SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Investment Advisory Agreement

On November 25, 2019, the Company entered into an investment advisory agreement with our Adviser (the "Original Investment Advisory Agreement").

On January 24, 2024, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser (as amended and restated, the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Investment Advisory Agreement incorporates (i) a cumulative three-year lookback provision and (ii) a cap on quarterly income incentive fee payments based on net realized capital loss, if any, during the applicable three-year lookback period. The Investment Advisory Agreement was most recently re-approved by the Board in August 2024 and will continue from year to year if approved annually the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders, including, in each case, a majority of the directors who are not "interested persons" as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the "Independent Directors").

The Company pays the Investment Adviser a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a base management fee (the “Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee. The cost of both the Base Management Fee and the incentive fee are ultimately be borne by the stockholders.

Base Management Fee

The Base Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.0% of the Company's average gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage but excluding cash and cash equivalents.

Pursuant to the Original Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser agreed to irrevocably waive the portion of the Base Management Fee in excess of 0.25% of the Company’s average gross assets calculated in accordance with the Original Investment Advisory Agreement prior to a listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to irrevocably waive any portion of the Base Management Fee in excess of 0.75% of the Company's average gross assets calculated in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement for the period from January 24, 2024 to January 24, 2025 (the “Waiver Period”).

Base Management Fees waived during the Waiver Period are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Base Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. Base Management Fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Base Management Fees were $25,479, $7,637 and $6,679, net of waiver, respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $7,042 and $2,012, respectively, were payable to the Investment Adviser relating to Base Management Fees.

Incentive Fee

The incentive fee consists of two components that are determined independently of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. One component is based on income and the other component is based on capital gains.

i.Incentive Fee Based on Income

The first part is determined and paid quarterly based on the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income, and is subject to an Incentive Fee Cap (as defined below) pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. Pre-incentive fee net investment income is defined as interest income, dividend income and any other income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter, including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement (as defined below), any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. The Investment Adviser is not obligated to return any incentive fee it receives on PIK interest that is later determined to be uncollectible in cash.

Pursuant to the Original Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company paid its Adviser an income-based incentive fee with respect to the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

•No income based incentive fee if the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.5% (6.0% annualized);

•100% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.8182% (7.2728% annualized). This portion of the pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 1.8182%) is referred to as the “catch-up”. This “catch-up” portion is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 17.5% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if the “catch up” is achieved; and

•17.5% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the rate of return of 1.8182% (7.2728% annualized).

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company pays its Adviser an incentive fee on its aggregate pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of (1) for the quarter ending March 31, 2024 (the “First Calendar Quarter”), the First Calendar Quarter, and (2) commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2024, the current calendar quarter and eleven preceding calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter commencing on April 1, 2024 (or the appropriate portion thereof in the case of any of our first eleven calendar quarters that commence on or after April 1, 2024) (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”).

Pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the First Calendar Quarter was compared to a hurdle rate equal to 1.5% (6.0% annualized), and, if pre-incentive fee net investment income for the First Calendar Quarter exceeded the hurdle rate, the incentive fee would be 100% of pre-incentive fee net investment income until the Adviser has received a “catch up” equal to 17.5%, plus 17.5% of pre-incentive fee net investment income above the catch up.

Commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2024, pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is compared to a “Hurdle Rate” equal to the product of (i) the hurdle rate of 1.5% per quarter (6% annualized) and (ii) the sum of the Company's net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The incentive fee based on income for each calendar quarter will be determined as follows:

•No incentive fee based on pre-incentive fee net investment income in any calendar quarter in which pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters does not exceed the Hurdle Rate;

•100% of pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.8182% in any calendar quarter (7.2728% annualized). This portion of the pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.8182%) is referred to as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 17.5% of the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 1.8182% in any calendar quarter; and

•17.5% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters that exceeds 1.8182% in any calendar quarter (7.2728% annualized), which reflects that once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the catch-up amount is paid to the Adviser.

Commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2024, each income incentive fee is subject to an incentive fee cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”) that in respect of any calendar quarter is an amount equal to 17.5% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined herein) during the Trailing Twelve Quarters less the aggregate incentive fees based on income that were paid to the Adviser in the preceding eleven calendar quarters (or portion thereof) comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. In the event the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value then no income incentive fee shall be payable and if the Incentive Fee Cap is less than the amount of incentive fee based on income that would otherwise be payable, the amount of incentive fee based on income shall be reduced to an amount equal to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return” (A) during the First Calendar Quarter, the sum of pre-incentive fee net investment income in the First Calendar Quarter and (B) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters, the sum of (x) pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters and (y) Adjusted Capital Returns (as defined below) in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any calendar quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, the Company shall pay no income incentive fee to the Adviser in respect of that quarter. If, in any calendar quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is a positive value but is less

than the incentive fee calculated as described above, the Company shall pay the Adviser the Income Incentive Fee Cap in respect of such quarter. If, in any calendar quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is equal to or greater than the incentive fee calculated as described above, the Company shall pay the Adviser the incentive fee in respect of such quarter. “Adjusted Capital Returns” in respect of a particular period means the sum of aggregate realized losses and aggregate realized capital gains in respect of such period.

For the Waiver Period, the Adviser has irrevocably waived its right to receive each component of the income incentive fee in excess of amounts calculated as described above using (1) 15.0% instead of 17.5% and (2) a catch-up amount (as applicable) calculated using 1.7647% in place of 1.8182%. For periods in which the waiver described in this paragraph is in effect for less than a full quarter or calendar year, as applicable, the applicable incentive fee shall be calculated at a weighted rate during the applicable days in such period during the Waiver Period.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, income based incentive fees were $37,432, $42,012 and $26,635, net of waiver respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $8,956 and $11,766, respectively, were payable to the Investment Adviser relating to income based incentive fees.

ii.Incentive Fee Based on Capital Gains

The second part of the incentive fee is determined on realized capital gains calculated and payable in arrears in cash as of the end of each calendar year or upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement in an amount equal to 17.5% of realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the Company's election to be regulated as a BDC through the end of a given calendar year or upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees (the “Cumulative Capital Gains”). For the purpose of computing the incentive fee on capital gains, the calculation methodology looks through derivative financial instruments or swaps as if the Company owned the reference assets directly. Therefore, realized gains and realized losses on the disposition of any reference assets, as well as unrealized depreciation on reference assets retained in the derivative financial instrument or swap, will be included on a cumulative basis in the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee

For the calendar years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, the Adviser has irrevocably waived any capital gains incentive fee in excess of amounts calculated as described above using 15.0% instead of 17.5% in the calculation of any such capital gains incentive fee solely with respect to the Waiver Period, such that the capital gains incentive fee shall be calculated at a weighted rate calculated based on this waiver being applicable only during the applicable days in such calendar year during the Waiver Period, based, in each case, on the number of days in the applicable year.

Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to accrue an incentive fee on capital gains, including unrealized capital appreciation even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not included in calculating the incentive fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then the Company records an incentive fee on capital gain incentive fee equal to 17.5% (or 15% during the Waiver Period) of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. If such amount is negative, no accrual is recorded for such period.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Investment Adviser accrued $0, $0 and $(2,441) capital gains incentive fees. The Investment Advisory Agreement does not permit unrealized capital appreciation for purposes of calculating the amount payable to the Investment Adviser. Amounts due related to unrealized capital appreciation, if any, will not be paid to the Investment Adviser until realized under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and determined based on the calculation. Incentive fees on Cumulative Capital Gains crystallize at calendar year-end.

As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $0 and $0, respectively, were payable to the Investment Adviser relating to capital gains incentive fees payable.

Administration Agreement

MS Private Credit Administrative Services LLC (the “Administrator”) is the administrator of the Company pursuant to an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administrator is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides services and receives reimbursements from the Company for its costs and expenses and the Company’s allocable portion of overhead costs incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including the Company’s allocable portion of the compensation paid to its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Reimbursement under the Administration Agreement occurs quarterly in arrears. The Administration Agreement had an initial term of two years and continues thereafter from year to year if approved annually by the Board of Directors.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company incurred $216, $178 and $72, respectively, in expenses under the Administration Agreement, which were recorded in administrative service fees on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Amounts unpaid and included in payable to affiliates on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $29 and $178, respectively.

Expense Support and Waiver Agreement

On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into an expense support and waiver agreement (the “Expense Support and Waiver Agreement”) with the Investment Adviser. Under the terms of the Expense Support and Waiver Agreement, the Investment Adviser agreed to waive any reimbursement by the Company of offering and organizational expenses incurred by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Company in excess of $1,000 or 0.10% of the aggregate capital commitments of the Company, whichever is greater. If actual organization and offering costs incurred exceeded the greater of $1,000 or 0.10% of the Company’s total capital commitments, the Investment Adviser or its affiliate would bear the excess costs.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Investment Adviser recaptured $0, $0 and $44, respectively, of previously waived amounts from the Company.

Sub-Administration Agreement

The Company has entered into sub-administration agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Sub-Administrator”) under which the Sub-Administrator provides various accounting and administrative services to the Company. The Sub-Administrator also serves as the Company’s custodian, transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar.

Placement Agent Agreement

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into a placement agent agreement (the “Placement Agent Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley Distribution Inc. (the “Paying Agent”), Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (the “Placement Agent”) and the Investment Adviser. Under the terms of the Placement Agent Agreement, the Placement Agent and certain of its affiliates assisted in the placement of Common Stock in the Company’s private offerings. The Company was not liable for any payments to the Placement Agent pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement. Payments were made by the Investment Adviser to the Placement Agent. To the extent the Paying Agent received any payments it would remit the payment to the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent Agreement terminated on January 24, 2024.

MS Credit Partners Holdings, Inc. Investment

MS Credit Partners Holdings, Inc., or MS Credit Partners Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, made an aggregate capital commitment of $200,000 to the Company pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into in December 2019, which had been fully funded as of October 4, 2023. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, MS Credit Partners Holdings held approximately 11.0% and 11.7% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock, respectively. Morgan Stanley has no further capital, liquidity or other financial obligation to the Company beyond this equity investment.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Related Transactions

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, served as an initial purchaser in connection with the private placement of the Company’s 2027 Notes (as defined below in Note 6. “Debt”) and received fees of $213 at closing on February 11, 2022, under the purchase agreement entered into by the Company in connection with such private placement.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as a co-agent in connection with the private placement of the Company’s 2025 Notes (as defined below in Note 6. “Debt”) and received fees of $138 at closing on September 13, 2022.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as a co-agent in connection with the private placement of the Company’s 2029 Notes (as defined below in Note 6. “Debt”) and received fees of $210 at closing on May 27, 2024.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as an underwriter in the IPO and received $1,241 of underwriting fees at closing on January 26, 2024.