Item 1. Business
General
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, where applicable, the "Company", which may also be referred to as "we," "us" or "our") is structured as a closed-end investment company focused on lending to small-and medium-sized companies. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (a "BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Investment Company Act") and have elected to be treated, and to comply with the requirements to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Code").
We were formed on April 30, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and are externally managed by Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser" or "Oaktree"). Oaktree is an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("OCM"), the Company's external investment adviser through May 11, 2020, and a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC ("OCG"). In 2019, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. ("Brookfield") acquired a majority economic interest in OCG. OCG operates as an independent business within Brookfield, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing and support teams. Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC (the “Administrator”), a subsidiary of OCM, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objective without subjecting principal to undue risk of loss by investing primarily in situations where a company or its owners (a) are overleveraged or facing pressures to recapitalize, (b) are unable to access broadly syndicated capital markets, (c) are undervalued after having recently exited bankruptcy or completed a restructuring or (d) are otherwise affected by mispricings or inefficiencies in the capital markets or at different points throughout the credit cycle. See "Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might 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 part or all of your investment. The risk factors described below are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.
The following is a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us:
•Our current and future investments in distressed or bankrupt companies are subject to significant risks - As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions, certain of our portfolio companies are distressed, and we have opportunistically acquired the securities and obligations of distressed companies. These and future investments in distressed companies are subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
•The COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies - Global economic, political and market conditions, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have adversely affected (and in the future, could further adversely affect) our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies.
•Uncertainty regarding LIBOR may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition -Changes in interest rates, changes in the method for determining the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and the potential replacement of LIBOR may adversely affect our cost of capital and net investment income.
•Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or parts of our investments - Middle-market companies in which we primarily invest, as compared with larger companies, may have more limited financial resources, less predictable operating results, greater exposure to economic downturns and limited operating histories, and, for many of our investments, the portfolio companies are highly leveraged and there is little or no publicly available information about them, and our investments in such companies are not rated by any rating agency.
•We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities - We may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as a result of competition with other investors, and our Adviser may not be able to identify and obtain a sufficient number of investment opportunities.
•A significant portion of our portfolio securities do not have a readily available market price and, as a result, valuations of our portfolio involve uncertainties and subjective determinations - Our portfolio securities typically do not have a readily available market price and, in such a case, we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our board of directors, with the assistance of our audit committee and our Adviser, which valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize from the sale of the investment.
•We are dependent upon our Adviser for future success - Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of our Adviser. If our Adviser were to lose key personnel or were to resign, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly impeded.
•Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest - Conflicts of interest may exist from time to time between our Adviser and certain of its affiliates involved with us, which could impact our investment returns.
•We are subject to substantial regulation - Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.
•Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations - We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested, and each of our investments is pledged as collateral under one or more of our credit facilities, which may increase the risk of investing in us.
•Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability - Economic recessions or downturns, changes
in regulations or regulatory interpretations thereof, transitions of government, and uncertainty regarding any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay debt or pay interest.
Risks Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global economic, political and market conditions caused by the current public health crisis have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our portfolio companies.
A novel strain of coronavirus initially appeared in China in late 2019 and rapidly spread to other countries, including the United States. In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, governments in many jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, South Korea and China, placed restrictions on travel, issued “stay at home” orders and ordered the temporary closure of "non-essential" businesses, such as factories and retail stores. These restrictions and closures have impacted supply chains, consumer demand and the operations of many businesses. As jurisdictions around the United States and the world continue to experience surges in cases of COVID-19 and governments consider pausing the lifting of or re-imposing restrictions, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the full economic impact of the coronavirus and the long-term effects on the U.S. and global financial markets.
Any disruptions in the capital markets, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, may increase the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities and can result in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial sector and re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market. These and any other unfavorable economic conditions created by the coronavirus and related restrictions and closures could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets and result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. During the spring of 2020, the occurrence of these events negatively impacted the fair value of the investments that we held, and if they were to occur again in the future, could limit our investment originations (including as a result of the investment professionals of our Adviser diverting their time to the restructuring of certain investments), negatively impact our operating results and limit our ability to grow. In addition, our success depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of our Adviser, whose operations may be adversely impacted, including through quarantine measures and travel restrictions imposed on its investment professionals or service providers, or any related health issues of such investment professionals or service providers.
In addition, the coronavirus-related restrictions and closures and related market conditions resulted in, and if re-imposed in the future, could further result in, certain of our portfolio companies halting or significantly curtailing operations and negative impacts to the supply chains of certain of our portfolio companies. The financial results of middle-market companies in which we primarily invest, have experienced deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults, and further deterioration will further depress the outlook for middle-market companies. Further, adverse economic conditions have decreased and may in the future decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Such conditions have required and may in the future require us to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performance of certain of our portfolio companies has been, and in the future may be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which can result in our receipt of reduced interest income from our portfolio companies and/or realized and unrealized losses related to our investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, as governments ease COVID-19 related restrictions, certain of our portfolio companies may experience increases in health and safety expenses, payroll costs and other operating expenses.
As the potential impact of the coronavirus remains difficult to predict, the extent to which the coronavirus could negatively affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results or the duration or reoccurrence of any potential business or supply-chain disruption is uncertain. Any potential impact to our results of operations will depend to a large extent on future developments regarding the duration and severity of the coronavirus and the actions taken by governments (including stimulus measures or the lack thereof) and their citizens to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. We monitor developments in economic, political and market conditions and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions, certain of our portfolio companies are distressed, and we have opportunistically acquired the securities and obligations of distressed companies. These and future investments in distressed or bankrupt companies are subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions, certain of our portfolio companies are distressed,
and we have opportunistically acquired the securities and obligations of distressed companies. At times, distressed debt obligations may not produce income and may require us to bear certain extraordinary expenses (including legal, accounting, valuation and transaction expenses) in order to protect and recover our investment. Therefore, when we invest in distressed debt, our ability to achieve current income for our stockholders may be diminished, particularly where the portfolio company has negative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").
We also are subject to significant uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value the distressed debt we acquire will eventually be satisfied whether through a refinancing, restructuring, liquidation, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed debt securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation. In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed debt held by us, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made.
Moreover, any securities received by us upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of our participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed debt, we may be restricted from disposing of such securities.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
We invest primarily in privately owned small- and medium-sized companies, which involve a number of significant risks.
We invest primarily in privately owned small- and medium-sized companies. Investments in these types of companies pose a number of significant risks. For example, such companies: (a) have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and ability to withstand financial distress; (b) may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under the 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; (c) may 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 changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; (d) 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 the portfolio company and, in turn, on us; (e) may have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in volatile 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; and (f) are not subject to the Exchange Act and other regulations that govern public companies, and therefore provide little information to the public. In addition, we, our Adviser, its affiliates and their directors, executive management team and members and the Investment Professionals may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in such portfolio companies.
Also, investments in such companies tend to be less liquid. See “- We invest in illiquid investments and may experience difficulty in selling those investments in a timely manner at the price that we believe the investments are worth.”
Finally, as noted above, little public information generally exists about privately owned companies, and these companies often do not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. Stockholders, therefore, must rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies. Additionally, these companies and their financial information will not generally be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If the Adviser is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not make a fully informed investment decision, and stockholders may lose money on our investments.
These factors may make certain of our portfolio companies more susceptible to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government regulations.
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or parts of our investments.
The companies in which we invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in such companies are not rated by any rating agency. If such investments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization of below investment grade (i.e., below BBB- or Baa), which is often referred to as "high yield" and "junk." Exposure to below investment grade securities involves certain risks, and those securities are viewed as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Investing in small and mid-sized companies involves a number of significant risks. Securities in the lower-rated categories and comparable non-rated securities are subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated and comparable non-rated securities and are generally considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Such issuers typically are highly leveraged, with significant burdens on cash flow and, therefore, involve a high degree of financial risk. During an economic downturn or recession, such as the current recession, securities of financially troubled or operationally troubled issuers are more likely to go into default than securities of other issuers. Because investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the lower-rated and comparable non-rated securities, the yields and prices of such securities may be more volatile than those for higher-rated and comparable non-rated securities. The market for lower-rated and comparable non-rated securities is thinner, often less liquid and less active than that for higher-rated or comparable non-rated securities, and the market prices of such securities are subject to erratic and abrupt movements. The spread between bid and asked prices for such securities may be greater than normally expected. Such factors can adversely affect the prices at which these securities can be sold and may even make it difficult to sell such securities.
Investment in the securities of financially troubled issuers and operationally troubled issuers involves a high degree of credit and market risk. These financial difficulties may never be overcome and may cause issuers to become subject to bankruptcy proceedings.
Our portfolio securities typically do not have a readily available market price and, in such a case, we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our board of directors, which valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize from the sale of the investment.
Valuations of our portfolio, which will affect the amount of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee and our performance results, may involve uncertainties and judgmental determinations. As a BDC, we are required to account for our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. The fair value of such securities may change, potentially materially, between the date of the fair value determination by the board of directors and the release of the financial results for the corresponding period or the next date at which fair value is determined.
The process of valuing securities for which reliable market quotations are not available is based on inherent uncertainties, and the resulting values may differ from values that would have been determined had a ready market existed for such securities and may differ from the prices at which such securities may ultimately be sold. Further, third-party pricing information may at times not be available regarding certain of our securities, derivatives and other assets. Certain factors that may be considered 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 comparable publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. In addition, any investments that include OID or PIK interest may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require ongoing judgments about the collectability of their deferred payments and the value of their underlying collateral. Due to these uncertainties, fair value determinations may cause the Net Asset Value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more investments.
A disruption in the secondary markets for our investments may limit the ability of our Adviser to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing our investments and calculating our Gross Asset Value and the Net Asset Value. In addition, material events occurring after the close of a principal market upon which a portion of our securities or other assets are traded may require the Adviser to make a determination of the effect of a material event on the value of the securities or other assets traded on the market for purposes of determining the fair value of our investments on a valuation date. If the valuation of our securities in accordance with Oaktree’s valuation policy should prove to be incorrect, the fair value of our investments could be adversely affected. Absent bad faith or manifest error, valuation determinations in accordance with Oaktree’s valuation policy
will be conclusive and binding. Furthermore, these values are used to determine our Net Asset Value in connection with the shares of Common Stock. To the extent these investments are undervalued or overvalued, the Common Stock of existing stockholders or newly admitted stockholders could be adversely affected.
We may rely upon projections, forecasts or estimates developed by our Adviser and/or a portfolio company concerning a portfolio company’s future performance and cash flow.
We may rely upon projections developed by Oaktree or a third party concerning an investment’s future performance and cash flow, including when deciding that the possibility of actual adversity in connection with an investment in a different part of the capital structure of the portfolio company is remote. Projections are inherently subject to uncertainty and factors beyond the control of Oaktree and the portfolio company. In all cases, projections are only estimates of future results that are based upon assumptions made at the time that the projections are developed. Different assumptions may produce different results. The inaccuracy of certain assumptions, the failure to satisfy certain financial requirements and the occurrence of other unforeseen events could impair the ability of a portfolio company to realize projected values and cash flow and could trigger the need for us to remain passive in the event of a restructuring. In addition, prospective investors should note that projected performance is not indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that the projected results or expected returns will be achieved or that we will be able to effectively implement our investment objective.
In addition, Oaktree may determine the suitability of investments based in part on the basis of financial projections for portfolio issuers. Events or conditions, including changes in general market conditions, which may not have been anticipated or which are otherwise not foreseeable, may occur and have a significant impact on the actual rate of return received with respect to our investments.
Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and 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.
Except to the extent required as a BDC or RIC, the Adviser is not under any other obligation to diversify our investments, whether by reference to the amount invested or the industries or geographical areas in which portfolio companies operate. Oaktree may allocate capital among investments as it determines in its sole discretion, subject to the goal of maximizing our returns, and stockholders will have no assurances with respect to the diversification or geographic concentration of the investment program. This lack of diversification will expose us to losses disproportionate to market declines in general if there are disproportionately greater adverse price movements in the particular investments, and our investment portfolio may be subject to more rapid changes in value than would be the case if we were required to maintain a wide diversification among companies, industries and types of securities. To the extent we hold investments concentrated in a particular issuer, security, asset class, industry or geographic region, we will be more susceptible than a more widely diversified investment vehicle to the negative consequences of a single corporate, economic, political or regulatory event. Unfavorable performance by any number of investments could substantially adversely affect the aggregate returns realized by stockholders. Approximately 17.64% of the Company's investments at fair value as of September 30, 2020 are concentrated in the Application Software industry.
Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.
Our investments may include companies whose capital structures have significant leverage. Such investments are inherently more sensitive to declines in revenues and to increases in expenses and interest rates. The leveraged capital structure of such investments will increase the exposure of the portfolio companies to adverse economic factors, such as downturns in the economy (including the current recession) or deterioration in the condition of the portfolio company or its industry. Additionally, the securities acquired by us may be the most junior in what will typically be a complex capital structure, and thus subject to the greatest risk of loss.
Furthermore, we engage in certain investment activities that involve the use of leverage. The cumulative effect of our use of leverage in a market that moves adversely to our investments could result in a loss to us that would be greater than if leverage had not been used, including loss of the entire investment and also the possibility of loss exceeding the original amount of a particular investment. To the extent that we engage in any leveraging, it will be subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including those relating to the ability to refinance and the insufficiency of cash flow to meet principal and interest payments, which could significantly reduce or even eliminate the value of our investment. Leveraging the capital structure will mean that third parties, such as banks, may be entitled to the cash flow generated by such investments prior to our receiving a return. Also, if an asset of us is mortgaged or otherwise used as collateral to secure repayment of indebtedness and such payments are not made, the asset could be foreclosed upon by the lender or otherwise transferred to the lender.
There are also financing costs associated with leverage, and such costs will be borne by us and therefore may adversely affect the rate of returns obtained by us. In addition, each leveraged investment will involve interest rate risk, including to the extent that financing charges for such leveraged investment are based on a predetermined interest rate. Our assets, including any investment made by us and any capital held by us, are available to satisfy all liabilities and our other obligations. If we default on secured indebtedness, the lender may foreclose and we could lose our entire investment in the collateral for such loan. If we become subject to a liability, parties seeking to have the liability satisfied may have recourse to our assets generally and not be limited to any particular asset, such as the investment giving rise to the liability.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
We may be called upon to provide follow-on funding for our investments or have the opportunity to increase our investment in such investments. There can be no assurance that we will wish to make follow-on investments or that we will have sufficient funds to do so. Any decision by us not to make follow-on investments or our inability to make them may have a substantial negative impact on an investment in need of such an investment or may diminish our ability to influence such investment’s future development. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to predict accurately how much capital may need to be reserved by us for participation in follow-on investments. If more capital is reserved than is necessary, then we may receive a lower allocation of other investment opportunities. If less capital is reserved than is necessary, then we may not be able to fully protect or enhance our existing investment.
Because we generally do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.
We generally do not make investments that result in control of, or significant influence over, a company. Although Oaktree monitors the performance of each investment and may make recommendations, we rely upon management to operate the portfolio companies on a day-to-day basis and equity sponsors who control the boards of directors of the portfolio companies to select qualified management for such companies. As a result, we may have a more limited ability to protect our investment in portfolio companies than if we held a controlling interest or position of significant influence. In addition, certain of our investments may be in businesses with limited operating histories.
When we do have an ability to significantly influence a company or an investment, it will expose us to additional risks of liability and may subject us to indemnification obligations.
In certain circumstances, including if we invest in a different part of the capital structure as Other Oaktree Funds, our holdings may be aggregated with those of such Other Oaktree Funds, which collectively may be deemed to give these funds and accounts controlling interests in or the ability to significantly influence a portfolio company. The exercise of control of, or significant influence over, a portfolio company may impose additional risks of liability for environmental damage, product defects, failure to supervise management, violation of governmental regulations (including securities laws) or other types of liability in which the limited liability generally characteristic of business ownership may be ignored. In addition, a greater level of involvement by Oaktree in a portfolio company may subject us to a greater risk of litigation by third parties. The expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would, absent certain conduct by Oaktree, be borne by us and would reduce our net assets. If these liabilities were to arise, we might suffer a significant loss. However, we may have a more limited ability to protect our investment in portfolio companies or issuers in which a controlling interest or position of significant influence has not been obtained. We will be required to indemnify Oaktree and others in connection with such litigation, as well as other matters arising as a result of our management, subject to certain conditions.
There may be insufficient investment opportunities, which may hinder our achievement of our investment objective.
Our Adviser may not be able to identify and obtain a sufficient number of investment opportunities to invest the full amount of capital that may be committed to us. Even if sufficient investment opportunities are identified, they may be allocated first to Other Oaktree Funds.
We have not yet identified all of the portfolio companies we will invest in.
We have not yet identified all of the potential investments for our portfolio that we will acquire with the proceeds of any Private Offering. Our Investment Professionals will select our investments over time. Stockholders will not have an opportunity to evaluate for themselves the relevant economic, financial and other information regarding our investments. No assurance can
be given that we will be successful in obtaining suitable investments or that, if the investments are made, our investment objective will be achieved.
We invest in illiquid investments and may experience difficulty in selling those investments in a timely manner at the price that we believe the investments are worth.
We invest, and will continue to invest, in companies whose securities are illiquid, thinly traded for which no market exists or are restricted as to their transferability under applicable securities laws or documents governing our particular transactions. Some securities or instruments that were liquid at the time they were acquired may, for a variety of reasons which may not be in our control, later become illiquid. This factor may have the effect of limiting the availability of these securities or instruments for our purchase and may also limit our ability to sell such investments at their fair market value prior to our termination or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. 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 our investments. Due to securities regulations governing certain publicly traded equity securities, our ability to sell securities could also be diminished with respect to equity holdings that represent a significant portion of the issuer’s securities (particularly if we have designated one or more directors of the issuer). Thus, there can be no assurance as to the timing and amount of our distributions, and any distribution that would require either an in-kind distribution or a forced sale of illiquid assets at a price deemed unattractive by the Adviser may occur after the expiration of the Investment Period. To the extent any of our investments cannot be sold prior to the end of the Investment Period, they may be distributed in kind to stockholders. The securities and instruments so distributed may not be readily marketable.
We may face risks in connection with frequent trading and high portfolio turnover.
The different strategies used by us may require frequent trading and a high portfolio turnover. The more frequently we trade, the higher the commission and transaction costs and certain other expenses involved in our operations. These costs will be borne by us regardless of the profitability of our investment and trading activities. In addition, a high portfolio turnover may increase the recognition of short-term, rather than long-term, capital gains.
Debt instruments and loans acquired by us may become non-performing following their acquisition.
Debt instruments and loans acquired by us may become non-performing following their acquisition for a wide variety of reasons. Such non-performing instruments or loans may require a substantial amount of workout negotiations or restructuring, which may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in the interest rate and a substantial writedown of principal. It is possible that we may find it necessary or desirable to foreclose on collateral securing one or more real loans purchased by us. The foreclosure process varies jurisdiction by jurisdiction and can be lengthy and expensive. Borrowers often resist foreclosure actions, which often prolongs and complicates an already difficult and time-consuming process. In some states or other jurisdictions, foreclosure actions can take up to several years or more to conclude. During the foreclosure proceedings, a borrower may have the ability to file for bankruptcy, potentially staying the foreclosure action and further delaying the foreclosure process. Foreclosure litigation tends to create a negative public image of the collateral property and may result in disrupting ongoing leasing and management of the property.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
In recent years, a number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories (collectively termed “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith and fair dealing owed to the borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors. We may be subject to potential allegations of lender liability. In addition, courts have in some cases applied the doctrine of equitable subordination to subordinate the claim of a lending institution against a borrower to claims of other creditors of the borrower when the lending institution is found to have engaged in unfair, inequitable or fraudulent conduct. Such claims may be brought even if we acquired the loan on a secondary basis.
If we make unsecured debt investments, we may lack adequate protection in the event our portfolio companies become distressed or insolvent and will likely experience a lower recovery than more senior debtholders in the event such portfolio companies default on their indebtedness.
In the event of a default by a borrower, we might not receive payments to which we are entitled and thereby could experience a decline in the value of our investments in the borrower. If we invest in debt that is not secured by collateral, in the
event of such default, we will have only an unsecured claim against the borrower. In the case of second lien loans that are secured by collateral, while Oaktree generally expects the value of the collateral to be greater than the value of such secured second lien loans, the value of the collateral may actually be equal to or less than the value of such second lien loans or may decline below the outstanding amount of such second lien loans subsequent to our investment. Our ability to have access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other insolvency laws. Under certain circumstances, the collateral may be released with the consent of the lenders or pursuant to the terms of the underlying loan agreement with the borrower. There is no assurance that the liquidation of the collateral securing a loan would occur in a timely fashion or would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal, or that the collateral could be readily liquidated. As a result, we might not receive full payment on a secured loan investment to which we are entitled and thereby may experience a decline in the value of, or a loss on, the investment.
If we acquire the securities and obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies, such investments may be subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than-expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.
We may acquire the securities and other obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies. At times, distressed debt obligations may not produce income and may require us to bear certain extraordinary expenses (including legal, accounting, valuation and transaction expenses) in order to protect and recover our investment. Therefore, to the extent we invest in distressed debt, our ability to achieve current income for our stockholders may be diminished, particularly where the portfolio company has negative EBITDA.
We also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the distressed debt we invest in will eventually be satisfied whether through a liquidation, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed debt securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation. In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed debt held by us, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made.
Moreover, any securities received by us upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of our participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed debt, we may be restricted from disposing of such securities.
Leveraged companies may enter into bankruptcy proceedings at higher rates than companies that are not leveraged and we may invest in debt securities of these companies.
Leveraged companies, such as those in which we invest or plan to invest, may be more prone to bankruptcy or similar financial distress. As a result, we may need to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performances of such companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may result in our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from such portfolio companies and/or losses or charge offs related to such investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our success may depend, in part, on the ability of the Adviser to effectuate loan modifications or restructure and improve the operations of portfolio companies. The activity of identifying and implementing any such restructuring programs and operating improvements entails a high degree of uncertainty. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to successfully identify and implement such restructuring programs and improvements.
A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the securities that we will hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, we may write down the value of a portfolio company investment upon the worsening of the financial condition of the portfolio company or in anticipation of a default, which could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to certain risks associated with foreign investments.
Certain non-U.S. investments involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include (a) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation, (b) social, economic and
political uncertainty, including crime, corruption, war, terrorism and revolution, (c) dependence on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade, (d) differences between U.S. and non-U.S. markets, including price fluctuations, market volatility, less liquidity and smaller capitalization of securities markets, (e) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (f) rates of inflation, (g) controls on, and changes in controls on, foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on our ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars, (h) governmental involvement in and control over the economies, (i) governmental decisions to discontinue support of economic reform programs generally and impose centrally planned economies, (j) differences in auditing and financial reporting standards that may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers, (k) less extensive regulation and less government supervision of the securities markets, exchanges, brokers and issuers, (l) longer settlement periods for securities transactions, (m) less developed bankruptcy laws and corporate laws regarding fiduciary duties and the protection of investors, (n) less reliable judicial systems to enforce contracts and applicable law, (o) certain considerations regarding the maintenance of our portfolio securities and cash with non-U.S. sub-custodians and securities depositories, (p) the possible imposition of non-U.S. taxes on income and gains recognized with respect to such non-U.S. investments, (q) restrictions and prohibitions on ownership of property by non-U.S. entities and changes in laws relating thereto and (r) additional transactional costs and administrative burdens as a result of local legal requirements. We may be adversely affected by the foregoing events, or by future adverse developments in global or regional economic conditions or in the financial or credit markets.
In addition, foreign investment in the securities of issuers in certain nations is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude non-U.S. investment in issuers in such nations and increase our costs and expenses. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Some countries require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by non-U.S. investors. In addition, if there is a deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on, or altogether change its restrictions on, non-U.S. capital remittances abroad. In response to sovereign debt or currency crises, for example, certain governments have enacted legislation that imposes restrictions on the inflow and outflow of foreign currency into and from such country. These restrictions may adversely affect our ability to source investments or repatriate investment proceeds. Repatriation of capital was particularly a problem during the sovereign debt and currency crises of the 1990s and continues to be a problem today in certain countries. Even where capital controls do not prohibit remittances abroad, the repatriation of proceeds from investment dispositions may require the procurement of a substantial number of regulatory consents, certificates and approvals, including licenses for us and clearance certificates from tax or monetary authorities. Obtaining such approvals or licenses may be difficult, expensive and time consuming and may depend on political or other factors outside our control. Finally, repatriation of income from and investments in entities that are organized or domiciled in non-U.S. countries may be affected adversely by local withholding and other non-U.S. tax requirements. The foregoing requirements and restrictions may adversely affect our ability to source investments or repatriate investment proceeds, and there can be no assurance that we will be permitted to repatriate capital or profits, if any, from the non U.S. jurisdictions in which we invest.
Our obligations in connection with investments in bank loans and participations are subject to unique risks.
Our investment program may include investments in significant amounts of bank loans and participations, as well as other direct lending transactions. These obligations are subject to unique risks, including (a) the possible invalidation of an investment transaction as a fraudulent conveyance under relevant creditors’ rights laws, (b) so-called lender-liability claims by the issuer of the obligations, (c) environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations and (d) limitations on our ability to enforce directly our rights with respect to participations. In analyzing each bank loan or participation, we compare the relative significance of the risks against the expected benefits of the investment. Successful claims by third parties arising from these and other risks, absent certain conduct by the Adviser, its affiliates and certain other individuals, will be borne by us. In addition, the settlement process for the purchase of bank loans can take significantly longer than the timeframes established by the Loan Syndications & Trading Association and comparable non-U.S. bodies. The longer a trade is outstanding between the counterparties, the greater the risk of additional operational and settlement issues and the potential for our counterparty to fail to perform.
If we purchase a participation, we will not have established any direct contractual relationship with the borrower. We will be required to rely on the lender or the participant that sold the participation, not only for the enforcement of our rights against the borrower, but also for the receipt and processing of payments due to us under the participation. We will thus be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the selling lender or participant. Because it may be necessary to assert through the selling lender or participant such rights as may exist against the borrower, in the event the borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, such assertion of rights against the borrower may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if we could enforce our rights against the borrower directly.
We will face risks in effective operating improvements.
In some cases, the success of our investment strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to restructure and effect improvements in the operations of a portfolio company. The activity of identifying and implementing restructuring programs and operating improvements at portfolio companies entails a high degree of uncertainty. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully identify and implement such restructuring programs and improvements.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payments of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
We may be exposed to higher risks with respect to our investments that include OID or PIK interest.
Our investments include OID and contractual PIK interest, which typically represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. To the extent OID or PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:
•OID and PIK instruments may have higher yields, which reflect the payment deferral and credit risk associated with these instruments;
•OID and PIK accruals may create uncertainty about the source of our distributions to stockholders;
•OID and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the collateral; and
•OID and PIK instruments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans.
We may invest in derivatives, which involve numerous risks.
While not anticipated to be a meaningful aspect of our investment strategy, we have and may in the future enter into certain foreign exchange and possibly certain other types of OTC derivative instruments from time to time. While Oaktree expects us to enter into OTC contracts on a bilateral basis with banks or other dealers, we may enter into certain derivatives that are traded on swap execution facilities (“SEFs”), security-based swap execution facilities or other similar multi-lateral trading platforms. Certain of such derivatives may be cleared through central counterparties (“CCPs”).
Investing in derivative instruments, particularly OTC derivatives, presents various risks, including market, counterparty, operational and liquidity risks. The prices of derivative instruments, including swaps, forwards and options may be highly volatile and such instruments may subject us to significant loses. The value of derivatives also depends upon the price of the underlying security or other asset or index. Typically, investing in a derivative instrument requires the deposit or payment of an initial amount much smaller than the notional or nominal exposure amount from such derivative instrument. Therefore, if the relevant cash market moves against us, we will suffer a larger loss than we would have by directly investing in the underlying security or other asset or index. OTC derivatives are also subject to the default and credit risk of the counterparty if they are not cleared through CCPs, while centrally cleared derivatives are subject to the credit risk of the CCP and the relevant futures commission merchant (“FCM”) or other clearing broker. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “ask” prices for derivative instruments that are traded over-the-counter and not on an exchange. While such OTC derivatives are subject to increased regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act, the investor protections and other regulations applicable to such OTC derivatives differ from those applicable to futures and other exchange-traded instruments. In addition, compared with such exchange-traded instruments, the market for OTC derivatives is less liquid.
We may have foreign currency risks related to our investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar.
A portion of our investments are, and may continue to be, located in jurisdictions other than the United States and, consequently, we are expected to make certain investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Changes in the rates of exchange between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies will have an effect, which could be adverse, on our performance, amounts available for withdrawal and the value of securities distributed by us. 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 appreciation and political developments. Additionally, a particular foreign country may impose exchange controls, devalue its currency or take other measures relating to its currency which could adversely affect us. Finally, we could incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
We are not obligated to hedge currency risks. Even if Oaktree does so, Oaktree may not be able to put a hedge in place on commercially reasonable terms given the credit terms offered by our counterparties or the volatility of the currency. There can be no guarantee that instruments suitable for hedging market shifts will be available at the time when we wish to use them or that any hedge would reduce applicable risks. More specifically, if we hedge currency risk, we do not expect that the full risk of currency fluctuations can be eliminated due to the complexity of the investment characteristics of the portfolio and limitations in the foreign currency market. We will conduct our foreign currency exchange transactions in anticipation of funding investment commitments or receiving proceeds upon dispositions.
We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.
In addition to currency hedging, the Adviser may also use other financial instruments for hedging and risk management purposes, including short sales, in order to (a) protect against possible changes in the market value of our investment portfolio resulting from fluctuations in the securities markets and changes in interest rates, (b) protect our unrealized gains in the value of our investment portfolio, (c) facilitate the sale of any such investments, (d) preserve returns, spreads or gains on any investment, (e) hedge the interest rate on any liabilities or assets, (f) protect against any increase in the price of any investments we anticipate purchasing at a later date or (g) for any other similar reason that the Adviser deems appropriate. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions and amounts due under our credit facilities or prevent losses if the values of such positions 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 should increase.
The success of our hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged along with the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. Therefore, though we may enter into transactions to seek to reduce risks, unanticipated changes 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. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings or credit facilities being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the effect of the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions requires skills complementary to those needed in the selection of portfolio holdings. It may not be possible to hedge at an acceptable price that is generally anticipated. In addition, we may determine not to hedge against particular risks, including if we determine that available hedging transactions are not available at an acceptable price.
We may be exposed to credit risk on parties with whom we trade and will also bear the risk of settlement default.
From time to time, certain securities markets have experienced operational clearance and settlement problems that have resulted in failed trades. These problems could cause us to miss attractive investment opportunities or result in our liability to third parties by virtue of an inability to perform our contractual obligation to deliver securities, or we could be unable to achieve the market position selected by Oaktree or might incur a loss in liquidating our positions. In addition, delays and inefficiencies of the local postal, transport and banking systems could result in the loss of investment opportunities, the loss of funds (including dividends) and exposure to currency fluctuations.
Because certain purchases, sales, securities lending, derivatives and other transactions in which we engage involve instruments that are not traded on an exchange, but are instead traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, we are subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts, as well as risks of transfer, clearance or settlement default. Such risks may be exacerbated with respect to non-U.S. securities or transactions with
non-U.S. counterparties. There can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that we will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result. Such risks may differ materially from those entailed in exchange-traded transactions that generally are backed by clearing organization guarantees, daily marking-to-market and settlement of positions and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. There can be no assurance that Oaktree’s monitoring activities will be sufficient to adequately control counterparty risk.
In situations where we are required to post margin or other collateral with a counterparty, the counterparty may fail to segregate such assets or collateral, as applicable, or may commingle the assets or collateral with the relevant counterparty’s own assets or collateral, as applicable. As a result, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of any counterparty, our excess assets and collateral may be subject to the conflicting claims of the creditors of the relevant counterparty, and we may be exposed to the risk of a court treating us as a general unsecured creditor of such counterparty, rather than as the owner of such assets or collateral, as the case may be.
Transactions entered into by us may be executed on various U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges, and may be cleared and settled through various clearing houses, custodians, depositories and prime brokers throughout the world. Although we will attempt to execute, clear and settle the transactions through entities Oaktree believes to be sound, there can be no assurance that a failure by any such entity will not lead to a loss to us.
Certain of our transactions may be undertaken through local brokers, banks or other organizations in the countries in which we make investments, and we will be subject to the risk of default, insolvency or fraud of such organizations. The collection, transfer and deposit of bearer securities and cash expose us to a variety of risks, including theft, loss and destruction. Finally, we will be dependent upon the general soundness of the banking systems of countries in which investments will be made.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which are another form of leverage.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of our management of our temporary investment portfolio. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, we will effectively pledge our assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, we will be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back our collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest which are for our benefit.
Our use of reverse repurchase agreements, if any, involves many of the same risks involved in our use of leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that we have sold but remain obligated to purchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by us may decline. If a buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, we may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, we would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of such agreements at settlement are less than the fair value of the underlying securities being pledged. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, our Net Asset Value would decline, and, in some cases, we may be worse off than if we had not used such agreements.
The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.
In connection with the disposition of an investment in a portfolio company, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of such company typical of those made in connection with the sale of any business. We also may be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment with respect to certain matters, including the accuracy of such representations. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities for which the Adviser may establish reserves or escrows.
We invest directly in senior secured loans, including at initial issuance, which would typically have limited mandatory amortization and interim repayment requirements.
We invest directly in senior secured loans, including at initial issuance, which would typically have limited mandatory amortization and interim repayment requirements. A low level of amortization of any directly originated senior secured loans over the life of such senior secured loans may increase the risk that an issuer will not be able to repay or refinance the senior secured loans held by us when it comes due at its final stated maturity.
Our investment activities subject us to the risks of becoming involved in litigation by third parties.
Our investment activities subject us to the risks of becoming involved in litigation by third parties. This risk is somewhat greater where we exercise control or significant influence over a company’s direction. In addition, in the course of providing managerial assistance to certain portfolio companies, certain of our or the Adviser’s officers and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. In connection therewith, we will be required to indemnify the Adviser and its affiliates, and each of their respective members, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, partners, and certain other persons who serve at the request of the Adviser or its affiliates on our behalf for liabilities incurred in connection with our affairs. Such liabilities may be material and have an adverse effect on the returns to the stockholders. The expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would, absent certain conduct by the Adviser, be payable from our assets. It should also be noted that the Adviser may, but shall not be required to, purchase insurance for us, the Adviser and our affiliates, employees, agents and representatives. Additionally, the Governing Documents, to the extent permitted by law, will limit the circumstances under which the Adviser can be held liable to us and the stockholders. As a result, the stockholders may have a more limited right of action in certain cases than they would in the absence of this provision.
We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, or risks that we otherwise would not incur, if we otherwise made such investments directly.
We may co-invest with third parties through funds, joint ventures or other entities. Such investments may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that our co-venturer or partner may at any time have other business interests and investments other than the joint venture with us, or may have different economic or business goals. In addition, we may be liable for actions of our co-venturers or partners. Our ability to exercise control or significant influence over management in these cooperative efforts will depend upon the nature of the joint venture arrangement. In addition, such arrangements are likely to involve restrictions on the resale of our interest in the company.
Our Adviser has broad discretion in selecting our investments and investment techniques.
We may employ investment techniques and invest in other instruments that the Adviser believes will help achieve our investment objective, whether or not such investment techniques or instruments are specifically described herein. Consistent with our investment objective, we may invest in financial instruments of any and all types, which exist now or are hereafter created. Such investments may entail risks not described herein.
Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which may have the effect of reducing our investment income if the returned capital cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.
The loans in our investment portfolio may be prepaid at any time, generally with little advance notice. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such portfolio company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. In periods of rising interest rates, the risk of prepayment of floating rate loans may increase if other financing sources are available. As market conditions change frequently, we will often be unable to predict when, and if, prepayment may be possible for each portfolio company. In some cases, the prepayment of a loan may have the effect of reducing our actual investment income below our expected investment income if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We invest, and will continue to invest, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. In fact, all of our assets may be invested in illiquid securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments and suffer losses. Our investments may be subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. In addition, we may also face restrictions on our ability to liquidate our investments if our Adviser or any of its affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding the portfolio company.
We may be subject to risks in connection with our origination activities.
The market for originating debt and equity financing is highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete effectively with other market participants for origination opportunities. We may compete for opportunities with public and private investment funds, commercial and investment banks and commercial finance companies. In general, the corporate, non-mortgage debt and equity origination markets present relatively low barriers to entry, and significant competition is likely.
Many current and potential competitors in the debt and equity origination business are much larger than we are and, accordingly, have far greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources. We are subject to various elements of competition, including interest rates and financing costs; origination standards; convenience; customer service; the size, term and seniority of financing arrangements; and marketing and distribution channels. Price pressure from competitors (including market participants that are not directly originating loans) may cause us to lower the interest rates that we charge borrowers, which consequently may lower the value of our loans. Further, if competitors adopt less stringent loan origination standards in order to maintain their loan origination volume, we may elect to do so as well. If we adopt less stringent loan origination standards, we will bear increased risk for each loan originated under such less stringent standards, which may not be compensated by an increase in price. Alternatively, we may determine not to adopt less stringent origination standards in this competitive environment, which decision may result in a loss of market share. Increased pressure on pricing and origination opportunities likely would reduce the volume and quality of our origination activity and materially adversely affect us. In particular, from time to time there may be influxes of capital directed at lending to smaller borrowers, which may result in a tendency by the highest quality borrowers to borrow from sources other than us such that our origination opportunities and our eventual portfolio include a disproportionate number of lower quality borrowers or issuers, exacerbating some of the risks outlined here.
Some competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do, thereby allowing such competitors to achieve a broad diversification of investments and to establish more relationships than we are able to establish. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to more stable funding sources that are not available to us. These competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on us.
When we originate a loan, we expect to rely significantly upon representations made by the borrower. There can be no assurance that such representations are accurate or complete, or that any due diligence by the Investment Professionals would identify any misrepresentation or omission. Any misrepresentation or omission by a borrower to which we originate a loan may adversely affect the valuation of the collateral underlying the loan, or may adversely affect our ability to perfect or foreclose on a lien on the collateral securing the loan, or may result in our liability to a subsequent purchaser of the loan.
Finally, under certain circumstances, payments to us may be reclaimed if any such payment or distribution is later determined to have been a fraudulent conveyance or a preferential payment.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We face risks associated with the deployment of our capital.
In light of our need to be able to deploy capital quickly to capitalize on potential investment opportunities or to establish reserves for anticipated debts, liabilities or obligations, including liquidity needs, we may hold cash in money market investments pending deployment into other investments, the amount of which may at times be significant. While the duration of any such holding period is expected to be relatively short, in the event we are unable to find suitable investments, such money market investments may be held for longer periods, which would be dilutive to overall investment returns. It is not anticipated that the temporary investment of such cash into money market investments will generate significant interest, and stockholders should understand that such low interest payments on the temporarily invested cash may adversely affect our overall returns.
Changes in interest rates, changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the potential replacement of LIBOR may affect our cost of capital and our net investment income.
General interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads on floating rate loans may have a substantial negative impact on our investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our rate of return on invested capital, our net investment income, our net asset value and the market price of our common stock. The majority of our debt investments have, and are expected to have, variable interest rates that reset periodically based on benchmarks such as the LIBOR, the federal funds rate or prime rate. An increase in interest rates may make it more difficult for our portfolio companies to service their obligations under the debt investments that we will hold and increase defaults even
where our investment income increases. Rising interest rates could also cause borrowers to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. Additionally, as interest rates increase and the corresponding risk of a default by borrowers increases, the liquidity of higher interest rate loans may decrease as fewer investors may be willing to purchase such loans in the secondary market in light of the increased risk of a default by the borrower and the heightened risk of a loss of an investment in such loans. Decreases in credit spreads on debt that pays a floating rate of return would have an impact on the income generation of our floating rate assets. Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed rate securities that have longer maturities.
Conversely, if interest rates decline, borrowers may refinance their loans at lower interest rates, which could shorten the average life of the loans and reduce the associated returns on the investment, as well as require Oaktree and the Investment Professionals to incur management time and expense to re-deploy such proceeds, including on terms that may not be as favorable as our existing loans. Additionally, as interest rates increase and the corresponding risk of a default by borrowers increases, the liquidity of higher interest rate loans may decrease as fewer investors may be willing to purchase such loans in the secondary market in light of the increased risk of a default by the borrower and the heightened risk of a loss of an investment in such loans.
In addition, because we borrow money to make investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income to the extent we use debt to finance investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income.
As a result of concerns about the accuracy of the calculation of LIBOR, a number of British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”) member banks entered into settlements with certain regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to the alleged manipulation of LIBOR. Actions by the BBA, regulators or law enforcement agencies as a result of these or future events, may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined (to the extent it continues beyond 2021). Potential changes, or uncertainty related to such potential changes may adversely affect the market for LIBOR-based securities.
In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large US financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities. Although there have been a few issuances utilizing SOFR or the Sterling Over Night Index Average, an alternative reference rate that is based on transactions, it is unknown whether these alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR. Any transition away from LIBOR to alternative reference rates is complex and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of any changes in the pricing of our investments, changes to the documentation for certain of our investments and the pace of such changes, disputes and other actions regarding the interpretation of current and prospective loan documentation or modifications to processes and systems.
It remains unclear whether the cessation of LIBOR will be delayed due to COVID-19 or what form any delay may take, and there are no assurances that there will be a delay. It is also unclear what the duration and severity of COVID-19 will be, and whether this will impact LIBOR transition planning. COVID-19 may also slow regulators’ and others’ efforts to develop and implement alternative reference rates, which could make LIBOR transition planning more difficult, particularly if the cessation of LIBOR is not delayed but an alternative reference rate does not emerge as industry standard. In anticipation of the cessation of LIBOR, we may need to renegotiate any credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our prospective portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established and we may also need to renegotiate the terms of our credit facilities. Any such renegotiations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of changes in interest rates payable to us by our portfolio companies or payable by us under our credit facilities.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make or that impose limits on our ability to pledge a significant amount of our assets to secure loans or that restrict the operations of a portfolio company, any of which could harm us and our stockholders and the value of our
investments, potentially with retroactive effect. For example, certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which influences many aspects of the financial services industry, have been amended or repealed and the Code has been substantially amended and reformed. Any amendment or repeal of legislation, or changes in regulations or regulatory interpretations thereof, could create uncertainty in the near term, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth herein and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our Adviser to other types of investments in which our Adviser may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. We compete for investments with various other investors, such as other public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds, some of which may be our affiliates. Other Oaktree funds have investment objectives that overlap with ours, which may create competition for investment opportunities. Many competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us, and may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships. Furthermore, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act and the Code impose on us. The competitive pressures could impair our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.
In order to qualify for the tax benefits available to RICs and to minimize corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income each tax year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for investment, and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we elect to treat any amounts as deemed distributions, we would be subject to income taxes at the corporate rate on such deemed distributions on behalf of our stockholders.
As a BDC, we have issued and may continue to issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% after such incurrence or issuance. These requirements limit the amount that we may borrow, may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and may reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which could prohibit us from paying distributions and could prevent us from being subject to tax as a RIC. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Accordingly, any failure to satisfy this test could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, these limitations may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. We generally are not able to issue or sell Common Stock at a price below the then-current Net Asset Value per share of Common Stock, which may be a disadvantage as compared with other public companies or private investment funds. We may, however, sell Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire Common Stock, at a price below the then-current Net Asset Value per share of Common Stock if the following conditions, among others, are satisfied: (i) a majority of our stockholders and a majority of our stockholders that are not our affiliates approve such sales within one year immediately prior to such sales and (ii) a majority of our independent directors and a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction determine that such sales are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness or senior securities would not be available for distributions to stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of issuing indebtedness or senior securities, stockholders would also be exposed to typical risks associated with increased leverage, including an increased risk of loss resulting from increased indebtedness.
If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to the Common Stock, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of stockholders, and 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 stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.
If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or issuing senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock, the percentage ownership of then-existing stockholders may decline at that time and such stockholders may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on terms favorable to us or at all.
In addition, we securitize and may in the future seek to securitize our portfolio securities to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we typically create a wholly-owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. We then typically sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers and would retain all or a portion of the equity in the subsidiary. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business or fully execute our business strategy and may decrease our earnings, if any. The securitization market is subject to changing market conditions and we may not be able to access this market when we would otherwise deem appropriate. Moreover, the successful securitization of our portfolio might subject us to losses as the residual investments in which we do not sell interests will tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The Investment Company Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization.
Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies would have on our business, Net Asset Value and operating results. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause stockholders to lose part or all of their investment.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and we do not know if such status will make our shares less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. As a result, we have taken advantage of the exemption for emerging growth companies allowing us to temporarily forgo the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find the Common Stock less attractive because we rely on this exemption. If some investors find the Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be less of an interest in investing. We did not take advantage of other disclosure or reporting exemptions for emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of an initial public offering, (ii) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1 billion, or (iii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior second fiscal quarter, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Future control deficiencies could prevent us from accurately and timely reporting our financial results.
We may identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, including significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. A “significant deficiency” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of a company’s financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
Failure to identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner or remediate any deficiencies, or the identification of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future could prevent us from accurately and timely reporting our financial results.
Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and our amended and restated bylaws (the "Bylaws", and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the "Governing Documents") and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), as well as other aspects of our structure, could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of the Common Stock following a Qualified Listing, if any.
Our Governing Documents, as well as the DGCL, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. Among other things, the Governing Documents:
•provide that our board of directors is classified, which may delay the ability of holders of Common Stock to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;
•do not provide for cumulative voting;
•provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of remaining directors then in office (even if they constitute less than a quorum), or by a sole remaining director, subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rights of any holders of preferred stock;
•provide that our board of directors may be removed only for cause, and only by a supermajority vote of the stockholders entitled to elect such directors;
•provide that, following a Qualified Listing, stockholders may only take action at an annual or special meeting, and may not act by written consent;
•restrict stockholders’ ability to call special meetings; and
•require a vote of 75% of stockholders to effect certain amendments to our Governing Documents.
We have provisions comparable to those of Section 203 of the DGCL. These provisions generally prohibit us from engaging in mergers, business combinations and certain other types of transactions with “interested stockholders” (generally defined as persons or entities that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock), other than certain exempt parties, for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless, (a) prior to such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, our board of directors has approved the “business combination” that would otherwise be restricted or the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (b) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting securities outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting securities outstanding (but not the outstanding voting securities owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are our directors and also officers or (c) the business combination has been approved by our board of directors and 66 2/3% of its outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than Common Stock owned by the interested stockholder). Such provisions may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.
These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the holders of Common Stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for the Common Stock following an initial public offering of the Common Stock, if any. In addition, certain aspects of our structure may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to the Adviser’s or our operations, a compromise or corruption of the Adviser’s or our confidential information or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.
Cyber security incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and are expected to continue to increase in frequency and severity in the future. The information and technology systems of Oaktree, its affiliates, portfolio companies, issuers and service providers may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cyber security breaches, computer viruses or other malicious code, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and other security breaches, usage errors or malfeasance by their respective professionals or service providers, power, communications or other service outages, and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or terrorist incidents. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information and technology systems, or if
personnel abuse or misuse their access privileges, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information, including non-public personal information related to stockholders (and their beneficial owners) and material non-public information. Although Oaktree has implemented, and portfolio companies, issuers and service providers may implement, various measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, such systems could prove to be inadequate and, if compromised, could become inoperable for extended periods of time, cease to function properly or fail to adequately secure private information. Oaktree does not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to Oaktree, its affiliates, us, the stockholders and/or a portfolio company, each of whom could be negatively impacted as a result. Breaches such as those involving covertly introduced malware, impersonation of authorized users and industrial or other espionage may not be identified in a timely manner or at all, even with sophisticated prevention and detection systems. This could potentially result in further harm and prevent such breaches from being addressed appropriately. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in Oaktree’s, its affiliates’, our and/or a portfolio company’s operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to stockholders (and their beneficial owners), material non-public information and the intellectual property and trade secrets and other sensitive information of Oaktree and/or portfolio companies or issuers. Oaktree, we and/or a portfolio company could be required to make a significant investment to remedy the effects of any such failures, harm to their reputations, legal claims that they and their respective affiliates may be subjected to, regulatory action or enforcement arising out of applicable privacy and other laws, adverse publicity, and other events that may affect their business and financial performance.
Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
As long as the Common Stock is not treated as a “publicly-offered security” for purposes of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), our Adviser intends that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 1975 of the Code by limiting investments in us by “benefit plan investors” (as defined in section 3(42) of ERISA and the regulations that may be promulgated thereunder) to less than 25% of the total value of any outstanding class of our capital stock. Were our assets to be treated as “plan assets,” we could, among other things, be subject to certain restrictions on our ability to carry out our activities as described herein.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where it may be required in the future.
Certain federal and local banking and other regulatory bodies or agencies inside or outside the United States may require us and/or our Adviser to obtain licenses or similar authorizations to engage in various types of lending activities, including investment in senior loans. Such licenses or authorizations may take a significant amount of time to obtain, and may require the disclosure of confidential information regarding us, a stockholder in us or our respective affiliates, including financial information and/or information regarding officers and directors of such investor, and we may or may not be willing or able to comply with these requirements. In addition, there can be no assurance that any such licenses or authorizations would be granted or, if so, would not impose restrictions on us. Alternatively, the Adviser may be able to structure our potential investments in a manner which would not require such licenses and authorizations, but which would be inefficient or otherwise disadvantageous for us and/or the borrower. The inability of us or the Adviser to obtain such licenses or authorizations, or the structuring of an investment in an inefficient or otherwise disadvantageous manner, could adversely affect the Adviser’s ability to implement the strategy for us and our results.
We may not replicate the historical success of Oaktree.
The past performance of other funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by our Adviser or its affiliates is not necessarily indicative of our future performance and provides no assurance of future results. As a BDC, we are subject to certain investment limitations that do not apply to other funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by Oaktree and its affiliates and, accordingly, we may have a materially different portfolio than does such other funds, accounts or investment vehicles. In addition, the fees and expenses we will pay may be different from, and may be higher than, those applicable to such other funds, accounts or investment vehicles. Furthermore, our Adviser does not have significant experience operating under the constraints imposed on us as a BDC, which may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. There can be no assurance that we will be able to (a) successfully identify, make and realize upon any particular investment or (b) achieve desired spreads and yields to maturity (or that such performance will be commensurate with the risks associated with an investment in us). Actual realized returns will depend on, among other factors, future operating results, pace of deployment, refinancings, whether such interests are held to maturity, value of the underlying assets, foreclosures, market conditions, legal and contractual restrictions, any related transaction costs, and the timing and manner of sale. Therefore, the actual realized returns may differ materially from those obtained by other
funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by Oaktree and its affiliates and there can be no assurance that any such performance will be achieved or that losses will be avoided.
Changes in tax laws or tax treaties could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The jurisdictions in which we may invest impose taxes on the types of income such as dividends, interest and in some instances, capital gains. In addition, changes in the tax laws or tax treaties (or their interpretation) of the countries in which we invest may severely and adversely affect our ability to efficiently realize income or capital gains and may subject us or the stockholders to tax and return filing obligations in such countries. The tax consequences applicable to a stockholder will depend upon the particular situation of such stockholder.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on all of our income if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Although we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, there can be no assurances that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To obtain and maintain RIC status and be relieved of U.S. federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to stockholders, we must, among other things, meet the Annual Distribution Requirement, the 90% Gross Income Test and the Diversification Tests (each as defined and explained more fully in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K "Business - Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company.").
If we fail to qualify for or maintain our RIC status for any reason, and we do not qualify for certain relief provisions under the Code, we would be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable U.S. state and local taxes). In this event, the resulting taxes and any resulting penalties could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of our income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions to stockholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K "Business - Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company."
Risks Relating to our Use of Leverage and our Credit Facilities
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.
Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for loss on invested equity capital. We expect to continue to use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowings from banks and other lenders, which will increase the risks of investing in our Common Stock, including the likelihood of default. We borrow under our credit facilities, and may issue other debt securities or enter into other types of borrowing arrangements in the future. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause Net Asset Value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. To the extent we incur additional leverage, these effects would be further magnified, increasing the risk of investing in us. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make Common Stock distributions or scheduled debt payments. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and we only intend to use leverage if expected returns will exceed the cost of borrowing.
As of September 30, 2020, we had $5.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our CNB-2 Facility and $100.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our Citibank Facility. These debt instruments require periodic payments of interest. The weighted average interest rate charged on our borrowings as of September 30, 2020 was 2.1% (exclusive of deferred financing costs). We will need to generate sufficient cash flow to make these required interest payments. In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our September 30, 2020 total assets of at least 0.50%. If we are unable to meet the financial obligations under our credit facilities, the lenders under the credit facilities will have a superior claim to our assets over our stockholders.
Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.
For purposes of this table, we have assumed $452.6 million in total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities), $105.0 million in debt outstanding, $347.0 million in net assets as of September 30, 2020, and a weighted average interest rate of 2.1% as of September 30, 2020 (exclusive of deferred financing costs). Actual interest payments may be different.
We are subject to certain risks associated with our credit facilities.
As of September 30, 2020, substantially all of our assets were pledged as collateral under our credit facilities and may be pledged as collateral under future credit facilities. If we default on our obligations under these facilities, the lenders may have the right to foreclose upon and sell, or otherwise transfer, the collateral subject to their security interests or their superior claim. In such event, we may be forced to sell our investments to raise funds to repay our outstanding borrowings in order to avoid foreclosure and these forced sales may be at times and at prices we would not consider advantageous. Moreover, such deleveraging of our company could significantly impair our ability to effectively operate our business in the manner in which we have historically operated. As a result, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities and lower or eliminate the distributions that we have historically paid to our stockholders.
We own 100% of the equity interests in OSI 2 SPV, the borrower under the Citibank Facility. We consolidate the financial statements of OSI 2 SPV in our consolidated financial statements and treat the indebtedness of this entity as our leverage. Our interest in OSI 2 SPV is subordinated in priority of payment to every other obligation of OSI 2 SPV and is subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the Citibank Facility. We receive cash distributions on our equity interest in this entity only if it has made all required cash interest payments to the lenders and no default exists. We cannot assure you that distributions on the assets held by OSI 2 SPV will be sufficient to make any distributions to us or that such distributions will meet our expectations.
We receive cash from OSI 2 SPV only to the extent that we receive distributions on our equity interest in such entity. OSI 2 SPV may make distributions on its equity interests only to the extent permitted by the payment priority provisions of the Citibank Facility, which generally provides that payments on such interests may not be made on any payment date unless all amounts owing to the lenders and other secured parties are paid in full.
In addition, if the lenders exercise their right to sell the assets pledged under the Citibank Facility, such sales may be completed at distressed sale prices, thereby diminishing or potentially eliminating the amount of cash available to us after repayment of the amounts outstanding under the Citibank Facility.
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 repay 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.
Risks Relating to our External Management
We are dependent upon our Adviser for future success.
Our success depends in substantial part on the management, skill and acumen of the Adviser and the Investment Professionals. Investment in the Common Stock is a passive investment, and stockholders have no opportunity to control our day-to-day operations, including investment and disposition decisions. The Adviser and the Investment Professionals evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service our investments. Subjective decisions made by Oaktree may cause us to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which we would otherwise have capitalized. In order to safeguard their limited liability for our liabilities and obligations, stockholders must rely entirely on the Adviser to conduct and manage our affairs. stockholders have no direct rights against third parties engaged by Oaktree in respect of us.
The Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of the Investment Professionals in
adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. There can be no assurance that the Investment Professionals (including the Key Executives) and such other professionals will continue to be employed by Oaktree. The loss of any of the Investment Professionals and other professionals could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, certain of the Investment Professionals are also responsible for investing and managing the capital of certain Other Oaktree Funds, which require that such Investment Professionals devote considerable time to such Other Oaktree Funds instead of us. The Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the investment selection and monitoring process and may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all.
In addition, our Adviser may resign on 60 days’ notice. If we are unable to quickly find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, our operations are likely to experience a disruption and our ability to achieve our investment objective and pay distributions would likely be materially and adversely affected.
Conflicts of interest may exist from time to time between our Adviser and certain of its affiliates involved with us, which could impact our investment returns.
Our executive officers and directors, and certain members of our Adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds managed by Oaktree’s affiliates. For example, Oaktree presently serves as the investment adviser to OSI I, OCSI and OCSL. OSI I, OCSI and OCSL have historically invested in debt and debt-like instruments similar to those we target for investment. Therefore, there may be certain investment opportunities that satisfy the investment criteria for OSI I, OCSI, OCSL and us. OSI I, OCSI and OCSL each operate as distinct and separate entities, and any investment in Common Stock will not be an investment in OSI I, OCSI or OCSL. In addition, all of our executive officers serve in substantially similar capacities for OCSI and OCSL. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of the stockholders. For example, the personnel of the Adviser may face conflicts of interest in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and such other funds and accounts.
Oaktree has investment allocation guidelines that govern the allocation of investment opportunities among the investment funds and accounts managed or sub-advised by Oaktree and its affiliates. To the extent an investment opportunity is appropriate for us, OSI I, OCSI or OCSL or any of the Other Oaktree Funds, Oaktree will adhere to its investment allocation guidelines in order to determine a fair and equitable allocation.
We invest alongside funds and accounts managed or sub-advised by our Adviser and its affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our Adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price or terms related to price.
In addition, on October 18, 2017, our former adviser received exemptive relief from the SEC to allow certain managed funds and accounts, each of whose investment adviser is OCM or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with OCM, to participate in negotiated co-investment transactions where doing so is consistent with the applicable registered fund’s or BDC’s investment objective and strategies as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, and pursuant to the conditions of the Exemptive Relief. Each potential co-investment opportunity that falls under the terms of the Exemptive Relief and is appropriate for us and any affiliated fund or account, and satisfies the then-current board-established criteria, will be offered to us and such other eligible funds and accounts. If there is a sufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated among the participants in accordance with their proposed order size and if there is an insufficient amount of securities to satisfy all participants, the securities will be allocated pro rata based on the investment proposed by the applicable investment adviser to such participant, up to the amount proposed to be invested by each, which is reviewed and approved by an independent committee of legal, compliance and accounting professionals at the Adviser. Although Oaktree will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, we and the stockholders could be adversely affected to the extent investment opportunities are allocated to other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by, or affiliated with, our executive officers, directors and members of the Adviser. We might not participate in each individual opportunity, but will, on an overall basis, be entitled to participate equitably with other entities managed by Oaktree and its affiliates. Oaktree seeks to treat all clients fairly and equitably such that none receive preferential treatment vis-à-vis the others over time, in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duty to each of them; however, in some instances, especially in instances of limited liquidity, the factors may not result in pro rata allocations or may result in situations where certain funds or accounts receive allocations where others do not.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser’s liability is limited and we are required to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities. This may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner in performing its duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement than it would if it were acting for its own account, and creates a potential conflict of interest.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, our Administrator furnishes us with the facilities, including our principal executive office, and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We pay our Administrator our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by our Administrator or such affiliate in performing its obligations and services under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and our allocable portion of the cost of personnel attributable to performing such obligations and services, including, but not limited to, marketing, legal and other services performed by our Administrator or such affiliate for us. This arrangement creates conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.
Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest in choosing our service providers and financing sources, and certain service providers may provide services to our Adviser or Other Oaktree Funds on more favorable terms than those payable by us.
Conflicts of interest may exist with respect to the Adviser’s selection of brokers, dealers and transaction agents and counterparties (collectively, “Broker-Dealers”) and financing sources for the execution of our transactions. When engaging the services of Broker-Dealers and financing sources, the Adviser may, subject to best execution, take into consideration a variety of factors, including, to the extent applicable, the ability to achieve prompt and reliable execution, competitive pricing, transaction costs, operational efficiency with which transactions are effected, access to deal flow and precedent transactions, and the financial stability and reputation of the particular Broker-Dealer, as well as other factors that the Adviser deems appropriate to consider under the circumstances. Broker-Dealers and financing sources may provide other services that are beneficial to Oaktree and their affiliates, but that are not necessarily beneficial to us, including capital introductions, other marketing assistance, client and personnel referrals, consulting services, and research-related services. These other services and items may influence the Adviser’s selection of Broker-Dealers and financing sources.
Our Incentive Fee may induce our Adviser to pursue speculative investments.
The fact that the Incentive Fee is based on our performance may create an incentive for Oaktree to make investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of the Incentive Fee. The way in which the Incentive Fee is determined may encourage Oaktree to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase our likelihood of default, which would disfavor stockholders, and could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
In addition, the Investment Income Incentive Fee payable to Oaktree is computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as OID interest, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities and obligations. This fee structure may be considered to involve a conflict of interest for Oaktree to the extent that it may encourage Oaktree to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. Oaktree may have an incentive for us to invest in deferred interest securities or obligations in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the Investment Income Incentive Fee even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities or obligations would not be able to make actual cash payments on such securities and obligations. Moreover, certain of the types of investments within our investment objective, such as PIK “toggle” debt, may result in a PIK election, which may have the simultaneous effect of increasing the assets under management, thereby increasing the Management Fee, and increasing investment income, thus increasing the Incentive Fee.
This risk could be increased because Oaktree is not obligated to reimburse us for any distributions of Incentive Fees previously received even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued. Thus, while the stockholders will share in both the risks and rewards of investing in such instruments, Oaktree will not share in such risks.
In the event that losses are allocated to us for a given annual period, Oaktree is not required to reduce the Incentive Fee credited for prior annual periods. Stockholders should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can generally be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for the Hurdle Rate to be met or exceeded and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of Incentive Fee payable to Oaktree with respect to the Investment Income Incentive Fee without a corresponding increase in performance relative to the market as a whole.
No index will be used as a comparative measure of investment performance as a basis for calculating the Incentive Fee.
In addition, Oaktree will be entitled to the portion of the Incentive Fee for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for that quarter above a threshold return for that quarter. For these purposes, Oaktree’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income excludes realized capital gains, realized capital losses, unrealized capital appreciation and unrealized capital depreciation that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for us for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay Oaktree the Incentive Fee for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or we incur a net loss for that quarter. If we pay an Incentive Fee of 20% of realized capital gains (net of all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and unrealized capital depreciation) and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the Incentive Fee previously paid.
Our Management Fee may induce our Adviser to incur leverage.
Oaktree’s Management Fee is based on our Gross Asset Value, including assets purchased with borrowed amounts. The Adviser may, therefore, be incentivized to increase such borrowing to increase the Management Fee. Under certain circumstances, the use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor stockholders.
Our ability to enter into transactions with Oaktree and our other affiliates is restricted.
We and certain of our controlled affiliates are prohibited under the Investment Company Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our upstream affiliates, or our Adviser and its affiliates, without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our upstream affiliate for purposes of the Investment Company Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than our securities) from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The Investment Company Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an upstream affiliate, or our Adviser or its affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors. In addition, we and certain of our controlled affiliates are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into joint transactions with, our Adviser and its affiliates, or any person who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or is otherwise deemed to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with us, absent the prior approval of the SEC through an exemptive order (other than in certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance as described below). The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.
As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we are not generally permitted to invest in any portfolio company in which a fund managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates) currently has an investment, or make any co-investments with our Adviser or its affiliates, including any fund managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates), without exemptive relief from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. The SEC has granted our former adviser and certain of its affiliates Exemptive Relief that permits certain present and future funds advised by OCM (or a future investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with OCM), including us, to co-invest in suitable negotiated investments. Co-investments made under the Exemptive Relief are subject to compliance with the conditions and other requirements contained in the Exemptive Relief, which could limit our ability to participate in a co-investment transaction. On December 15, 2020, we, with the Adviser and certain other affiliates, received a modified exemptive order that allows Oaktree proprietary accounts to participate in co-investment transactions subject to certain conditions. We may also co-invest with funds managed by Oaktree or any of its downstream affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable law and regulations, existing regulatory guidance, and our Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures.
In addition to co-investing pursuant to the Exemptive Relief, we may invest alongside affiliates or their affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and current regulatory guidance. For example, we may invest alongside such investors consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff permitting us and an affiliated person to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that we negotiate no term other than price. We may, in certain cases, also make investments in securities owned by affiliates that we acquire from non-affiliates. In such circumstances, our ability to participate in any restructuring of such investment or other transaction involving the issuer of such investment may be limited, and as a result, we may realize a loss on such investments that might have been prevented or reduced had we not been restricted in participating in such restructuring or other transaction.
Our Adviser or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.
By reason of their responsibilities in connection with us and the Other Oaktree Funds, personnel of our Adviser or its affiliates may acquire confidential or material non-public information or be restricted from initiating transactions in certain securities. Our Adviser or its affiliate, as applicable, will not be free to act upon any such information. Due to these restrictions, we may not be able to initiate a transaction that we otherwise might have initiated and may not be able to sell an investment that we otherwise might have sold. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Adviser may determine, in its sole discretion at any time, that such information could impair its ability to effect certain transactions on our behalf, whether for legal, contractual, or other reasons. Accordingly, our Adviser may elect not to receive such information. Lack of access to any such information may adversely affect our investments that in some cases may have been avoided had we or our Adviser had such information.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
The shares of Common Stock are generally an illiquid investment.
Stockholders generally are not permitted to sell their shares of Common Stock prior to a Liquidity Event, if any, and Common Stock may only be Transferred with our permission. In some circumstances, stockholders are not permitted to Transfer their Common Stock without our permission for a period of time following a Qualified Listing as set forth in the Subscription Agreement. In addition, stockholders have no right to cause us to repurchase their shares of Common Stock.
There is a risk that our stockholders may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time.
We intend to pay distributions to stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure stockholders that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to sustain a specified level of cash distributions or periodic increases in cash distributions. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as the board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure stockholders that we will pay distributions to them.
In addition, although under normal circumstances, we intend to make distributions in cash, it is possible that under certain circumstances (including our liquidation), distributions may be made in kind and could consist of securities or other investments for which there is no readily available public market.
A stockholder’s interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares of Common Stock, which could reduce the overall value of an investment in us.
If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or by issuing senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock, the percentage ownership of then-existing stockholders that do not participate in those transactions will decline at that time and such stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of us.
General Risk Factors
Economic recessions or downturns, such as the current recession, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay debt or pay interest.
Economic recessions or downturns may result in a prolonged period of market illiquidity which 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, uncertainty with regard to economic recovery from recessions or downturns could also have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
When recessionary conditions exist, such as the current recession, the financial results of middle-market companies, like those in which we invest, typically experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, there can be reduced demand for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services and/or other economic consequences, such as decreased margins or extended payment terms. Further,
adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Such conditions may require us to modify the payment terms of our investments, including changes in PIK interest provisions and/or cash interest rates. The performance of certain of our portfolio companies has been, and in the future may be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may result in our receipt of reduced interest income from our portfolio companies and/or realized and unrealized losses related to our investments, and, in turn, may adversely affect distributable income and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Global economic, political and market conditions, including downgrades of the U.S. credit rating, may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability.
The current worldwide financial market situation, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world, may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. The impact of downgrades by rating agencies to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or its perceived creditworthiness as well as potential government shutdowns and uncertainty surrounding transfers of power could adversely affect the U.S. and global financial markets and economic conditions. Since 2010, several European Union, or EU, countries have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the Euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union member countries. In addition, the fiscal policy of foreign nations, such as Russia and China, may have a severe impact on the worldwide and U.S. financial markets. The decision made in the United Kingdom referendum to leave the EU (the so-called “Brexit”) has led to volatility in global financial markets and may lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe. While the United Kingdom commenced its withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020, the transition and its surrounding negotiations are ongoing, which creates uncertainty and may lead to continued volatility. Additionally, trade wars and volatility in the U.S. repo market, the U.S. high yield bond markets, the Chinese stock markets and global markets for commodities may affect other financial markets worldwide. In addition, while recent government stimulus measures worldwide have reduced volatility in the financial markets, volatility may return as such measures are phased out, and the long-term impacts of such stimulus on fiscal policy and inflation remain unknown. We cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. and global economies and securities markets or on our investments. We monitor developments in economic, political and market conditions and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties material to our operations. Our administrative and principal executive offices are located at 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is presently conducted.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under loans to or other contracts with our portfolio companies. We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, and, to our knowledge, no material legal proceeding is threatened against us.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
There is no public market for our Common Stock currently, nor are there any plans for one to develop.
Holders
As of December 15, 2020, there were 1,747 holders of record of our Common Stock.
Distributions
We anticipate that we will make quarterly distributions of at least 90% of our realized net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses, if any, then available for distribution, each as determined by our board of directors in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Governing Documents. Any distributions will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. We expect quarterly distributions to be paid from income primarily generated by interest and dividends earned on our investments, although distributions to stockholders may also include a return of capital.
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain RIC qualification, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each tax year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income” for that year. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of: (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year; (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and, (3) any undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax less certain over-distributions in prior years. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long term capital gains in excess of short term capital losses), if any, at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment, pay U.S. federal income tax on such amounts at regular corporate tax rates, and elect to treat such gains as deemed distributions to stockholders. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, to the extent that we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the Investment Company Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.
Depending on the level of taxable income and net capital gain earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income or net capital gain for distribution in the following year and pay the applicable U.S. federal excise tax. Distributions will be appropriately adjusted for any taxes payable by us or any direct or indirect subsidiary through which it invests (including any corporate, state, local, non-U.S. and withholding taxes). Any Incentive Fee to be paid to our Adviser will not be reduced to take into account any such taxes.
Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds
Except as previously reported by us on our current reports on Form 8-K, we did not sell any securities during the period covered by this Form 10-K that were not registered under the Securities Act.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The table below sets forth our selected historical financial data for the periods indicated. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the Company's financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the Company's financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
The following selected financial data should be read together with the information contained in Part II, Item 7
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Some of the statements in this annual report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, where applicable, the "Company", which may also be referred to as "we," "us" or "our"). The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K may include statements as to:
•our future operating results and distribution projections;
•the ability of Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (our "Adviser" or "Oaktree") to implement its future plans with respect to our business and to achieve our investment objective;
•the ability of Oaktree and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals;
•our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;
•the impact of the investments that we expect to make;
•the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;
•our expected financings and investments and additional leverage we may seek to incur in the future;
•the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;
•the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; and
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all of the foregoing.
In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include:
•changes or potential disruptions in our operations, the economy, financial markets or political environment;
•risks associated with possible disruption in our operations, the operations of our portfolio companies or the economy generally due to terrorism, natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic;
•future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities) and conditions in our operating areas, particularly with respect to business development companies ("BDCs") or regulated investment companies ("RICs");
•general considerations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and
•other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in our publicly disseminated documents and filings.
We have based the forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K on information available to us on the date of this annual report, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
Business Overview
We are structured as a closed-end investment company focused on lending to small-and medium-sized companies. We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and have elected to be treated, and intend to comply with the requirements to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Code”).
We were formed on April 30, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and are externally managed by our Adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) between us and our Adviser, which was approved by our board of directors on May 11, 2020. From July 9, 2018 through May 11, 2020, we were managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., an affiliate of our Adviser. We seek to invest opportunistically across asset classes and geographies, primarily in the form of senior loans, and to a lesser extent, high yield bonds, to borrowers that are in need of direct loans, rescue financings or other capital solutions or that have had challenged or unsuccessful primary offerings. Our investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objective without subjecting principal to undue risk of loss by investing primarily in situations where a company or its owners (a) are overleveraged or facing pressures to recapitalize, (b) are unable to access broadly
syndicated capital markets, (c) are undervalued after having recently exited bankruptcy or completed a restructuring or (d) are otherwise affected by mispricings or inefficiencies in the capital markets or at different points throughout the credit cycle. We seek to generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold.
We conducted private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of shares of our common stock ("Common Stock") to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At each Closing of a Private Offering, each investor participating in that closing made a capital commitment (each, a “Capital Commitment") to purchase our Common Stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us in connection with its Capital Commitment (“Subscription Agreement”). Investors were required to fund drawdowns to purchase our Common Stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments on an as-needed basis with a minimum of ten calendar days' prior notice (excluding the initial drawdown for each investor). The initial closing of a Private Offering occurred on August 6, 2018 (the “Initial Closing”). We commenced our loan origination and investment activities shortly after our initial capital drawdown from our non-affiliated investors (the "Initial Drawdown"). The proceeds from the Initial Drawdown provided us with the necessary seed capital to commence operations. As of September 30, 2020, we completed drawdowns of $337,558,996 of Capital Commitments from investors in connection with Private Offerings, of which $3,854,346 in Capital Commitments were made by one or more affiliates of the Adviser. As of September 30, 2020, we held $429,851,146 of investments at fair value, up from $291,147,011 held at September 30, 2019, primarily driven by drawdowns on capital commitments during the year ended September 30, 2020.
Business Environment and Developments
We believe that the COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting effects on the U.S. and global financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties or deterioration in the performance of the middle market in the United States and worldwide. While the initial market disruptions have somewhat eased, the global economy continues to experience economic uncertainty. This uncertainty can impact the overall supply and demand of the market through changing spreads, deal terms and structures, and equity purchase price multiples.
Despite this economic uncertainty, we believe attractive risk-adjusted returns can be achieved by making loans to companies in the middle market. Given the breadth of the investment platform of Oaktree and its affiliates, we believe that we have the resources and experience to source, diligence and structure investments in these companies and are well placed to generate attractive returns for investors.
We have proactively taken a number of actions to evaluate and support our portfolio companies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including outreach to a variety of management teams and sponsors. We have been in contact with many of our portfolio companies to understand their liquidity and solvency positions. We believe that these efforts to closely monitor and identify vulnerable investments will allow us to address potential problems early and provide constructive solutions to our portfolio companies.
As of September 30, 2020, 89.8% of our debt investment portfolio (at fair value) and 90.5% of our debt investment portfolio (at cost) bore interest at floating rates indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), and/or an alternate base rate (e.g., prime rate), which typically resets semi-annually, quarterly or monthly at the borrower’s option. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve to reduce certain interest rates, LIBOR decreased beginning in March 2020. A prolonged reduction in interest rates will result in a decrease in our total investment income and could result in a decrease in our net investment income to the extent the decreases are not offset by an increase in the spread on our floating rate investments, a decrease in our interest expense or a reduction of our incentive fee on income. In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S.-dollar LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities. Although there have been a few transactions utilizing SOFR or the Sterling Over Night Index Average, an alternative reference rate that is based on transactions, it remains unknown whether these alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR. In anticipation of the cessation of LIBOR, we may need to renegotiate any credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our prospective portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate and may also need to renegotiate the terms of our borrowing facilities. Certain of the loan agreements with our portfolio companies have included fallback language in the event that LIBOR becomes unavailable. This language generally provides that the administrative agent may identify a replacement reference rate, typically with the consent of (or prior consultation with) the borrower. In certain cases, the administrative agent will be required to obtain the consent of either a majority of the lenders under the facility, or the consent of each lender, prior to identifying a replacement reference rate. Certain of the loan agreements with our portfolio companies do not include any fallback language providing a mechanism for the parties to negotiate a new reference interest rate and will instead revert to the base rate in the event LIBOR ceases to exist. It remains unclear whether the cessation of LIBOR will be delayed due to COVID-19 or what form any delay may take, and there are no assurances that there will be a delay. It is also unclear what the duration and severity of COVID-19 will be, and whether this will impact LIBOR transition planning. COVID-19 may also slow regulators’ and others’ efforts to develop and implement alternative reference rates, which could make LIBOR transition planning more difficult, particularly if the cessation of LIBOR is not delayed but an alternative reference rate does not emerge as industry standard.
Critical Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Our accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Regulation S-X. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We are an investment company following the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"), Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies, or ASC 946.
Fair Value Measurements
Our board of directors, with the assistance of our audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and the Adviser, determines the fair value of our assets on at least a quarterly basis, in accordance with the terms of FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The Audit Committee is comprised of independent directors. Our investments are valued at fair value. For purposes of periodic reporting, the Company values its assets in accordance with GAAP and based on the principles and methods of valuation summarized below. GAAP requires that a “fair value” be assigned to all assets and establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value that includes a framework for measuring fair value and enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements.
GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market price observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:
•Level I - Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which we have access at the date of measurement. The types of investments in Level I include exchange traded equities, debt and derivatives with quoted prices.
•Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable. Level II inputs include interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment risks, loss severities, credit risks and default rates. The types of investments in Level II generally include corporate bonds and loans, government and agency securities, less liquid and restricted equity investments, over-the-counter traded derivatives and other investments where the fair value is based on observable inputs.
•Level III - Valuations for which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. These inputs reflect our assessment of the assumptions that market participants use to value the investment based on the best available information. Level III inputs include prices obtained from brokers in markets for which there are few transactions, less public information exists or prices vary among broker market makers. The types of investments in Level III include non-publicly traded equity, debt, real estate and derivatives.
In some instances, an instrument may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the value measurement. The assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. The transfer of assets into or out of each fair value hierarchy level as a result of changes in the observability of the inputs used in measuring fair value are accounted for as of the beginning of the reporting period. Transfers resulting from a specific event, such as a reorganization or restructuring, are accounted for as of the date of the event that caused the transfer.
In the absence of observable market prices, we value Level III investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. The quarterly valuation process for Level III investments begins with each portfolio company, property or security being initially valued by the Adviser's valuation team in conjunction with the investment team. The preliminary valuations are then reviewed and approved by the valuation team, the valuation committee, which consists of senior members of the investment team, and designated investment professionals as well as the valuation officer who is independent of the investment teams. The Audit Committee reviews the preliminary valuations provided by the valuation committee and makes a recommendation to our full board of directors regarding the fair value of the investments in our portfolio. Our board of directors ultimately determines in good faith the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Results of the valuation process are evaluated each quarter, including an assessment of whether the underlying calculations should be adjusted or recalibrated. In connection with this process, we evaluate changes in fair value measurements from
period to period for reasonableness, considering items such as industry trends, general economic and market conditions, and factors specific to the investment.
Certain Level III assets are valued using prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers. These investments are classified as Level III because the quoted prices may be indicative in nature for securities that are in an inactive market, may be for similar securities or may require adjustment for investment-specific factors or restrictions. We seek to obtain at least two quotations for the subject or similar securities, typically from pricing vendors. If we are unable to obtain two quotes from pricing vendors, or if the prices obtained from pricing vendors are not within our set threshold, we seek to obtain a quote directly from a broker making a market for the asset. However, given the nature of our portfolio, we do not expect that all of our Level III assets will be valued at least annually using prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers. Generally, we do not adjust any of the prices received from these sources, and all prices are reviewed by us. We evaluate the prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. The Adviser also performs back-testing of valuation information obtained from pricing vendors and brokers against actual prices received in transactions. In addition to ongoing monitoring and back-testing, the Adviser performs due diligence procedures over pricing vendors to understand their methodology and controls to support their use in the valuation process.
Non-publicly traded debt and equity securities and other securities or instruments for which reliable market quotations are not available are valued by us using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. These securities may initially be valued at the acquisition price as the best indicator of fair value. We review the significant unobservable inputs, valuations of comparable investments and other similar transactions for investments valued at acquisition price to determine whether another valuation methodology should be utilized. Subsequent valuations will depend on facts and circumstances known as of the valuation date and the application of valuation methodologies further described below under “-Non-Exchange-Traded Investments.” The fair value may also be based on a pending transaction expected to close after the valuation date. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments in the future. Fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.
Exchange-Traded Investments
Securities listed on one or more national securities exchanges are valued at their last reported sales price on the date of valuation. If no sale occurred on the valuation date, the security is valued at the mean of the last “bid” and “ask” prices on the valuation date. Securities that are not marketable due to legal restrictions that may limit or restrict transferability are generally valued at a discount from quoted market prices. The discount would reflect the amount market participants would require due to the risk relating to the inability to access a public market for the security for the specified period and would vary depending on the nature and duration of the restriction and the risk and volatility of the underlying securities. Securities with longer duration restrictions or higher volatility are generally valued at a higher discount. Such discounts are generally estimated based on put option models or analysis of market studies. Instances where discounts have been applied to quoted prices of restricted listed securities have been infrequent. The impact of such discounts is not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Non-Exchange-Traded Investments
Investments in corporate and government debt which are not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange are valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices on the valuation date based on quotations supplied by recognized quotation services or by reputable broker dealers.
If the quotations obtained from pricing vendors or brokers are determined to not be reliable or are not readily available, we value such investments using different valuation techniques. One valuation technique is the transaction precedent technique, which utilizes recent or expected future transactions of the investment to determine fair value, to the extent applicable. The market yield technique is considered in the valuation of non-publicly traded debt investments, utilizing expected future cash flows, discounted using estimated current market rates. Discounted cash flow calculations may be adjusted to reflect current market conditions and/or the perceived credit risk of the borrowers. Consideration is also given to a borrower’s ability to meet principal and interest obligations; this may include an evaluation of collateral or the underlying value of the borrower, utilizing either the market or income techniques. A market technique utilizes valuations of comparable public companies or transactions and generally seeks to establish the enterprise value of the portfolio company using a market multiple technique. This technique takes into account a specific financial measure (such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net operating income, net income, book value or net asset value) believed to be most relevant for the given company. Consideration may also be given to such factors as acquisition price of the security, historical and projected operational and financial results for the portfolio company, the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio company relative to its comparable companies, industry trends, general economic and market conditions and other factors deemed relevant. The income technique is typically a discounted cash flow method that incorporates expected timing and level of cash flows. It incorporates assumptions in determining growth rates, income and expense projections, discount rates, capital structure, terminal values and other factors. The applicability and weight assigned to market and income techniques are determined based on the availability of reliable projections and comparable companies and transactions.
The valuation of securities may be impacted by expectations of investors’ receptiveness to a public offering of the securities, the size of the holding of the securities and any associated control, information with respect to transactions or offers for the securities (including the transaction pursuant to which the investment was made and the period of time elapsed from the date of the investment to the valuation date) and applicable restrictions on the transferability of the securities.
Investments made by us are, by nature, generally considered to be long-term investments and are not intended to be liquidated on a short-term basis. Additionally, these valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations by us do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments in the future. Estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.
We may estimate the fair value of privately held warrants using a Black Scholes pricing model, which includes an analysis of various factors and subjective assumptions, including the current stock price (by using an enterprise value analysis as described above), the expected period until exercise, expected volatility of the underlying stock price, expected dividends and the risk-free rate. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.
With the exception of the line items entitled "deferred financing costs," "other assets," "deferred tax liability" and "credit facilities payable," which are reported at amortized cost, all assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities approximate fair value. The carrying value of the line items titled "interest receivable," "receivables from unsettled transactions," "receivable for shares sold," "accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities," "base management fee and incentive fee payable," "due to affiliates," "interest payable," "director fees payable" and "payables from unsettled transactions" approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
Revenue Recognition
We generate revenues in the form of interest income on debt investments and, to a lesser extent, capital gains and distributions, if any, on equity securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. Some of our investments provide for deferred interest payments or payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest. The principal amount of the debt investments and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date.
Interest Income
Interest income, adjusted for accretion of original issue discount ("OID"), is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. We stop accruing interest on investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible. Investments that are expected to pay regularly scheduled interest in cash are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest cash payments will be collected. Cash interest payments received on investments may be recognized as income or a return of capital depending upon management’s judgment. A non-accrual investment is restored to accrual status if past due principal and interest are paid in cash, and the portfolio company, in management’s judgment, is likely to continue timely payment of its remaining obligations. As of September 30, 2020, there was one investment on which we had stopped accruing cash interest and/or PIK interest and/or OID income.
In connection with our investment in a portfolio company, we sometimes receive nominal cost equity that is valued as part of the negotiation process with the portfolio company. When we receive nominal cost equity, we allocate our cost basis in the investment between debt securities and the nominal cost equity at the time of origination. Any resulting discount from recording the loan, or otherwise purchasing a security at a discount, is accreted into interest income over the life of the loan.
Fee Income
The Adviser or its affiliates may provide financial advisory services to portfolio companies in connection with structuring a transaction and in return we may receive fees for capital structuring services. These fees are generally nonrecurring and are recognized by us upon the investment closing date. We may also receive additional fees in the ordinary course of business, including servicing, amendment, and prepayment fees, which are classified as fee income and recognized as they are earned or the services are rendered.
We have also structured exit fees across certain of our portfolio investments to be received upon the future exit of those investments. Exit fees are payable upon the exit of a debt security. These fees are to be paid to us upon the sooner to occur of (i) a sale of the borrower or substantially all of the assets of the borrower, (ii) the maturity date of the loan or (iii) the date when full prepayment of the loan occurs. The receipt of such fees is contingent upon the occurrence of one of the events listed above for each of the investments. These fees are included in net investment income over the life of the loan.
PIK Interest Income
Our investments in debt securities may contain PIK interest provisions. PIK interest, which generally represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. We generally cease accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or if we do not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. Our decision to cease accruing
PIK interest on a loan or debt security involves subjective judgments and determinations based on available information about a particular portfolio company, including whether the portfolio company is current with respect to its payment of principal and interest on its loans and debt securities; financial statements and financial projections for the portfolio company; our assessment of the portfolio company's business development success; information obtained by us in connection with periodic formal update interviews with the portfolio company's management and, if appropriate, the private equity sponsor; and information about the general economic and market conditions in which the portfolio company operates. Our determination to cease accruing PIK interest is generally made well before our full write-down of a loan or debt security. In addition, if it is subsequently determined that we will not be able to collect any previously accrued PIK interest, the fair value of the loans or debt securities would be reduced by the amount of such previously accrued, but uncollectible, PIK interest. The accrual of PIK interest on our debt investments increases the recorded cost bases of these investments in our consolidated financial statements including for purposes of computing the capital gains incentive fee payable by us to the Adviser. To maintain our status as a RIC, certain income from PIK interest may be required to be distributed to our stockholders even though we have not yet collected the cash and may never do so.
Portfolio Composition
As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of our investment portfolio was $429.9 million and was comprised of investments in 88 portfolio companies. As of September 30, 2019, the fair value of our investment portfolio was $291.1 million and was comprised of investments in 69 portfolio companies.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, our investment portfolio consisted of the following:
The table below describes investments by industry composition based on fair value as a percentage of total investments:
The table below describes investments by geographic composition at fair value as a percentage of total investments:
See the Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 in our consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1, of this Form 10-K for more information on these investments, including a list of companies and the type, cost and fair value of investments.
Discussion and Analysis of Results and Operations
Results of Operations
The principal measure of our financial performance is the net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations, which includes net investment income (loss), net realized gains (losses) and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Net investment income (loss) is the difference between our income from interest income and fee income and excise taxes and total expenses. Net realized gains (losses) on investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated costs. Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation (depreciation) when gains or losses are realized. The net increase or decrease in net assets from operations may vary substantially from period to period as a result of various factors, including the recognition of realized gains and losses and net change in unrealized appreciation and depreciation.
Comparison of the years ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019
Investment Income
Total investment income for the year ended September 30, 2020 was $32,834,351 and consisted of $30,518,582 of interest income primarily from portfolio investments (including $1,628,775 of PIK interest income) and $2,315,769 of fee income. Total investment income for the year ended September 30, 2019 was $11,667,397 and consisted of $11,195,658 of interest income primarily from portfolio investments (including $558,051 of PIK interest income) and $471,739 of fee income. The increase in total investment income was primarily due to an increase in the size of our investment portfolio and higher make-whole interest income and prepayments fees earned on exited investments as compared to the prior year. Based on fair value as of September 30, 2020, the weighted average yield on our debt investments was 7.5%, compared to 7.1% as of September 30, 2019.
Expenses
Total expenses for the years ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were $15,664,271 and $7,961,242, respectively. The increase in total expenses was primarily due to (1) an increase in the size of our investment portfolio as compared to the prior year, which drove a $2,119,173 increase in base management fees and an increase in borrowings, which, in turn, contributed to a $1,827,303 increase in interest expense, (2) an increase in total investment income which resulted in a $3,544,453 increase in investment income incentive fees and (3) higher realized gains which resulted in a $641,955 increase in accrued capital gains incentive fees.
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Net unrealized depreciation was $1,439,671 for the year ended September 30, 2020, largely due to (i) unrealized depreciation on foreign currency forward contracts and (ii) increased market volatility and wider credit spreads resulting from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain of our portfolio companies. Net unrealized appreciation was $1,691,630 for the year ended September 30, 2019, primarily driven by unrealized appreciation across various investments in the portfolio.
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Net realized gains were $6,570,831 and $236,124 for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of the $6,570,831 net realized gains for the year ended September 30, 2020, $3,604,581 was driven by realized gains resulting from sales related to one investment in the portfolio.
Comparison of the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
The comparison of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 can be found within Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 which is incorporated by reference herein.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate cash from (1) the cash proceeds from Private Offerings and any other future offerings of securities, (2) cash flows from operations, including earnings on investments, as well as interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in cash-equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, and (3) borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities.
Our primary use of cash is for (1) investments in portfolio companies and other investments to comply with certain portfolio diversification requirements, (2) the cost of operations (including our expenses, the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee), (3) debt service of borrowings under our credit facilities, and (4) cash distributions to the stockholders.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of $19,667,960. During that period, $155,021,135 of cash was used in operating activities, primarily consisting of cash used to fund new investments, partially offset by cash proceeds from the sales and repayments of investments. During the same period, cash provided by financing activities was $174,799,983, primarily consisting of $22,000,000 of net borrowings under our credit facilities and $169,064,498 of net proceeds from Private Offerings, partially offset by distributions to stockholders of $15,649,588 and financings costs paid of $614,927.
For the year ended September 30, 2019, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of $1,216,858. During that period, $215,909,925 of cash was used in operating activities, primarily consisting of cash used to fund new investments, partially offset by cash proceeds from the sales and repayments of investments. During the same period, cash provided by financing activities was $217,097,515, primarily consisting of $137,699,729 of net proceeds from Private Offerings and $83,000,000 of net borrowings under our credit facilities, partially offset by distributions to stockholders of $2,372,190 and financing costs paid of $1,107,121.
As of September 30, 2020, we had $31,016,086 of cash and cash equivalents (including $2,273,803 of restricted cash), portfolio investments (at fair value) of $429,851,146, $1,485,133 of interest receivable, $105,000,000 of borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities, $5,480,988 of net payables from unsettled transactions and unfunded commitments of $43,585,363.
As of September 30, 2019, we had $11,348,126 of cash and cash equivalents (including $269,111 of restricted cash), portfolio investments (at fair value) of $291,147,011, $1,005,398 of interest receivable, $347,500 of receivable for shares sold, $83,000,000 of borrowings outstanding under our credit facilities, $47,048,497 of net payables from unsettled transactions and unfunded commitments of $11,030,903.
Equity Activity
As of September 30, 2020, we completed drawdowns of $337,558,996 of Capital Commitments from investors in connection with Private Offerings, of which $3,854,346 in Capital Commitments were made by one or more affiliates of the Adviser.
We have the authority under our organizational documents to issue 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 per share par value and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 per share par value. The following table summarizes total shares issued and proceeds related to capital drawdowns delivered pursuant to the Subscription Agreements for our Common Stock through September 30, 2020:
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(1)Includes 50 shares issued to one or more affiliates of the Adviser on July 23, 2018.
(2)For the March 26, 2020 and April 30, 2020 drawdowns, the shares issued exclude 2,418 shares and 4,318 shares related to defaulted investors. In connection with these defaults, Capital Commitments and proceeds from capital drawdowns were each reduced by $125,000.
Leverage
On July 9, 2018, our sole stockholder approved our becoming subject to a minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act. As a result of this approval, we are permitted to borrow amounts so long as our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is at least 150% after such borrowing (if certain requirements are met). As of September 30, 2020, our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, was 428.5%, and senior securities outstanding were $105.6 million.
We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow additional money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as "senior securities," up to the maximum amount permitted by the Investment Company Act. We have securitized and may in the future securitize a portion of our investments to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulation. To securitize investments, we typically create a wholly-owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. We then typically sell interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers and we would retain all or a portion of the equity in the subsidiary. Our primary uses of funds are investments in our targeted asset classes and cash distributions to holders of our common stock.
CNB-1 Facility
On October 16, 2018, we entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “CNB-1 Loan Agreement”) between us, as borrower, and City National Bank ("CNB"), as lender. Prior to its termination, the CNB-1 Loan Agreement provided for a senior secured revolving
credit facility (the "CNB-1 Facility"), of up to $60 million (the "CNB-1 Facility Maximum Commitment"), in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) a percentage of unfunded commitments from certain classes of eligible investors in the Company and (ii) the CNB-1 Facility Maximum Commitment and had a scheduled maturity date of October 15, 2020. On May 1, 2020, we repaid all borrowings outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility, following which the CNB-1 Facility was terminated.
Borrowings under the CNB-1 Facility bore interest at a rate equal to (a) the LIBOR for the selected period plus 1.65% for LIBOR loans or (b) the prime rate of CNB minus 0.25% for prime rate loans. There was a non-usage fee of 25 basis points per year on the unused portion of the CNB-1 Facility, payable quarterly.
The CNB-1 Facility was secured by a first priority security interest, subject to customary exceptions, in (i) all Capital Commitments, (ii) our right to make capital calls, receive payment of capital contributions from investors and enforce payment of capital commitments and capital contributions under our Subscription Agreements with investors and other operative documents and (iii) a cash collateral account into which the capital contributions from investors are made. We made customary representations and warranties and were required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. Our borrowings, including under the CNB-1 Facility, were subject to the leverage restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020, we had no borrowings outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility. As of September 30, 2019, we had $65.0 million outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility. Our borrowings under the CNB-1 Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 3.27% and 4.09% for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $1,769,383 and $2,657,341, respectively, related to the CNB-1 Facility.
CNB-2 Facility
On June 9, 2020 (the “CNB-2 Closing Date”), we entered into a loan and security agreement (the “CNB-2 Loan Agreement”) between us, as borrower, and CNB, as lender. The CNB-2 Loan Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “CNB-2 Facility”) of up to $50 million (the “CNB-2 Facility Maximum Commitment”) in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, which is an amount determined by applying different rates to eligible assets held by the Company based generally on the value of such assets and (ii) the CNB-2 Facility Maximum Commitment. The maturity date of the CNB-2 Facility is June 9, 2023.
Borrowings under the CNB-2 Facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR for the selected period plus 3.00%. There is a non-usage fee of 50 basis points per year on the unused portion of the CNB-2 Facility, payable annually, if on any anniversary of the CNB-2 Closing Date, the average daily utilization of the CNB-2 Facility is less than $25 million over the prior 365-day period.
The CNB-2 Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets, including our portfolio investments. We have made customary representations and warranties and are required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. Our borrowings, including under the CNB-2 Facility, are subject to the leverage restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020, we had $5.0 million outstanding under the CNB-2 Facility. For the year ended September 30, 2020, our borrowings under the CNB-2 Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 3.32% and we recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $183,244 related to the CNB-2 Facility.
Citibank Facility
On July 26, 2019 (the "Citibank Closing Date"), we and OSI 2 Senior Lending SPV, LLC ("OSI 2 SPV"), a wholly-owned and consolidated subsidiary of us, entered into a loan and security agreement, which was subsequently amended on September 20, 2019 and July 2, 2020 (as amended, the "Citibank Loan Agreement"), with the lenders from time to time party thereto and the other parties referenced below. Under the terms of the Citibank Loan Agreement, we serve as the collateral manager and seller and OSI 2 SPV serves as borrower with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent.
As of September 30, 2020, the Citibank Loan Agreement provided for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Citibank Facility"), of up to $150 million (the "Citibank Maximum Commitment"), in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, which is an amount based on advance rates that vary depending on the class of assets and the value assigned to such assets under the Citibank Loan Agreement and (ii) the Citibank Maximum Commitment. The Citibank Facility has a three year reinvestment period (the "Reinvestment Period"), during which advances may be made; and matures five years from the Citibank Closing Date. Following the Reinvestment Period, OSI 2 SPV will be required to make certain mandatory amortization payments. Borrowings under the Citibank Facility bear interest payable quarterly at a rate per year equal to (a) in the case of a lender that is identified as a conduit lender under the Loan Agreement, the lesser of (i) the applicable commercial paper rate for such conduit lender and (ii) the LIBOR for a three month maturity and (b) for all other lenders under the Citibank Facility, LIBOR, plus, in each case, an applicable spread. During the Reinvestment Period, the applicable spread for any borrowings up to $100 million is the greater of (i) a weighted average rate of (x) 1.65% per year for broadly syndicated loans and (y) 2.25% per year for all other eligible loans and (ii)
1.85%, and with respect to any borrowings in excess of $100 million, the applicable spread is the greater of (i) a weighted average rate of (x) 2.25% per year for broadly syndicated loans and (y) 3.00% per year for all other eligible loans and (ii) 1.85%. After the Reinvestment Period, the applicable spread is 3.00% per year. There is also a non-usage fee of (i) 0.40% per year for the first six months following the Citibank Closing Date (the "Ramp-Up Period"), and (ii) 0.50% per year thereafter, in each case, on the unused portion of the Citibank Facility, payable quarterly; provided that if after the Ramp-Up Period the unused portion of the Citibank Facility is greater than 30% of the commitments under the Citibank Facility, the non-usage fee will be based on an unused portion of 30% of the commitments under the Citibank Facility.
The Citibank Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of OSI 2 SPV’s assets.
As part of the Citibank Facility, OSI 2 SPV is subject to certain limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used and the types of loans that are eligible to be acquired by OSI 2 SPV including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, tenor and minimum investment ratings (or estimated ratings). The Citibank Facility also contains certain requirements relating to interest coverage, collateral quality and portfolio performance, certain violations of which could result in the acceleration of the amounts due under the Citibank Facility.
Under the Citibank Facility, we and OSI 2 SPV, as applicable, have made customary representations and warranties, and are required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities.
OSI 2 SPV’s borrowings are non-recourse to us but are considered borrowings of us for purposes of complying with the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, we had $100.0 million and $18.0 million, respectively, outstanding under the Citibank Facility. Our borrowings under the Citibank Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 2.91% and 4.03% for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $2,692,069 and $160,052, respectively, related to the Citibank Facility.
Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We may be a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. As indicated in the table below, as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of $43,585,363 and $11,030,903, respectively, of unfunded commitments to provide debt financing to certain of our portfolio companies. Such commitments are subject to the portfolio company's satisfaction of certain financial and nonfinancial covenants and may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Regulated Investment Company Status and Distributions
We anticipate that we will make quarterly distributions of at least 90% of our realized net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses, if any, then available for distribution, each as determined by our board of directors in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Governing Documents. Any distributions will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. We expect quarterly distributions to be paid from income primarily generated by interest earned on our investments, although distributions to stockholders may also include a return of capital.
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain RIC qualification, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each tax year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income” for that year. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of: (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year; (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and, (3) any undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax less certain over-distributions in prior years. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long term capital gains in excess of short term capital losses), if any, at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment, pay U.S. federal income tax on such amounts at regular corporate tax rates, and elect to treat such gains as deemed distributions to stockholders. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, to the extent that we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the Investment Company Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.
Depending on the level of taxable income and net capital gain earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income or net capital gain for distribution in the following year and pay the applicable U.S. federal excise tax. Distributions will be appropriately
adjusted for any taxes payable by us or any direct or indirect subsidiary through which it invests (including any corporate, state, local, non-U.S. and withholding taxes). Any Incentive Fee to be paid to our Adviser will not be reduced to take into account any such taxes.
We may generate qualified net interest income or qualified net short-term capital gains that may be exempt from U.S. withholding tax when distributed to foreign stockholders. A RIC is permitted to designate distributions of qualified net interest income and qualified short-term capital gains as exempt from U.S. withholding tax when paid to non-U.S. shareholders with proper documentation. The following table, which may be subject to change as we finalize our annual tax filings, lists the percentage of qualified net interest income and qualified short-term capital gains for the year ended September 30, 2020, our most recently completed tax year end.
The following table reflects the distributions per share that we have paid on our common stock during the year ended September 30, 2020:
The following table reflects the distributions per share that the Company has paid on its common stock during the year ended September 30, 2019:
Related Party Transactions
We have entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and the Administration Agreement with the Administrator, an affiliate of the Adviser. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC.
Recent Developments
Distribution Declaration
On December 15, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly distribution of $0.35 per share, payable in cash on December 31, 2020 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2020. Additionally, on December 15, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a special distribution of $0.62 per share, payable in cash on December 31, 2020 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2020.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in the valuations of our investment portfolio and interest rates.
Valuation Risk
Our investments often do not have a readily available market price, and we value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, with the assistance of the Audit Committee and the Adviser. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith and valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. In addition, our valuation methodology utilizes discount rates in part in valuing our investments, and changes in those discount rates may have an impact on the valuation of our investments. Accordingly, valuations by us do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments. Estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect both our cost of funding and our interest income from portfolio investments, cash and cash equivalents and idle funds investments. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs. Our investment income will be affected by changes in various interest rates, including LIBOR and prime rates, to the extent our debt investments include floating interest rates.
As of September 30, 2020, 89.8% of our debt investment portfolio at fair value bore interest at floating rates. The composition of our floating rate debt investments by interest rate floor as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 was as follows:
Based on our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020, the following table shows the approximate annualized net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates, assuming no changes in our investment and capital structure. However, there can be no assurances our portfolio companies will be able to meet their contractual obligations at any or all levels of increases in interest rates.
The net effect of any decrease in interest rates is limited and would not be of significance due to interest rate floors on investments and borrowings outstanding.
We regularly measure exposure to interest rate risk. We assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate sensitive assets to our interest rate sensitive liabilities. Based on this review, we determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. The interest rate on the principal balance outstanding for all floating rate loans is indexed to the LIBOR and/or an alternate base rate (e.g., prime rate), which typically resets semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly at the borrower's option. The borrower may also elect to have
multiple interest reset periods for each loan. The following table shows a comparison of the interest rate base for our outstanding debt investments, at principal, and our outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities of Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc. (the Company), including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2020 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2020 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 by correspondence with the custodians, syndication agents and underlying investee companies, and by other appropriate auditing procedures where confirmation was not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Los Angeles, CA
December 16, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
(1)All debt investments are income producing unless otherwise noted. All equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
(2)See Note 3 in the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for portfolio composition by geographic region.
(3)Interest rates may be adjusted from period to period on certain term loans and revolvers. These rate adjustments may be either temporary in nature due to tier pricing arrangements or financial or payment covenant violations in the original credit agreements or permanent in nature per loan amendment or waiver documents.
(4)Each of the Company's investments is pledged as collateral under one or more of its credit facilities. A single investment may be divided into parts that are individually pledged as collateral to separate credit facilities.
(5)The interest rate on the principal balance outstanding for all floating rate loans is indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and/or an alternate base rate (e.g., prime rate), which typically resets semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly at the borrower's option. The borrower may also elect to have multiple interest reset periods for each loan. For each of these loans, the Company has provided the applicable margin over LIBOR or the alternate base rate based on each respective credit agreement and the cash interest rate as of period end. All LIBOR shown above is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. As of September 30, 2020, the reference rates for the Company's variable rate loans were the 30-day LIBOR at 0.15%, the 60-day LIBOR at 0.19%, the 90-day LIBOR at 0.22%, the 180-day LIBOR at 0.27%, the 360-day LIBOR at 0.37%, the PRIME at 3.25%, the 30-day UK LIBOR at 0.05%, the 180-day UK LIBOR at 0.22%, the 30-day EURIBOR at (0.57)% and the 180-day EURIBOR at (0.36)%. Most loans include an interest floor, which generally ranges from 0% to 1%.
(6)"€" signifies the investment is denominated in Euros. “£” signifies the investment is denominated in British Pounds. All other investments are denominated in U.S. dollars.
(7)Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. Control Investments generally are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), as investments in companies in which the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities and/or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of the company. Affiliate Investments generally are defined by the Investment Company Act as investments in companies in which the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2020
(8)As of September 30, 2020, these investments are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy established by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820") and were valued using significant unobservable inputs.
(9)Investment has undrawn commitments. Unamortized fees are classified as unearned income which reduces cost basis, which may result in a negative cost basis. A negative fair value may result from the unfunded commitment being valued below par.
(10)Investment is not a qualifying asset as defined under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. Under the Investment Company Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets. As of September 30, 2020, qualifying assets represented 82.1% of the Company's total assets and non-qualifying assets represented 17.9% of the Company's total assets.
(11)Payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest income for this investment accrues at an annualized rate of 15%, however, the PIK interest is not contractually capitalized on the investment. As a result, the principal amount of the investment does not increase over time for accumulated PIK interest. As of September 30, 2020, the accumulated PIK interest balance for each of the Alvotech A notes and the B notes was $0.6 million. The fair value of this investment is inclusive of PIK.
(12)This investment was on cash non-accrual status as of September 30, 2020. Cash non-accrual status is inclusive of PIK and other non-cash income, where applicable.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2019
(1)All debt investments are income producing unless otherwise noted. All equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
(2)See Note 3 in the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for portfolio composition by geographic region.
(3)Interest rates may be adjusted from period to period on certain term loans and revolvers. These rate adjustments may be either temporary in nature due to tier pricing arrangements or financial or payment covenant violations in the original credit agreements or permanent in nature per loan amendment or waiver documents.
(4)The interest rate on the principal balance outstanding for all floating rate loans is indexed to the LIBOR and/or an alternate base rate (e.g., prime rate), which typically resets semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly at the borrower's option. The borrower may also elect to have multiple interest reset periods for each loan. For each of these loans, the Company has provided the applicable margin over LIBOR or the alternate base rate based on each respective credit agreement and the cash interest rate as of period end. All LIBOR shown above is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. As of September 30, 2019, the reference rates for the Company's variable rate loans were the 30-day LIBOR at 2.04%, the 60-day LIBOR at 2.09%, the 90-day LIBOR at 2.10% and the 30-day EURIBOR at (0.51)%. Most loans include an interest floor, which generally ranges from 0% to 1%.
(5)"€" signifies the investment is denominated in Euros. All other investments are denominated in U.S. dollars.
(6)Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. Control Investments generally are defined by the Investment Company Act, as investments in companies in which the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities and/or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of the company. Affiliate Investments generally are defined by the Investment Company Act as investments in companies in which the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities.
(7)As of September 30, 2019, these investments are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820 and were valued using significant unobservable inputs.
(8)Investment has undrawn commitments. Unamortized fees are classified as unearned income which reduces cost basis, which may result in a negative cost basis. A negative fair value may result from the unfunded commitment being valued below par.
(9)Investment is not a qualifying asset as defined under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. Under the Investment Company Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets. As of September 30, 2019, qualifying assets represented 80.1% of the Company's total assets and non-qualifying assets represented 19.9% of the Company's total assets.
(10)PIK interest income for this investment accrues at an annualized rate of 15%, however, the PIK interest is not contractually capitalized on the investment. As a result, the principal amount of the investment does not increase over time for accumulated PIK interest. As of September 30, 2019, the accumulated PIK interest balance for each of the Alvotech A notes and the B notes was $0.2 million. The fair value of this investment is inclusive of PIK.
(11)This investment is pledged as collateral under the Citibank Facility (as defined in Note 6 to the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Organization
Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, where applicable, the "Company") is structured as a closed-end investment company focused on lending to small- and medium-sized companies. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (a "BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and has elected to be treated, and intends to comply with the requirements to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Code").
The Company was formed on April 30, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and as of September 30, 2020 is externally managed by Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), between the Company and the Adviser, which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 11, 2020. From July 9, 2018 through May 11, 2020, the Company was managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., an affiliate of the Adviser. The Adviser is a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC ("OCG"). In 2019, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. ("Brookfield") acquired a majority economic interest in OCG. OCG operates as an independent business within Brookfield, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing and support teams.
The Company conducted private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of its common stock ("Common Stock") to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At each closing of a Private Offering, each investor participating in that closing made a capital commitment (each, a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase the Company's Common Stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with the Company in connection with its Capital Commitment ("Subscription Agreement"). The initial closing of a Private Offering occurred on August 6, 2018 (the "Initial Closing"). The Company commenced its loan origination and investment activities shortly after its initial capital drawdown from its non-affiliated investors (the "Initial Drawdown"). The proceeds from the Initial Drawdown provided the Company with the necessary seed capital to commence operations. As of September 30, 2020, the Company completed drawdowns of $337,558,996 of Capital Commitments from investors in connection with Private Offerings, of which $3,854,346 in Capital Commitments were made by one or more affiliates of the Adviser.
The Company seeks to invest opportunistically across asset classes and geographies, primarily in the form of senior loans, and to a lesser extent, high yield bonds, to borrowers that are in need of direct loans, rescue financings or other capital solutions or that have had challenged or unsuccessful primary offerings. The Company's investment objective is to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve its investment objective without subjecting principal to undue risk of loss by lending to and investing in the debt of public and private companies, primarily in situations where a company or its owners are (a) overleveraged or facing pressure to recapitalize, (b) unable to access broadly syndicated capital markets, (c) undervalued after having recently exited bankruptcy, completed a restructuring or are in a cyclically out-of-favor industry or (d) otherwise affected by mispricings or inefficiencies in the capital markets or at different points throughout the credit cycle.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation:
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Regulation S-X. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company is an investment company following the accounting and reporting guidance in FASB ASC Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies ("ASC 946").
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to the Company and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Changes in the economic and political environments, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ and such differences could be material. Significant estimates include the valuation of investments and revenue recognition.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidation:
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Each consolidated subsidiary is wholly-owned and, as such, consolidated into the consolidated financial statements. Certain subsidiaries of the Company that hold investments are treated as pass through entities for tax purposes. The assets of the consolidated subsidiaries are not directly available to satisfy the claims of the creditors of the Company. As an investment company, portfolio investments held by the Company are not consolidated into the consolidated financial statements but rather are included on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as investments at fair value.
Fair Value Measurements:
The Company's board of directors, with the assistance of its audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and the Adviser, determines the fair value of its assets on at least a quarterly basis, in accordance with the terms of FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The Audit Committee is comprised of independent directors. The Company's investments are valued at fair value. For purposes of periodic reporting, the Company values its assets in accordance with GAAP and based on the principles and methods of valuation summarized below. GAAP requires that a “fair value” be assigned to all assets and establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value that includes a framework for measuring fair value and enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements.
GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market price observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:
•Level I - Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Company has access at the date of measurement.
•Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable.
•Level III - Valuations for which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. These inputs reflect our assessment of the assumptions that market participants use to value the investment based on the best available information. Level III inputs include prices obtained from brokers in markets for which there are few transactions, less public information exists or prices vary among broker market makers.
In some instances, an instrument may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the value measurement. The assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. The transfer of assets into or out of each fair value hierarchy level as a result of changes in the observability of the inputs used in measuring fair value are accounted for as of the beginning of the reporting period. Transfers resulting from a specific event, such as a reorganization or restructuring, are accounted for as of the date of the event that caused the transfer.
In the absence of observable market prices, the Company values Level III investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. The quarterly valuation process for Level III investments begins with each portfolio company, property or security being initially valued by the Adviser's valuation team in conjunction with the investment team. The preliminary valuations are then reviewed and approved by the valuation team, the valuation committee, which consists of senior members of the investment team, and designated investment professionals as well as the valuation officer who is independent of the investment teams. The Audit Committee reviews the preliminary valuations provided by the valuation committee and makes a recommendation to the Company's full board of directors regarding the fair value of the investments in our portfolio. The Company's board of directors ultimately determines in good faith the fair value of each investment in the Company's portfolio. Results of the valuation process are evaluated each quarter, including an assessment of whether the underlying calculations should be adjusted or recalibrated. In connection with this process, the Company evaluates changes in fair value measurements from period to period for reasonableness, considering items such as industry trends, general economic and market conditions, and factors specific to the investment.
Certain Level III assets are valued using prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers. These investments are classified as Level III because the quoted prices may be indicative in nature for securities that are in an inactive market, may be
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for similar securities or may require adjustment for investment-specific factors or restrictions. The Company seeks to obtain at least two quotations for the subject or similar securities, typically from pricing vendors. If the Company is unable to obtain two quotes from pricing vendors, or if the prices obtained from pricing vendors are not within the Company's set threshold, the Company seeks to obtain a quote directly from a broker making a market for the asset. However, given the nature of our portfolio, the Company does not expect that all of our Level III assets will be valued at least annually using prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers. Generally, the Company does not adjust any of the prices received from these sources, and all prices are reviewed by the Company. The Company evaluates the prices obtained from pricing vendors or brokers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. The Adviser also performs back-testing of valuation information obtained from pricing vendors and brokers against actual prices received in transactions. In addition to ongoing monitoring and back-testing, the Adviser performs due diligence procedures over pricing vendors to understand their methodology and controls to support their use in the valuation process.
Non-publicly traded debt and equity securities and other securities or instruments for which reliable market quotations are not available are valued by the Company using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. These securities may initially be valued at the acquisition price as the best indicator of fair value. The Company reviews the significant unobservable inputs, valuations of comparable investments and other similar transactions for investments valued at acquisition price to determine whether another valuation methodology should be utilized. Subsequent valuations will depend on facts and circumstances known as of the valuation date and the application of valuation methodologies further described below under “- Non-Exchange-Traded Investments.” The fair value may also be based on a pending transaction expected to close after the valuation date. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments in the future. Fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.
Exchange-Traded Investments
Securities listed on one or more national securities exchanges are valued at their last reported sales price on the date of valuation. If no sale occurred on the valuation date, the security is valued at the mean of the last “bid” and “ask” prices on the valuation date. Securities that are not marketable due to legal restrictions that may limit or restrict transferability are generally valued at a discount from quoted market prices. The discount would reflect the amount market participants would require due to the risk relating to the inability to access a public market for the security for the specified period and would vary depending on the nature and duration of the restriction and the risk and volatility of the underlying securities. Securities with longer duration restrictions or higher volatility are generally valued at a higher discount. Such discounts are generally estimated based on put option models or analysis of market studies. Instances where discounts have been applied to quoted prices of restricted listed securities have been infrequent. The impact of such discounts is not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Non-Exchange-Traded Investments
Investments in corporate and government debt which are not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange are valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices on the valuation date based on quotations supplied by recognized quotation services or by reputable broker dealers.
If the quotations obtained from pricing vendors or brokers are determined to not be reliable or are not readily available, the Company values such investments using different valuation techniques. One valuation technique is the transaction precedent technique, which utilizes recent or expected future transactions of the investment to determine fair value, to the extent applicable. The market yield technique is considered in the valuation of non-publicly traded debt investments, utilizing expected future cash flows, discounted using estimated current market rates. Discounted cash flow calculations may be adjusted to reflect current market conditions and/or the perceived credit risk of the borrowers. Consideration is also given to a borrower’s ability to meet principal and interest obligations; this may include an evaluation of collateral or the underlying value of the borrower, utilizing either the market or income techniques. A market technique utilizes valuations of comparable public companies or transactions and generally seeks to establish the enterprise value of the portfolio company using a market multiple technique. This technique takes into account a specific financial measure (such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net operating income, net income, book value or net asset value) believed to be most relevant for the given company. Consideration may also be given to such factors as acquisition price of the security, historical and projected operational and financial results for the portfolio company, the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio company relative to its comparable companies, industry trends, general economic and market conditions and other factors deemed relevant. The income technique is typically a discounted cash flow method that incorporates expected timing and level of cash flows. It incorporates assumptions in determining growth rates, income and expense projections, discount rates, capital structure, terminal values and other factors. The applicability and weight assigned to
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
market and income techniques are determined based on the availability of reliable projections and comparable companies and transactions.
The valuation of securities may be impacted by expectations of investors’ receptiveness to a public offering of the securities, the size of the holding of the securities and any associated control, information with respect to transactions or offers for the securities (including the transaction pursuant to which the investment was made and the period of time elapsed from the date of the investment to the valuation date) and applicable restrictions on the transferability of the securities.
Investments made by the Company are, by nature, generally considered to be long-term investments and are not intended to be liquidated on a short-term basis. Additionally, these valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations by the Company do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments in the future. Estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.
The Company may estimate the fair value of privately held warrants using a Black Scholes pricing model, which includes an analysis of various factors and subjective assumptions, including the current stock price (by using an enterprise value analysis as described above), the expected period until exercise, expected volatility of the underlying stock price, expected dividends and the risk-free rate. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.
With the exception of the line items entitled "deferred financing costs," "other assets," "deferred tax liability" and "credit facilities payable," which are reported at amortized cost, all assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities approximate fair value. The carrying value of the line items titled "interest receivable," "receivables from unsettled transactions," "receivable for shares sold," "accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities," "base management fee and incentive fee payable," "due to affiliates," "interest payable," "director fees payable" and "payables from unsettled transactions" approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
Foreign Currency Translation:
The accounting records of the Company are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the prevailing foreign exchange rate on the reporting date. The Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The Company’s investments in foreign securities may involve certain risks, including foreign exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic risks, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investment. In addition, changes in the relationship of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of these investments and therefore the earnings of the Company.
Derivative Instruments:
The Company does not utilize hedge accounting and as such values its derivative instruments at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses recorded in “net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Investment Income:
Interest Income
Interest income, adjusted for accretion of original issue discount ("OID"), is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company stops accruing interest on investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible. Investments that are expected to pay regularly scheduled interest in cash are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest cash payments will be collected. Cash interest payments received on investments may be recognized as income or a return of capital depending upon management’s judgment. A non-accrual investment is restored to accrual status if past due principal and interest are paid in cash, and the portfolio company, in management’s judgment, is likely to continue timely payment of its remaining obligations.
In connection with its investment in a portfolio company, the Company sometimes receives nominal cost equity that is valued as part of the negotiation process with the portfolio company. When the Company receives nominal cost equity, the Company allocates its cost basis in the investment between debt securities and the nominal cost equity at the time of origination. Any resulting discount from recording the loan, or otherwise purchasing a security at a discount, is accreted into interest income over the life of the loan.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PIK Interest Income
The Company's investments in debt securities may contain payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest provisions. PIK interest, which generally represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company generally ceases accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or if the Company does not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. The Company's decision to cease accruing PIK interest on a loan or debt security involves subjective judgments and determinations based on available information about a particular portfolio company, including whether the portfolio company is current with respect to its payment of principal and interest on its loans and debt securities; financial statements and financial projections for the portfolio company; the Company's assessment of the portfolio company's business development success; information obtained by the Company in connection with periodic formal update interviews with the portfolio company's management and, if appropriate, the private equity sponsor; and information about the general economic and market conditions in which the portfolio company operates. The Company's determination to cease accruing PIK interest is generally made well before the Company's full write-down of a loan or debt security. In addition, if it is subsequently determined that the Company will not be able to collect any previously accrued PIK interest, the fair value of the loans or debt securities would be reduced by the amount of such previously accrued, but uncollectible, PIK interest. The accrual of PIK interest on the Company’s debt investments increases the recorded cost bases of these investments in the consolidated financial statements including for purposes of computing the capital gains incentive fee payable by the Company to the Adviser. To maintain its status as a RIC, certain income from PIK interest may be required to be distributed to the Company’s stockholders, even though the Company has not yet collected the cash and may never do so.
Fee Income
The Adviser or its affiliates may provide financial advisory services to portfolio companies in connection with structuring a transaction and in return the Company may receive fees for capital structuring services. These fees are generally nonrecurring and are recognized by the Company upon the investment closing date. The Company may also receive additional fees in the ordinary course of business, including servicing, amendment, and prepayment fees, which are classified as fee income and recognized as they are earned or the services are rendered.
The Company has also structured exit fees across certain of its portfolio investments to be received upon the future exit of those investments. These fees are typically paid to the Company upon the earliest to occur of (i) a sale of the borrower or substantially all of the assets of the borrower, (ii) the maturity date of the loan or (iii) the date when full prepayment of the loan occurs. The receipt of such fees is contingent upon the occurrence of one of the events listed above for each of the investments. These fees are included in net investment income over the life of the loan.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash consist of demand deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when acquired. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in bank accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insurance limit. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are included on the Company's Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 assets.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, included in restricted cash was $2,273,803 and $269,111, respectively, which was held at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in connection with the Company's Citibank Facility (defined in Note 6 - Borrowings). The Company was restricted in terms of access to the $2,273,803 and $269,111, respectively, until the occurrence of the periodic distribution dates and, in connection therewith, the Company’s submission of its required periodic reporting schedules and verifications of the Company’s compliance with the terms of the Citibank Facility.
Organization and Offering Expenses:
Costs incurred to organize the Company were expensed as incurred. There were no organizational costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2020. For the year ended September 30, 2019 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018, the Company incurred organizational costs of $56,921 and $399,894, respectively.
Offering costs incurred in connection with Private Offerings were recognized as a deferred cost and amortized on a straight line basis over twelve months beginning on August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations). For the year ended September 30, 2020, no additional offering costs were incurred. For the year ended September 30, 2019 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018, the Company incurred offering costs of $122,903
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
and $606,900, respectively, and amortized $642,205 and $87,598, respectively, of deferred offering costs. Deferred offering costs were fully amortized as of August 6, 2019.
Receivables/Payables from Unsettled Transactions:
Receivables/payables from unsettled transactions consist of amounts receivable to or payable by the Company for transactions that have not settled at the reporting date.
Deferred Financing Costs:
Deferred financing costs consist of fees and expenses paid in connection with the closing or amending of credit facilities. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with credit facilities are capitalized as an asset when incurred. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with all other debt arrangements are a direct deduction from the related debt liability when incurred. Deferred financing costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the respective debt arrangement. This amortization expense is included in interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Upon early termination or modification of a credit facility, all or a portion of unamortized fees related to such facility may be accelerated into interest expense.
Income Taxes:
The Company has elected to be subject to tax as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and intends to operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to be subject to tax as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute dividends to its stockholders of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, for each tax year. As a RIC, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains distributed currently to stockholders as a dividend. Depending on the level of taxable income earned during a tax year, the Company may choose to retain taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions and would distribute such taxable income in the next tax year. The Company would then incur a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income, determined on a calendar year basis, could exceed estimated current calendar year dividend distributions, the Company accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned. The Company anticipates timely distribution of its taxable income within the tax rules under Subchapter M of the Code. The Company incurred a U.S. federal excise tax of $14,515 for calendar year 2018 and did not incur a U.S. federal excise tax for calendar year 2019. The Company does not expect to incur a U.S. federal excise tax for calendar year 2020.
The Company holds certain portfolio investments through taxable subsidiaries. The purpose of the Company's taxable subsidiaries is to permit the Company to hold equity investments in portfolio companies which are "pass through" entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in order to comply with the RIC tax requirements. The taxable subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, and portfolio investments held by them are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as portfolio investments and recorded at fair value. The taxable subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense, or benefit, and the related tax assets and liabilities, as a result of their ownership of certain portfolio investments. This income tax expense, if any, would be reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company uses the liability method to account for its taxable subsidiaries' income taxes. Using this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company recognizes deferred tax benefits associated with net operating loss carry forwards that it may use to offset future tax obligations. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which it expects to recover or settle those temporary differences.
FASB ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("ASC 740"), provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the Company's consolidated financial statements. ASC 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management's determinations regarding ASC 740 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based upon factors including an ongoing analysis of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is "more likely than not" to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Company's tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years 2018 and 2019. The Company identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and California, and the Company is not aware of any tax
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2020, the guidance did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued final rules that, among other things, amended the financial disclosure requirements of Regulation S-X for acquired and disposed businesses and the significance tests for a “significant subsidiary” as applicable to BDCs, and amended certain forms used by BDCs. The amendments are intended to assist BDCs in making more meaningful determinations as to whether a subsidiary or an acquired or disposed entity is significant and improve the financial disclosure requirements applicable to acquisitions and dispositions of investment companies and BDCs. The Company early adopted the updated rules for the year ended September 30, 2020 which did not result in any new significant subsidiaries being identified.
Note 3. Portfolio Investments
Portfolio Composition
As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio was $429.9 million and was comprised of investments in 88 portfolio companies. As of September 30, 2019, the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio was $291.1 million and was comprised of investments in 69 portfolio companies.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Company's investment portfolio consisted of the following:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The composition of the Company's debt investments as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 by floating rates and fixed rates was as follows:
The geographic composition of the Company's portfolio is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company, which may not be indicative of the primary source of the portfolio company's business. The following tables show the portfolio composition by geographic region at cost as a percentage of total investments and at fair value as a percentage of total investments and net assets:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The composition of the Company's portfolio by industry at cost as a percentage of total investments and at fair value as a percentage of total investments and net assets as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 was as follows:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the financial instruments carried at fair value as of September 30, 2020 on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities for each of the three levels of hierarchy established by ASC 820:
The following table presents the financial instruments carried at fair value as of September 30, 2019 on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities for each of the three levels of hierarchy established by ASC 820:
When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the fact that the unobservable factors are significant to the overall fair value measurement. However, Level 3 financial instruments typically have both unobservable or Level 3 components and observable components (i.e. components that are actively quoted and can be validated by external sources). Accordingly, the appreciation (depreciation) in the tables below includes changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology.
The principal value of the Company's credit facilities approximates fair value due to their variable rates and are included in Level 3 of the hierarchy.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table provides a roll-forward of the changes in fair value from September 30, 2019 to September 30, 2020, for all investments for which the Company determined fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:
__________
(a) There were transfers into Level 3 from Level 2 for certain investments during the year ended September 30, 2020 as a result of a change in the number of market quotes available and/or a change in market liquidity.
The following table provides a roll-forward in the changes in fair value from September 30, 2018 to September 30, 2019, for all investments for which the Company determined fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:
__________
(a) There were transfers in/out of Level 3 from/to Level 2 for certain investments during the year ended September 30, 2019 as a result of a change in the number of market quotes available and/or a change in market liquidity.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Significant Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Investments
The following table provides quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 investments, which are carried at fair value as of September 30, 2020:
_____________________
(a) Weighted averages are calculated based on fair value of investments.
(b) Used when market participant would take into account market yield when pricing the investment.
(c) The Company generally uses prices provided by an independent pricing service which are non-binding indicative prices on or near the valuation date as the primary basis for the fair value determinations for quoted senior secured debt investments. Since these prices are non-binding, they may not be indicative of fair value. The Company evaluates the quotations provided by pricing vendors and brokers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. Each quoted price is evaluated by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors in conjunction with additional information compiled by the Adviser.
(d) Used when market participant would use such multiple when pricing the investment.
The following table provides quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 investments, which are carried at fair value as of September 30, 2019:
_____________________
(a) Weighted averages are calculated based on fair value of investments.
(b) Used when market participant would take into account market yield when pricing the investment.
(c) The Company generally uses prices provided by an independent pricing service which are non-binding indicative prices on or near the valuation date as the primary basis for the fair value determinations for quoted senior secured debt investments. Since these prices are non-binding, they may not be indicative of fair value. The Company evaluates the quotations provided by pricing vendors and brokers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. Each quoted price is evaluated by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors in conjunction with additional information compiled by the Adviser.
(d) Used when market participant would use such multiple when pricing the investment.
(e) Used when there is an observable transaction or pending event for the investment.
Under the market yield technique, the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company's investments in debt securities is the market yield. Increases or decreases in the market yield may result in a lower or higher fair value measurement, respectively.
Under the enterprise value technique, the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company's investments is the EBITDA, revenue or asset multiple, as applicable. Increases or decreases in the valuation multiples in isolation may result in a higher or lower fair value measurement, respectively.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 4. Fee Income
For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded total fee income of $2,315,769 and $471,739, of which $50,329 and $38,405, respectively, was recurring in nature. For the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018, the Company did not record any fee income.
Note 5. Share Data and Distributions
Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 260-10, Earnings per Share, for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2018:
Changes in Net Assets
The following table presents the changes in net assets for the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2018 and the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Capital Activity
As of September 30, 2020, the Company completed drawdowns of $337,558,996 of Capital Commitments from investors in connection with Private Offerings, of which $3,854,346 in Capital Commitments were made by one or more affiliates of the Adviser.
The Company has the authority to issue 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 per share par value and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 per share par value. The following table summarizes total shares issued and proceeds related to capital drawdowns delivered pursuant to the Subscription Agreements for the Company’s Common Stock through September 30, 2020:
__________________
(1)Includes 50 shares issued to one or more affiliates of the Adviser on July 23, 2018.
(2)For the March 26, 2020 and April 30, 2020 drawdowns, the shares issued exclude 2,418 shares and 4,318 shares, respectively, related to defaulted investors. In connection with these defaults, Capital Commitments and proceeds from capital drawdowns were each reduced by $125,000.
Distributions
Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Company is required to distribute dividends each tax year to its stockholders of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, in order to be eligible for tax benefits allowed to a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The Company anticipates paying out as a distribution all or substantially all of those amounts. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the board of directors and is based on management’s estimate of the Company’s annual taxable income. Net realized capital gains, if any, may be distributed to stockholders or retained for reinvestment.
The following table reflects the distributions per share that the Company has paid on its common stock during the year ended September 30, 2020:
The following table reflects the distributions per share that the Company has paid on its common stock during the year ended September 30, 2019:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 6. Borrowings
CNB-1 Facility
On October 16, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “CNB-1 Loan Agreement”) between the Company, as borrower, and City National Bank (“CNB”), as lender. Prior to its termination, the CNB-1 Loan Agreement provided for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “CNB-1 Facility”) of up to $60 million (the “CNB-1 Facility Maximum Commitment”) in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) a percentage of unfunded commitments from certain classes of eligible investors in the Company and (ii) the CNB-1 Facility Maximum Commitment and had a scheduled maturity date of October 15, 2020. On May 1, 2020, the Company repaid all borrowings outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility, following which the CNB-1 Facility was terminated.
Borrowings under the CNB-1 Facility bore interest at a rate equal to (a) the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for the selected period plus 1.65% for LIBOR loans or (b) the prime rate of CNB minus 0.25% for prime rate loans. There was a non-usage fee of 25 basis points per year on the unused portion of the CNB-1 Facility, payable quarterly.
The CNB-1 Facility was secured by a first priority security interest, subject to customary exceptions, in (i) all Capital Commitments, (ii) the Company's right to make capital calls, receive payment of capital contributions from investors and enforce payment of capital commitments and capital contributions under the Subscription Agreements with investors and other operative documents and (iii) a cash collateral account into which the capital contributions from investors are made. The Company made customary representations and warranties and was required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The Company's borrowings, including under the CNB-1 Facility, were subject to the leverage restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $65.0 million outstanding under the CNB-1 Facility. The Company’s borrowings under the CNB-1 Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 3.27% and 4.09% for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $1,769,383 and $2,657,341, respectively, related to the CNB-1 Facility.
CNB-2 Facility
On June 9, 2020 (the “CNB-2 Closing Date”), the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the “CNB-2 Loan Agreement”) between the Company, as borrower, and CNB, as lender. The CNB-2 Loan Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “CNB-2 Facility”) of up to $50 million (the “CNB-2 Facility Maximum Commitment”) in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, which is an amount determined by applying different rates to eligible assets held by the Company based generally on the value of such assets and (ii) the CNB-2 Facility Maximum Commitment. The maturity date of the CNB-2 Facility is June 9, 2023.
Borrowings under the CNB-2 Facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR for the selected period plus 3.00%. There is a non-usage fee of 50 basis points per year on the unused portion of the CNB-2 Facility, payable annually, if on any anniversary of the CNB-2 Closing Date, the average daily utilization of the CNB-2 Facility is less than $25 million over the prior 365-day period.
The CNB-2 Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets, including its portfolio investments. The Company has made customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The borrowings of the Company, including under the CNB-2 Facility, are subject to the leverage restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $5.0 million outstanding under the CNB-2 Facility. For the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company’s borrowings under the CNB-2 Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 3.32% and the Company recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $183,244 related to the CNB-2 Facility.
Citibank Facility
On July 26, 2019 (the “Citibank Closing Date”), the Company and OSI 2 SPV, a wholly-owned and consolidated subsidiary of the Company, entered into a loan and security agreement, which was subsequently amended on September 20, 2019 and July 2, 2020 (as amended, the “Citibank Loan Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and the other parties referenced below. Under the terms of the Citibank Loan Agreement, the Company serves as the collateral manager
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
and seller and OSI 2 SPV serves as borrower with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent.
As of September 30, 2020, the Citibank Loan Agreement provided for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Citibank Facility”) of up to $150 million (the “Citibank Maximum Commitment”) in aggregate principal amount, subject to the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, which is an amount based on advance rates that vary depending on the class of assets and the value assigned to such assets under the Citibank Loan Agreement and (ii) the Citibank Maximum Commitment. The Citibank Facility has a three year reinvestment period (the “Reinvestment Period”) during which advances may be made and matures five years from the Citibank Closing Date. Following the Reinvestment Period, OSI 2 SPV will be required to make certain mandatory amortization payments. Borrowings under the Citibank Facility bear interest payable quarterly at a rate per year equal to (a) in the case of a lender that is identified as a conduit lender under the Citibank Loan Agreement, the lesser of (i) the applicable commercial paper rate for such conduit lender and (ii) the LIBOR for a three month maturity and (b) for all other lenders under the Citibank Facility, LIBOR, plus, in each case, an applicable spread. During the Reinvestment Period, the applicable spread for any borrowings up to $100 million is the greater of (i) a weighted average rate of (x) 1.65% per year for broadly syndicated loans and (y) 2.25% per year for all other eligible loans and (ii) 1.85%, and with respect to any borrowings in excess of $100 million, the applicable spread is the greater of (i) a weighted average rate of (x) 2.25% per year for broadly syndicated loans and (y) 3.00% per year for all other eligible loans and (ii) 1.85%. After the Reinvestment Period, the applicable spread is 3.00% per year. There is also a non-usage fee of (i) 0.40% per year for the first six months following the Citibank Closing Date (the “Ramp-Up Period”) and (ii) 0.50% per year thereafter, in each case, on the unused portion of the Citibank Facility, payable quarterly; provided that if after the Ramp-Up Period the unused portion of the Citibank Facility is greater than 30% of the commitments under the Citibank Facility, the non-usage fee will be based on an unused portion of 30% of the commitments under the Citibank Facility.
The Citibank Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of OSI 2 SPV’s assets.
As part of the Citibank Facility, OSI 2 SPV is subject to certain limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used and the types of loans that are eligible to be acquired by OSI 2 SPV including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, tenor and minimum investment ratings (or estimated ratings). The Citibank Facility also contains certain requirements relating to interest coverage, collateral quality and portfolio performance, certain violations of which could result in the acceleration of the amounts due under the Citibank Facility.
Under the Citibank Facility, the Company and OSI 2 SPV, as applicable, have made customary representations and warranties, and are required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities.
OSI 2 SPV’s borrowings are non-recourse to the Company but are considered borrowings of the Company for purposes of complying with the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Company had $100.0 million and $18.0 million, respectively, outstanding under the Citibank Facility. The Company’s borrowings under the Citibank Facility bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 2.91% and 4.03% for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded interest expense (inclusive of fees) of $2,692,069 and $160,052, respectively, related to the Citibank Facility.
Principal Payments
Scheduled principal payments for debt obligations as of September 30, 2020 are as follows:
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7. Interest Income
As of September 30, 2020, there was one investment on which the Company had stopped accruing cash and/or PIK interest and/or OID income. The percentages of the Company's debt investments at cost and fair value by accrual status as of September 30, 2020 were as follows:
___________________
(1)Cash non-accrual status is inclusive of PIK and other non-cash income, where applicable.
As of September 30, 2019, there were no investments on which the Company had stopped accruing cash and/or PIK interest and/or OID income.
Note 8. Taxable/Distributable Income and Dividend Distributions
Taxable income differs from net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations primarily due to: (1) unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, as gains and losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized, (2) organizational and deferred offering costs and (3) the capital gains incentive fee accrual.
Listed below is a reconciliation of net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to taxable income for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2018:
__________________
(1)The Company's taxable income for the year ended September 30, 2020 is an estimate and will not be finally determined until the Company files its tax return for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Therefore, the final taxable income may be different than the estimate.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized a total provision for income tax benefit of $6,367, which was comprised of a current income tax benefit of $10,206 partially offset by a deferred income tax expense of $3,839 that resulted from unrealized appreciation on an investment held by a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company reclassified $0.2 million of additional paid-in-capital to accumulated overdistributed earnings on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These reclassification entries did not impact total net assets.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company's tax year end, the components of accumulated undistributed income on a tax basis were as follows:
The aggregate cost of investments for income tax purposes was $431,325,783 as of September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over cost for income tax purposes was $13,587,495. As of September 30, 2020, the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
investments in which there was an excess of cost for income tax purposes over value was $15,062,137. As of September 30, 2020, net unrealized depreciation based on the aggregate cost of investments for income tax purposes was $1,474,642.
Note 9. Concentration of Credit Risks
The Company deposits its cash with financial institutions and at times such balances may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by depositing its cash with high credit quality financial institutions and monitoring their financial stability.
Note 10. Related Party Transactions
The Company has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company pays the Adviser a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components - the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee (each as defined below).
Management Fee
Prior to (i) the listing of the Company’s Common Stock on a national securities exchange or (ii) an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock that results in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $50 million and a listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange (each of (i) and (ii), a “Qualified Listing”), if any, the Adviser is entitled to receive quarterly in arrears a management fee (the “Management Fee”) equal to 1.00% per annum (the “Applicable Management Fee Percentage”) of the Company’s Gross Asset Value (as defined below); provided, that prior to a Qualified Listing, the Management Fee does not exceed 1.75% per annum of the Unleveraged Asset Value (as defined below). From and after the date of a Qualified Listing, if any, the Applicable Management Fee Percentage will increase to 1.50% per annum of the Company’s Gross Asset Value.
For purposes of calculating the Management Fee, the Gross Asset Value is determined by the Company’s board of directors (including any committee thereof). Until August 6, 2019, the Management Fee for each quarter was calculated based on the Company’s average Gross Asset Value at the end of each month during such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee); provided, that the Management Fee for the Company’s first calendar quarter was calculated based on the Company’s Gross Asset Value at the end of such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee). Following August 6, 2019, the Management Fee for each quarter is calculated based on the Company’s average Gross Asset Value at the end of such quarter and at the end of the preceding quarter (in each case, prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee); provided, that the Management Fee for the calendar quarter in which the Company consummates a Qualified Listing will be calculated based on the Company’s Gross Asset Value at the end of such calendar quarter (prior to taking into account any Incentive Fee). For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, base management fees were $3,689,499 and $1,570,326, respectively. For the period from August 6, 2018 (date of commencement) to September 30, 2018, base management fees were $39,726.
The term “Gross Asset Value” means the value of the Company’s gross assets, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including portfolio investments purchased with borrowed funds and other forms of leverage, but excluding cash and cash equivalents.
The term “Unleveraged Asset Value” means the Gross Asset Value less the Company’s borrowings for investment purposes determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than borrowings under the Company’s investor subscription credit facility that are repaid within 180 days following incurrence).
Incentive Fee
The Incentive Fee consists of two parts: the Investment Income Incentive Fee and the Capital Gains Incentive Fee (each defined below).
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Investment Income Incentive Fee
The Investment Income Incentive Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, which means consolidated interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the operating expenses accrued for the quarter (including the Management Fee, Company expenses and any interest expense or fees on any credit facilities or outstanding debt, but excluding the Incentive Fee). The Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as OID, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that has not yet been received in cash. For the avoidance of doubt, the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a hurdle of 1.50% per quarter (6% annualized) (the “Hurdle Rate”). The Company pays the Adviser an Investment Income Incentive Fee each quarter as follows:
(a)Hurdle Rate Return: No Investment Income Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Rate;
(b)Catch-Up: 100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than a 1.875% (7.5% annualized) rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets in such calendar quarter (the “Catch-Up”), which is intended to provide the Adviser with 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply, if the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate in such calendar quarter; and
(c)80/20 Split: 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds a 1.875% (7.5% annualized) rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets in such calendar quarter, so that once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the Catch-Up in (b) immediately above is achieved, 20% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter is allocated to the Adviser.
The foregoing calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any issuances or repurchases of Common Stock during a quarter. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Investment Income Incentive Fees were $3,955,710 and $411,257, respectively. For the period from August 6, 2018 (date of commencement) to September 30, 2018, there was no Investment Income Incentive Fee.
Capital Gains Incentive Fee
In addition to the Investment Income Incentive Fee described above, the Adviser is entitled to receive a Capital Gains Incentive Fee (as defined below). The Capital Gains Incentive Fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year. The Capital Gains Incentive Fee is equal to 20% of the realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the Initial Closing through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and unrealized capital depreciation, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to each of the investments in the Company’s portfolio, provided, that the Capital Gains Incentive Fee determined as of December 31, 2018 was calculated for a period of shorter than 12 calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the date of the Initial Closing through the end of 2018 (the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee,” and together with the Investment Income Incentive Fee, the “Incentive Fee”).
Although the Capital Gains Incentive Fee due to the Adviser is not payable until it is contractually due based on the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company accrues this component at the end of each reporting period based on the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the Initial Closing through the end of each reporting period, computed net of all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and unrealized capital depreciation, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee, as contractually included in the calculation of the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, plus the cumulative amount of unrealized capital appreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then the Company will accrue an incentive fee equal to 20% of such amount. If such amount is negative, then there will be no accrual for such period or an appropriate reduction in any amount previously accrued. U.S. GAAP requires that the Capital Gains Incentive Fee accrual consider cumulative unrealized capital appreciation in the calculation, as a Capital Gains Incentive Fee would be payable if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized. There can be no assurance that such
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future. For the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company accrued Capital Gains Incentive Fees of $1,027,505 and $385,550, respectively. For the period from August 6, 2018 (date of commencement) to September 30, 2018, the Company accrued $42,021 of Capital Gains Incentive Fees. As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there was $1,455,076 and $427,571, respectively, of Capital Gains Incentive Fee accrued on a cumulative basis. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has not paid any Capital Gains Incentive Fees, and no amount is currently payable under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Company had a liability on its Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities in the amounts of $4,468,874 and $1,128,658, respectively, reflecting the unpaid portion of the Base Management Fee and Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.
Administration Agreement
The Company entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC (the “Administrator”), an affiliate of the Adviser. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator furnishes the Company with office facilities (certain of which are located in buildings owned by a Brookfield affiliate), equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator also performs, or oversees the performance of, the Company’s required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, and being responsible for the financial records that the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, the Administrator assists the Company in determining and publishing the net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to the Company’s stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.
Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount that reimburses the Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement and providing personnel and facilities. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, by the vote of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, or by the vote of the Company’s directors or by the Administrator. In addition, our Administrator entered into a sub-administration agreement (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), pursuant to which State Street provides certain administrative and professional services. The Company bears all of the costs and expenses of any sub-administration agreements that the Administrator enters into.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Company bears its allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits, and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of the Company’s officers who provide operational and administrative services under the Administration Agreement, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company (including, in each case, employees of the Administrator or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to the Company. The Company reimburses the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the Company’s business and affairs and to acting on the Company’s behalf). Our board of directors reviews the fees payable under the Administration Agreement to determine that these fees are reasonable and comparable to administrative services charged by unaffiliated third parties.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company incurred $551,954 of expenses under the Administration Agreement, of which $470,898 was included in administrator expense and the remaining $81,056 was included in general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred $644,180 of expenses under the Administration Agreement, of which $421,173 was included in administrator expense and the remaining $223,007 was included across general and administrative expenses, offering costs and organization expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the period from August 6, 2018 (date of commencement) through September 30, 2018, the Company incurred $109,484 of expenses under the Administration Agreement, of which $12,780 was included in administrator expense and the remaining $96,704 was included in general and administrative expenses, offering costs and organization expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, $570,134 and $753,665, respectively, was included in “Due to affiliates” in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities, reflecting the unpaid portion of administrative expenses and other reimbursable expenses.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Placement Agent Agreement
The Company has entered into a Placement Agent Agreement with OCM Investments, LLC (the “Placement Agent”), an affiliate of the Adviser, which may require investors (other than investors sourced by the Company, the Adviser, the Placement Agent or their respective affiliates) to pay a distribution fee to the Placement Agent for its services. Although the Company does not pay any fees to the Placement Agent, the Company indemnifies the Placement Agent in connection with its activities.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 11. Financial Highlights
(1)Calculated based upon weighted average shares outstanding for the period.
(2)The amount shown does not correspond with net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the period as it includes the effect of the timing of equity issuances.
(3)Increase is due to drawdowns during the period that were executed at a sale price at a premium to net asset value in order to effect a reallocation of organizational costs to subsequent investors.
(4)Total return is calculated as the change in net asset value (“NAV”) per share during the period, plus distributions per share or capital activity, if any, divided by the beginning NAV per share, assuming a dividend reinvestment price equal to the NAV per share at the beginning of the period. The total return has not been annualized.
(5)Calculated based upon the weighted average net assets for the period.
(6)Financial results for the period from August 6, 2018 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2018 have not been annualized for purposes of this ratio.
(7)Based on outstanding senior securities of $105.6 million and $83.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, the Company did not have any outstanding senior securities.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Senior Securities
Information about the Company's senior securities (including debt securities and other indebtedness) is shown in the following table as of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The Company had no senior securities outstanding as of September 30, 2018.
__________
(1)Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period.
(2)The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as the Company's consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by total senior securities representing indebtedness. This asset coverage ratio is multiplied by $1,000 to determine the “Asset Coverage Per Unit.”
(3)The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The “-” indicates information that the Securities and Exchange Commission expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its portfolio companies. As indicated in the table below, as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of $43,585,363 and $11,030,903, respectively, of unfunded commitments to provide debt financing to certain of the Company's portfolio companies. Such commitments are subject to the portfolio company's satisfaction of certain financial and nonfinancial covenants and may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 13. Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into forward currency contracts from time to time to help mitigate the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of the Company’s investments denominated in foreign currencies.
In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Company mitigate its counterparty risk, the Company entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement ("ISDA Master Agreement") with its derivative counterparty, The Bank of New York Mellon. The ISDA Master Agreement permits a single net payment in the event of a default or similar event. As of September 30, 2020, no cash collateral has been pledged to cover obligations and no cash collateral has been received from the counterparty with respect to the Company's forward currency contracts.
Net unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts are included in “net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” and net realized gains or losses on forward currency contracts are included in “net realized gains (losses)” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Forward currency contracts are considered undesignated derivative instruments.
Certain information related to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts is presented below as of September 30, 2020.
Certain information related to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts is presented below as of September 30, 2019.
Note 14. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Selected unaudited quarterly financial data for the Company for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are below:
__________________
(1)Quarterly per share amounts will not sum to the annual per share amounts due to the effect of weighting share activity for each respective period.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 15. Subsequent Events
The Company's management evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in, or would be required to be recognized in, the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2020, except as discussed below.
Distribution Declaration
On December 15, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly distribution of $0.35 per share, payable in cash on December 31, 2020 to the Company's stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2020. Additionally, on December 15, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a special distribution of $0.62 per share, payable in cash on December 31, 2020 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2020.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, in timely identifying, recording, processing, summarizing and reporting any material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and effected by such company's board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2020, based on the framework set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2020.
(c) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC within 120 days following the end of our fiscal year.
We have adopted a code of ethics under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the "SOX Code of Ethics"), which applies to, among others, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. There have been no material changes to our SOX Code of Ethics or material waivers of the code that apply to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. We hereby undertake to provide a copy of this code to any person, without charge, upon request. Requests for a copy of this code may be made in writing addressed to Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., 333 South Grand Avenue 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC within 120 days following the end of our fiscal year.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC within 120 days following the end of our fiscal year.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC within 120 days following the end of our fiscal year.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC within 120 days following the end of our fiscal year.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this annual report
The following reports and financial statements are set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K:
(b) Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
OAKTREE STRATEGIC INCOME II, INC.
By: /s/ Armen Panossian
Armen Panossian
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
By: /s/ Mel Carlisle
Mel Carlisle
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date: December 16, 2020
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Armen Panossian and Mel Carlisle, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, and any or all amendments to this Report, with all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing appropriate or necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as he himself might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.