenders or holders of that indebtedness, as applicable, those lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under that indebtedness. An acceleration could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lastly, we may be unable to obtain additional leverage, which would, in turn, affect our return on capital.

As of December 31, 2023, we had $1,837.2 million principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, which had an annualized interest cost of 7.8% under the terms of our debt, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of upfront fees) and giving effect to the swap-adjusted interest rates on our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes.

As of December 31, 2023, as adjusted to give effect to the interest rate swaps, the interest rate on the 2024 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted-average basis), the interest rate on the 2026 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.17%, and the interest rate on the 2028 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.99%.

For us to cover these annualized interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our investments of at least 4.4%. Since we generally pay interest at a floating rate on our debt, an increase in interest rates will generally increase our borrowing

costs. We expect that our annualized interest cost and returns required to cover interest will increase if we issue additional debt securities.

In order to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage, the following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of stockholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

 

Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2023

 

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio

(net of expenses) (1)

 

-10%

 

-5%

 

0%

 

5%

 

10%

Corresponding return to stockholder (2)

 

(31.9%)

 

(20.7%)

 

(9.6%)

 

1.6%

 

12.8%

 

(1)
The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2023. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2023.
(2)
In order to compute the “Corresponding return to stockholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2023 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average annualized stated interest rate of 7.79% by the approximately $1,837.2 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to stockholders. The return available to stockholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2023 to determine the “Corresponding return to stockholder.”

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before it matures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our stockholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements.

Legislation allows us to incur additional leverage.

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 200%. However, under the SBCAA, which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or stockholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

On October 8, 2018, our stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we are permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.

As a result, you may face increased investment risk. We may not be able to implement our strategy to utilize additional leverage successfully. See “We operate in a highly competitive environment for investment opportunities.” Any impact on returns or equity or our business associated with additional leverage may not outweigh the additional risk. See “We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

Other public and private entities, including commercial banks, commercial financing companies, other BDCs and insurance companies compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. Certain of these competitors may be substantially larger, have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have and offer a wider array of financial services. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not

available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, however, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.

In addition, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the restrictions that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. As a result, we face additional constraints on our operations, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage. As a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective. The competitive pressures we face could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Investment Team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms, including equity financing. Moreover, our ability to structure investments may also depend upon the participation of other prospective investors. For example, our ability to offer loans above a certain size and to structure loans in a certain way may depend on our ability to partner with other investors. As a result, we could fail to capture some investment opportunities if we cannot provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company either alone or with other investment partners.

In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our Investment Team may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. To grow, our Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and ability to achieve our investment objective.

Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.

Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. The Management Fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of our gross assets at a specific time, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, and may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. In addition, the Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets or your investment have decreased. The use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our common stock. Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions that our Adviser will make on our behalf, we may not be able to monitor this potential conflict of interest.

The Incentive Fee is calculated as a percentage of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income. Since pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached in that quarter and, as a result, that an Incentive Fee is paid for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee.

Also, one component of the Incentive Fee is calculated annually based upon our realized capital gains, computed net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on a cumulative basis. As a result, we may owe the Adviser an Incentive Fee during one year as a result of realized capital gains on certain investments, and then incur significant realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on the remaining investments in our portfolio during subsequent years. Incentive Fees earned in prior years cannot be clawed back even if we later incur losses.

In addition, the Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. The Adviser receives the Incentive Fee based, in part, upon capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the Incentive Fee that is based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. As a result, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to

income-producing investments. Such a practice could result in our making more speculative investments than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.

To maintain our status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year, and may either distribute or retain our realized net capital gains from investments. Unless investors elect to reinvest dividends, earnings that we are required to distribute to stockholders will not be available to fund future investments. Accordingly, we may have insufficient funds to make new and follow-on investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Because of the structure and objectives of our business, we may experience operating losses and expect to rely on proceeds from sales of investments, rather than on interest and dividend income, to pay our operating expenses. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell our investments and thereby fund our operating expenses.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements.

We will incur corporate-level U.S. federal income tax costs if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements. Although we have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC status under the Code and to avoid corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:

We must distribute (or be treated as distributing) dividends for tax purposes in each taxable year equal to at least 90% of each of:
the sum of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses or, investment company taxable income, if any, for that taxable year; and
our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year.

The asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under our loan and credit agreements could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, our income for tax purposes may exceed our available cash flow. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to satisfy the distribution requirements that apply to a RIC. As a result, we could lose our RIC status and become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

We must derive at least 90% of our gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of or other disposition of stock or securities or similar sources.
We must meet specified asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. The need to satisfy these requirements to prevent the loss of RIC status may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly on unfavorable terms. Because most of our investments will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

If we fail to maintain our qualification for tax treatment as a RIC for any reason, the resulting U.S. federal income tax liability could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.

We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we elected to retain approximately $91.6 million and $62.8 million of taxable income and capital gains, respectively, in order to provide us with additional liquidity and we recorded an expense of $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax as a result. We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in the future, including for purposes of providing us with additional liquidity, which amounts would similarly be subject to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax. In that event, we will be liable for the tax on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company—Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.

 

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

The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“EURIBOR”), Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Sterling Overnight Index Average ("SONIA"), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations, adversely affecting the credit quality of our investments.

An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business.

A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.

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.

Our Revolving Credit Facility is subject to variable rates that expose us to interest rate risk. We may also incur additional indebtedness subject to variable rates in the future. When interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same.

U.S. dollar borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate derived from SOFR. SOFR is a relatively new reference rate and has a very limited history. The future performance of SOFR cannot be predicted based on its limited historical performance. Since the initial publication of SOFR in April 2018, changes in SOFR have, on occasion, been more volatile than changes in other benchmark or market rates, such as U.S. dollar LIBOR. The use of SOFR is relatively new, and there could be unanticipated difficulties or disruptions with the calculation and publication of SOFR. Additionally, any successor rate to SOFR under our revolving credit facility may not have the same characteristics as SOFR or LIBOR. As a result, the amount of interest we may pay on our revolving credit facility is difficult to predict.

Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.

Sixth Street and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us. However, the Adviser, its officers and employees and members of its Investment Review Committee serve or may serve as investment advisers, officers, directors or principals of entities or investment funds that operate in the same or a related line of business as us or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, these individuals may have obligations to investors in those entities or funds, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders.

In addition, any affiliated investment vehicle currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, particularly in connection with any future growth of their respective businesses, may have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. For example, Sixth Street has organized a separate investment vehicle, Sixth Street Specialty Lending Europe, aimed specifically at European middle-market loan originations and may

in the future organize vehicles aimed at other loan origination opportunities outside our primary focus. Our ability to pursue investment opportunities other than middle-market loan originations for companies domiciled in the United States is subject to the contractual and other requirements of these other funds and allocation decisions by their respective senior professionals. As a result, the Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and those other entities. It is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by those other entities that would otherwise be suitable for us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. These conditions include, among others, prior approval by a majority of our Independent Directors and that the terms and conditions of the investment applicable to those affiliates must be the same as those applicable to us. If the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates were to determine that an investment is appropriate both for us and for one or more other affiliated vehicles, we would only be able to make the investment in conjunction with another vehicle to the extent the exemptive order granted to us by the SEC permits us to do so or the investment is otherwise permitted under relevant SEC guidance.

On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified.

We cannot assure you when or whether we will apply for any other exemptive relief in the future and whether such orders will be obtained.

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 our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we generally are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent 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 Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are 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, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.

The decision by Sixth Street, our Adviser or their affiliates to allocate an opportunity to another entity could cause us to forgo an investment opportunity that we otherwise would have made. We also generally will be unable to invest in any issuer in which Sixth Street and its other affiliates or a fund managed by Sixth Street or its other affiliates has previously invested or in which they are making an investment. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions

without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified. We and our affiliates, including investment funds managed by our affiliates, are only permitted to co-invest in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order or in the limited circumstances otherwise currently permitted by regulatory guidance.

Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street. Any new investment advisory agreement would require stockholder approval.

The Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time on 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether we have found a replacement. In addition, our Board has the authority to remove the Adviser for any reason or for no reason, or may choose not to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Furthermore, the Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. If the Adviser resigns or is terminated, or if we do not obtain the requisite approvals of stockholders and our Board to approve an agreement with the Adviser after an assignment, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption and costs under any new agreements that we enter into could increase. Our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay dividends, are likely to be adversely affected, and the value of our common stock may decline.

Any new Investment Advisory Agreement would be subject to approval by our stockholders. Even if we are able to enter into comparable management or administrative arrangements, the integration of a new adviser or administrator and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, if the Adviser resigns or is terminated, we would lose the benefits of our relationship with Sixth Street, including insights into our existing portfolio, market expertise, sector and macroeconomic views and due diligence capabilities, as well as any investment opportunities referred to us.

The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

The Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it will not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services).

We have agreed to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, because he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of the Adviser in the performance of the person’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Our obligation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses is subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, preclude indemnification for any liability (whether or not there is an adjudication of liability or the matter has been settled) arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and require reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification will be made. Despite these limitations, the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses may lead the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other persons and entities affiliated with the Adviser to act in a riskier manner than they would when acting for their own account.

Any 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. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us.

We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a publicly traded company, we incur legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses, including costs associated with corporate governance requirements, such as those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, other rules implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. Our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which increases the costs associated with our periodic reporting requirements.

We are obligated to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or our internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our securities.

We are required to comply with the independent auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Complying with Section 404 requires a rigorous compliance program as well as adequate time and resources. We may not be able to complete our internal control evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. Matters impacting our internal control may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. Additionally, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our auditors are unable to attest to management’s report on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on the price of our securities.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results as a result of a number of factors, including the pace at which investments are made, rates of repayment, interest rates payable on investments, changes in realized and unrealized gains and losses, syndication and other fees, the level of our expenses and default rates on our investments. As a result of these and other possible factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation, and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Among other provisions, we have a staggered board and our directors may be removed for cause only by the affirmative vote of 75% of the holders of our outstanding capital stock. Our Board also is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series. In addition, our certificate of incorporation requires the favorable vote of a majority of our Board followed by the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of our outstanding shares of common stock, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions, including mergers and the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of our assets with 10% or greater holders of our outstanding common stock and their affiliates or associates, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 80% of our Board, in which case approval by “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) is required. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting and our bylaws provide that any stockholder action required or permitted at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders’ meeting and not by written consent. We also are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders and could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices.

Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.

Investment companies registered under the 1940 Act are restricted from acquiring directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition), unless these funds comply with an exemption under the 1940 Act as well as other limitations under the 1940 Act that would restrict the amount that they are able to invest in our securities. Private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” either pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940

Act are also subject to this restriction. As a result, certain investors may be precluded from acquiring additional shares at a time that they might desire to do so.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of confidential information and/or damage to business relationships, or those of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to, use, alteration or destruction of our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, obtaining ransom payments, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption, or may involve phishing. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen information, misappropriation of assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. 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. 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. The costs related to cybersecurity incidents may not be fully insured or indemnified. As our and our portfolio companies’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by our Adviser and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. We, our Adviser and its affiliates have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, may be ineffective and do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

Third parties with which we do business (including, but not limited to, service providers, such as accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators, and the issuers of securities in which we invest) may also be sources or targets of cybersecurity or other technological risks. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information and assets, as well as certain investor, counterparty, employee and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, we cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by these third parties and ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure or destruction of data, or other cybersecurity incidents, with increased costs and other consequences, including those described above. Privacy and information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may also result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes.

Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our Board has the authority to change our investment objective and modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice (except as required by the 1940 Act) and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be a BDC and we may not withdraw our election as a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies or strategies would have on our business, operating results and value of our common stock. Nevertheless, the effects may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to pay dividends.

Changes in tax laws, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act may adversely affect our business.

Changes to U.S. tax laws, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 (“Tax Reform”), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act enacted on March 27, 2020 (the “CARES Act”) and the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted on August 16, 2022 (the “IRA”) have made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax system. Among other things, Tax Reform may limit the ability of borrowers to fully deduct interest expense. This could potentially affect the loan market, for example by impacting the demand for loans available from us or the terms of such loans. In addition, the IRA introduced a corporate alternative minimum tax of 15% of the “adjusted financial statement income” of certain domestic corporations as well as a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchases by certain domestic corporations, effective for tax years beginning in 2023. Further changes could be made under the new Presidential administration in the United States. Such changes to the tax laws, including (i) changes to interest deductibility, utility of net operating losses and other provisions of Tax Reform, (ii) the corporate alternative minimum tax, excise tax on stock repurchases and other provisions of the IRA or (iii) changes pursuant to future legislation or regulatory guidance could also in certain circumstances increase the U.S. tax burden on our portfolio assets which, in turn, could negatively impact their ability to service their interest expense obligations to us. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own advisors about the potential effects of Tax Reform, IRA and other changes in tax laws on the loan market and about the tax consequences of an investment in us.

We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence, including the application of various forms of artificial intelligence such as machine learning technology.

Recent technological advances in artificial intelligence, including machine learning technology (“Machine Learning Technology”), pose risks to us and our portfolio companies. We and our portfolio companies could be exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology if third-party service providers or any counterparties use Machine Learning Technology in their business activities. We and the Adviser are not in a position to control the use of Machine Learning Technology in third-party products or services. Use of Machine Learning Technology could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming partly accessible by other third-party Machine Learning Technology applications and users. Machine Learning Technology and its applications continue to develop rapidly, and we cannot predict the risks that may arise from such developments.

Machine Learning Technology is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that Machine Learning Technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of Machine Learning Technology. To the extent we or our portfolio companies are exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology use, any such inaccuracies or errors could adversely impact us or our portfolio companies.

                                     
Risks Related to Economic Conditions [Member]                                                        
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Risk [Text Block]                

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

Inflation and global supply chain issues may adversely affect our business.

Inflation and fluctuations in inflation rates have had in the past, and may in the future have, negative effects on economies and financial markets, particularly in emerging economies. For example, wages and prices of inputs increase during periods of inflation, which can negatively impact returns on investments. In an attempt to stabilize inflation, countries may impose wage and price controls or otherwise intervene in the economy. Governmental efforts to curb inflation often have negative effects on the level of economic activity. There can be no assurance that inflation will not become a serious problem in the future and have an adverse impact on the Company's returns.

Economic activity has continued to accelerate across sectors and regions. Nevertheless, global supply chain issues have, and may in the future, lead to a rise in energy prices. Inflation may continue in the near to medium-term, particularly in the U.S., with the possibility that monetary policy may tighten in response. Persistent inflationary pressures could affect our obligors’ profit margins.

Additionally, the continuing trade dispute between the United States and China, pursuant to which both countries have, among other things, imposed tariffs on one another, has had an adverse economic effect on U.S. markets and international trade more broadly. This adverse economic effect is likely to become more pronounced if the dispute remains unresolved, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's portfolio investments. For example, existing and any additional supply chain and other laws, regulations, or executive orders by either country that restrict or prohibit transactions or impose requirements or limitations on business could impair the ability of U.S.-based companies (in which the Company is likely to invest) to expand into markets in China and the ability of such companies’ to produce or obtain component parts necessary for production. Also, for the foreseeable future, the trade dispute will likely continue to be an ongoing source of instability, resulting in significant currency fluctuations, increased capital markets volatility, and other adverse effects on international markets, international trade agreements, and other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory or otherwise), which could present similar and additional potential risks and consequences for the Company and is portfolio investments.

We are currently operating in a period of disruption, volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets and in the economy generally.

The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and globally. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. The federal government and the Federal Reserve, as well as foreign governments and central banks, have implemented, and may in the future implement, significant fiscal and monetary policies in response to these disruptions, and additional government and regulatory responses may be possible. These actions, future market disruptions and illiquidity could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations and our ability to grow, and could have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

We believe that attractive investment opportunities may present themselves during this volatile period as in other periods of market volatility, and we may have opportunities to make investments at compelling values. However, periods of market disruption and instability, like the one we are experiencing currently, may adversely affect our access to sufficient debt and equity capital in order to

take advantage of attractive investment opportunities that are created during these periods. In addition, the debt capital that will be available in the future, if any, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions.

The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.

The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, leading to periods of recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending. For instance, monetary policies of the Federal Reserve and political uncertainty resulting from recent events, including changes to U.S. trade policies, the impact of the end of the transition period following United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in January 2020 (“Brexit”), the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas and related responses, has led to, from time to time, disruption and instability in the global markets. Disruptions in the capital markets increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. We cannot assure you that these conditions will not worsen. If conditions worsen, a prolonged period of market illiquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results.

In addition, to the extent that recessionary conditions return, the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, will likely experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced, and continue to experience, negative economic trends. The performances of certain of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may ultimately result in:

our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from our portfolio companies;
decreases in the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments; and
ultimately, losses or charge-offs related to our investments.

Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Due to federal budget deficit concerns, S&P downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history on August 5, 2011. Further, in 2023, Fitch downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P, Moody’s or other rating agencies, and the government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, 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. In addition, a decreased credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock. Also, to the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe and Brexit continue to negatively impact consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

After raising the target range for the federal funds rate in 2017 and 2018, the Federal Reserve lowered the target rate three times in 2019 and two times in 2020. Following recent heightened inflation, the Federal Reserve raised the target rate four times in 2023, raising the fed funds rate by about three percentage points in a six month period. In 2024, it is possible that the Federal Reserve will raise the interest rates further. Further changes in key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, could lead to additional changes to the target range for the federal funds rate that may cause instability or may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.

As a result of the 2022 U.S. election, the Democratic Party currently controls the executive branch of government and the Senate, while the Republican Party controls the House of Representatives. The divided U.S. Congress makes passage of legislation that could significantly affect the regulation of U.S. financial markets less likely. Despite the reduced likelihood of congressional action with respect to financial services, areas subject to potential change or amendment include the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Additionally, under the divided control of the Congress, the likelihood of a failure to increase the debt ceiling and a default by the federal government is increased. The United States may also potentially withdraw from, renegotiate or enter into various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the United States. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

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

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

                                     
Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments [Member]                                                        
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Risk [Text Block]                

Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.
The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of

significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.
Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies.
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.
By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.
Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies and we may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.
Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.
The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.
Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues, and there are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations
that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.

Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

We primarily invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt or equity or other securities issued by middle-market companies. The companies in which we intend to invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in these companies are not rated by any rating agency. If these instruments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3, which is often referred to as “junk”). Exposure to below investment grade instruments involves certain risks, including speculation with respect to the borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

First-Lien Debt. When we make a first-lien loan, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, 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. In some circumstances, our lien is, or could become, subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we need to enforce our remedies. In addition, in connection with our “last out” first-lien loans, we enter into agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, our interest in the collateral of the first-lien loans may rank junior to those of other lenders in the loan under certain circumstances. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal on these loans.

Second-Lien and Mezzanine Debt. Our investments in second-lien and mezzanine debt generally are subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of insolvency. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal.

Equity and Other Investments. When we invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt or mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities, such as warrants, options and convertible instruments. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. We seek to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of these interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Preferred Stock. To the extent we invest in preferred securities, we may incur particular risks, including:

preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before we receive such distributions;
preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore are subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments; and
generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board; generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.

In addition, our investments generally involve a number of significant risks, including:

the companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;
the companies in which we invest typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
the companies in which we invest 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;
the companies in which we invest generally have less predictable operating results, 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;
the debt investments in our portfolio generally have a significant portion of principal due at the maturity of the investment, which would result in a substantial loss to us if such borrowers are unable to refinance or repay their debt at maturity;
our executive officers, directors and Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies;
the companies in which we invest generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition and, if we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision; and
the companies in which we invest 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.

The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.

Investments are valued at the end of each fiscal quarter. The majority of our investments are expected to be in loans that do not have readily ascertainable market prices. The fair value of investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are determined in good faith by the Board, which is supported by the valuation committee of our Adviser and by the audit committee of our Board. The Board has retained independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited third-party valuation services that the Board identified and requested them to perform. In accordance with our valuation policy, our Investment Team prepares portfolio company valuations using sources or proprietary models depending on the availability of information on our investments and the type of asset being valued. The participation of the Adviser in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the Management Fee is based on the value of our gross assets.

Factors that we may consider in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to similar publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because fair valuations, and particularly fair valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based to a large extent on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been determined if a ready market for these securities existed. This could make it more difficult for investors to value accurately our portfolio investments and could lead to undervaluation or overvaluation of our common stock. In addition, the valuation of these types of securities may result in substantial write-downs and earnings volatility.

Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized losses. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized losses in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

We generally make loans to private companies. There may not be a ready market for our loans and certain loans may contain transfer restrictions, which may also limit liquidity. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell positions if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we hold a significant portion of a company’s equity or if we have material nonpublic information regarding that company.

Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

Our portfolio is currently invested in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries and may continue to be in the near future. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. While we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be focused on relatively few industries. For example, although we classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, many of our portfolio companies principally provide software products or services, which exposes us to downturns in that sector. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns.

We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.

Although we have not done so to date, we may securitize certain of our investments in the future, including through the formation of one or more collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in that entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers.

If we were to create a CLO or other securitization vehicle, we would depend on distributions from the vehicle to pay dividends to our stockholders. The ability of a CLO or other securitization vehicle to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. For example, tests (based on interest coverage or other financial ratios or other criteria) may restrict our ability, as holder of a CLO or other securitization vehicle equity interest, to receive cash flow from these investments. We cannot assure you that any such performance tests would be satisfied. Also, a CLO or other securitization vehicle may take actions that delay distributions to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the financing vehicle may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of its debt. As a result, there may be a lag, which could be significant, between the repayment or other realization on a loan or other assets in, and the distribution of cash out of, a CLO or other securitization vehicle, or cash flow may be completely restricted for the life of the CLO or other securitization vehicle.

In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO or other securitization vehicle due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force the sale of certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to our stockholders. If we were to form a CLO or other securitization vehicle, to the extent that any losses were incurred by the financing vehicle in respect of any collateral, these losses would be borne first by us as owners of its equity interests. Any equity interests that we were to retain in a CLO or other securitization vehicle would not be secured by its assets and we would rank behind all of its creditors.

A CLO or other securitization vehicle, if created, also would likely be consolidated in our financial statements and consequently affect our asset coverage ratio, which may limit our ability to incur additional leverage. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS – Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We are a lender, and loans (and any equity investments we make) typically will be non-controlling investments, meaning we will not be in a position to control the management, operation and strategic decision-making of the companies we invest in (outside of, potentially, the context of a restructuring, insolvency or similar event). As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company we do not control, or in which we do not have a majority ownership position, may make business decisions with which we

disagree, and the equity holders and management of such a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. We may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event that we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

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

The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as SOFR, EURIBOR, SONIA, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations.

An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business. See “—Risks Related to Economic Conditions—Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.

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. See “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.

We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.

We may not realize expected returns on our investment in a portfolio company due to changes in the portfolio company’s financial position or due to an acquisition of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company repays our loans prior to their maturity, we may not receive our expected returns on our invested capital. Many of our investments are structured to provide a disincentive for the borrower to pre-pay or call the security, but this call protection may not cover the full expected value of an investment if that investment is repaid prior to maturity.

Middle-market companies operate in a highly acquisitive market with frequent mergers and buyouts. If a portfolio company is acquired or merged with another company prior to drawing on our commitment, we would not realize our expected return. Similarly, in many cases companies will seek to restructure or repay their debt investments or buy our other equity ownership positions as part of an acquisition or merger transaction, which may result in a repayment of debt or other reduction of our investment.

By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.

As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.

Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies.

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments. By their terms, those instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of our investments. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a default under the debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company typically would be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying those holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other security holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing certain loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to holders with prior claims. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of those enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if as a result our rights as lenders are adversely affected.

We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.

One or more of our portfolio companies may be involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization or liquidation proceedings. Many of the events within a bankruptcy case are adversarial and often beyond the control of the creditors. While creditors generally are afforded an opportunity to object to significant actions, we cannot assure you that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that may be contrary to our interests. There also are instances where creditors can lose their ranking and priority if they are considered to have taken over management of a borrower. If one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

The reorganization of a company can involve substantial legal, professional and administrative costs to a lender and the borrower. It is subject to unpredictable and lengthy delays, and during the process a company’s competitive position may erode, key management may depart and a company may not be able to invest adequately. In some cases, the debtor company may not be able to reorganize and may be required to liquidate assets. The debt of companies in financial reorganization will, in most cases, not pay current interest, may not accrue interest during reorganization and may be adversely affected by an erosion of the issuer’s fundamental value.

In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender liability claim (alleging that we misused our influence on the borrower for the benefit of its lenders), if, among other things, the borrower requests significant managerial assistance from us and we provide that assistance.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments to:

increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage;
exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or
attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

We may elect not to make follow-on investments, may be constrained in our ability to employ available funds, or otherwise may lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. However, doing so could be placing even more capital at risk in existing portfolio companies.

The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.

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 our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we generally are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent 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 Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are 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, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.

The decision by Sixth Street, our Adviser or their affiliates to allocate an opportunity to another entity could cause us to forgo an investment opportunity that we otherwise would have made. We also generally will be unable to invest in any issuer in which Sixth Street and its other affiliates or a fund managed by Sixth Street or its other affiliates has previously invested or in which they are making an investment. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified. We and our affiliates, including investment funds managed by our affiliates, are only permitted to co-invest in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order or in the limited circumstances otherwise currently permitted by regulatory guidance.

Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.

We have pursued and may continue to pursue growth through acquisitions or strategic investments in new businesses. Completion and timing of any such acquisitions or strategic investments may be subject to a number of contingencies, including the uncertainty in reaching a commercial agreement with our counterparty, our ability to obtain required board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, as well as any required financing (or the risk that these are obtained subject to terms and conditions that are not anticipated). The announcement or consummation of any transaction also may adversely impact our business relationships or engender competitive responses.

Acquisitions could involve numerous additional risks, such as unanticipated litigation, unexpected costs, liabilities, charges or expenses resulting from a transaction, the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs and any changes in general economic or industry specific conditions. There can be no assurance that the integration of an acquired business will be successful or that an acquired business will prove to be profitable or sustainable. The failure to integrate successfully or to manage the challenges presented by an integration process may adversely impact our financial results. In addition, the proposal and negotiation of acquisitions or strategic investments, whether or not completed, as well as the integration of those businesses into our existing portfolio, could result in substantial expenses and the diversion of our Adviser’s time, attention and resources from our day-to-day operations.

Our ability to manage our growth through acquisitions or strategic investments will depend, in part, on our success in addressing these risks. Any failure to effectively implement our acquisition or strategic investment strategies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.

We are required to have and may be required in the future to obtain various state licenses to, among other things, originate commercial loans, and may be required to obtain similar licenses from other authorities, including outside of the United States, in the future in connection with one or more investments. Applying for and obtaining required licenses can be costly and take several months. We cannot assure you that we will maintain or obtain all of the licenses that we need on a timely basis. We also are and will be subject to various information and other requirements to maintain and obtain these licenses, and we cannot assure you that we will satisfy those requirements. Our failure to maintain or obtain licenses that we require, now or in the future, might restrict investment options and have other adverse consequences.

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

Our investment strategy may include potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, U.S. trade policy, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. Uncertainty in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, among other current events, could have negative impacts on the economies of countries in Europe and elsewhere. In addition, interest income derived from loans to foreign companies is not eligible to be distributed to our non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes.

Although most of our investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital gains and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to us.

We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.

We have entered, and may in the future enter, into hedging transactions, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We may seek to utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates and the relative value of certain debt securities from changes in market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counterparty credit risk. To the extent we have non-U.S. investments, particularly investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies, our hedging costs will increase.

We also have the ability to borrow in certain foreign currencies under the second amended and restated senior secured revolving credit agreement, as amended, with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and certain lenders, which we refer to as the Revolving Credit Facility. Instead of entering into a foreign exchange forward contract in connection with loans or other investments we have made that are denominated in a foreign currency, we may borrow in that currency to establish a natural hedge against our loan or investment. To the extent the loan or investment is based on a floating rate other than a rate under which we can borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.

Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions were to decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions were to increase. It also may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

The success of our hedging strategy will depend on our ability to correctly identify appropriate exposures for hedging. To date, we have entered into hedging transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk related to specific portfolio companies. In addition, in connection with our 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, which bear interest at fixed rates, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which

consists of predominately floating rate loans. However, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or other exposures that we might hedge may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary, as may the time period in which the hedge is effective relative to the time period of the related exposure.

For a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the positions being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. Income derived from hedging transactions also is not eligible to be distributed to non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes. Changes to the regulations applicable to the financial instruments we use to accomplish our hedging strategy could affect the effectiveness of that strategy. For additional information on these regulatory changes, see “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.” See also “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates” and “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Results of Operations—Hedging.”

Finally, the SEC has recently adopted Rule 18f-4, which constrains our ability to use swaps and other derivatives. Among other requirements, the rule would force us to reduce our use of derivatives, unless we were to qualify as a limited derivatives user under the rule, if the value-at-risk of our investment portfolio including our swap or derivative positions, exceeds 200 percent of a “designated reference portfolio,” which is a designated index that is unleveraged and reflects the market or asset classes in which we invest or our securities portfolio. If we could not identify a suitable reference portfolio, our value-at-risk would not be permitted to exceed 20% of our net assets. In addition, we are required under the final rule to establish a risk management program for our use of swaps or other derivative positions. Based on our current use of derivatives primarily for interest rate hedging purposes, we believe that we qualify, and will continue to qualify, as a limited derivatives user under the rule. However, we cannot assure you that we will be treated as a limited derivatives user or that our approach to our use of derivatives will not change.

The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.

The Dodd-Frank Act enacted, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and SEC have issued or proposed rules to implement, both broad new regulatory requirements and broad new structural requirements applicable to OTC derivatives markets and, to a lesser extent, listed commodity futures (and futures options) markets. Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.

 

Recent and anticipated regulatory changes require that certain types of OTC derivatives, including those that we may use for hedging activities such as interest rate and credit default swaps, be cleared and traded on regulated platforms, and these regulatory changes are expected to apply to foreign exchange transactions in the future. Our cleared OTC derivatives (such as the interest rate swaps we entered into in connection with certain investments in portfolio companies and our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes) are subject to margin requirements established by regulated clearinghouses, including daily exchanges of cash variation (or mark-to-market) margin and an upfront posting of cash or securities initial margin to cover the clearinghouse’s potential future exposure to the default of a party to a particular OTC derivatives transaction. U.S. regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements for OTC derivatives executed with registered swap dealers or security-based swap dealers that are not cleared. The margin requirements for cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives may require that our Adviser, in order to maintain its exclusion from commodity pool operator (“CPO”) registration under CFTC Rule 4.5, limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions or to obtain synthetic investment exposures, in either case adversely affecting our ability to mitigate risk. Furthermore, any failure by us to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules adopted by the CFTC and SEC thereunder also imposed requirements relating to real-time public and regulatory reporting of OTC derivative transactions, enhanced documentation requirements, position limits on an expanded array of derivatives, and recordkeeping requirements. Taken as a whole, these changes could significantly increase the cost of using uncleared OTC derivatives to hedge risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk; reduce the level of exposure we are able to obtain for risk management purposes through OTC derivatives (including as the result of the CFTC imposing position limits on additional products); reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivatives investments; impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives; and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing obtained by us, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns.

If we cease to be eligible for an exemption from regulation as a commodity pool operator, our compliance expenses could increase substantially.

Our Adviser has filed with the National Futures Association a notice of exclusion from registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5. CFTC Rule 4.5 relieves our Adviser from registering with the CFTC as the CPO of us, so long as we:

continue to be regulated by the SEC as a BDC;
confine our trading in CFTC-regulated derivatives within specified thresholds; and
are not marketed to the public as a commodity pool or as a vehicle for trading in CFTC-regulated derivatives.

If we were unable to satisfy the conditions of CFTC Rule 4.5 in the future, our Adviser may be subject to registration with the CFTC as a CPO, unless it can rely on a different exclusion, exemption or no-action relief. Registered CPOs must comply with numerous substantive regulations related to disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping, and are required to become members of the NFA, and be subject to the NFA’s rules and bylaws. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements could increase our expenses and impact performance.

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 certain issues, including when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent certain deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless 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. These 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, so that we aim to minimize the level of any U.S. federal income or excise tax that we would otherwise incur. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development CompanyRegulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.

There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.

Original issue discount, or OID, may arise if we hold securities issued at a discount, receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan, or in certain other circumstances. OID creates the risk that Incentive Fees will be paid to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that ultimately may not be realized, while the Adviser will be under no obligation to reimburse us for these fees.

The higher interest rates of OID instruments reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and OID instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation.

OID instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. OID income may also create uncertainty about the source of our cash dividends.

For accounting purposes, any cash dividends to stockholders representing OID income are not treated as coming from paid-in capital, even if the cash to pay them comes from the proceeds of issuances of our common stock. As a result, despite the fact that a dividend representing OID income could be paid out of amounts invested by our stockholders, the 1940 Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact by reporting it as a return of capital.

Payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest has the effect of generating investment income at a compounding rate, thereby further increasing the Incentive Fees payable to the Adviser. Similarly, all things being equal, the deferral associated with PIK interest also increases the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate.

                                     
Risks Related to Our Securities [Member]                                                        
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Risk [Text Block]                

Risks Related to Our Securities

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.
Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and could decline.
Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.
Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share and the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Risks Related to Our Securities

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.

We intend to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Annual Report. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC or restrictions under our credit facilities, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends. Although a portion of our expected earnings and dividend distributions will be attributable to net interest income, we do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. This may result in substantial fluctuations in our quarterly dividend payments.

In some cases where we receive certain upfront fees in connection with loans we originate, we treat the loan as having OID under applicable accounting and tax regulations, even though we have received the corresponding cash. In other cases, however, we may recognize income before or without receiving the corresponding cash, including in connection with the accretion of OID. For other risks associated with debt obligations treated as having OID, see “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.”

Therefore, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, even though we may not have received the corresponding cash amount. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level income tax.

To the extent that the amounts distributed by us exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.

The part of the Incentive Fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make Incentive Fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Adviser, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which the write-off is taken and thereby reduce that period’s Incentive Fee payment, if any.

In addition, the middle-market companies in which we intend to invest may be more susceptible to economic downturns than larger operating companies, and therefore may be more likely to default on their payment obligations to us during recessionary periods. Any such defaults could substantially reduce our net investment income available for distribution in the form of dividends to our stockholders.

Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk.

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

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity 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:

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which is not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;
the exclusion of BDC common stock from certain market indices, which could reduce the ability of certain investment funds to own our common stock and put short term selling pressure on our common stock;
loss of RIC or BDC status;
changes or perceived changes in earnings or variations in operating results;
changes in our portfolio of investments;
changes or perceived changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;
any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
any downgrades to our credit rating or placement on a negative watch status by a credit rating agency;
departure of the Adviser’s or any of its affiliates’ 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 U.S. economy;
concerns regarding European sovereign debt and Brexit;
concerns regarding volatility in the Chinese stock market and Chinese currency;
concerns regarding U.S. and global tariffs and trade policy;
the impact of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia that began in February 2022, related sanctions
and other potential retaliatory actions or responses;
fluctuations in base interest rates, such as SOFR, EURIBOR, SONIA, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate;
the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its worldwide impact;
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 our stock price 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.

We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. In the past, shares of BDCs, including at times shares of our common stock, have traded at prices per share below net asset value per share. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at a price per share above, at or below net asset value per share. In addition, if our common stock trades below its net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to sell additional shares of our common stock to the public at its market price without first obtaining the approval of a majority of our stockholders (including a majority of our unaffiliated stockholders) and our Independent Directors for such issuance. See“—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, the availability of such common stock for sale or the perception that such sales could occur could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of

securities or the availability of securities for future sales will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time.

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends and distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Policy” and “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations.

In addition, the number of shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined based on the market price of shares of our common stock, except in circumstances where the market price exceeds our most recently computed net asset value per share, in which case we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share. Accordingly, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may receive a greater number of shares of our common stock than the number of shares associated with the market price of our common stock, resulting in dilution for other stockholders. Stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.

Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

We have entered into an agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, which we refer to as the Company 10b5-1 Plan, in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, under which Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as agent for us, will buy up to $50 million of our common stock in the aggregate during the period ending on the earlier of the date on which all the capital committed to the plan has been exhausted or May 31, 2024.

Whether purchases will be made under the Company 10b5-1 Plan and how much will be purchased at any time is uncertain, dependent on prevailing market prices and trading volumes, all of which we cannot predict. These activities may have the effect of maintaining the market price of our common stock or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share.

On August 4, 2015, the Board authorized us to acquire up to $50 million in aggregate of our common stock from time to time over an initial six month period, and has continued to authorize the refreshment of the $50 million amount authorized under and extension of the stock repurchase program prior to its expiration since that time, most recently as of November 15, 2023. Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of our common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions.

Dilution to our net asset value per share will occur if we purchase shares of our common stock at a price above the net asset value per share, as it would cause a proportionately smaller increase in our stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the decrease in our assets resulting from such repurchase.

As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. The actual dilutive effect will depend on the number of shares of common stock that could be so repurchased, the price and the timing of any repurchases under the Company 10b5-1 Plan.

                                     
General Risk Factors [Member]                                                        
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                                        
Risk [Text Block]                

General Risk Factors

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividend.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
The effect of geopolitical conflicts and global climate change may impact us and our portfolio companies.

General Risk Factors

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.

Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of the Adviser, its affiliates and third parties. Further, in the ordinary course of our business we or the Adviser engage certain third party service providers to provide us with services necessary for our business. Any failure or interruption of those systems or services, including as a result of the termination or suspension of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become

disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;
natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;
disease pandemics;
events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including wars or terrorist acts;
outages due to idiosyncratic issues at specific providers; and
cyber-attacks.

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

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

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws and regulations at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws 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 particular, changes to the laws and regulations governing BDCs or the interpretation of these laws and regulations by the staff of the SEC could disrupt our business model. For example, tax reform legislation could have an adverse impact on us, the credit markets and our portfolio companies, to the extent the reduction in corporate tax rates or limitations on interest expense deductibility impact the credit markets and our portfolio companies. Any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our assets may cause us to alter our investment strategy to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. For more information on tax regulatory risks, see “Risks Related to our Portfolio Company Investments.”

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. While it cannot be known at this time whether these regulations will be implemented or what form they will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business.

The ongoing armed conflicts as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas may have a material adverse impact on us and our portfolio companies.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin commenced a full-scale invasion of Russia’s pre-positioned forces into Ukraine, which could have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the countries in which the Company invests), and therefore could adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East have led, are currently leading, and for an unknown period of time may continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national, and global markets and economies affected thereby. Furthermore, the aforementioned conflicts and the varying involvement of the United States and other NATO countries could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on global economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and the performance of its investments or operations, and the ability of the Company to achieve its investment objectives. Additionally, to the extent that third parties, investors, or related customer bases have material operations or assets in such conflict zones, they may have adverse consequences related to the ongoing conflict.

The effect of global climate change may adversely affect our business and impact the operations of our portfolio companies.

We and our portfolio companies face risks associated with climate change including risks related to the impact of climate-and ESG-related legislation and regulation (both domestically and internationally), risks related to climate-related business trends, and risks stemming from the physical impacts of climate change.

New climate change-related regulations or interpretations of existing laws may result in enhanced disclosure obligations, which could negatively affect us or our portfolio companies and materially increase our regulatory burden. Increased regulations generally increase our costs, and we could continue to experience higher costs if new laws require us to spend more time or buy new technology to comply effectively. At the portfolio company level, while we have increasingly and substantially sought to invest in sectors that are inherently lower carbon intensity (e.g., business services) which decreases transition risk, there are still individual portfolio companies in these and other sectors that could face transition risk if carbon-related regulations or taxes are implemented. Further, advances in climate science may change society’s understanding of sources and magnitudes of negative effects on climate, which could negatively impact portfolio company financial performance and regulatory jeopardy. For our portfolio companies, business trends related to climate change may require capital expenditures, product or service redesigns, and changes to operations and supply chains to meet changing customer expectations. While this can create opportunities, not addressing these changed expectations could create business risks for portfolio companies.

Further, significant physical effects of climate change including extreme weather events such as hurricanes or floods, can also have an adverse impact on certain of our portfolio companies and investments, especially our portfolio companies that rely locations in the affected areas. As the effects of climate change increase, we expect the frequency and impact of weather and climate related events and conditions to increase as well. For example, unseasonal or violent weather events can have a material impact to businesses that focus on tourism or recreational travel. Additionally, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increases in the cost of energy could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.

                                     
Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                 $ 889,700,000 $ 719,300             $ 316,400,000       $ 472,300,000 $ 495,700,000 $ 187,500,000 $ 486,800,000 $ 578,700,000 $ 540,300,000 $ 283,900,000  
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                 $ 1,815.9 $ 1,885.7             $ 2,053.6       $ 2,045.4 $ 2,004.1 $ 2,705.2 $ 2,355.3 $ 2,376.6 $ 2,257.3 $ 3,110.3  
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                                             $ 114,300,000 $ 113,700,000 $ 113,100,000 $ 112,500,000 $ 111,900,000  
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                                             $ 2,705.2 $ 2,355.3 $ 2,376.6 $ 2,257.3 $ 3,110.3  
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                                 $ 100,000,000       $ 142,500,000 $ 171,900,000 $ 171,700,000 $ 114,700,000        
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                                 $ 2,053.6       $ 2,045.4 $ 2,004.1 $ 2,705.2 $ 2,355.3        
2022 Convertible Notes [Member]                                                        
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block]               2022 Convertible Notes                                        
Long Term Debt, Principal           $ 57,500,000   $ 115,000,000                                        
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The 2022 Convertible Notes were unsecured, and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually.                                      
2023 Notes [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                   $ 150,000             $ 150,000,000       $ 150,000,000 $ 150,000,000 $ 150,000,000          
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                   $ 1,885.7             $ 2,053.6       $ 2,045.4 $ 2,004.1 $ 2,705.2          
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block]             2023 Notes                                          
Long Term Debt, Principal             $ 150,000,000                                          
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The principal amount of the 2023 Notes was payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and were redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium                                      
2024 Notes [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                 $ 347,200,000 $ 346,800             $ 346,400,000       $ 346,100,000 $ 297,200,000            
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                 $ 1,815.9 $ 1,885.7             $ 2,053.6       $ 2,045.4 $ 2,004.1            
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block]         2024 Notes                                              
Long Term Debt, Principal       $ 50,000,000 $ 300,000,000                                              
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium.                                      
2026 Notes [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                 $ 298,900,000 $ 298,500             $ 298,100,000                      
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                 $ 1,815.9 $ 1,885.7             $ 2,053.6                      
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block]     2026 Notes                                                  
Long Term Debt, Principal     $ 300,000,000                                                  
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on August 1, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium                                      
2028 Notes [Member]                                                        
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                                        
Senior Securities Amount                 $ 298,300                                      
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit                 $ 1,815.9                                      
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block]   the “2028 Notes                                                    
Long Term Debt, Principal   $ 300,000,000                                                    
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on February 14, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium.                                      
2029 Notes [Member]                                                        
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                                        
Long Term Debt, Title [Text Block] the “2029 Notes               2029 Notes                                      
Long Term Debt, Principal $ 350,000,000                                                      
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]                 The 2029 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on September 1, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium.