N-2 - $ / shares

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Dec. 31, 2023

Sep. 30, 2023

Dec. 31, 2022

Cover [Abstract]

Entity Central Index Key

0001551901

Amendment Flag

false

Securities Act File Number

814-00971

Document Type

10-Q

Entity Registrant Name

Stellus Capital Investment Corp

Entity Address, Address Line One

4400 Post Oak Parkway

Entity Address, Address Line Two

Suite 2200

Entity Address, City or Town

Houston

Entity Address, State or Province

TX

Entity Address, Postal Zip Code

77027

City Area Code

713

Local Phone Number

292-5400

Entity Emerging Growth Company

false

General Description of Registrant [Abstract]

Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block]

We were organized as a Maryland corporation on May 18, 2012, and formally commenced operations on November 7, 2012. Our investment objective is to maximize the total return to our stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation through debt and related equity investments in middle-market companies.

We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, Stellus Capital.

As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, as a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Qualifying assets include investments in “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the 1940 Act). Under the relevant SEC rules, the term “eligible portfolio company” includes all private operating companies, operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange, and certain public operating companies that have listed their securities on a national securities exchange and have a market capitalization of less than $250 million, in each case organized and with their principal place of business in the United States.

We have elected, qualified, and intend to continue to qualify annually to be treated for tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the RIC requirements. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any income we distribute to our stockholders.

On March 23, 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”) was signed into law, which included various changes to regulations under the federal securities laws that impact BDCs. The SBCAA included changes to the 1940 Act to allow BDCs to decrease their asset coverage requirement to 150% from 200% subject to certain circumstances.

On April 4, 2018, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. At our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders our stockholders also approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. As a result, the asset coverage ratio applicable to us was decreased from 200% to 150%, effective June 29, 2018, which effectively increased the amount of leverage we may incur. As of September 30, 2024, our asset coverage ratio was 242%. The amount of leverage that we employ at any time depends on our assessment of the market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors [Table Text Block]

Item 1A.Risk Factors

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024, all of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. Although the risks described in our other SEC filings referenced above represent the principal risks associated with an investment in us, they are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, might materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, there have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in our SEC filings referenced above.

NAV Per Share

$ 13.55

$ 13.26

$ 13.19

$ 14.02