FIDUS INVESTMENT Corp - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

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

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 814-00861

Fidus Investment Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Maryland		27-5017321
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005 Evanston, Illinois		60201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(847) 859-3940

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

n/a

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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


Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	FDUS	The NASDAQ Global Select Market
5.875% Notes due 2023	FDUSL	The NASDAQ Global Select Market
6.000% Notes due 2024	FDUSZ	The NASDAQ Global Select Market
5.375% Notes due 2024	FDUSG	The NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer

☐

Accelerated filer

☒

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting

company ☐

Emerging growth

company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

As of October 29, 2020, the Registrant had outstanding 24,437,400 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements.	3
	Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities — September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and 2019 (unaudited)	4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and 2019 (unaudited)	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and 2019 (unaudited)	6
	Consolidated Schedules of Investments — September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	17
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	40
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	59
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	60

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	61
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	61
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	65
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	66
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	66
Item 5.	Other Information.	66
Item 6.	Exhibits.	67
Signatures		68
Exhibit Index

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)


	September 30, 2020 (unaudited)		December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value:
Control investments (cost: $31,044 and $27,718, respectively)	$	23,989	$	21,820
Affiliate investments (cost: $40,920 and $56,328, respectively)		77,852		121,555
Non-control/non-affiliate investments (cost: $644,455 and $620,453, respectively)		613,564		623,544

Total investments, at fair value (cost: $716,419 and $704,499, respectively)		715,405		766,919
Cash and cash equivalents		24,682		15,012
Interest receivable		7,071		6,331
Prepaid expenses and other assets		1,143		1,177

Total assets	$	748,301	$	789,439


LIABILITIES

SBA debentures, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)	$	143,871	$	153,802
Public Notes, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)		177,883		176,901
Borrowings under Credit Facility, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)		21,837		23,899
Accrued interest and fees payable		2,122		3,505
Base management fee payable – due to affiliate		3,224		3,334
Income incentive fee payable – due to affiliate		2,374		1,497
Capital gains incentive fee payable – due to affiliate		6,335		12,715
Administration fee payable and other – due to affiliate		554		487
Taxes payable		123		547
Accounts payable and other liabilities		426		442

Total liabilities		358,749		377,129

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

NET ASSETS

Common stock, $0.001 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,437,400 and 24,463,119 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)		24		24
Additional paid-in capital		365,793		366,061
Total distributable earnings		23,735		46,225

Total net assets		389,552		412,310

Total liabilities and net assets	$	748,301	$	789,439

Net asset value per common share	$	15.94	$	16.85

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Investment Income:
Interest income
Control investments	$	467		$	70		$	1,348		$	420
Affiliate investments		849			1,192			2,663			4,126
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		17,449			14,871			51,060			40,686

Total interest income		18,765			16,133			55,071			45,232
Payment-in-kind interest income
Control investments		453			191			1,323			1,611
Affiliate investments		106			86			175			254
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		690			1,976			2,013			5,973

Total payment-in-kind interest income		1,249			2,253			3,511			7,838
Dividend income
Control investments		—			—			—			—
Affiliate investments		357			1			465			942
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		114			(39	)		160			(54	)

Total dividend income		471			(38	)		625			888
Fee income
Control investments		—			—			—			349
Affiliate investments		6			4			72			26
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		421			821			1,878			3,150

Total fee income		427			825			1,950			3,525
Interest on idle funds and other income		165			28			336			116

Total investment income		21,077			19,201			61,493			57,599

Expenses:
Interest and financing expenses		4,878			4,421			14,701			12,197
Base management fee		3,223			3,179			9,688			9,066
Incentive fee - income		2,374			2,163			6,342			5,947
Incentive fee - capital gains		2,761			1,307			(6,380	)		373
Administrative service expenses		412			422			1,242			1,199
Professional fees		301			217			1,508			1,213
Other general and administrative expenses		224			210			1,059			1,025

Total expenses before income incentive fee waiver		14,173			11,919			28,160			31,020

Incentive fee waiver - income		—			—			(423	)		—

Total expenses, net of income incentive fee waiver		14,173			11,919			27,737			31,020

Net investment income before income taxes		6,904			7,282			33,756			26,579
Income tax provision (benefit)		2			(80	)		146			(25	)

Net investment income		6,902			7,362			33,610			26,604

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Net realized gains (losses):
Control investments		—			—			—			(1,268	)
Affiliate investments		(65	)		26			24,354			(73	)
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		1,380			10,507			8,543			10,172

Total net realized gain (loss) on investments		1,315			10,533			32,897			8,831

Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments		—			32			(1,065	)		(261	)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):
Control investments		607			(9,843	)		(1,157	)		(8,270	)
Affiliate investments		7,158			(1,701	)		(28,295	)		3,585
Non-control/non-affiliate investments		4,899			7,722			(33,982	)		(1,621	)

Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		12,664			(3,822	)		(63,434	)		(6,306	)

Net gain (loss) on investments		13,979			6,743			(31,602	)		2,264
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		(174	)		(210	)		(299	)		(399	)

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	20,707		$	13,895		$	1,709		$	28,469

Per common share data:
Net investment income per share-basic and diluted	$	0.28		$	0.30		$	1.37		$	1.09

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share — basic and diluted	$	0.85		$	0.57		$	0.07		$	1.16

Dividends declared per share	$	0.30		$	0.39		$	0.99		$	1.17

Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic and diluted		24,437,400			24,463,119			24,444,120			24,463,119

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares)


	Common Stock						Additional			Total
	Number of			Par			paid-in			distributable			Total net
	shares			value			capital			earnings			assets
Balances at December 31, 2018		24,463,119		$	24		$	366,278		$	36,683		$	402,985
Net investment income		—			—			—			9,599			9,599
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			(1,583	)		(1,583	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			3,545			3,545
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(189	)		(189	)
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(9,541	)		(9,541	)

Balances at March 31, 2019		24,463,119		$	24		$	366,278		$	38,514		$	404,816

Net investment income		—			—			—			9,643			9,643
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			(412	)		(412	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			(6,029	)		(6,029	)
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			—			—
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(9,540	)		(9,540	)

Balances at June 30, 2019		24,463,119		$	24		$	366,278		$	32,176		$	398,478

Net investment income		—			—			—			7,362			7,362
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			10,565			10,565
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			(3,822	)		(3,822	)
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(210	)		(210	)
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(9,541	)		(9,541	)

Balances at September 30, 2019		24,463,119		$	24		$	366,278		$	36,530		$	402,832

Balances at December 31, 2019		24,463,119		$	24		$	366,061		$	46,225		$	412,310

Repurchases of common stock under Stock Repurchase Program (Note 8)		(25,719	)		(0	)*		(268	)		—			(268	)
Net investment income		—			—			—			17,417			17,417
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			30,327			30,327
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			(74,590	)		(74,590	)
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(125	)		(125	)
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(9,537	)		(9,537	)

Balances at March 31, 2020		24,437,400		$	24		$	365,793		$	9,717		$	375,534

Net investment income		—			—			—			9,291			9,291
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			190			190
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			(1,508	)		(1,508	)
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			—			—
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(7,331	)		(7,331	)

Balances at June 30, 2020		24,437,400		$	24		$	365,793		$	10,359		$	376,176

Net investment income		—			—			—			6,902			6,902
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes		—			—			—			1,315			1,315
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		—			—			—			12,664			12,664
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(174	)		(174	)
Dividends declared		—			—			—			(7,331	)		(7,331	)

Balances at September 30, 2020		24,437,400		$	24		$	365,793		$	23,735		$	389,552

* amount is greater than zero but less than one

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	1,709		$	28,469
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments		63,434			6,306
Net realized (gain) loss on investments		(32,897	)		(8,831	)
Interest and dividend income paid-in-kind		(3,511	)		(7,838	)
Accretion of original issue discount		(118	)		(51	)
Accretion of loan origination fees		(866	)		(796	)
Purchase of investments		(86,121	)		(175,535	)
Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments		110,149			98,805
Proceeds from loan origination fees		1,444			1,480
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt		299			399
Amortization of deferred financing costs		1,680			1,315
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable		(740	)		1,045
Prepaid expenses and other assets		34			44
Accrued interest and fees payable		(1,383	)		(1,169	)
Base management fee payable – due to affiliate		(110	)		252
Income incentive fee payable – due to affiliate		877			(622	)
Capital gains incentive fee payable – due to affiliate		(6,380	)		373
Administration fee payable and other – due to affiliate		67			(275	)
Taxes payable		(424	)		(802	)
Accounts payable and other liabilities		(16	)		250

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		47,127			(57,181	)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds received from SBA debentures		6,000			7,500
Repayments of SBA debentures		(16,500	)		(41,000	)
Proceeds received from issuance of Public Notes		—			69,000
Proceeds received from (repayments of) borrowings under Credit Facility, net		(2,000	)		30,000
Payment of deferred financing costs		(490	)		(4,186	)
Dividends paid to stockholders, including expenses		(24,199	)		(28,622	)
Repurchases of common stock under Stock Repurchase Program		(268	)		—

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		(37,457	)		32,692

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		9,670			(24,489	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		15,012			42,015

End of period	$	24,682		$	17,526

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash payments for interest	$	14,404		$	12,050
Cash payments for taxes, net of tax refunds received	$	1,635		$	1,038

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b)		Variable Index	Rate (e)		Investment				Principal				Fair		Percent of
Investment Type (c)	Industry	Spread / Floor (d)	Cash/PIK		Date (f)		Maturity		Amount		Cost		Value (g)		Net Assets
Control Investments (t)
FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems)	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt				6.00%/9.00%		11/5/2014		12/31/2021	$	4,728	$	4,728	$	3,791
Revolving Loan ($30 commitment)				6.00%/9.00%		4/12/2018		12/31/2021		279		279		279
Common Equity (7,478 shares) (j)						11/10/2017						748		—
Preferred Equity (2,550 shares)						12/26/2019						2,550		—

												8,305		4,070		1	%
US GreenFiber, LLC	Building Products Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (j)				8.00%/5.00%		7/3/2014		8/30/2024		15,182		15,176		13,855
Second Lien Debt (j)				8.50%/6.50%		11/9/2018		8/30/2024		4,943		4,943		5,054
Second Lien Debt (j)				8.50%/6.50%		8/10/2020		8/30/2024		1,010		1,010		1,010
Common Equity (2,522 units) (h)(j)						7/3/2014						586		—
Common Equity (425,508 units) (j)						8/30/2019						1		—
Common Equity (1,022,813 units) (h)						7/1/2020						1,023		—

												22,739		19,919		5	%

Total Control Investments											$	31,044	$	23,989		6	%

Affiliate Investments (l)
FAR Research Inc. (n)	Specialty Chemicals
Common Equity (1,396 units)						3/31/2014					$	—	$	28		0	%

Fiber Materials, Inc. (n)	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Common Equity (10 units)						11/30/2016						—		42		0	%

Medsurant Holdings, LLC	Healthcare Services
Second Lien Debt (j)				13.00%/0.00%		12/18/2015		3/10/2022		8,031		8,028		8,090
Preferred Equity (63,331 units) (h)(j)						4/12/2011						673		655
Warrant (252,588 units) (h)(j)(m)						4/12/2011						2,258		2,295

												10,959		11,040		3	%
Mirage Trailers LLC	Utility Equipment Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (k)		(L + 10.00%) / (1.00%)		11.00%/5.00%		11/25/2015		11/25/2021		6,327		6,395		6,327
Common Equity (2,500,000 shares) (o)						11/25/2015						2,187		—

												8,582		6,327		2	%
Pfanstiehl, Inc.	Healthcare Products
Subordinated Debt				10.50%/0.00%		3/29/2013		9/29/2024		6,208		6,204		6,208
Common Equity (4,250 units) (j)						3/29/2013						425		27,104

												6,629		33,312		9	%
Pinnergy, Ltd.	Oil & Gas Services
Common Equity - Class A-2 (42,500 units) (j)						10/13/2016						3,000		13,743
Common Equity - Class B (1,000 units) (j)						10/13/2016						3,000		3,259

												6,000		17,002		3	%
Steward Holding LLC (dba Steward Advanced Materials)	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt				12.00%/1.50%		11/12/2015		5/12/2021		7,754		7,750		7,754
Common Equity (1,000,000 units)						11/12/2015						1,000		2,347

												8,750		10,101		3	%

Total Affiliate Investments											$	40,920	$	77,852		20	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b)			Variable Index	Rate (e)		Investment				Principal				Fair		Percent of
Investment Type (c)	Industry		Spread / Floor (d)	Cash/PIK		Date (f)		Maturity		Amount		Cost		Value (g)		Net Assets
Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments
Accent Food Services, LLC		Vending Equipment Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (k)(p)					0.00%/17.00%		11/30/2016		5/30/2022	$	35,410	$	35,328	$	5,333
Common Equity (7,885 units) (h)(j)							11/30/2016						800		—

													36,128		5,333		1	%
Allied 100 Group, Inc.		Healthcare Products
Subordinated Debt (k)					11.25%/0.00%		7/31/2019		5/26/2023		21,500		21,425		21,500
Common Equity (625,000 units) (j)							11/26/2014						625		1,054

													22,050		22,554		6	%
Allredi, LLC (fka Marco Group International OpCo, LLC)		Industrial Cleaning & Coatings
Second Lien Debt					10.50%/0.75%		3/2/2020		9/2/2026		10,044		9,954		8,044
Common Equity (570,636 units) (h)(j)							7/21/2017						637		449

													10,591		8,493		2	%
Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment Center, LLC		Healthcare Services
First Lien Debt (j)(w)			(L + 5.75%) / (2.00%)		7.75%/0.00%		10/23/2018		10/23/2023		6,500		6,469		6,500
Common Equity (500 units) (h)(j)							10/23/2018						500		853

													6,969		7,353		2	%
American AllWaste LLC (dba WasteWater Transport Services)		Environmental Industries
Second Lien Debt (j)			(L + 11.00%) / (2.00%)		13.00%/0.00%		5/31/2018		11/30/2023		17,503		17,428		17,503
Preferred Equity (500 units) (h)(j)							5/31/2018						500		316
Preferred Equity (207 units) (h)(j)							8/6/2019						250		250

													18,178		18,069		5	%
Argo Turboserve Corporation		Business Services
Second Lien Debt (j)			(L + 10.75%) / (2.00%)		12.75%/0.00%		12/26/2018		6/28/2023		13,313		13,267		13,313		3	%

AVC Investors, LLC (dba Auveco)		Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)					11.50%/0.00%		1/3/2018		7/3/2023		22,500		22,443		22,500
Common Equity (5,000 units) (j)							1/3/2018						487		455

													22,930		22,955		6	%
B&B Roadway and Security Solutions, LLC		Component Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt					11.25%/4.00%		2/27/2018		1/1/2022		10,800		10,774		10,569
Common Equity (50,000 units) (h)(j)							2/27/2018						497		—

													11,271		10,569		3	%
Bandon Fitness (Texas), Inc.		Retail
First Lien Debt (j)(z)			(L + 6.50%) / (2.25%)		8.75%/0.25%		8/9/2019		8/9/2024		14,680		14,264		14,495
Common Equity (545,810 units) (j)							8/9/2019						931		542

													15,195		15,037		4	%
BCC Group Holdings, Inc.		Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt					11.00%/1.00%		1/28/2019		4/11/2023		18,304		18,195		18,304
Common Equity (451 shares)							1/28/2019						232		228
Preferred Equity (14 shares)							1/28/2019						143		143

													18,570		18,675		5	%
BCM One Group Holdings, Inc.		Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (k)					11.00%/0.00%		1/3/2019		7/3/2024		29,000		28,889		29,000
Common Equity (1,143 shares)							1/3/2019						1		149
Preferred Equity (66 shares)							1/3/2019						665		665

													29,555		29,814		8	%
Bedford Precision Parts LLC		Specialty Distribution
First Lien Debt (j)(s)			(L + 6.25%) / (2.00%)		8.25%/0.00%		3/12/2019		3/12/2024		4,555		4,530		4,422
Common Equity (500,000 units) (h)(j)							3/12/2019						500		277

													5,030		4,699		1	%
Cardboard Box LLC (dba Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza)		Restaurants
Common Equity (521,021 units) (j)							12/15/2015						521		—
Preferred Equity (1,043,133 units) (j)							12/6/2019						96		43

													617		43		0	%
Combined Systems, Inc.		Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
First Lien Debt			(L + 10.00%) / (2.00%)		12.00%/0.00%		1/31/2020		1/31/2025		7,700		7,650		7,700
Revolving Loan ($200 commitment) (j)(ac)			(L + 9.00%) / (2.00%)		11.00%/0.00%		1/31/2020		1/31/2025		3,800		3,778		3,800

													11,428		11,500		3	%
ControlScan, Inc.		Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (j)					11.00%/0.00%		7/28/2017		1/28/2023		6,750		6,736		6,750
Common Equity (1,852 shares) (j)							7/28/2017						2		423
Preferred Equity (50 shares) (j)							7/28/2017						498		498

													7,236		7,671		2	%
CRS Solutions Holdings, LLC (dba CRS Texas)		Business Services
Second Lien Debt					10.50%/1.50%		3/14/2018		4/30/2024		11,262		11,224		11,262
Common Equity (375,000 units) (h)(j)							3/14/2018						375		210

													11,599		11,472		3	%
Diversified Search LLC		Business Services
First Lien Debt (k)(r)			(L + 8.00%) / (1.75%)		9.75%/0.00%		2/7/2019		2/7/2024		17,355		17,143		17,355
Common Equity (573 units) (h)(j)							2/7/2019						593		258

													17,736		17,613		5	%
EBL, LLC (EbLens)		Retail
Second Lien Debt (j)					12.50%/1.50%		7/13/2017		1/13/2023		9,253		9,210		6,366
Common Equity (75,000 units) (j)							7/13/2017						750		—

													9,960		6,366		2	%
ECM Industries, LLC		Component Manufacturing
Subordinated Debt (j)					11.50%/0.00%		4/30/2020		5/23/2026		11,500		11,286		11,286
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) (h)(j)							4/30/2020						1,000		1,000

													12,286		12,286		3	%
French Transit, LLC		Consumer Products
First Lien Debt (j)			(L + 10.00%) / (2.25%)		12.25%/0.00%		6/21/2019		6/21/2024		4,116		4,086		4,116		1	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b)			Variable Index	Rate (e)		Investment				Principal				Fair		Percent of
Investment Type (c)	Industry		Spread / Floor (d)	Cash/PIK		Date (f)		Maturity		Amount		Cost		Value (g)		Net Assets
Global Plasma Solutions, Inc.		Component Manufacturing
First Lien Debt (j)(v)			(L + 5.00%) / (2.00%)		7.00%/0.00%		9/21/2018		9/21/2023	$	4,338	$	4,291	$	4,338
Preferred Equity (947 shares) (j)							9/21/2018						360		423
Common Equity (947 shares) (j)							9/21/2018						15		4,429

													4,666		9,190		2	%
Gurobi Optimization, LLC		Information Technology Services
Common Equity (3 shares)							12/19/2017						750		1,796		0	%

Haematologic Technologies, Inc.		Healthcare Services
First Lien Debt (x)			(L + 7.25%) / (2.00%)		9.25%/0.00%		10/11/2019		10/11/2024		5,500		5,467		5,353
Common Equity (500 units) (h)(j)							10/11/2019						500		279

													5,967		5,632		1	%
Hilco Plastics Holdings, LLC (dba Hilco Technologies)		Component Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (j)					11.50%/1.50%		9/23/2016		12/31/2019		10,253		10,253		8,696
Revolving Loan (j)			(L + 6.50%) / (0.00%)		6.66%/0.00%		12/20/2019		12/15/2019		5,962		5,962		5,962
First Lien Debt (j)			(L + 6.95%) / (0.00%)		7.11%/0.00%		12/20/2019		12/15/2019		5,476		5,476		5,476
Preferred Equity (1,000,000 units) (h)(j)							4/18/2018						1,000		—
Common Equity (72,507 units) (h)(j)							9/23/2016						473		—

													23,164		20,134		5	%
Hoonuit, LLC		Information Technology Services
Preferred Equity (610 units) (h)(j)							6/20/2019		1/1/2022				250		298		0	%

Hub Acquisition Sub, LLC (dba Hub Pen)		Promotional products
Second Lien Debt (k)					13.00%/0.00%		3/23/2016		9/23/2021		25,000		24,970		23,327
Common Equity (3,750 units)							3/23/2016						132		143

													25,102		23,470		6	%
IBH Holdings, LLC (fka Inflexxion, Inc.)		Business Services
Common Equity (150,000 units)							6/20/2018						—		97		0	%

Ipro Tech, LLC		Information Technology Services
First Lien Debt (j)(u)			(L + 8.50%) / (2.00%)		10.50%/0.00%		6/30/2020		6/30/2025		2,484		1,912		1,912		0	%

K2 Merger Agreement Agent, LLC (fka K2 Industrial Services, Inc.) (n)		Industrial Cleaning & Coatings
Second Lien Debt (j)					0.00%/10.00%		1/28/2019		1/28/2021		2,087		2,087		2,087		1	%

The Kyjen Company, LLC (dba Outward Hound)		Consumer Products
Second Lien Debt (k)					12.00%/0.00%		12/8/2017		6/8/2024		15,000		14,957		15,000
Common Equity (765 shares) (j)							12/8/2017						765		773

													15,722		15,773		4	%
LNG Indy, LLC (dba Kinetrex Energy)		Oil & Gas Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)					11.50%/1.50%		12/28/2016		11/12/2021		10,089		10,064		10,089
Common Equity (500 units)							12/28/2016						500		769

													10,564		10,858		3	%
Mesa Line Services, LLC		Utilities: Services
Second Lien Debt (j)					10.50%/1.75%		11/30/2017		8/1/2024		17,452		17,378		17,452
Common Equity (981 shares) (j)							11/30/2017						1,148		853

													18,526		18,305		5	%
Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc.		Transportation services
Warrant (7,192 shares) (j)(m)							6/23/2017						180		64
Warrant (9.59% of Junior Subordinated Notes) (j)(q)							6/23/2017						190		245

													370		309		0	%
NGT Acquisition Holdings, LLC (dba Techniks Industries)		Component Manufacturing
Common Equity (378 units) (j)							5/24/2017						500		219		0	%

OMC Investors, LLC (dba Ohio Medical Corporation)		Healthcare Products
Second Lien Debt					12.00%/0.00%		1/15/2016		6/30/2022		10,000		9,982		10,000
Common Equity (5,000 units)							1/15/2016						487		906

													10,469		10,906		3	%
Palisade Company, LLC		Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (j)					11.75%/0.00%		11/15/2018		5/15/2024		6,500		6,479		6,500
Common Equity (50 shares) (j)							11/15/2018						500		585

													6,979		7,085		2	%
Palmetto Moon, LLC		Retail
First Lien Debt (j)					11.50%/2.50%		11/3/2016		10/31/2021		4,828		4,820		4,512
Common Equity (499 units) (j)							11/3/2016						494		44

													5,314		4,556		1	%
Power Grid Components, Inc.		Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)					11.00%/1.00%		4/12/2018		12/2/2025		22,375		22,296		22,375
Preferred Equity (392 shares) (j)							4/12/2018						392		496
Preferred Equity (48 shares) (j)							12/2/2019						48		61
Common Equity (10,622 shares) (j)							4/12/2018						462		706

													23,198		23,638		6	%
Prime AE Group, Inc.		Business Services
First Lien Debt (j)			(L + 6.25%) / (2.00%)		8.25%/0.00%		11/25/2019		11/25/2024		7,000		6,840		7,000
Preferred Equity (500,000 shares) (j)							11/25/2019						500		559

												$	7,340	$	7,559		2	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b)		Variable Index	Rate (e)		Investment				Principal				Fair		Percent of
Investment Type (c)	Industry	Spread / Floor (d)	Cash/PIK		Date (f)		Maturity		Amount		Cost		Value (g)		Net Assets
Pugh Lubricants, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)				12.25%/0.00%		11/10/2016		5/10/2022	$	26,581	$	26,530	$	26,631
Common Equity (3,062 units) (h)(j)						11/10/2016						308		735

												26,838		27,366		7	%
Revenue Management Solutions, LLC	Information Technology Services
Common Equity (113 shares)						1/4/2017						1,125		2,887		1	%

Rhino Assembly Company, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)				12.00%/1.00%		8/11/2017		2/11/2023		11,527		11,499		10,974
Delayed Draw Commitment ($875 commitment) (i)(j)				12.00%/1.00%		8/11/2017		5/17/2022		—		—		—
Preferred Equity (8,864 units) (h)(j)						8/11/2017						944		604

												12,443		11,578		3	%
Road Safety Services, Inc.	Business Services
Second Lien Debt				11.25%/1.50%		9/18/2018		3/18/2024		10,339		10,309		10,339
Common Equity (655 units)						9/18/2018						621		1,022

												10,930		11,361		3	%
Rohrer Corporation	Packaging
Subordinated Debt (j)				10.50%/1.00%		10/1/2018		4/1/2024		13,981		13,937		13,981
Common Equity (400 shares) (j)						7/18/2016						780		1,307

												14,717		15,288		4	%
Routeware, Inc.	Information Technology Services
First Lien Debt (k)(aa)		(L + 7.00%) / (1.75%)		8.75%/0.00%		2/7/2020		2/7/2025		14,926		14,846		14,926		4	%

SES Investors, LLC (dba SES Foam)	Building Products Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt				13.00%/0.00%		9/8/2016		12/29/2022		2,500		2,497		2,500
Common Equity (6,000 units) (h)(j)						9/8/2016						562		1,547

												3,059		4,047		1	%
Software Technology, LLC	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (k)				11.00%/0.00%		12/23/2016		6/23/2023		10,000		9,978		10,000
Common Equity (6 shares)						12/23/2016						646		854

												10,624		10,854		3	%
Specialized Elevator Services Holdings, LLC	Business Services
First Lien Debt (j)(y)		(L + 5.50%) / (2.00%)		7.50%/0.00%		5/7/2019		5/3/2024		12,889		12,774		12,889
Common Equity (500 units) (j)						5/8/2019						596		608

												13,370		13,497		3	%
SpendMend LLC	Business Services
Common Equity (1,000,000 units)						1/8/2018						972		1,913		0	%

TransGo, LLC	Component Manufacturing
Common Equity (500 units) (j)						2/28/2017						481		743		0	%

The Tranzonic Companies	Specialty Distribution
Subordinated Debt (j)				10.00%/1.00%		3/27/2018		3/27/2025		6,984		6,939		6,984
Preferred Equity (5,653 units) (j)						3/27/2018						565		712
Common Equity (1 units) (j)						3/27/2018						—		354

												7,504		8,050		2	%
UBEO, LLC	Business Services
Subordinated Debt (j)				11.00%/0.00%		4/3/2018		10/3/2024		13,893		13,808		13,596
Common Equity (705,000 units) (h)(j)						4/3/2018						668		810

												14,476		14,406		4	%
United Biologics, LLC	Healthcare Services
Preferred Equity (98,377 units) (h)(j)						4/1/2012						1,008		—
Warrant (57,469 units) (j)(m)						3/5/2012						566		—

												1,574		—		0	%
Virginia Tile Company, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (j)				12.25%/0.00%		12/19/2014		4/7/2022		12,000		11,995		12,000
Common Equity (17 units) (j)						12/19/2014						343		463

												12,338		12,463		3	%
Western’s Smokehouse, LLC	Consumer Products
First Lien Debt (j)(ab)		(L + 6.50%) / (1.25%)		7.75%/0.00%		2/28/2020		12/23/2024		10,000		9,868		9,924		3	%

Wheel Pros, Inc.	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 8.50%) / (0.00%)		8.65%/0.00%		5/17/2019		4/4/2026		20,000		19,840		20,000
Preferred Equity (347,222 units) (j)						5/15/2019						632		950

												20,472		20,950		5	%
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC	Transportation services
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 8.00%) / (1.00%)		9.00%/0.00%		2/27/2017		2/3/2025		20,000		19,778		19,703
Common Equity (2,000 units) (h)(j)						2/27/2017						1,478		1,853

												21,256		21,556		6	%

Total Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments											$	644,455	$	613,564		158	%

Total Investments											$	716,419	$	715,405		184	%

(a)	See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for portfolio composition by geographic location.

(b)	Equity ownership may be held in shares or units of companies related to the portfolio companies.

(c)	All debt investments are income producing, unless otherwise indicated. Equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.

(d)

Variable rate investments bear interest at a rate indexed to LIBOR (L), which is reset monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Certain variable rate investments also include a LIBOR interest rate floor. For each investment, the Company has provided the spread over the reference rate and the LIBOR floor, if any, as of September 30, 2020.

(e)	Rate includes the cash interest or dividend rate and paid-in-kind interest or dividend rate, if any, as of September 30, 2020. Generally, payment-in-kind interest can be paid-in-kind or all in cash.

(f)	Investment date represents the date of the initial investment in the security.

(g)

The Company’s investment portfolio is comprised entirely of debt and equity securities of privately held companies for which quoted prices falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are not available. Therefore, the Company values all of its portfolio investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by the board of directors, using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs.

(h)	Investment is held by a Taxable Subsidiary of the Company.

(i)	The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of September 30, 2020. The Company is earning 0.50% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate which will be earned if the commitment is funded.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

(in thousands, except shares)

(j)	Investment pledged as collateral for the Credit Facility and, as a result, is not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).

(k)

The portion of the investment not held by the Funds is pledged as collateral for the Credit Facility and, as a result, is not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).

(l)

As defined in the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be an “Affiliated Person” of this portfolio company because it owns 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. Transactions in which the issuer was an Affiliated Person are detailed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

(m)	Warrants entitle the Company to purchase a predetermined number of shares or units of common equity, and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date, if any.

(n)	Investment in portfolio company that has sold its operations and is in the process of winding down.

(o)	Income producing. Maturity date, if any, represents mandatory redemption date.

(p)	Investment was on non-accrual status as of September 30, 2020, meaning the Company has ceased recognizing interest income on the investment.

(q)	Warrant entitles the Company to purchase 9.59% of the outstanding principal of Junior Subordinated Notes prior to exercise, and is non-income producing.

(r)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 6.03% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(s)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.79% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(t)

As defined in the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be both an “Affiliated Person” of and “Control” this portfolio company because it owns 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. Transactions in which the issuer was both an Affiliated Person and a portfolio company that the Company is deemed to Control are detailed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

(u)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.50% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(v)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.97% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(w)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.35% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(x)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.69% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(y)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.97% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(z)

(aa)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.87% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(ab)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.10% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(ac)	The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of September 30, 2020. The Company is earning 1.00% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate earned on the outstanding, funded balance of the commitment.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b) Investment Type (c)	Industry	Variable Index Spread / Floor (d)	Rate (e) Cash/PIK	Investment Date (f)	Maturity	Principal Amount		Cost		Fair Value (g)		Percent of Net Assets
Control Investments (t)
FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems)	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt			6.00%/9.00%	11/5/2014	12/31/2021	$	4,420	$	4,418	$	4,277
Revolving Loan ($30 commitment)			6.00%/9.00%	4/12/2018	12/31/2021		261		261		261
Common Equity (7,478 shares) (j)				11/10/2017					748		—
Preferred Equity (2,550 shares)				12/26/2019					2,550		915

									7,977		5,403		1	%
US GreenFiber, LLC	Building Products Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (k)			7.00%/6.00%	7/3/2014	8/30/2024		14,498		14,494		11,757
Second Lien Debt (k)			7.50%/7.50%	11/9/2018	8/30/2024		4,660		4,660		4,660
Common Equity (2,522 units) (h)(j)				7/3/2014					586		—
Common Equity (425,508 units) (j)				8/30/2019					1		—

									19,741		16,417		4	%

Total Control Investments								$	27,718	$	21,820		5	%

Affiliate Investments (l)
FAR Research Inc. (n)	Specialty Chemicals
Common Equity (1,396 units)				3/31/2014				$	—	$	28		0	%

Fiber Materials, Inc.	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Common Equity (10 units)				11/30/2016					645		10,449		3	%

Medsurant Holdings, LLC	Healthcare Services
Second Lien Debt			13.00%/0.00%	12/18/2015	6/30/2020		8,823		8,814		8,823
Preferred Equity (126,662 units) (h)				4/12/2011					1,346		1,780
Warrant (505,176 units) (h)(m)				4/12/2011					4,516		6,377

									14,676		16,980		4	%
Microbiology Research Associates, Inc.	Healthcare Services
Subordinated Debt			11.00%/1.50%	5/13/2015	3/13/2022		8,930		8,921		8,930
Common Equity (1,625,731 units) (j)				5/13/2015					1,939		2,681

									10,860		11,611		3	%
Mirage Trailers LLC	Utility Equipment Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (k)		(L + 8.50%) / (1.00%)	10.20%/4.50%	11/25/2015	11/25/2020		6,250		6,253		6,250
Common Equity (2,500,000 shares) (o)				11/25/2015					2,184		968

									8,437		7,218		2	%
Pfanstiehl, Inc.	Healthcare Products
Subordinated Debt			10.50%/0.00%	3/29/2013	9/29/2022		6,208		6,201		6,208
Common Equity (8,500 units) (j)				3/29/2013					850		26,614

									7,051		32,822		8	%
Pinnergy, Ltd.	Oil & Gas Services
Common Equity - Class A-2 (42,500 units) (k)				10/13/2016					3,000		29,831
Common Equity - Class B (1,000 units) (k)				10/13/2016					3,000		3,147

									6,000		32,978		8	%
Steward Holding LLC (dba Steward Advanced Materials)	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt			12.00%/1.50%	11/12/2015	5/12/2021		7,667		7,659		7,667
Common Equity (1,000,000 units)				11/12/2015					1,000		1,802

									8,659		9,469		2	%

Total Affiliate Investments								$	56,328	$	121,555		30	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b) Investment Type (c)	Industry	Variable Index Spread / Floor (d)	Rate (e) Cash/PIK	Investment Date (f)	Maturity	Principal Amount		Cost		Fair Value (g)		Percent of Net Assets
Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments
Accent Food Services, LLC	Vending Equipment Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (k)(p)			10.00%/5.00%	11/30/2016	5/30/2022	$	33,842	$	33,760	$	31,626
Subordinated Debt (j)(p)			000%/17.00%	6/28/2019	5/30/2022		1,567		1,567		1,441
Common Equity (7,885 units) (h)(j)				11/30/2016					800		227

									36,127		33,294		8	%
Allied 100 Group, Inc.	Healthcare Products
Subordinated Debt (k)			11.25%/0.00%	7/31/2019	5/26/2023		21,500		21,405		21,405
Common Equity (1,250,000 units) (j)				11/26/2014					1,250		1,465

									22,655		22,870		6	%
Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment Center, LLC	Healthcare Services
First Lien Debt (j)(w)		(L + 5.75%) / (2.00%)	7.75%/0.00%	10/23/2018	10/23/2023		6,500		6,461		6,500
Common Equity (1,000 units) (h)(j)				10/23/2018					1,000		1,406

									7,461		7,906		2	%
American AllWaste LLC (dba WasteWater Transport Services)	Environmental Industries
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 11.00%) / (2.00%)	13.00%/0.00%	5/31/2018	11/30/2023		17,503		17,411		17,503
Preferred Equity (500 units) (h)(j)				5/31/2018					500		540
Preferred Equity (207 units) (h)(j)				8/6/2019					250		250

									18,161		18,293		4	%
Argo Turboserve Corporation	Business Services
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 9.75%) / (2.00%)	11.84%/0.00%	12/26/2018	6/28/2023		14,156		14,098		14,156		3	%

AVC Investors, LLC (dba Auveco)	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			11.50%/0.00%.	1/3/2018	7/3/2023		22,500		22,427		22,500
Common Equity (5,000 units) (j)				1/3/2018					490		776

									22,917		23,276		6	%
B&B Roadway and Security Solutions, LLC	Component Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt			10.50%/3.50%	2/27/2018	8/27/2023		10,493		10,456		9,569
Common Equity (50,000 units) (h)(j)				2/27/2018					500		200

									10,956		9,769		2	%
Bandon Fitness (Texas), Inc.	Retail
First Lien Debt (j)(z)		(L + 6.00%) / (2.25%)	8.25%/0.00%	8/9/2019	8/9/2024		13,250		12,785		12,785
Common Equity (497,549 units) (j)				8/9/2019					849		849

									13,634		13,634		3	%
BCC Group Holdings, Inc.	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt			11.00%/1.00%	1/28/2019	4/11/2023		18,167		18,027		18,167
Common Equity(451 shares)				1/28/2019					232		167
Preferred Equity (14 shares)				1/28/2019					143		143

									18,402		18,477		4	%
BCM One Group Holdings, Inc.	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (k)			11.00%/0.00%	1/3/2019	7/3/2024		27,000		26,888		27,000
Common Equity (2,286 shares)				1/3/2019					2		332
Preferred Equity (133 shares)				1/3/2019					1,330		1,330

									28,220		28,662		7	%
Bedford Precision Parts LLC	Specialty Distribution
First Lien Debt (j)(s)		(L + 6.25%) / (2.00%)	8.25%/0.00%	3/12/2019	3/12/2024		5,000		4,969		5,000
Common Equity (500,000 units)(h)(j)				3/12/2019					500		445

									5,469		5,445		1	%
Cardboard Box LLC (dba Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza)	Restaurants
Common Equity (521,021 units) (j)				12/15/2015					521		113
Preferred Equity (99,889 units)(j)				12/6/2019					49		146

									570		259		0	%
Control Scan, Inc.	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (j)			11.00%/0.00%	7/28/2017	1/28/2023		6,750		6,731		6,750
Common Equity (3,704 shares)(j)				7/28/2017					4		624
Preferred Equity (100 shares) (j)				7/28/2017					996		996

									7,731		8,370		2	%
CRS Solutions Holdings, LLC (dba CRS Texas)	Business Services
Second Lien Debt			10.50%/1.00%	3/14/2018	9/14/2023		9,166		9,136		9,166
Common Equity (750,000 units) (h)(j)				3/14/2018					750		822

									9,886		9,988		2	%
Diversified Search LLC	Business Services
First Lien Debt (k)(r)		(L + 5.75%) / (1.75%)	7.69%/0.00%	2/7/2019	2/7/2024		15,155		14,939		15,155
Common Equity (573 units) (h)(j)				2/7/2019					593		724

									15,532		15,879		4	%
EBL, LLC (EbLens)	Retail
Second Lien Debt (j)			12.00%/1.00%	7/13/2017	1/13/2023		9,484		9,433		9,484
Common Equity (75,000 units) (j)				7/13/2017					750		669

									10,183		10,153		3	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b) Investment Type (c)	Industry	Variable Index Spread / Floor (d)	Rate (e) Cash/PIK	Investment Date (f)	Maturity	Principal Amount		Cost			Fair Value (g)		Percent of Net Assets
French Transit, LLC	Consumer Products
First Lien Debt (j)		(L + 9.00%) / (2.25%)	11.25%/0.00%	6/21/2019	6/21/2024	$	8,000	$	7,964		$	8,000
Revolving Loan ($1,000 commitment) (j)(u)		(L + 9.00%) / (2.25%)	11.25%/0.00%	6/21/2019	6/21/2024		—		(4	)		—

									7,960			8,000		2	%
Global Plasma Solutions, Inc.	Component Manufacturing
First Lien Debt (j)(v)		(L + 5.00%) / (2.00%)	7.10%/0.00%	9/21/2018	9/21/2023		7,071		7,013			7,071
Preferred Equity (947 shares) (j)				9/21/2018					360			399
Common Equity (947 shares) (j)				9/21/2018					15			161

									7,388			7,631		2	%
Gurobi Optimization, LLC	Information Technology Services
Common Equity (5 shares)				12/19/2017					1,500			3,382		1	%

Haematologic Technologies, Inc.	Healthcare Services
First Lien Debt (x)		(L + 7.25%) / (2.00%)	9.25%/0.00%	10/11/2019	10/11/2024		5,500		5,461			5,461
Common Equity (500 units) (j)				10/11/2019					500			500

									5,961			5,961		1	%
Hilco Plastics Holdings, LLC (dba Hilco Technologies)	Component Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt			11.50%/1.50%	9/23/2016	12/31/2019		10,116		10,116			9,057
Revolving Loan (j)		(L + 6.50%) / (0.00%)	8.26%/0.00%	12/20/2019	12/15/2019		5,962		5,962			5,962
First Lien Debt (j)		(L + 6.95%) / (0.00%)	8.66%/0.00%	12/20/2019	12/15/2019		4,812		4,812			4,812
First Lien Debt (j)		(L + 6.95%) / (0.00%)	8.64%/0.00%	12/20/2019	12/15/2019		1,815		1,815			1,815
Preferred Equity (1,000,000 units) (h)(j)				4/18/2018					1,000			—
Common Equity (72,507 units) (h)(j)				9/23/2016					473			—

									24,178			21,646		5	%
Hoonuit, LLC	Information Technology Services
First Lien Debt		(L + 9.25%) / (2.25%)	11.50%/0.00%	6/7/2019	6/7/2024		7,165		7,121			7,165
Preferred Equity (610 units) (h)(j)				6/20/2019	1/1/2022				250			279

									7,371			7,444		2	%
Hub Acquisition Sub, LLC (dba Hub Pen)	Promotional products
Second Lien Debt (k)			12.25%/0.00%	3/23/2016	9/23/2021		25,000		24,947			25,000
Common Equity (7,500 units)				3/23/2016					263			1,488

									25,210			26,488		6	%
Hunter Defense Technologies Inc.	Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
First Lien Debt (j)		(L + 7.00%) / (1.00%)	8.94%/0.00%	9/27/2018	3/29/2023		9,246		9,174			9,246		2	%

IBH Holdings, LLC (fka Inflexxion, Inc.)	Business Services
Common Equity (150,000 units)				6/20/2018					—			—		0	%

K2 Merger Agreement Agent, LLC (fka K2 Industrial Services, Inc.) (n)	Industrial Cleaning & Coatings
Second Lien Debt			0.00%/10.00%	1/28/2019	1/28/2021		2,309		2,309			2,309		1	%

The Kyjen Company, LLC (dba Outward Hound)	Consumer Products
Second Lien Debt (k)			12.00%/0.00%	12/8/2017	6/8/2024		15,000		14,948			13,024
Common Equity (765 shares) (j)				12/8/2017					765			609

									15,713			13,633		3	%
LNG Indy, LLC (dba Kinetrex Energy)	Oil & Gas Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			11.50%/0.00%	12/28/2016	11/12/2021		5,000		4,991			5,000
Common Equity (1,000 units)				12/28/2016					1,000			1,264

									5,991			6,264		2	%
Marco Group International OpCo, LLC	Industrial Cleaning & Coatings
Second Lien Debt			10.50%/0.75%	7/21/2017	1/21/2023		12,225		12,192			12,120
Common Equity (960,482 units) (h)(j)				7/21/2017					960			1,063

									13,152			13,183		3	%
Mesa Line Services, LLC	Utilities: Services
Second Lien Debt (j)			10.50%/1.75%	11/30/2017	8/1/2024		17,221		17,133			17,221
Common Equity (981 shares) (j)				11/30/2017					1,148			961

									18,281			18,182		4	%
Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc.	Transportation services
Warrant (14,384 shares) (j)(m)				6/23/2017					361			1,244
Warrant (9.59% of Junior Subordinated Notes) (j)(q)				6/23/2017					381			467

									742			1,711		0	%
NGT Acquisition Holdings, LLC (dba Techniks Industries)	Component Manufacturing
Common Equity (378 units) (j)				5/24/2017					500			155		0	%

OMC Investors, LLC (dba Ohio Medical Corporation)	Healthcare Products
Second Lien Debt			12.00%/0.00%	1/15/2016	7/15/2021		10,000		9,972			10,000
Common Equity (5,000 units)				1/15/2016					500			475

									10,472			10,475		3	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b) Investment Type (c)	Industry	Variable Index Spread / Floor (d)	Rate (e) Cash/PIK	Investment Date (f)	Maturity	Principal Amount		Cost		Fair Value (g)		Percent of Net Assets
Palisade Company, LLC	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (j)			11.75%/0.00%	11/15/2018	5/15/2024	$	6,500	$	6,474	$	6,500
Common Equity (100 shares) (j)				11/15/2018					1,000		901

									7,474		7,401		2	%
Palmetto Moon, LLC	Retail
First Lien Debt			11.50%/2.50%	11/3/2016	10/31/2021		4,963		4,949		4,963
Common Equity (499 units) (j)				11/3/2016					494		67

									5,443		5,030		1	%
Power Grid Components, Inc.	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			11.00%/1.00%	4/12/2018	12/2/2025		22,207		22,115		22,207
Preferred Equity (392 shares) (j)				4/12/2018					392		459
Preferred Equity (48 shares) (j)				12/2/2019					48		57
Common Equity (10,622 shares) (j)				4/12/2018					462		610

									23,017		23,333		6	%
Prime AE Group, Inc.	Business Services
First Lien Debt (j)		(L + 6.25%) / (2.00%)	8.25%/0.00%	11/25/2019	11/25/2024		7,500		7,312		7,312
Preferred Equity (500,000 shares) (j)				11/25/2019					500		500

									7,812		7,812		2	%
Pugh Lubricants, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			12.25%/0.00%	11/10/2016	5/10/2022		23,581		23,521		23,581
Common Equity (6,125 units) (h)(j)				11/10/2016					576		1,199

									24,097		24,780		6	%
Revenue Management Solutions, LLC	Information Technology Services
Common Equity (2,250,000 shares)				1/4/2017					2,250		5,120		1	%

Rhino Assembly Company, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			12.00%/1.00%	8/11/2017	2/11/2023		11,440		11,402		10,101
Delayed Draw Commitment ($875 commitment) (i)(j)			12.00%/1.00%	8/11/2017	5/17/2022		—		—		—
Preferred Equity (8,864 units) (h)(j)				8/11/2017					944		499

									12,346		10,600		3	%
Road Safety Services, Inc.	Business Services
Second Lien Debt			11.25%/1.50%	9/18/2018	3/18/2024		10,222		10,185		10,222
Common Equity (655 units)				9/18/2018					621		680

									10,806		10,902		3	%
Rohrer Corporation	Packaging
Subordinated Debt (j)			10.50%/1.00%	10/1/2018	4/1/2024		13,875		13,822		13,875
Common Equity (400 shares)				7/18/2016					780		1,256

									14,602		15,131		4	%
SES Investors, LLC (dba SES Foam)	Building Products Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt			13.00%/0.00%	9/8/2016	12/29/2020		3,095		3,082		3,095
Common Equity (6,000 units) (h)(j)				9/8/2016					567		856

									3,649		3,951		1	%
Software Technology, LLC	Information Technology Services
Subordinated Debt (k)			11.00%/0.00%	12/23/2016	6/23/2023		10,000		9,972		10,000
Common Equity (12 shares)				12/23/2016					1,291		1,578

									11,263		11,578		3	%
Specialized Elevator Services Holdings, LLC	Business Services
First Lien Debt (j)(y)		(L + 5.25%) / (2.00%)	7.25%/0.00%	5/7/2019	5/3/2024		7,080		6,985		7,080
Common Equity (500 units) (j)				5/8/2019					500		554

									7,485		7,634		2	%
SpendMend LLC	Business Services
Second Lien Debt (k)			11.00%/1.00%	1/8/2018	7/8/2023		10,491		10,456		10,491
Common Equity (1,000,000 units)				1/8/2018					1,000		1,400

									11,456		11,891		3	%
TransGo, LLC	Component Manufacturing
Common Equity (1,000 units)				2/28/2017					998		1,005		0	%

The Tranzonic Companies	Specialty Distribution
Subordinated Debt (j)			10.00%/1.50%	3/27/2018	3/27/2025		6,922		6,870		6,922
Preferred Equity (5,653 units) (j)				3/27/2018					565		663
Common Equity (1 units) (j)				3/27/2018					—		26

									7,435		7,611		2	%
UBEO, LLC	Business Services
Subordinated Debt (j)			11.00%/0.00%	4/3/2018	10/3/2024		13,893		13,792		13,645
Common Equity (705,000 units) (h)(j)				4/3/2018					705		811

									14,497		14,456		4	%
United Biologics, LLC	Healthcare Services
Preferred Equity (98,377 units) (h)(j)				4/1/2012					1,008		24
Warrant (57,469 units) (m)				3/5/2012					566		20

									1,574		44		0	%
Vanguard Dealer Services, LLC.(n)	Business Services
Common Equity (6,000 units)				7/30/2015					—		22
Common Equity (2,380 units) (j)				2/2/2018					—		9

									—		31		0	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

(in thousands, except shares)


Portfolio Company (a)(b) Investment Type (c)	Industry	Variable Index Spread / Floor (d)	Rate (e) Cash/PIK	Investment Date (f)	Maturity	Principal Amount	Cost		Fair Value (g)		Percent of Net Assets
Virginia Tile Company, LLC	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (k)			12.25%/0.00%	12/19/2014	4/7/2022	$12,000	$	11,989	$	12,000
Common Equity (17 units)				12/19/2014				342		860

								12,331		12,860		3	%
Wheel Pros, Inc.	Specialty Distribution
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 8.50%) / (0.00%)	10.30%/0.00%	5/17/2019	4/4/2026	20,000		19,818		20,000
Preferred Equity (694,444 units)(j)				5/15/2019				1,500		1,781

								21,318		21,781		5	%
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC	Transportation services
Second Lien Debt (j)		(L + 8.00%) / (1.00%)	9.90%/0.00%	2/27/2017	2/3/2025	20,000		19,740		20,000
Common Equity (4,000 units) (h)(j)				2/27/2017				2,956		4,452

								22,696		24,452		6	%

Total Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments							$	620,453	$	623,544		151	%

Total Investments							$	704,499	$	766,919		186	%

(a)	See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for portfolio composition by geographic location.

(b)	Equity ownership may be held in shares or units of companies related to the portfolio companies.

(c)	All debt investments are income producing, unless otherwise indicated. Equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.

(d)

(e)	Rate includes the cash interest or dividend rate and paid-in-kind interest or dividend rate, if any, as of December 31, 2019. Generally, payment-in-kind interest can be paid-in-kind or all in cash.

(f)	Investment date represents the date of the initial investment in the security.

(g)

(h)	Investment is held by a Taxable Subsidiary of the Company.

(i)	The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of December 31, 2019. The Company is earning 0.50% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate which will be earned if the commitment is funded.

(j)	Investment pledged as collateral for the Credit Facility and, as a result, is not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).

(k)

(l)

(m)	Warrants entitle the Company to purchase a predetermined number of shares or units of common equity, and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date, if any.

(n)	Investment in portfolio company that has sold its operations and is in the process of winding down.

(o)	Income producing. Maturity date, if any, represents mandatory redemption date.

(p)	Investment was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2019, meaning the Company has ceased recognizing interest income on the investment.

(q)	Warrant entitles the Company to purchase 9.59% of the outstanding principal of Junior Subordinated Notes prior to exercise, and is non-income producing.

(r)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.70% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(s)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.95% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(t)

(u)	The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of December 31, 2019. The Company is earning 0.75% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate earned on the outstanding, funded balance of the commitment.

(v)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.32% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(w)

(x)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.73% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(y)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.68% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(z)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.41% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Note 1. Organization and Nature of Business

Fidus Investment Corporation (“FIC,” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, operates as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). FIC completed its initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2011. In addition, for federal income tax purposes, the Company elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Company provides customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, and may make investments directly or through its two wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries, Fidus Mezzanine Capital II, L.P. (“Fund II”) and Fidus Mezzanine Capital III, L.P. (“Fund III”) (collectively, Fund II and Fund III are referred to as the “Funds”). The Funds are licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) as small business investment companies (“SBIC”). The SBIC licenses allow the Funds to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures (“SBA debentures”), subject to the issuance of leverage commitments by the SBA and other customary procedures. As SBICs, the Funds are subject to a variety of regulations and oversight by the SBA under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (the “SBIC Act”), concerning, among other things, the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest and the structure of those investments.

We believe that utilizing both FIC and the Funds as investment vehicles provides us with access to a broader array of investment opportunities. Given our access to lower cost capital through the SBA’s SBIC debenture program, we expect that we will continue to make investments through the Funds until the Funds reach their borrowing limit under the program. For three or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350,000.

Fund II and Fund III are not registered under the 1940 Act and rely on the exclusion from the definition of investment company contained in Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.

The Company pays a quarterly base management fee and an incentive fee to Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor (the “Investment Advisor” or “Fidus Investment Advisors”) under an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”).

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q, Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), and Articles 6 or 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that are necessary for the fair presentation of financial results as of and for the periods presented. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The current period’s results of operation are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the year. Therefore, the unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Consolidation: Pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation S-X and ASC 946, the Company will generally not consolidate its investments in a company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include only the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the Funds. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Investment risks: The Company’s investments are subject to a variety of risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to the following:

•

Market risk - In contrast to investment-grade bonds (the market prices of which change primarily as a reaction to changes in interest rates), the market prices of high-yield bonds (which are also affected by changes in interest rates) are influenced much more by credit factors and financial results of the issuer as well as general economic factors that influence the financial markets as a whole. The portfolio companies in which the Company invests may be unseasoned, unprofitable and/or have little established operating history or earnings. These companies may also lack technical, marketing, financial, and other resources or may be dependent upon the success of one product or service, a unique distribution channel, or the effectiveness of a manager or management team, as compared to larger, more established entities. The failure of a single product, service or distribution channel, or the loss or the ineffectiveness of a key executive or executives within the management team may have a materially adverse impact on such companies. Furthermore, these companies may be more vulnerable to competition and to overall economic conditions than larger, more established entities.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

•

Credit risk - Credit risk represents the risk that the Company would incur if the counterparties failed to perform pursuant to the terms of their agreements with the Company. Issues of high-yield debt securities in which the Company invests are more likely to default on interest or principal than are issues of investment-grade securities.

•

Liquidity risk - Liquidity risk represents the possibility that the Company may not be able to sell its investments quickly or at a reasonable price (given the lack of an established market).

•

Interest rate risk - Interest rate risk represents the likelihood that a change in interest rates could have an adverse impact on the fair value of an interest-bearing financial instrument.

•

Prepayment risk - Certain of the Company’s debt investments allow for prepayment of principal without penalty. Downward changes in market interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a faster than expected rate, thereby effectively shortening the maturity of the debt investments and making the instrument less likely to be an income producing instrument through the stated maturity date.

•

Off-Balance sheet risk - Some of the Company’s financial instruments contain off-balance sheet risk. Generally, these financial instruments represent future commitments to purchase other financial instruments at defined terms at defined future dates. See Note 7 for further details.

Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures and discloses fair value with respect to substantially all of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value, and requires disclosures for fair value measurements, including the categorization of financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy based on the transparency of valuation inputs. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the fair value measurements and hierarchy.

Investment classification: The Company classifies its investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in those companies where the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of such company or has rights to maintain greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments in those companies where the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities of such company. “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are those that neither qualify as Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

Segments: In accordance with ASC Topic 280 — Segment Reporting, the Company has determined that it has a single reporting segment and operating unit structure.

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition. The Company places its cash in financial institutions and, at times, such balances may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company does not believe its cash balances are exposed to any significant credit risk.

Deferred financing costs: Deferred financing costs consist of fees and expenses paid in connection with the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6) and SBA debentures. Deferred financing costs are capitalized and amortized to interest and financing expenses over the term of the debt agreement using the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are presented as an offset to the corresponding debt liabilities on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.

Realized losses on extinguishment of debt: Upon the repayment of debt obligations which are deemed to be extinguishments, the difference between the principal amount due at maturity adjusted for any unamortized deferred financing costs is recognized as a loss (i.e., the unamortized deferred financing costs are recognized as a loss upon extinguishment of the underlying debt obligation). In 2019, the Company elected to change the manner in which it presents the derecognition of unamortized deferred financing costs upon extinguishment of the related debt obligation. Previously, the Company classified the extinguishment as a component of interest and financing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Comparative prior periods presented have been reclassified retrospectively to conform to the revised presentation. There is no change in historical net increase in net assets resulting from operations due to this change in presentation.

Deferred offering costs: Deferred offering costs include registration expenses related to shelf filings. These expenses primarily consist of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registration fees, legal fees and accounting fees incurred. These expenses are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Upon the completion of an equity offering or a debt offering, the deferred expenses are charged to additional paid-in capital or deferred financing costs, respectively. If no offering is completed prior to the expiration of the registration statement, the deferred costs are charged to expense.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Realized gains or losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments: Realized gains or losses on investments are recorded upon the sale or disposition of a portfolio investment and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the consolidated statements of operations includes changes in the fair value of investments from the prior period, as determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) through the application of the Company’s valuation policy, as well as reclassifications of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments to realized gains or losses on investments.

Interest and dividend income: Interest and dividend income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that the Company expects to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company.

PIK income: Certain of the Company’s investments contain a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) income provision. The PIK income, computed at the contractual rate specified in the applicable investment agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid in cash, and recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, PIK can be paid-in-kind or all in cash. The Company stops accruing PIK income when there is reasonable doubt that PIK income will be collected. PIK income that has been contractually capitalized to the principal balance of the investment prior to the non-accrual designation date is not reserved against interest or dividend income, but rather is assessed through the valuation of the investment (with corresponding adjustments to unrealized depreciation, as applicable). PIK income is included in the Company’s taxable income and, therefore, affects the amount the Company is required to pay to shareholders in the form of dividends in order to maintain the Company’s tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid corporate federal income tax, even though the Company has not yet collected the cash.

Non-accrual: Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which the Company is accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on full non-accrual status. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or may be applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, payments are likely to remain current.

Origination and closing fees: The Company also typically receives debt investment origination or closing fees in connection with such investments. Such debt investment origination and closing fees are capitalized as unearned income and offset against investment cost basis on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and accreted into interest income over the life of the investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted debt investment origination and closing fees are accelerated into interest income.

Warrants: In connection with the Company’s debt investments, the Company will sometimes receive warrants or other equity-related securities from the borrower (“Warrants”). The Company determines the cost basis of Warrants based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and Warrants received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the Warrants is treated as original issue discount (“OID”), and accreted into interest income using the effective interest method over the term of the debt investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted OID is accelerated into interest income.

Fee income: Transaction fees earned in connection with the Company’s investments are recognized as fee income and are generally non-recurring. Such fees typically include fees for services, including structuring and advisory services, provided to portfolio companies. The Company recognizes income from fees for providing such structuring and advisory services when the services are rendered or the transactions are completed. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any prepayment penalties are recorded as fee income when earned.

Partial loan sales: The Company follows the guidance in ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, when accounting for loan (debt investment) participations and other partial loan sales. Such guidance requires a participation or other partial loan sale to meet the definition of a “participating interest,” as defined in the guidance, in order for sale treatment to be allowed. Participations or other partial loan sales which do not meet the definition of a participating interest should remain on the Company’s consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and the proceeds recorded as a secured borrowing until the definition is met. Management has determined that all participations and other partial loan sale transactions entered into by the Company have met the definition of a participating interest. Accordingly, the Company uses sale treatment in accounting for such transactions.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Income taxes: The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which will generally relieve the Company from U.S. federal income taxes with respect to all income distributed to stockholders. To maintain the tax treatment of a RIC, the Company is required to timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90.0% of “investment company taxable income,” as defined by Subchapter M of the Code, each year. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year; however, the Company will pay a 4.0% excise tax if it does not distribute at least 98.0% of the current year’s ordinary taxable income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to the later of the date on which the final tax return related to the year in which the Company generated such taxable income is filed or the 15^th day of the 10^th month following the close of such taxable year. In addition, the Company will be subject to federal excise tax if it does not distribute at least 98.2% of its net capital gains realized, computed for any one year period ending October 31.

In the future, the Funds may be limited by provisions of the SBIC Act and SBA regulations governing SBICs from making certain distributions to FIC that may be necessary to enable FIC to make the minimum distributions required to maintain the tax treatment of a RIC.

The Company has certain wholly-owned taxable subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”), each of which generally holds one or more of the Company’s portfolio investments listed on the consolidated schedules of investments. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, such that the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s investment in the portfolio company investments owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries. The purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit the Company to hold equity investments in portfolio companies that are taxed as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (such as entities organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or other forms of pass through entities) while complying with the “source-of-income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for U.S. federal corporate income tax purposes, and each Taxable Subsidiary will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income. Any such income or expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

U.S. federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP, and as a result, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized under GAAP. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences may arise as a result of, among other items, a difference in the book and tax basis of certain assets and nondeductible federal income taxes. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future.

ASC Topic 740 — Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”) provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. ASC Topic 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be respected by the applicable tax authorities. Tax benefits of positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax expense in the current year. It is the Company’s policy to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits included in the income tax provision, if any. There were no material uncertain income tax positions at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company’s tax returns are generally subject to examination by U.S. federal and most state tax authorities for a period of three years from the date the respective returns are filed, and, accordingly, the Company’s 2017 through 2019 tax years remain subject to examination.

Dividends to stockholders: Dividends to stockholders are recorded on the record date with respect to such distributions. The amount, if any, to be distributed to stockholders, is determined by the Board each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by management. Net realized capital gains, if any, may be distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

The determination of the tax attributes for the Company’s distributions is made annually, and is based upon the Company’s taxable income and distributions paid to its stockholders for the full year. Ordinary dividend distributions from a RIC do not qualify for the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations, except to the extent that the RIC received the income in the form of qualifying dividends from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations. The tax characterization of the Company’s distributions generally includes both ordinary income and capital gains but may also include qualified dividends or return of capital.

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for the reinvestment of dividends on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder has elected to receive dividends in cash. As a result, if the Company declares a cash dividend, the Company’s stockholders who have not “opted out” of the DRIP at least two days prior to the dividend payment date will have their cash dividend automatically reinvested into additional shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company has the option to satisfy the share requirements of the DRIP through the issuance of new shares of common stock or through open market purchases of common stock by the DRIP plan administrator. Newly issued shares are valued based upon the final closing price of the Company’s common stock on a date determined by the Board. Shares purchased in the open market to satisfy the DRIP requirements will be valued based upon the average price of the applicable shares purchased by the DRIP plan administrator before any associated brokerage or other costs. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements regarding dividend declarations and distributions.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Earnings and net asset value per share: The earnings per share calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, are computed utilizing the weighted average shares outstanding for the period. Net asset value per share is calculated using the number of shares outstanding as of the end of the period.

Stock Repurchase Program: The Company has an open market stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under which the Company may acquire up to $5,000 of its outstanding common stock. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, the Company may, but is not obligated to, repurchase outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that the Company complies with the prohibitions under its insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including certain price, market value and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. On October 26, 2020, the Board extended the Stock Repurchase Program through December 31, 2021, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The Stock Repurchase Program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and the Company cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased zero and 25,719 shares of common stock on the open market for zero and $268, respectively. The Company did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Refer to Note 8 for additional information concerning stock repurchases.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which is intended to improve fair value disclosure requirements by removing disclosures that are not cost-beneficial, clarifying disclosures’ specific requirements, and adding relevant disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2020. No significant changes to the fair value disclosures were necessary in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in order to comply with ASU 2018-13.

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848),” which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging transactions as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The Company is evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-04 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

SEC Rule 12b-2 Update:

In March 2020, the SEC adopted a final rule under SEC Release No. 34-88365 (the “Final Rule”), amending the accelerated filer and large accelerated filer definitions in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. The amendments include a provision under which a BDC will be excluded from the “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” definitions if the BDC has (1) a public float of $75,000 or more, but less than $700,000, and (2) has annual investment income of less than $100,000. In addition, BDCs are subject to the same transition provisions for accelerated filer and large accelerated filer status as other issuers, but instead substituting investment income for revenue. The amendments will reduce the number of issuers required to comply with the auditor attestation on the internal control over financial reporting requirement provided under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Final Rule applies to annual report filings due on or after April 27, 2020. The Company is currently assessing this Final Rule, but believes it will no longer be an accelerated filer.

Note 3. Portfolio Company Investments

The Company’s portfolio investments principally consist of secured and unsecured debt, equity warrants and direct equity investments in privately held companies. The debt investments may or may not be secured by either a first or second lien on the assets of the portfolio company. The debt investments generally bear interest at fixed rates, and generally mature between five and seven years from the original investment. In connection with a debt investment, the Company also may receive nominally priced equity warrants and/or make a direct equity investment in the portfolio company. The Company’s warrants or equity investments may be investments in a holding company related to the portfolio company. In addition, the Company periodically makes equity investments in its portfolio companies through Taxable Subsidiaries. In both situations, the investment is generally reported under the name of the operating company on the consolidated schedules of investments.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had active investments in 63 portfolio companies and residual investments in three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. The aggregate fair value of the total portfolio was $715,405 and the weighted average effective yield on the Company’s debt investments was 12.1% as of such date. As of September 30, 2020, the Company held equity investments in 89.4% of its portfolio companies and the weighted average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 6.0%. The weighted average fully diluted equity ownership was computed using the fully diluted equity ownership for equity investments (including warrants) at cost as of September 30, 2020.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had active investments in 61 portfolio companies and residual investments in three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. The aggregate fair value of the total portfolio was $766,919 and the weighted average effective yield on the Company’s debt investments was 12.0% as of such date. As of December 31, 2019, the Company held equity investments in 93.7% of its portfolio companies and the weighted average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 5.3%. The weighted average fully diluted equity ownership was computed using the fully diluted equity ownership for equity investments (including warrants) at cost as of December 31, 2019.

The weighted average yield of the Company’s debt investments is not the same as a return on investment for its stockholders but, rather, relates to a portion of the Company’s investment portfolio and is calculated before the payment of all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ fees and expenses. The weighted average yields were computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, including accretion of OID and debt investment origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any.

Purchases of debt and equity investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $86,121 and $175,535, respectively. Proceeds from sales and repayments, including principal, return of capital distributions and realized gains, of portfolio investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $110,149 and $98,805, respectively.

Investments by type with corresponding percentage of total portfolio investments consisted of the following:


	Fair Value								Cost
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Second Lien Debt	$	352,223	49.2	%	$	383,077	49.9	%	$	392,372	54.8	%	$	392,196	55.7	%
Subordinated Debt		144,109	20.1			140,843	18.4			143,876	20.1			140,670	20.0
First Lien Debt		130,680	18.3			108,327	14.1			130,176	18.2			107,718	15.3
Equity		85,789	12.0			126,564	16.5			46,801	6.5			58,091	8.2
Warrants		2,604	0.4			8,108	1.1			3,194	0.4			5,824	0.8
Royalty Rights		—	—			—	—			—	—			—	—

Total	$	715,405	100.0	%	$	766,919	100.0	%	$	716,419	100.0	%	$	704,499	100.0	%

All investments made by the Company as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were made in portfolio companies headquartered in the U.S. The following table shows portfolio composition by geographic region at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments. The geographic composition 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.


	Fair Value								Cost
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Midwest	$	206,454	28.9	%	$	208,248	27.1	%	$	178,520	24.9	%	$	181,353	25.7	%
Southeast		149,391	20.9			159,959	20.9			140,147	19.6			138,142	19.6
Northeast		138,306	19.3			154,713	20.2			143,594	20.0			142,054	20.2
West		87,372	12.2			76,251	9.9			88,518	12.4			76,587	10.9
Southwest		133,882	18.7			167,748	21.9			165,640	23.1			166,363	23.6

Total	$	715,405	100.0	%	$	766,919	100.0	%	$	716,419	100.0	%	$	704,499	100.0	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following table shows portfolio composition by type and by geographic region at fair value as a percentage of net assets.


By Type							By Geographic Region
	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Second Lien Debt		90.4	%		92.8	%	Midwest		53.0	%		50.5	%
Subordinated Debt		37.0			34.2		Southeast		38.3			38.8
First Lien Debt		33.5			26.3		Northeast		35.5			37.5
Equity		22.0			30.7		West		22.4			18.5
Warrants		0.7			2.0		Southwest		34.4			40.7
Royalty Rights		—			—

Total		183.6	%		186.0	%	Total		183.6	%		186.0	%

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had no portfolio company investments that represented more than 10% of the total investment portfolio on a fair value or cost basis.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had debt investments in one portfolio company on non-accrual status:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Portfolio Company	Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value		Cost
Accent Food Services, LLC	$	5,333	$	35,328	$	33,067	$	35,327

Total	$	5,333	$	35,328	$	33,067	$	35,327

Consolidated Schedule of Investments In and Advances To Affiliates

The table below represents the fair value of control and affiliate investments as of December 31, 2019 and any additions and reductions made to such investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the ending fair value as of September 30, 2020, and the total investment income earned on such investments during the period.


												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Portfolio Company ⁽¹⁾	September 30, 2020 Principal Amount - Debt Investments		December 31, 2019 Fair Value		Gross Additions ⁽²⁾		Gross Reductions ⁽³⁾			September 30, 2020 Fair Value		Net Realized Gains (Losses) ⁽⁴⁾		Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)			Interest Income		Payment-in- kind Interest Income		Dividend Income		Fee Income
Control Investments
FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems)	$	5,007	$	5,403	$	328	$	(1,661	)	$	4,070	$	—	$	(1,661	)	$	221	$	326	$	—	$	—
US GreenFiber, LLC		21,135		16,417		4,524		(1,022	)		19,919		—		504			1,127		997		—		—

Total Control Investments	$	26,142	$	21,820	$	4,852	$	(2,683	)	$	23,989	$	—	$	(1,157	)	$	1,348	$	1,323	$	—	$	—

Affiliate Investments
FAR Research Inc.	$	—	$	28	$	—	$	—		$	28	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Fiber Materials, Inc.		—		10,449		9,681		(20,088	)		42		9,681		(9,762	)		—		—		355		—
Medsurant Holdings, LLC		8,031		16,980		1,720		(7,660	)		11,040		1,714		(2,223	)		859		—		—		72
Microbiology Research Associates, Inc.⁽⁵⁾		—		11,611		21		(11,632	)		—		—		(751	)		84		11		—		—
Mirage Trailers LLC		6,327		7,218		147		(1,038	)		6,327		—		(1,037	)		531		76		4		—
Pfanstiehl, Inc.		6,208		32,822		13,727		(13,237	)		33,312		12,812		912			491		—		106		—
Pinnergy, Ltd.		—		32,978		—		(15,976	)		17,002		—		(15,974	)		—		—		—		—
Steward Holding LLC (dba Steward Advanced Materials)		7,754		9,469		632		—			10,101		—		540			698		88		—		—

Total Affiliate Investments	$	28,320	$	121,555	$	25,928	$	(69,631	)	$	77,852	$	24,207	$	(28,295	)	$	2,663	$	175	$	465	$	72

(1)	The investment type, industry, ownership detail for equity investments, and if the investment is income producing is disclosed in the consolidated schedule of investments.

(2)

Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow-on investments, accrued PIK interest and PIK dividend income, accretion of OID and origination fees, and net unrealized appreciation recognized during the period. Gross additions also include transfers of portfolio companies into the control or affiliate classification during the period, as applicable.

(3)

Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments or sales and net unrealized (depreciation) recognized during the period. Gross reductions also include include transfers of portfolio companies out of the control or affiliate classification during the period, as applicable.

(4)

The schedule does not reflect realized gains or losses on escrow receivables for investments which were previously exited and were not held during the period presented. Gains and losses on escrow receivables are classified in the consolidated statements of operations according to the control classification at the time the investment was exited. Escrow receivables are presented in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.

(5)	Portfolio company was transferred to Non-control/Non-affiliate investments from Affiliate investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Unconsolidated Significant Subsidiaries

In accordance with Rules 3-09 and 4-08(g) of Regulation S-X, the Company must determine which of its unconsolidated controlled portfolio companies, if any, are considered “significant subsidiaries.” In evaluating these unconsolidated controlled portfolio companies, there are three tests utilized to determine if any of the Company’s Control Investments (as defined in Note 2) are considered significant subsidiaries: the investment test, the asset test and the income test. The income test is measured by dividing the absolute value of the combined total of investment income, net realized gain (loss) and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from each Control Investment for the period being tested by the absolute value of the Company’s pre-tax income for the same period. Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, as interpreted by the SEC, requires the Company to include separate audited financial statements of an unconsolidated majority-owned subsidiary (Control Investments in which the Company owns greater than 50% of the voting securities) in an annual report if any of the three tests exceeds 20% of the Company’s total assets or total income, as applicable. Rule 4-08(g) of Regulation S-X requires summarized financial information of a Control Investment in an annual report if any of the three tests exceeds 10% of the Company’s annual total amounts and Rule 10-01(b)(1) of Regulation S-X requires summarized financial information in a quarterly report if any of the three tests exceeds 20% of the Company’s year-to-date total amounts.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had no single investment that represented greater than 10% of its total investment portfolio at fair value and no single investment whose total assets represented greater than 10% of its total assets. After performing the income test for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company determined that its income from US GreenFiber, LLC (“US GreenFiber”) and FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems) (“FDS”) generated more than 20% of its total income, primarily due to the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) that was recognized by the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As such, US GreenFiber and FDS, unconsolidated portfolio companies that were Control Investments, were considered significant subsidiaries at the 20% level as of September 30, 2020.

Based on the requirements under Regulation S-X Rule 10-01(b)(1), the summarized unaudited consolidated financial information of US GreenFiber and FDS is presented below:


	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Balance Sheet Data	(dollars in thousands)
Current assets	$	18,437		$	22,943
Noncurrent assets		37,382			40,619

Total assets	$	55,819		$	63,562

Current liabilities	$	16,618		$	30,566
Noncurrent liabilities		54,849			37,194

Total liabilities		71,467			67,760

Total equity		(15,648	)		(4,198	)

Total liabilities and equity	$	55,819		$	63,562


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020			Three Months Ended September 30, 2019			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Summary of Operations	(dollars in thousands)
Total revenue	$	23,962		$	24,045		$	65,983		$	72,403
Gross profit	$	2,829		$	4,101		$	7,424		$	12,020
Net income (loss)	$	(4,118	)	$	(2,707	)	$	(13,013	)	$	(9,328	)

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements

Investments

The Board has established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820 and consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Fair value is the price, determined at the measurement date, that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available or reliable, valuation techniques described below are applied. Under ASC Topic 820, portfolio investments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are classified within the fair value hierarchy based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value, as defined below:

Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the measurement date.

Level 2 — Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, or that are quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term, if applicable, of the investment.

Level 3 — Inputs include those that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

An investment’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s investment portfolio is comprised entirely of debt and equity securities of privately held companies for which quoted prices falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are not available. Therefore, the Company values all of its portfolio investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board, using Level 3 inputs. The degree of judgment exercised by the Board in determining fair value is greatest for investments classified as Level 3 inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair values of investments that do not have readily available market values, the Board’s estimate of fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and those differences may be material. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the amounts ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned.

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

•

the quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially evaluated and rated by the investment professionals of the Investment Advisor responsible for the portfolio investment;

•

preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the investment committee of the Investment Advisor;

•

the audit committee of the Board reviews the preliminary valuations of the Investment Advisor and of the independent valuation firm(s) and responds and supplements the valuation recommendations to reflect any comments; and

•

the Board discusses these valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of the Investment Advisor, the independent valuation firm(s) and the audit committee.

In making the good faith determination of the value of portfolio investments, the Board starts with the cost basis of the security. The transaction price is typically the best estimate of fair value at inception. When evidence supports a subsequent change to the carrying value from the original transaction price, adjustments are made to reflect the expected exit values.

Consistent with the policies and methodologies adopted by the Board, the Company performs detailed valuations of its debt and equity investments, including an analysis on the Company’s unfunded debt investment commitments, using both the market and income approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, the Company typically uses the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of an investment. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally best expressed as a range of values, from which the Company derives a single estimate of enterprise value. Under the income approach, the Company typically prepares and analyzes discounted cash flow models to estimate the present value of future cash flows of either an individual debt investment or of the underlying portfolio company itself.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The Company evaluates investments in portfolio companies using the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts. The Company also consults with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain further updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development and other operational issues.

For the Company’s debt investments the primary valuation technique used to estimate the fair value is the discounted cash flow method. However, if there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt investment is in workout status, the Company may consider other methods in determining the fair value, including the value attributable to the debt investment from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis. The Company’s discounted cash flow models estimate a range of fair values by applying an appropriate discount rate to the future cash flow streams of its debt investments, based on future interest and principal payments as set forth in the associated debt investment agreements. The Company prepares a weighted average cost of capital for use in the discounted cash flow model for each investment, based on factors including, but not limited to: current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed or executed investment transactions of private companies; the portfolio company’s historical financial results and outlook; and the portfolio company’s current leverage and credit quality as compared to leverage and credit quality as of the date the investment was made. The Company may also consider the following factors when determining the fair value of debt investments: the portfolio company’s ability to make future scheduled payments; prepayment penalties and other fees; estimated remaining life; the nature and realizable value of any collateral securing such debt investment; and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that generally may affect the price at which similar investments may be made. The Company estimates the remaining life of its debt investments to generally be the legal maturity date of the instrument, as the Company generally intends to hold its debt investments to maturity. However, if the Company has information available to it that the debt investment is expected to be repaid in the near term, it would use an estimated remaining life based on the expected repayment date.

For the Company’s equity investments, including equity and warrants, the Company generally uses a market approach, including valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, to estimate the enterprise value of portfolio companies. Typically, the enterprise value of a private company is based on multiples of EBITDA, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the Company analyzes various factors consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to original transaction multiples, the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.

The Company may also utilize an income approach when estimating the fair value of its equity securities, either as a primary methodology if consistent with industry practice or if the market approach is otherwise not applicable, or as a supporting methodology to corroborate the fair value ranges determined by the market approach. The Company typically prepares and analyzes discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows (or earnings) of the portfolio company. The Company considers various factors, including, but not limited to, the portfolio company’s projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.

The fair value of the Company’s royalty rights are calculated based on projected future cash flows and the specific provisions contained in the pertinent agreements. The determination of the fair value of such royalty rights is not a significant component of the Company’s valuation process.

The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur. There were no transfers among Levels 1, 2, and 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair valued investments measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Second Lien Debt			Subordinated Debt			First Lien Debt			Equity			Warrants			Royalty Rights			Total
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	366,517		$	104,225		$	51,790		$	106,707		$	13,743		$	—		$	642,982
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		—			—			—			9,016			—			(185	)		8,831
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		239			1,898			(12,899	)		5,183			(912	)		185			(6,306	)
Purchase of investments		43,445			70,036			55,150			6,904			—			—			175,535
Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments		(39,475	)		(32,045	)		(13,433	)		(13,852	)		—			—			(98,805	)
Interest and dividend income paid-in-kind		6,854			885			99			—			—			—			7,838
Proceeds from loan origination fees		(135	)		(435	)		(909	)		(1	)		—			—			(1,480	)
Accretion of loan origination fees		408			235			150			3			—			—			796
Accretion of original issue discount		34			—			17			—			—			—			51

Balance, September 30, 2019	$	377,887		$	144,799		$	79,965		$	113,960		$	12,831		$	—		$	729,442

Balance, December 31, 2019	$	383,077		$	140,843		$	108,327		$	126,564		$	8,108		$	—		$	766,919
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		81			—			(4	)		30,958			1,862			—			32,897
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		(31,030	)		60			(105	)		(29,485	)		(2,874	)		—			(63,434	)
Purchase of investments		22,000			13,500			49,239			1,382			—			—			86,121
Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments		(25,195	)		(10,565	)		(26,264	)		(43,633	)		(4,492	)		—			(110,149	)
Interest and dividend income paid-in-kind		3,022			371			118			—			—			—			3,511
Proceeds from loan origination fees		(158	)		(250	)		(1,036	)		—			—			—			(1,444	)
Accretion of loan origination fees		380			150			333			3			—			—			866
Accretion of original issue discount		46			—			72			—			—			—			118

Balance, September 30, 2020	$	352,223		$	144,109		$	130,680		$	85,789		$	2,604		$	—		$	715,405

Net change in unrealized appreciation and (depreciation) of $12,489 and $(62,591) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, was attributable to Level 3 investments held at September 30, 2020. Net change in unrealized (depreciation) of $(10,334) and $(14,655) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was attributable to Level 3 investments held at September 30, 2019.

The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs by valuation technique used to determine the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 debt and equity investments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive, but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company’s determination of fair values.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Fair Value at
September 30,
2020

Valuation Techniques

Unobservable Inputs

Range (weighted average)⁽¹⁾

Debt investments:

Second Lien Debt

$312,191

Discounted cash flow

Weighted average cost of capital

8.9% - 27.0% (14.1%)

32,611

Enterprise value

EBITDA multiples

4.0x - 5.5x (5.0x)

5,334

Enterprise value

Revenue multiples

0.8x - 0.8x (0.8x)

2,087

Enterprise value

Asset Coverage

1.2x - 1.2x (1.2x)

Subordinated Debt

144,109

Discounted cash flow

Weighted average cost of capital

10.9% - 13.8% (12.0%)

First Lien Debt

122,052

Discounted cash flow

Weighted average cost of capital

6.9% - 16.3% (12.0%)

4,512

Enterprise value

Revenue multiples

0.6x - 0.6x (0.6x)

4,116

Enterprise value

Asset Coverage

1.6x - 1.6x (1.6x)

Equity investments:

Equity

85,491

Enterprise value

EBITDA multiples

3.9x - 14.5x (7.8x)

298

Enterprise value

Revenue multiples

1.1x - 4.4x (4.4x)

Warrants

2,604

Enterprise value

EBITDA multiples

4.0x - 6.0x (5.8x)

(1)	Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments.


	Fair Value at December 31, 2019		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (weighted average)⁽¹⁾
Debt investments:
Second Lien Debt	$	364,351	Discounted cash flow	Weighted average cost of capital	10.3% - 18.2% (13.2%)
		16,417	Enterprise value	EBITDA multiples	5.3x - 5.3x (5.3x)
		2,309	Enterprise value	Asset Coverage	1.2x - 1.2x (1.2x)
Subordinated Debt		140,843	Discounted cash flow	Weighted average cost of capital	10.9% - 21.6% (12.0%)
First Lien Debt		101,162	Discounted cash flow	Weighted average cost of capital	8.4% - 14.8% (11.8%)
		7,165	Enterprise value	Revenue multiples	4.4x - 4.4x (4.4x)
Equity investments:
Equity		125,370	Enterprise value	EBITDA multiples	3.5x - 20.7x (8.5x)
		1,194	Enterprise value	Revenue multiples	1.2x - 4.4x (2.0x)
Warrants		8,108	Enterprise value	EBITDA multiples	4.0x - 7.0x (6.6x)

(1)	Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments.

The significant unobservable input used in determining the fair value under the discounted cash flow technique is the weighted average cost of capital of each security. Significant increases (or decreases) in this input would likely result in significantly lower (or higher) fair value estimates.

The significant unobservable inputs used in determining fair value under the enterprise value technique are revenue and EBITDA multiples, as well as asset coverage. Significant increases (or decreases) in these inputs could result in significantly higher (or lower) fair value estimates.

Other Financial Assets and Liabilities

ASC Topic 820 requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate such value. The Company believes that the carrying amounts of its other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, interest receivable and accounts payable and other liabilities approximate the fair value of such items due to the short maturity of such instruments. The Company’s borrowings under the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6), SBA debentures, and Public Notes (as defined in Note 6) are recorded at their respective carrying values.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following tables summarize the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt obligations as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value ⁽¹⁾		Fair Value		Carrying Value ⁽¹⁾		Fair Value
SBA debentures ⁽²⁾	$	147,000	$	147,000	$	157,500	$	157,500
Credit Facility borrowings ⁽³⁾		23,000		23,000		25,000		25,000
2023 Notes ⁽⁴⁾		50,000		49,100		50,000		51,900
February 2024 Notes ⁽⁴⁾		69,000		68,310		69,000		72,422
November 2024 Notes ⁽⁴⁾		63,250		61,428		63,250		65,148

Total	$	352,250	$	348,838	$	364,750	$	371,970

(1)	Carrying value represents the outstanding principal balance of the debt obligation.

(2)

The fair value of SBA debentures is estimated by discounting the remaining payments using current market rates for similar instruments and considering such factors as the legal maturity date and the ability of market participants to prepay the debentures, which are Level 3 inputs under ASC Topic 820.

(3)	The fair value of borrowings under the Credit Facility, if valued under ASC Topic 820, are based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.

(4)	The Public Notes, if valued under ASC Topic 820, are valued using available market quotes, which is a Level 1 input.

The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Company’s debt obligations if measured at fair value as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.


	Fair Value
Valuation Inputs	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Level 1	$	178,838	$	189,470
Level 2		—		—
Level 3		170,000		182,500

Total	$	348,838	$	371,970

Note 5. Related Party Transactions

Investment Advisory Agreement: The Company has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Advisor. On June 4, 2020, the Board approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement through June 20, 2021. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement and subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Investment Advisor provides investment advisory services to the Company. For providing these services, the Investment Advisor receives a fee, consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee.

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% based on the average value of total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement was $3,223 and $9,688 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively and $3,179 and $9,066, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the base management fee payable was $3,224 and $3,334, respectively.

The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter. Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement (defined below) and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee and excise taxes on realized gains). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK income, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities), accrued income the Company has not yet received in cash. The Investment Advisor is not under any obligation to reimburse the Company for any part of the incentive fee it receives that was based on accrued interest that the Company never collects.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, taxes associated with such realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where the Company incurs a loss. For example, if the Company generates pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate (as defined below) for a quarter, the Company will pay the applicable incentive fee even if the Company has incurred a loss in that quarter due to a net loss on investments.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed “hurdle rate” of 2.0% per quarter. If market interest rates rise, the Company may be able to invest funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for the Investment Advisor to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an incentive fee based on such net investment income.

The Company pays the Investment Advisor an incentive fee with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

•

no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 2.0%;

•

100.0% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.5% in any calendar quarter. This portion of the pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.5%) is referred to as the “catch-up” provision. The catch-up is meant to provide the Investment Advisor with 20.0% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter; and

•

20.0% of the amount of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter.

The sum of the calculations above equals the income incentive fee. The income incentive fee is appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the calendar quarter. The income incentive fee was $2,374 and $6,342, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $2,163 and $5,947, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The Investment Advisor, in consultation with the Board, agreed to voluntarily waive $423 of the income incentive fee for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. There was no income incentive fee waiver for the three months ended September 30, 2020. There was no income incentive fee waiver for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the income incentive fee payable was $2,374 and $1,497, respectively.

The second part of the incentive fee is a capital gains incentive fee that is determined and paid in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), and equals 20.0% of the net capital gains as of the end of the fiscal year. In determining the capital gains incentive fee to be paid in cash to the Investment Advisor, the Company calculates the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and losses since the Formation Transactions (realized capital gains and losses include realized gains and losses on investments, net of income tax provision from realized gains on investments, and realized losses on extinguishment of debt), and the aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments as of the date of the calculation. At the end of the applicable year, the amount of capital gains that serves as the basis for the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee to be paid equals the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains on investments, less cumulative aggregate realized capital losses on investments, less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments, and less cumulative aggregate realized losses on extinguishment of debt. If this number is positive at the end of such year, then the capital gains incentive fee to be paid in cash for such year equals 20.0% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the capital gains incentive fee payable in cash was $0 (as cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and losses on investments plus aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments plus realized losses on extinguishment of debt was negative as of each period). The aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid from the IPO through September 30, 2020 was $348.

In addition, the Company accrues, but does not pay in cash, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any unrealized capital appreciation on investments, as applicable. If, on a cumulative basis, the sum of (i) net realized gains/(losses) on investments plus (ii) net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments plus (iii) realized losses on extinguishment of debt decreases during a period, the Company will reverse any excess capital gains incentive fee previously accrued such that the amount of capital gains incentive fee accrued is no more than 20.0% of the sum of (i) net realized gains/(losses) on investments plus (ii) net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments plus (iii) realized losses on extinguishment of debt. The capital gains incentive fee accrued (reversed) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $2,761 and $(6,380) respectively, and $1,307 and $373 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the accrued capital gains incentive fee payable was $6,335 and $12,715, respectively.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Unless terminated earlier as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year if approved annually by the Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”). The Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Investment Advisor and may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other. The holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty.

Administration Agreement: The Company also entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Investment Advisor. On June 4, 2020, the Board approved the renewal of the Administration Agreement through June 20, 2021. Under the Administration Agreement, the Investment Advisor furnishes the Company with office facilities and equipment, provides clerical, bookkeeping, and record keeping services at such facilities and provides the Company with other administrative services necessary to conduct its day-to-day operations. The Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for the allocable portion of overhead expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the Company’s allocable portion of the cost of its chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. Under the Administration Agreement, the Investment Advisor also provides managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance and the Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for fees and expenses incurred with providing such services. In addition, the Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for fees and expenses incurred while performing due diligence on the Company’s prospective portfolio companies, including “dead deal” expenses. Under the Administration Agreement, administrative service expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $412 and $1,242, respectively, and $422 and $1,199 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the accrued administrative service expense payable was $554 and $528, respectively.

Fidus Equity Fund I, L.P.: On February 25, 2020, the Company entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Fidus Equity Fund I, L.P. (“FEF I”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will serve as the General Partner of FEF I. Owned by third-party investors, FEF I was formed to purchase 50% of select equity investments from the Company. On February 25, 2020, the Company sold 50% of its equity investments in 20 portfolio companies to FEF I and received net proceeds of $35,903, resulting in a realized gain, net of estimated taxes, of $20,404. The Company will not receive any fees from FEF I for any services provided in its capacity as the General Partner of FEF I.

Note 6. Debt

Revolving Credit Facility: On June 16, 2014, FIC entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with ING Capital LLC (“ING”), as the administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. The Credit Facility is secured by certain portfolio investments held by the Company, but portfolio investments held by the Funds are not collateral for the Credit Facility. On April 24, 2019, the Company entered into an Amended & Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and ING Capital LLC, as administrative agent. The Amended Credit Agreement amends, restates, and replaces the Credit Facility. On June 26, 2020, the Company amended the Amended Credit Agreement, however the material terms were unchanged. Among other revisions, the amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement modifies certain covenants therein, including to amend the minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio to be 2.25 to 1.00 for the four quarter period ending on June 30, 2020, 2.00 to 1.00 for the four quarter periods ending on each of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020, and 1.75 to 1.00 for each four quarter period ending at the end of each quarter thereafter.

Under the Amended Credit Agreement, (i) revolving commitments by lenders were increased from $90,000 to $100,000, with an accordion feature that allows for an increase in total commitments up to $250,000, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions at the time of any such future increase, (ii) the maturity date of the Credit Facility was extended from June 16, 2019 to April 24, 2023, and (iii) borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our election, at a rate per annum equal to (a) 3.00% (or 2.75% if certain conditions are satisfied, including if (x) no equity interests are included in the borrowing base, (y) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans is greater than or equal to 35%, and (z) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans, performing last out loans, or performing second lien loans is greater than or equal to 60%) plus the one, two, three or six month LIBOR rate, as applicable, or (b) 2.00% (or 1.75% if the above conditions are satisfied) plus the highest of (A) a prime rate, (B) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, (C) three month LIBOR plus 1.0%, and (D) zero. The Company pays a commitment fee that varies depending on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility: 3.00% per annum on the unused portion of the credit facility at or below 35% of the commitments and 0.50% per annum on any remaining unused portion of the Credit Facility between the total commitments and the 35% minimum utilization. The Amended Credit Agreement also modifies certain covenants in the credit facility, including to provide for a minimum asset coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1 (on a regulatory basis). The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, excluding the assets of our SBIC subsidiaries.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Amounts available to borrow under the Credit Facility are subject to a minimum borrowing/collateral base that applies an advance rate to certain investments held by the Company, excluding investments held by the Funds. The Company is subject to limitations with respect to the investments securing the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status and collateral interests, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow.

The Company has made customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance in all material respect with the terms of the Credit Facility.

SBA debentures: The Company uses debenture leverage provided through the SBA to fund a portion of its investment purchases.

Under the SBA debenture program, the SBA commits to purchase debentures issued by SBICs; such debentures have 10-year terms with the entire principal balance due at maturity and are guaranteed by the SBA. Interest on SBA debentures is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approved and unused SBA debenture commitments were $11,500 and $17,500, respectively. The SBA may limit the amount that may be drawn each year under these commitments, and each issuance of leverage is conditioned on the Company’s full compliance, as determined by the SBA, with the terms and conditions set forth in the SBIC Act.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s issued and outstanding SBA debentures mature as follows:


Pooling Date ⁽¹⁾		Maturity Date		Fixed Interest Rate			September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	9/24/2014		9/1/2024		3.775	%	$	—	$	1,000
	3/25/2015		3/1/2025		3.277			22,500		22,500
	9/23/2015		9/1/2025		3.571			16,700		16,700
	3/23/2016		3/1/2026		3.267			1,500		1,500
	3/23/2016		3/1/2026		3.249			21,800		21,800
	9/21/2016		9/1/2026		2.793			500		500
	3/29/2017		3/1/2027		3.587			10,000		10,000
	9/20/2017		9/1/2027		3.260			1,000		1,000
	9/20/2017		9/1/2027		3.190			33,000		33,000
	3/21/2018		3/1/2028		3.859			16,000		16,000
	3/21/2018		3/1/2028		3.534			10,500		15,500
	9/19/2018		9/1/2028		3.895			—		9,500
	9/19/2018		9/1/2028		4.220			—		1,000
	9/25/2019		9/1/2029		2.377			7,500		7,500
	3/25/2020		3/1/2030		2.172			6,000		—

	Total outstanding SBA debentures						$	147,000	$	157,500

(1)	The SBA has two scheduled pooling dates for debentures (in March and in September). Certain debentures funded during the reporting periods may not be pooled until the subsequent pooling date.

Public Notes: On February 2, 2018, the Company closed the public offering of approximately $43,478 in aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% notes due 2023, or the “2023 Notes.” On February 22, 2018, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $6,522 in aggregate principal of the 2023 Notes. The total net proceeds to the Company from the 2023 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $1,500 and offering expenses of $438, were approximately $48,062.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The 2023 Notes mature on February 1, 2023 and bear interest at a rate of 5.875%. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after February 1, 2020. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year. The 2023 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSL.”

On February 8, 2019, the Company closed the public offering of approximately $60,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 6.000% notes due 2024, or the “February 2024 Notes”. On February 19, 2019, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $9,000 in aggregate principal of the February 2024 Notes. The total net proceeds to the Company from the February 2024 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $2,070 and offering expenses of $409, were approximately $66,521.

The February 2024 Notes mature on February 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 6.000%. The February 2024 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after February 15, 2021. Interest on the February 2024 Notes is payable quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning May 15, 2019. The February 2024 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSZ.”

On October 16, 2019, the Company closed the public offering of approximately $55,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% notes due 2024, or the “November 2024 Notes” (and collectively with the 2023 Notes and February 2024 Notes, the “Public Notes”). On October 23, 2019, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $8,250 in aggregate principal of the November 2024 Notes. The total net proceeds to the Company from the November 2024 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $1,898 and offering expenses of $300, were approximately $61,053.

The November 2024 Notes will mature on November 1, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.375%. The November 2024 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after November 1, 2021. Interest on the November 2024 Notes is payable quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2020. The November 2024 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSG.”

The Public Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank pari passu with the Company’s future unsecured indebtedness; effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of its subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities the Company may form in the future, with respect to claims on the assets of any such subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities.

As of September 30, 2020, the aggregate amount outstanding of the senior securities issued by the Company was $205,250, for which our asset coverage was 289.8%. The SBA-guaranteed debentures are not subject to the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act as a result of exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC effective June 30, 2014. The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by total senior securities representing indebtedness.

Interest and Financing Expenses

Interest and fees related to the Company’s debt for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 which are included in interest and financing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020												Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total			SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total
Stated interest expense	$	1,285		$	392		$	2,619		$	4,296		$	1,439		$	756		$	1,769		$	3,964
Amortization of deferred financing costs		136			116			330			582			152			84			221			457

Total interest and financing expenses	$	1,421		$	508		$	2,949		$	4,878		$	1,591		$	840		$	1,990		$	4,421


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total			SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total
Stated interest expense	$	3,918		$	1,246		$	7,857		$	13,021		$	4,399		$	1,631		$	4,852		$	10,882
Amortization of deferred financing costs		416			282			982			1,680			461			251			603			1,315

Total interest and financing expenses	$	4,334		$	1,528		$	8,839		$	14,701		$	4,860		$	1,882		$	5,455		$	12,197

Weighted average stated interest rate, period end		3.297	%		3.188	%		5.749	%		4.558	%		3.392	%		5.063	%		5.947	%		4.602	%
Unused commitment fee rate, period end		N/A			0.890	%		N/A			0.890	%		N/A			0.500	%		N/A			0.500	%

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Realized Losses on Extinguishment of Debt

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company prepaid $16,500 and $41,000 of SBA debentures, respectively, which were scheduled to mature on dates ranging from 2024 to 2028 and 2021 to 2025, respectively. As a result of the prepayments, the Company recognized realized losses on extinguishment of debt of $299 and $399, respectively, equal to the write-off of the related unamortized deferred financing costs, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are amortized into interest and financing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method, over the term of the respective financing instrument. Deferred financing costs related to the Credit Facility, SBA debentures, and Public Notes as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:


	September 30, 2020												December 31, 2019
	SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total			SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total
SBA debenture commitment fees	$	1,750		$	—		$	—		$	1,750		$	1,750		$	—		$	—		$	1,750
SBA debenture leverage fees		3,966			—			—			3,966			3,820			—			—			3,820
Credit Facility upfront fees		—			3,238			—			3,238			—			2,894			—			2,894
Public Notes underwriting discounts		—			—			5,468			5,468			—			—			5,468			5,468
Public Notes debt issue costs		—			—			1,147			1,147			—			—			1,147			1,147

Total deferred financing costs		5,716			3,238			6,615			15,569			5,570			2,894			6,615			15,079
Less: accumulated amortization		(2,587	)		(2,075	)		(2,248	)		(6,910	)		(1,872	)		(1,793	)		(1,266	)		(4,931	)

Unamortized deferred financing costs	$	3,129		$	1,163		$	4,367		$	8,659		$	3,698		$	1,101		$	5,349		$	10,148

Unamortized deferred financing costs are presented as a direct offset to the SBA debentures, Credit Facility and Public Notes liabilities on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. The following table summarizes the outstanding debt net of unamortized deferred financing costs as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020												December 31, 2019
	SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total			SBA debentures			Credit Facility			Public Notes			Total
Outstanding debt	$	147,000		$	23,000		$	182,250		$	352,250		$	157,500		$	25,000		$	182,250		$	364,750
Less: unamortized deferred financing costs		(3,129	)		(1,163	)		(4,367	)		(8,659	)		(3,698	)		(1,101	)		(5,349	)		(10,148	)

Debt, net of deferred financing costs	$	143,871		$	21,837		$	177,883		$	343,591		$	153,802		$	23,899		$	176,901		$	354,602

As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s debt liabilities are scheduled to mature as follows ⁽¹⁾:


Year	SBA debentures		Credit Facility		Public Notes		Total
2020	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
2021		—		—		—		—
2022		—		—		—		—
2023		—		23,000		50,000		73,000
2024		—		—		132,250		132,250
Thereafter		147,000		—		—		147,000

Total	$	147,000	$	23,000	$	182,250	$	352,250

(1)

The table above presents scheduled maturities of the Company’s outstanding debt liabilities as of a point in time pursuant to the terms of those instruments. The timing of actual repayments of outstanding debt liabilities may not ultimately correspond with the scheduled maturity dates depending on the terms of the underlying instruments and the potential for earlier prepayments.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments: The Company had outstanding commitments to portfolio companies to fund various undrawn revolving loans, other debt investments and capital commitments totaling $3,957 and $4,757 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Such outstanding commitments are summarized in the following table:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
Portfolio Company - Investment	Total Commitment			Unfunded Commitment			Total Commitment			Unfunded Commitment
Combined Systems, Inc. - Revolving Loan	$	4,000		$	200		$	—		$	—
FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems)—Revolving Loan		250			30			250			30
French Transit, LLC - Revolving Loan		—			—			1,000			1,000
Rhino Assembly Company, LLC - Delayed Draw Commitment		875			875			875			875
Safety Products Group, LLC - Common Equity (Units)		2,852	⁽¹⁾		2,852	⁽¹⁾		2,852	⁽¹⁾		2,852	⁽¹⁾

Total	$	7,977		$	3,957		$	4,977		$	4,757

(1)	Portfolio company was no longer held at period end. The commitment represents the Company’s maximum potential liability related to certain guaranteed obligations stemming from the prior sale of the portfolio company’s underlying operations.

Additional detail for each of the commitments above is provided in the Company’s consolidated schedules of investments.

The commitments are generally subject to the borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with financial and nonfinancial covenants. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide indemnifications under certain circumstances. In addition, in connection with the disposition of an investment in a portfolio company, the Company may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of such portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. The Company may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations are inaccurate. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. The Company expects the risk of future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.

Legal proceedings: In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to legal and regulatory proceedings that are generally incidental to its ongoing operations. While the outcome of any such legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe any such legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 8. Common Stock

Public Offerings of Common Stock

The following table summarizes the cumulative total shares issued, net proceeds received, and weighted average offering price in public offerings of the Company’s common stock since the IPO.


Period	Cumulative Number of Shares		Cumulative Gross Proceeds		Cumulative Underwriting Fees and Commissions and Offering Costs ⁽¹⁾		Weighted Average Offering Price
Cumulative since IPO		14,388,414	$	236,597	$	8,989	$	16.44

(1)

Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC agreed to bear a cumulative of $1,925 of underwriting fees and commissions and offering costs associated with these offerings (such amounts are not included in the number reported above). All such payments made by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC are not subject to reimbursement by the Company.

Common Stock ATM Program

On August 21, 2014, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated through which the Company could sell, by means of at-the-market offerings from time to time, shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000 (the “ATM Program”). There were no issuances of common stock under the ATM program during the last two fiscal years and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Stock Repurchase Program

As described in Note 2, the Company has a Stock Repurchase Program under which the Company may acquire up to $5,000 of its outstanding common stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased zero and 25,719 shares of common stock, respectively, on the open market for zero and $268, respectively. The Company did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company’s NAV per share increased by approximately zero and $0.01 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of the share repurchases. The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchases under the Stock Repurchase Program for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
Repurchases of Common Stock	2020		2019		2020			2019
Number of shares repurchased		—		—		25,719			—
Cost of shares repurchased, including commissions	$	—	$	—	$	268		$	—
Weighted average price per share	$	—	$	—	$	10.37		$	—
Net asset value per share at prior quarter end	$	—	$	—	$	16.85		$	—
Weighted average discount to net asset value at quarter end prior to repurchases		N/A		N/A		38.5	%		N/A

Refer to Note 9 for additional information regarding the issuance of shares under the DRIP.

The Company had 24,437,400 and 24,463,119 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Note 9. Dividends and Distributions

The Company’s dividends and distributions are recorded on the record date. The following table summarizes the dividends paid during the last two fiscal years and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.


Date Declared	Record Date		Payment Date		Amount Per Share		Total Distribution		Cash Distribution		DRIP Shares Value			DRIP Shares			DRIP Share Issue Price
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018:
2/13/2018		3/9/2018		3/23/2018	$	0.39	$	9,558	$	9,558	$	—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
4/30/2018		6/8/2018		6/22/2018		0.39		9,541		9,541		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
7/30/2018		9/7/2018		9/21/2018		0.39		9,540		9,540		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
10/30/2018		12/7/2018		12/21/2018		0.39		9,541		9,541		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
10/30/2018 ⁽¹⁾		12/7/2018		12/21/2018		0.04		978		978		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—

					$	1.60	$	39,158	$	39,158	$	—			—

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019:
1/31/2019		3/8/2019		3/22/2019	$	0.39	$	9,541	$	9,541	$	—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
4/29/2019		6/7/2019		6/21/2019		0.39		9,540		9,540		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
7/29/2019		9/6/2019		9/20/2019		0.39		9,541		9,541		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
10/29/2019		12/6/2019		12/20/2019		0.39		9,541		9,541		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
10/29/2019 ⁽¹⁾		12/6/2019		12/20/2019		0.04		978		978		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—

					$	1.60	$	39,141	$	39,141	$	—			—

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020:
2/14/2020		3/13/2020		3/27/2020	$	0.39	$	9,537	$	9,537	$	—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
4/29/2020		6/12/2020		6/26/2020		0.30		7,331		7,331		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—
8/03/2020		9/11/2020		9/25/2020		0.30		7,331		7,331		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽²⁾		—

					$	0.99	$	24,199	$	24,199	$	—			—

(1)	Special dividend.

(2)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company directed the DRIP program plan administrator to repurchase shares on the open market in order to satisfy the DRIP obligation to deliver shares of common stock in lieu of issuing new shares. Accordingly, the Company purchased and reissued shares to satisfy the DRIP obligation as follows:

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)


Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018:	Number of Shares Purchased and Reissued		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Amount Paid
January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018		16,503	$	12.97	$	214
April 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018		16,216		14.48		235
July 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018		16,207		14.83		240
October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018		29,152		11.85		346

Total		78,078	$	13.25	$	1,035


Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019:	Number of Shares Purchased and Reissued		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Amount Paid
January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019		21,855	$	15.25	$	333
April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019		14,067		16.23		228
July 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019		15,289		15.35		235
October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019		17,525		15.27		268

Total		68,736	$	15.48	$	1,064


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020:	Number of Shares Purchased and Reissued		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Amount Paid
January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020		31,586	$	7.58	$	239
April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020		21,904		9.04		198
July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020		28,871		10.18		294

Total		82,361	$	8.88	$	731

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

Note 10. Financial Highlights

The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019
Per share data:
Net asset value at beginning of period	$	16.85		$	16.47
Net investment income⁽¹⁾		1.37			1.09
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax (provision)⁽¹⁾		1.31			0.35
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments⁽¹⁾		(2.60	)		(0.26	)
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt ⁽¹⁾		(0.01	)		(0.02	)

Total increase from investment operations⁽¹⁾		0.07			1.16
Accretive (dilutive) effect of share issuances and repurchases		0.01			—
Dividends to stockholders		(0.99	)		(1.17	)
Other⁽²⁾		—			0.01

Net asset value at end of period	$	15.94		$	16.47

Market value at end of period	$	9.85		$	14.83

Shares outstanding at end of period		24,437,400			24,463,119
Weighted average shares outstanding during the period		24,444,120			24,463,119
Net assets at end of period	$	389,552		$	402,832
Average net assets⁽⁷⁾	$	388,393		$	402,278
Ratios to average net assets:
Total expenses^(3)(5)(12)		9.6	%		10.3	%
Net investment income⁽³⁾⁽⁶⁾		11.5	%		8.8	%
Total return based on market value⁽⁴⁾		(25.8	%)		34.0	%
Total return based on net asset value ⁽⁹⁾		0.4	%		7.0	%
Portfolio turnover ratio ⁽¹⁰⁾		15.6	%		19.2	%
Supplemental Data:
Average debt outstanding ⁽⁸⁾	$	368,125		$	307,625
Average debt per share⁽¹⁾	$	15.06		$	12.58

(1)	Weighted average per share data.

(2)

Represents the impact of different share amounts used in calculating per share data as a result of calculating certain per share data based on weighted average shares outstanding during the period and certain per share data based on the shares outstanding as of a period end or transaction date, or other rounding.

(3)	Annualized with the exception of the Income Incentive Fee Waiver.

(4)

Total return based on market value equals the change in the market value of the Company’s common stock per share during the period divided by the market value per share at the beginning of the period, and assumes reinvestment of dividends at prices obtained by our dividend reinvestment plan during the period. The return does not reflect any sales load that may be paid by an investor.

(5)	The total expenses to average net assets ratio is calculated using the total expenses before income incentive fee waiver caption as presented on the consolidated statements of operations, which includes incentive fee and excludes the income tax provision.

(6)	The net investment income to average net assets ratio is calculated using the net investment income caption as presented on the consolidated statements of operations, which includes incentive fee.

(7)	Average net assets is calculated as the average of the net asset balances as of each quarter end during the fiscal year and the prior year end.

(8)	Average debt outstanding is calculated as the average of the outstanding debt balances as of each quarter end during the fiscal year and the prior year end.

(9)

Total return based on net asset value per share equals the change in net asset value per share during the period, plus dividends paid per share during the period, less other non-operating changes during the period, and divided by beginning net asset value per share for the period. Non-operating changes include any items that affect net asset value per share other than increase from investment operations, such as the effects of share issuances and repurchases and other miscellaneous items.

(10)	Annualized.

(11)	The ratio of waived incentive fees to average net assets was (0.11%) and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

(12)	The following is a schedule of supplemental expense ratios to average net assets:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Ratio to average net assets:	2020			2019
Expenses other than incentive fee ⁽³⁾		9.7	%		8.2	%
Incentive fee, net of incentive fee waiver ^(3)(11)		(0.1	%)		2.1	%

Total expenses ⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾		9.6	%		10.3	%

Note 11. Subsequent Events

On October 1, 2020, the Company exited its debt and equity investments in Pugh Lubricants, LLC. The Company received payment in full of $26,630 on its subordinated debt investment, which includes a prepayment fee. The Company received a distribution on its common equity investment for a realized gain of approximately $521.

On October 26, 2020, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share payable on December 18, 2020 to stockholders of record as of December 4, 2020. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a supplemental dividend of $0.04 per share payable December 18, 2020 to stockholders of record as of December 4, 2020.

On October 28, 2020, the Company invested $6,000 in second lien debt, which was a partial funding of a $12,000 note commitment, and $1,500 common equity in a leading regional distributor of pool equipment and supplies.

COVID-19

Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the global outbreak of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, and the related effect on the U.S. and global economies, has continued to have adverse consequences for the business operations of some of the Company’s portfolio companies. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, remain uncertain. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Company invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Company’s investments and negatively impact the Company’s performance.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Fidus Investment Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020. The information contained in this section should also be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Except as otherwise specified, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Fidus” and “FIC” refer to Fidus Investment Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Fidus Investment Corporation, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

•

our future operating results and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon;

•

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;

•

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

•

pandemics or other serious public health events, such as the recent global outbreak of COVID-19;

•

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

•

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon;

•

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

•

our expected financing and investments;

•

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 thereon; and

•

the ability of the Investment Advisor to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

•

an economic downturn, including as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

•

a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our lending and investment activities;

•

interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly because we use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

•

currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than the U.S. dollars; and

•

the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in Item 1A. – Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new debt investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in Item 1.A – Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

General and Corporate Structure

We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which we define as U.S. based companies having revenues between $10.0 million and $150.0 million. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our investment strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives. We seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments in order to help mitigate the potential effects of adverse economic events related to particular companies, regions or industries.

FIC was formed as a Maryland corporation on February 14, 2011. We completed our initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2011. FIC has elected to be treated as business development company, or BDC, under the 1940 Act and our investment activities are managed by Fidus Investment Advisors, our investment advisor, and supervised by the Board, a majority of whom are independent of us. On March 29, 2013, we commenced operations of a wholly-owned subsidiary, Fund II. On April 18, 2018, we commenced operations of another wholly-owned subsidiary, Fund III. Fund II and Fund III are collectively referred to as the “Funds.”

Fund II and Fund III received their SBIC licenses on May 28, 2013, and March 21, 2019, respectively. We plan to continue to operate the Funds as SBICs, subject to SBA approval, and to utilize the proceeds of the sale of SBA-guaranteed debentures to enhance returns to our stockholders. We have also made, and continue to make, investments directly through FIC. We believe that utilizing FIC and the Funds as investment vehicles provides us with access to a broader array of investment opportunities.

We have certain wholly-owned taxable subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”), each of which generally holds one or more of our portfolio investments listed on the consolidated schedules of investments. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, such that our consolidated financial statements reflect our investment in the portfolio company investments owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries. The purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit us to hold equity investments in portfolio companies that are taxed as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (such as entities organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or other forms of pass through entities) while complying with the “source-of-income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with us for U.S. federal corporate income tax purposes, and each Taxable Subsidiary will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income. Any such income or expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

COVID-19 Update

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, as a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020 the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 has, and continues, to severely impact global economic activity and cause significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, mandating business and school closures and restricting travel. Such actions are creating disruption in global supply chains and adversely impacting a number of industries. The outbreak could have a continued adverse impact on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of COVID-19. Nevertheless, COVID-19 presents material uncertainty and risks with respect to the underlying value of the Company’s portfolio companies, the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, such as the potential negative impact to financing arrangements, company decisions to delay, defer and/or modify the character of dividends in order to preserve liquidity, increased costs of operations, changes in law and/or regulation, and uncertainty regarding government and regulatory policy.

We have evaluated subsequent events from October 1, 2020 through October 29, 2020. However, as the discussion in this Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates to the Company’s financial statements for the quarter-ended September 30, 2020, the analysis contained herein may not fully account for impacts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that regard, for example, as of September 30, 2020, the Company valued its portfolio investments in conformity with GAAP based on the facts and circumstances known by the Company at that time, or reasonably expected to be known at that time. Due to the overall volatility that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, any valuations conducted now or in the future in conformity with GAAP could result in a lower fair value of our portfolio. The potential impact to our results going forward will depend to a large extent on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities and other entities to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, the Company cannot predict the extent to which its financial condition and results of operations will be affected at this time.

Investments

We seek to create a diversified investment portfolio that primarily includes debt investments and, to a lesser extent, equity securities. Our investments typically range between $5.0 million to $35.0 million per portfolio company, although this investment size may vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. We may invest in the equity securities of our portfolio companies, such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other equity interests, either directly or in conjunction with our debt investments.

Second Lien Debt. The majority of our debt investments take the form of second lien debt, which includes senior subordinated notes. Second lien debt investments obtain security interests in the assets of the portfolio company as collateral in support of the repayment of such loans. Second lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first lien debt secured by those assets. First lien lenders and second lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first lien lenders with priority over the second lien lenders’ liens on the collateral. These loans typically provide for no contractual loan amortization, with all amortization deferred until loan maturity, and may include payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which increases the principal balance over the term and, coupled with the deferred principal payment provision, increases credit risk exposure over the life of the loan.

Subordinated Debt. These investments are typically structured as unsecured, subordinated notes. Structurally, subordinated debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first lien and second lien debt and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first lien and second lien debt. Subordinated debt may rank junior as it relates to proceeds in certain liquidations where it does not have the benefit of a lien in specific collateral held by creditors (typically first lien and/or second lien) who have a perfected security interest in such collateral. However, subordinated debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. These loans typically have relatively higher fixed interest rates (often representing a combination of cash pay and PIK interest) and amortization of principal deferred to maturity. The PIK feature (meaning a feature allowing for the payment of interest in the form of additional principal amount of the loan instead of in cash), which effectively operates as negative amortization of loan principal, coupled with the deferred principal payment provision, increases credit risk exposure over the life of the loan.

First Lien Debt. To a lesser extent, we also structure some of our debt investments as senior secured or first lien debt investments. First lien debt investments are secured by a first priority lien on existing and future assets of the borrower and may take the form of term loans or revolving lines of credit. First lien debt is typically senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second lien lenders in those assets. Our first lien debt may include stand-alone first lien loans, “last out” first lien loans, or “unitranche” loans. Stand-alone first lien loans are traditional first lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest. “Last out” first lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first lien loan are set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second lien lenders often are subject.

Many of our debt investments also include excess cash flow sweep features, whereby principal repayment may be required before maturity if the portfolio company achieves certain defined operating targets. Additionally, our debt investments typically have principal prepayment penalties in the early years of the debt investment. The majority of our debt investments provide for a fixed interest rate.

Equity Securities. Our equity securities typically consist of either a direct minority equity investment in common or preferred stock or membership/partnership interests of a portfolio company, or we may receive warrants to buy a minority equity interest in a portfolio company in connection with a debt investment. Warrants we receive with our debt investments typically require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments, and in many cases, we acquire equity securities as part of a group of private equity investors in which we are not the lead investor. We may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as a “put,” or right to sell such securities back to the issuer, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights. Our equity investments typically are made in connection with debt investments to the same portfolio companies.

Revenues: We generate revenue in the form of interest and fee income on debt investments and dividends, if any, on equity investments. Our debt investments, whether in the form of second lien, subordinated or first lien loans, typically have terms of five to seven years and most bear interest at a fixed rate, but some bear interest at a floating rate. In some instances, we receive payments on our debt investments based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we may receive repayments of some of our debt investments prior to their scheduled maturity dates, which may include prepayment penalties. The frequency or volume of these repayments fluctuates significantly from period to period. Our portfolio activity may reflect the proceeds of sales of securities. In some cases, our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of debt investments and any accrued but unpaid interest generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, amendment, or structuring fees and fees for providing managerial assistance. Debt investment origination fees, OID and market discount or premium, if any, are capitalized, and we accrete or amortize such amounts into interest income. We record prepayment penalties on debt investments as fee income when earned. Interest and dividend income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt investment. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions of earnings from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company. Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which we are accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or may be applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, payments are likely to remain current. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates – Revenue Recognition.”

We recognize realized gains or losses on investments based on the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We record current period changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

Expenses: All investment professionals of the Investment Advisor and/or its affiliates, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses allocable to personnel who provide these services to us, are provided and paid for by the Investment Advisor and not by us. We bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to:

•

organization;

•

calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

•

fees and expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor under the Investment Advisory Agreement or payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs for us and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies or otherwise relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments, including “dead deal” costs;

•

interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;

•

offerings of our common stock and other securities;

•

investment advisory fees and management fees;

•

administration fees and expenses, if any, payable under the Administration Agreement (including payments under the Administration Agreement between us and the Investment Advisor based upon our allocable portion of the Investment Advisor’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our officers, including our chief compliance officer, our chief financial officer, and their respective staffs);

•

transfer agent, dividend agent and custodial fees and expenses;

•

federal and state registration fees;

•

all costs of registration and listing our shares on any securities exchange;

•

U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

•

Independent Directors’ fees and expenses;

•

costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the SEC or other regulators including printing costs;

•

costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing and mailing costs;

•

our allocable portion of any fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

•

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs;

•

proxy voting expenses; and

•

all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or the Investment Advisor in connection with administering our business.

Portfolio Composition, Investment Activity and Yield

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we invested $86.1 million and $175.5 million, respectively, in debt and equity investments including five and 10 new portfolio companies, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we received proceeds from sales or repayments, including principal, return of capital dividends and net realized gains (losses), of $110.1 million and $98.8 million, respectively, including exits of three and seven portfolio companies, respectively. The following table summarizes investment purchases and sales and repayments of investments by type for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in millions).


	Purchases of Investments								Sales and Repayments of Investments
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Second Lien Debt	$	22.0	25.5	%	$	43.4	24.8	%	$	25.2	22.9	%	$	39.5	39.9	%
Subordinated Debt		13.5	15.7			70.0	39.9			10.6	9.6			32.0	32.4
First Lien Debt		49.2	57.2			55.2	31.4			26.2	23.8			13.4	13.6
Equity		1.4	1.6			6.9	3.9			43.6	39.6			13.9	14.1
Warrants		—	—			—	—			4.5	4.1			—	—
Royalty Rights		—	—			—	—			—	—			—	—

Total	$	86.1	100.0	%	$	175.5	100.0	%	$	110.1	100.0	%	$	98.8	100.0	%

As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $715.4 million and consisted of 63 active portfolio companies and three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. As of September 30, 2020, 19 portfolio companies’ debt investments bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $203.0 million, or 32.4%, of our debt investment portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt investment portfolio was comprised of fixed rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized depreciation of $(1.0) million as of September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, our average active portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $11.3 million, which excludes investments in the three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations.

As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $766.9 million and consisted of 61 active portfolio companies and three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. As of December 31, 2019, 17 portfolio companies’ debt investments bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $181.3 million, or 28.7%, of our debt investment portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt investment portfolio was comprised of fixed rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized appreciation of $62.4 million as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, our average active portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $11.5 million, which excludes investments in the three portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations.

The weighted average yield on debt investments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 12.1% and 12.0%, respectively. The weighted average yield of our debt investments is not the same as a return on investment for our stockholders but, rather, relates to a portion of our investment portfolio and is calculated before the payment of all of our and our subsidiaries’ fees and expenses. The weighted average yields were computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost including the accretion of OID and debt investment origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any.

The following table shows the portfolio composition by investment type at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments (dollars in millions):


	Fair Value								Cost
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Second Lien Debt	$	352.2	49.2	%	$	383.1	49.9	%	$	392.3	54.8	%	$	392.2	55.7	%
Subordinated Debt		144.1	20.1			140.8	18.4			143.9	20.1			140.7	20.0
First Lien Debt		130.7	18.3			108.3	14.1			130.2	18.2			107.7	15.3
Equity		85.8	12.0			126.6	16.5			46.8	6.5			58.1	8.2
Warrants		2.6	0.4			8.1	1.1			3.2	0.4			5.8	0.8
Royalty Rights		—	—			—	—			—	—			—	—

Total	$	715.4	100.0	%	$	766.9	100.0	%	$	716.4	100.0	%	$	704.5	100.0	%

All investments made by us as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were made in portfolio companies headquartered in the U.S. The following table shows portfolio composition by geographic region at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments (dollars in millions). The geographic composition 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.


	Fair Value								Cost
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Midwest	$	206.4	28.9	%	$	208.2	27.1	%	$	178.6	24.9	%	$	181.3	25.7	%
Southeast		149.4	20.9			160.0	20.9			140.1	19.6			138.1	19.6
Northeast		138.3	19.3			154.7	20.2			143.6	20.0			142.1	20.2
West		87.4	12.2			76.3	9.9			88.5	12.4			76.6	10.9
Southwest		133.9	18.7			167.7	21.9			165.6	23.1			166.4	23.6

Total	$	715.4	100.0	%	$	766.9	100.0	%	$	716.4	100.0	%	$	704.5	100.0	%

The following table shows the detailed industry composition of our portfolio at fair value and cost as a percentage of total investments:


	Fair Value						Cost
	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Specialty Distribution		18.4	%		16.9	%		18.2	%		18.3	%
Information Technology Services		13.4			11.8			12.8			11.9
Business Services		12.8			12.1			12.5			13.0
Healthcare Products		9.3			8.6			5.5			5.7
Component Manufacturing		7.4			5.2			7.3			6.2
Consumer Products		4.2			2.8			4.1			3.4
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing		3.6			4.5			4.0			3.8
Retail		3.6			3.8			4.3			4.2
Healthcare Services		3.4			5.6			3.6			5.8
Promotional Products		3.3			3.5			3.5			3.6
Building Products Manufacturing		3.3			2.7			3.6			3.3
Transportation Services		3.1			3.4			3.0			3.3
Utilities: Services		2.6			2.4			2.6			2.6
Environmental Industries		2.5			2.4			2.5			2.6
Oil & Gas Services		2.4			4.3			0.8			0.8
Packaging		2.1			2.0			2.1			2.1
Industrial Cleaning & Coatings		1.5			2.0			1.8			2.2
Oil & Gas Distribution		1.5			0.8			1.5			0.8
Utility Equipment Manufacturing		0.9			0.9			1.2			1.2
Vending Equipment Manufacturing		0.7			4.3			5.0			5.1
Restaurants		0.0	⁽¹⁾		0.0	⁽¹⁾		0.1			0.1
Specialty Chemicals		0.0	⁽¹⁾		0.0	⁽¹⁾		0.0	⁽¹⁾		0.0	⁽¹⁾

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

(1)	Percentage is less than 0.1% of respective total.

Portfolio Asset Quality

In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, the Investment Advisor uses an internally developed investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

•

Investment Rating 1 is used for investments that involve the least amount of risk in our portfolio. The portfolio company is performing above expectations, the debt investment is expected to be paid in the near term and the trends and risk factors are favorable, and may include an expected capital gain on the equity investment.

•

Investment Rating 2 is used for investments that involve a level of risk similar to the risk at the time of origination. The portfolio company is performing substantially within our expectations and the risk factors are neutral or favorable. Each new portfolio investment enters our portfolio with Investment Rating 2.

•

Investment Rating 3 is used for investments performing below expectations and indicates the investment’s risk has increased somewhat since origination. The portfolio company requires closer monitoring, but we expect a full return of principal and collection of all interest and/or dividends.

•

Investment Rating 4 is used for investments performing materially below expectations and the risk has increased materially since origination. The investment has the potential for some loss of investment return, but we expect no loss of principal.

•

Investment Rating 5 is used for investments performing substantially below our expectations and the risks have increased substantially since origination. We expect some loss of principal.

The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value and cost as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (dollars in millions):


	Fair Value								Cost
Investment Rating	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
1	$	104.2	14.5	%	$	100.1	13.1	%	$	55.3	7.7	%	$	29.0	4.2	%
2		514.3	71.9			580.5	75.7			509.3	71.1			570.1	80.9
3		90.5	12.7			84.6	11.0			101.7	14.2			96.7	13.7
4		0.9	0.1			1.7	0.2			4.1	0.6			5.8	0.8
5		5.5	0.8			—	—			46.0	6.4			2.9	0.4

Total	$	715.4	100.0	%	$	766.9	100.0	%	$	716.4	100.0	%	$	704.5	100.0	%

Based on our investment rating system, the weighted average rating of our portfolio as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 2.0 on a fair value basis and 2.3 and 2.1, respectively, on a cost basis.

Non-Accrual

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had debt investments in one portfolio company on non-accrual status, (dollars in millions):


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Portfolio Company	Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value		Cost
Accent Food Services, LLC	$	5.3	$	35.3	$	33.1	$	35.3

Total	$	5.3	$	35.3	$	33.1	$	35.3

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations

Comparison of three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

Investment Income

Below is a summary of the changes in total investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 (dollars in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		$ Change			% Change ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Interest income	$	18.8	$	16.1	$	2.7			16.3	%
Payment-in-kind interest income		1.2		2.3		(1.1	)		(44.6	%)
Dividend income		0.5		—		0.5			NM
Fee income		0.4		0.8		(0.4	)		(48.2	%)
Interest on idle funds and other income		0.2		—		0.2			NM

Total investment income	$	21.1	$	19.2	$	1.9			9.8	%

(1)	NM = Not meaningful

(2)	Percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands as presented on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, total investment income was $21.1 million, an increase of $1.9 million or 9.8%, from the $19.2 million of total investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2019. As reflected in the table above, the increase is primarily attributable to the following:

•

$1.6 million increase in total interest income (which includes a $1.1 million decrease in payment-in-kind interest income) resulting from higher average debt investment balances outstanding, during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

$0.5 million increase in dividend income, during 2020 as compared to 2019, due to increased levels of distributions received from equity investments and tax true-ups related to the tax character of prior year distributions.

•

$(0.4) million decrease in fee income resulting from a decrease in structuring fees due to a comparative decrease in new investments partially offset by an increase in amendment fee income and an increase in prepayment fee income, during 2020 as compared to 2019.

Below is a summary of the changes in total investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 (dollars in millions):


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		$ Change			% Change ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Interest income	$	55.1	$	45.2	$	9.9			21.8	%
Payment-in-kind interest income		3.5		7.8		(4.3	)		(55.2	%)
Dividend income		0.6		0.9		(0.3	)		(29.6	%)
Fee income		2.0		3.6		(1.6	)		(44.7	%)
Interest on idle funds and other income		0.3		0.1		0.2			189.7	%

Total investment income	$	61.5	$	57.6	$	3.9			6.8	%

(1)	NM = Not meaningful

(2)	Percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands as presented on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, total investment income was $61.5 million, an increase of $3.9 million or 6.8%, from the $57.6 million of total investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As reflected in the table above, the increase is primarily attributable to the following:

•

$5.6 million increase in total interest income (which includes a $4.3 million decrease in payment-in-kind interest income) resulting from higher average debt investment balances outstanding, during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

$(0.3) million decrease in dividend income, during 2020 as compared to 2019, due to decreased levels of distributions received from equity investments.

•

$(1.6) million decrease in fee income resulting from a decrease in prepayment fee income, a decrease in structuring fees due to a comparative decrease in new investments, offset by an increase in amendment fee income, during 2020 as compared to 2019.

Expenses

Below is a summary of the changes in total expenses, including income tax provision, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 (dollars in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019			$ Change		% Change ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Interest and financing expenses	$	4.9	$	4.4		$	0.5		10.3	%
Base management fee		3.2		3.2			—		NM
Incentive fee - income		2.4		2.2			0.2		9.8	%
Incentive fee - capital gains		2.8		1.3			1.5		111.2	%
Administrative service expenses		0.4		0.4			—		NM
Professional fees		0.3		0.2			0.1		38.7	%
Other general and administrative expenses		0.2		0.2			—		NM

Total expenses, before income incentive fee waiver		14.2		11.9			2.3		18.9	%
Incentive fee waiver - income		—		—			—		NM

Total expenses, before income tax provision		14.2		11.9			2.3		18.9	%
Income tax provision (benefit)		—		(0.1	)		0.1		(102.5	%)

Total expenses, including income tax provision	$	14.2	$	11.8		$	2.4		19.7	%

(1)	NM = Not meaningful

(2)	Percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands as presented on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $14.2 million, an increase of $2.4 million or 19.7%, from the $11.8 million of total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019. As reflected in the table above, changes across periods were primarily attributable to the following:

•

$1.5 million increase in the capital gains incentive fee due to a $7.3 million increase in net gain on investments (net realized gains (losses), plus net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, plus realized losses on extinguishment of debt) during 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019.

•

$0.5 million increase in interest and financing expenses due to an increase in average borrowings outstanding during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

$0.2 million net increase in the income incentive fee due to a $1.2 million increase in pre-incentive fee net investment income during 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019.

•

$0.1 million increase in professional fees due to increased legal, audit and tax compliance costs during 2020 as compared to 2019.

Below is a summary of the changes in total expenses, including income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 (dollars in millions):


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019		$ Change			% Change ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Interest and financing expenses	$	14.7		$	12.2	$	2.5			20.5	%
Base management fee		9.7			9.1		0.6			6.9	%
Incentive fee - income		6.3			5.9		0.4			6.6	%
Incentive fee - capital gains		(6.4	)		0.4		(6.8	)		(1810.5	%)
Administrative service expenses		1.2			1.2		—			NM
Professional fees		1.5			1.2		0.3			24.3	%
Other general and administrative expenses		1.2			1.0		0.2			3.3	%

Total expenses, before income incentive fee waiver		28.2			31.0		(2.8	)		(9.2	%)
Incentive fee waiver - income		(0.4	)		—		(0.4	)		NM

Total expenses, before income tax provision		27.8			31.0		(3.2	)		(10.6	%)
Income tax provision (benefit)		0.2			—		0.2			NM

Total expenses, including income tax provision	$	28.0		$	31.0	$	(3.0	)		(10.0	%)

(1)	NM = Not meaningful

(2)	Percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands as presented on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $28.0 million, a decrease of $(3.0) million, or (10.0)%, from the $31.0 million of total expenses, including income tax provision, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As reflected in the table above, the decrease is primarily attributable to the following:

•

$2.5 million increase in interest and financing expenses due to an increase in average borrowings outstanding during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

$0.6 million increase in base management fee due to higher average total assets during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

$0.3 million increase in professional fees due to increased legal, audit and tax compliance costs during 2020 as compared to 2019.

•

No meaningful change in the income incentive fee as the $0.4 million net increase in the income incentive fee due to a $0.6 million increase in pre-incentive fee net investment income during 2020 was offset by a one-time $0.4 million incentive fee waiver during 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019.

•

$(6.8) million decrease in the capital gains incentive fee due to a $(33.8) million increase in net (loss) on investments (net realized gains (losses), plus net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, plus realized losses on extinguishment of debt), as compared to the same period in 2019.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income decreased by $(0.5) million, or (6.2)%, to $6.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, as a result of the $2.4 million increase in total expenses, including incentive fee waiver and income tax provision, partially offset by the $1.9 increase in total investment income.

Net investment income increased by $6.9 million, or 26.3%, to $33.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, as a result of the $3.9 million increase in total investment income and a decrease in total expenses, including incentive fee waiver and income tax provision, of $(3.0) million.

Net Gain (Loss) on Investments

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the total net realized gain on investments, before income tax provision on realized gains, was $1.3 million and $32.9 million, respectively. Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments was zero and $(1.1) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Significant realized gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are summarized below (dollars in millions):


		Period Ended September 30, 2020
Portfolio Company	Realization Event ⁽¹⁾	Three Months			Nine Months
Pfanstiehl, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment	$	—		$	12.8
Fiber Materials, Inc.	Sale of portfolio company		(0.1	)		9.7
Microbiology Research Associates, Inc.	Sale of portfolio company		1.4			1.7
Medsurant Holdings, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			1.7
Revenue Management Solutions, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			1.5
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			1.1
Gurobi Optimization, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			1.0
Hub Acquisition Sub, LLC (dba Hub Pen)	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.6
Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.5
Pugh Lubricants, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.4
ControlScan, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.3
Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment Center, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.3
BCM One Group Holdings, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.2
Software Technology, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.2
LNG Indy, LLC (dba Kinetrex Energy)	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.2
Wheel Pros, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.1
New Era Technology, Inc.	Escrow distribution		—			0.1
Apex Microtechnology, Inc.	Escrow distribution		—			0.1
Allied 100 Group, Inc.	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.1
Restaurant Finance Co, LLC	Escrow distribution		—			0.1
Allredi, LLC (fka Marco Group International OpCo, LLC)	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			0.1
Vanguard Dealer Services, L.L.C.	Escrow distribution		—			0.1
Other			—			0.1
Palisade Company, LLC	Sold 50% of equity investment		—			(0.1	)

Net realized gain (loss) on investments			1.3			32.9
Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments			—			(1.1	)

Net realized gain (loss), net of income tax provision, on investments		$	1.3		$	31.8

(1)

As it relates to realization events, we define an ‘exit’ of a portfolio company as situations where we have completely exited our position in all of the portfolio company’s securities and no longer carry the portfolio company on our schedule of investments. We define a ‘sale’ of a portfolio company, distinguished from an exit, as situations where the underlying operations of a portfolio company have been sold, but where we retain a residual ownership interest in the legacy entity (we generally distinguish these residual portfolio company investments from ‘active’ portfolio company investments).

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the total net realized gain (loss) on investments, before income tax provision on realized gains, was $10.5 million and $8.8 million, respectively. Income tax provision from realized gains on investments was $0.1 million and $(0.2) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Significant realized gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are summarized below (dollars in millions):


		Period Ended September 30, 2019
Portfolio Company	Realization Event ⁽¹⁾	Three Months			Nine Months
The Wolf Organization, LLC	Exit of portfolio company	$	3.9		$	3.9
Vanguard Dealer Services, L.L.C.	Sale of portfolio company		3.7			3.7
New Era Technology, Inc.	Exit of portfolio company		3.1			3.1
Other			—			0.2
Malabar International	Escrow distribution		—			0.1
inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.	Exit of portfolio company		(0.2	)		(0.2	)
Trantech Radiator Products, Inc.	Exit of portfolio company		—			(0.3	)
Consolidated Infrastructure Group Holdings, LP	Exit of portfolio company		—			(0.4	)
K2 Industrial Services, Inc.	Exit of portfolio company		—			(1.3	)

Net realized gain (loss) on investments			10.5			8.8
Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments			0.1			(0.2	)

Net realized gain (loss), net of income tax provision, on investments		$	10.6		$	8.6

(1)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments attributable to the following (dollars in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)	2020			2019			2020			2019
Exit, sale or restructuring of investments	$	—		$	(6.5	)	$	(30.0	)	$	(4.2	)
Fair value adjustments to debt investments		(1.1	)		2.5			(31.1	)		(11.2	)
Fair value adjustments to equity investments		13.8			0.2			(2.3	)		9.1

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	$	12.7		$	(3.8	)	$	(63.4	)	$	(6.3	)

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $20.7 million and $13.9 million, respectively, as a result of the events described above.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $1.7 million and $28.5 million, respectively, as a result of the events described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2020, we had $24.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and our net assets totaled $389.6 million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents on hand, our Credit Facility, our continued access to SBA-guaranteed debentures, and our anticipated cash flows from investments will provide adequate capital resources with which to operate and finance our investment business and make distributions to our stockholders for at least the next 12 months. We intend to generate additional cash primarily from the future offerings of securities (including the “at-the-market” program) and future borrowings, as well as cash flows from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies. On both a short-term and long-term basis, our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to our stockholders. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we repaid $16.5 million of SBA debentures which would have matured during the period September 1, 2024 through September 1, 2028. Our remaining outstanding SBA debentures continue to mature in 2025 and subsequent years through 2030, which will require repayment on or before the respective maturity dates.

Cash Flows

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $9.7 million. During that period, $47.1 million of cash was provided by operating activities, which included the funding of $86.1 million of investments, which were offset by proceeds received from sales and repayments of investments of $110.1 million. During the same period, we paid $24.2 million in cash dividends to stockholders, repaid net SBA debentures of $10.5 million, repaid net borrowings of $2.0 million under our Credit Facility, paid deferred financing costs related to our debt financings of $0.5 million, and repurchased of common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program of $0.3 million.

Capital Resources

We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities on a long-term basis through a combination of additional debt and equity capital.

SBA debentures

The Funds are licensed SBICs, and have the ability to issue debentures guaranteed by the SBA at favorable interest rates. Under the Small Business Investment Act and the SBA rules applicable to SBICs, an SBIC can have outstanding at any time debentures guaranteed by the SBA in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital. The SBA regulations currently limit the amount that is available to be borrowed by any SBIC and guaranteed by the SBA to 300.0% of an SBIC’s regulatory capital or $175.0 million, whichever is less. For three or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350.0 million. SBA debentures have fixed interest rates that approximate prevailing 10-year Treasury Note rates plus a spread and have a maturity of ten years with interest payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the SBA debentures is not required to be paid before maturity but may be pre-paid at any time. As of September 30, 2020, Fund II and Fund III had $133.5 million and $13.5 million of outstanding SBA debentures, respectively. Subject to SBA regulatory requirements and approval, Fund III may access up to $161.5 million of additional SBA debentures under the SBIC debenture program. For more information on the SBA debentures, please refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.

Credit Facility

In June 2014, we entered into the Credit Facility to provide additional funding for our investment and operational activities. On April 24, 2019, we entered into the Amended Credit Agreement, which amends, restates, and replaces the Credit Facility. On June 26, 2020, the Company amended the Amended Credit Agreement, however the material terms were unchanged. Among other revisions, the amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement modifies certain covenants therein, including to amend the minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio to be 2.25 to 1.00 for the four quarter period ending on June 30, 2020, 2.00 to 1.00 for the four quarter periods ending on each of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020, and 1.75 to 1.00 for each four quarter period ending at the end of each quarter thereafter. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, excluding the assets of the Funds.

Under the Amended Credit Agreement, (i) revolving commitments by lenders were increased from $90.0 million to $100.0 million, with an accordion feature that allows for an increase in total commitments up to $250.0 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions at the time of any such future increase, (ii) the maturity date of the credit facility was extended from June 16, 2019 to April 24, 2023, and (iii) borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our election, at a rate per annum equal to (a) 3.00% (or 2.75% if certain conditions are satisfied, including if (x) no equity interests are included in the borrowing base, (y) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans is greater than or equal to 35%, and (z) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans, performing last out loans, or performing second lien loans is greater than or equal to 60%) plus the one, two, three or six month LIBOR rate, as applicable, or (b) 2.00% (or 1.75% if the above conditions are satisfied) plus the highest of (A) a prime rate, (B) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, (C) three month LIBOR plus 1.0%, and (D) zero. We pay a commitment fee that varies depending on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility: 3.00% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at or below 35% of the commitments and 0.50% per annum on any remaining unused portion of the Credit Facility between the total commitments and the 35% minimum utilization. The Amended Credit Agreement also modifies certain covenants in the Credit Facility, including to provide for a minimum asset coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1 (on a regulatory basis). The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, excluding the assets of our SBIC subsidiaries.

Amounts available to borrow under the Credit Facility are subject to a minimum borrowing/collateral base that applies an advance rate to certain portfolio investments held by us, excluding investments held by the Funds. We are subject to limitations with respect to the investments securing the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status and collateral interests, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow.

We have made customary representations and warranties and are required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Facility.

Public Notes

On February 2, 2018, we closed the public offering of approximately $43.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.875% notes due 2023, or the “2023 Notes.” On February 22, 2018, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $6.5 million in aggregate principal of the 2023 Notes. The total net proceeds to us from the 2023 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $1.5 million and offering expenses of $0.4 million, were approximately $48.1 million.

The 2023 Notes will mature on February 1, 2023 and bear interest at a rate of 5.875%. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after February 1, 2020. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year. The 2023 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSL.” As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding principal balance of the 2023 Notes was $50.0 million.

On February 8, 2019, we closed the public offering of approximately $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.000% notes due 2024, or the “2024 Notes”. On February 19, 2019, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $9.0 million in aggregate principal of the 2024 Notes. The total net proceeds to us from the 2024 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $2.1 million and offering expenses of $0.4 million, were approximately $66.5 million.

The 2024 Notes will mature on February 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 6.000%. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after February 15, 2021. Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning May 15, 2019. The 2024 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSZ.” As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding principal balance of the 2024 Notes was $69.0 million.

On October 16, 2019, we closed the public offering of approximately $55.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.375% notes due 2024, or the “November 2024 Notes” (and collectively with the 2023 Notes and the February 2024 Notes, the “Public Notes”). On October 23, 2019, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional $8.3 million in aggregate principal of the November 2024 Notes. The total net proceeds to us from the November 2024 Notes, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option, after deducting underwriting discounts of approximately $1.9 million and offering expenses of $0.3 million, were approximately $61.1 million.

The November 2024 Notes will mature on November 1, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.375%. The November 2024 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after November 1, 2021. Interest on the November 2024 Notes is payable quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2020. The November 2024 Notes are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “FDUSG.” As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding principal balance of the November 2024 Notes was approximately $63.3 million.

The Public Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with our future unsecured indebtedness; effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities we may form in the future, with respect to claims on the assets of any such subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities.

As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average stated interest rates for our SBA debentures, Public Notes, and the Credit Facility were 3.297%, 5.749%, and 3.188% respectively. As of September 30, 2020, we had $77.0 million of unutilized commitment under our Credit Facility, and we were subject to a 0.890% fee on such amount. As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average stated interest rate on total debt outstanding was 4.558%.

As a BDC, we are generally required to meet an asset coverage ratio of at least 200.0% (or 150.0% on and after April 29, 2020) (defined as the ratio which the value of our consolidated total assets, less all consolidated liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness), which includes borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. We have received exemptive relief from the SEC to allow us to exclude any indebtedness guaranteed by the SBA and issued by the Funds from the 200.0% asset coverage requirements, which, in turn, will enable us to fund more investments with debt capital. Recent legislation, however, modifies the required minimum asset coverage ratio from 200.0% to 150.0%, if certain requirements are met. Under the legislation, we are allowed to increase our leverage capacity if stockholders representing at least a majority of the votes cast, when a quorum is present, approve a proposal to do so. If we receive stockholder approval, we would be allowed to increase our leverage capacity on the first day after such approval. Alternatively, the legislation allows the majority of the Independent Directors to approve an increase in our leverage capacity, and such approval would become effective after the one-year anniversary of such approval.

On April 29, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, approved a minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% under Sections 18(a)(1) and 18(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. As a result, we became subject to the 150% asset coverage ratio effective as of April 29, 2020. At present time, we do not intend to seek stockholder approval to reduce our asset coverage requirement. As of September 30, 2020, the aggregate amount outstanding of the senior securities issued by the Company was $205.3 million, for which our asset coverage was 289.8%. The SBA-guaranteed debentures are not subject to the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act as a result of exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC effective March 27, 2012. The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by total senior securities representing indebtedness.

As a BDC, we are generally not permitted to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if the Board, including the Independent Directors, determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale. On June 4, 2020, our stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 4, 2021 or the date of our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our stockholders specified that the cumulative number of shares sold in each offering during the one-year period ending on the earlier of June 4, 2021 or the date of our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may not exceed 25.0% of our outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale.

Stock Repurchase Program

We have an open market stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under which we may acquire up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, we may, but are not obligated to, repurchase outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that we comply with the prohibitions under our insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain price, market value and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by our management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. On October 26, 2020, the Board extended the Stock Repurchase Program through December 31, 2021, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The Stock Repurchase Program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and we cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased zero and 25,719 shares of common stock on the open market for zero and $0.3 million, respectively. We did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning stock repurchases.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. We continuously evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

As a BDC, we report our assets and liabilities at fair value at all times consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Accordingly, we are required to periodically determine the fair value of all of our portfolio investments.

Our investments generally consist of illiquid securities including debt and equity investments in lower middle-market companies. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for substantially all of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board using a documented valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the difference could be material.

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

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our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially evaluated and rated by the investment professionals of the Investment Advisor responsible for the portfolio investment;

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preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the investment committee of the Investment Advisor;

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the Board engages one or more independent valuation firm(s) to conduct independent appraisals of a selection of our portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Each portfolio company investment is generally appraised by the valuation firm(s) at least once every calendar year and each new portfolio company investment is appraised at least once in the twelve-month period following the initial investment. In certain instances, we may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result it is not in our stockholders’ best interest, to request the independent appraisal of certain portfolio company investments. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where we determine that the fair value of the portfolio company investment is relatively insignificant to the fair value of the total portfolio. The Board consulted with the independent valuation firm(s) in arriving at our determination of fair value for 17 and 13 of our portfolio company investments representing 25.8% and 30.9% of the total portfolio investments at fair value (exclusive of new portfolio company investments made during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively) as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively;

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the Board discusses the valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of the Investment Advisor, the independent valuation firm(s) and the audit committee.

In making the good faith determination of the value of portfolio investments, we start with the cost basis of the security. The transaction price is typically the best estimate of fair value at inception. When evidence supports a subsequent change to the carrying value from the original transaction price, adjustments are made to reflect the expected exit values.

Consistent with the policies and methodologies adopted by the Board, we perform detailed valuations of our debt and equity investments, including an analysis on the Company’s unfunded debt investment commitments, using both the market and income approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, we typically use the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of an investment. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally best expressed as a range of values, from which we derive a single estimate of enterprise value. Under the income approach, we typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models to estimate the present value of future cash flows of either an individual debt investment or of the underlying portfolio company itself.

We evaluate investments in portfolio companies using the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts. We also consult with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain further updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development and other operational issues.

For our debt investments the primary valuation technique used to estimate the fair value is the discounted cash flow method. However, if there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt investment is in workout status, we may consider other methods in determining the fair value, including the value attributable to the debt investment from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis. Our discounted cash flow models estimate a range of fair values by applying an appropriate discount rate to the future cash flow streams of our debt investments, based on future interest and principal payments as set forth in the associated debt investment agreements. We prepare a weighted average cost of capital for use in the discounted cash flow model for each investment, based on factors including, but not limited to: current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed or executed investment transactions of private companies; the portfolio company’s historical financial results and outlook; and the portfolio company’s current leverage and credit quality as compared to leverage and credit quality as of the date the investment was made. We may also consider the following factors when determining the fair value of debt investments: the portfolio company’s ability to make future scheduled payments; prepayment penalties and other fees; estimated remaining life; the nature and realizable value of any collateral securing such debt investment; and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that generally may affect the price at which similar investments may be made. We estimate the remaining life of our debt investments to generally be the legal maturity date of the instrument, as we generally intend to hold debt investments to maturity. However, if we have information available to us that the debt investment is expected to be repaid in the near term, we would use an estimated remaining life based on the expected repayment date.

For our equity investments, including equity securities and warrants, we generally use a market approach, including valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, to estimate the enterprise value of portfolio companies. Typically, the enterprise value of a private company is based on multiples of EBITDA, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to original transaction multiples, the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.

We may also utilize an income approach when estimating the fair value of our equity securities, either as a primary methodology if consistent with industry practice or if the market approach is otherwise not applicable, or as a supporting methodology to corroborate the fair value ranges determined by the market approach. We typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows (or earnings) of the portfolio company. We consider various factors, including but not limited to the portfolio company’s projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.

The fair value of our royalty rights are calculated based on projected future cash flows and the specific provisions contained in the pertinent royalty agreement. The determination of the fair value of such royalty rights is not a significant component of our valuation process.

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainties with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any changes in such valuations, on the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Investments and related investment income. Realized gains or losses on investments are recorded upon the sale or disposition of a portfolio investment and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the consolidated statements of operations includes changes in the fair value of investments from the prior period, as determined by the Board through the application of our valuation policy, as well as reclassifications of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments to realized gains or losses on investments.

Interest and dividend income. Interest and dividend income are recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company.

PIK income. Certain of our investments contain a PIK income provision. The PIK income, computed at the contractual rate specified in the applicable investment agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid in cash, and recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, PIK can be paid-in-kind or all in cash. We stop accruing PIK income when there is reasonable doubt that PIK income will be collected. PIK income that has been contractually capitalized to the principal balance of the investment prior to the non-accrual designation date is not reserved against interest or dividend income, but rather is assessed through the valuation of the investment (with corresponding adjustments to unrealized depreciation, as applicable). PIK income is included in our taxable income and, therefore, affects the amount we are required to pay to our stockholders in the form of dividends in order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid paying corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, even though we have not yet collected the cash.

Non-accrual. Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which we are accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on full non-accrual status. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current.

Warrants. In connection with our debt investments, we will sometimes receive warrants or other equity-related securities (Warrants). We determine the cost basis of Warrants based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and Warrants received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the Warrants is treated as OID and accreted into interest income using the effective interest method over the term of the debt investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted OID is accelerated into interest income.

Fee income. All transaction fees earned in connection with our investments are recognized as fee income and are generally non-recurring. Such fees typically include fees for services, including structuring and advisory services, provided to portfolio companies. We recognize income from fees for providing such structuring and advisory services when the services are rendered or the transactions are completed. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any prepayment penalties are recorded as fee income when earned.

We also typically receive debt investment origination or closing fees in connection with investments. Such debt investment origination and closing fees are capitalized as unearned income and offset against investment cost basis on our consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and accreted into interest income over the term of the investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted debt investment origination and closing fees are accelerated into interest income.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which is intended to improve fair value disclosure requirements by removing disclosures that are not cost-beneficial, clarifying disclosures’ specific requirements, and adding relevant disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2020. No significant changes to the fair value disclosures were necessary in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in order to comply with ASU 2018-13.

SEC Rule 12b-2 Update

In March 2020, the SEC adopted a final rule under SEC Release No. 34-88365 (the “Final Rule”), amending the accelerated filer and large accelerated filer definitions in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. The amendments include a provision under which a BDC will be excluded from the “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” definitions if the BDC has (1) a public float of $75 million or more, but less than $700 million, and (2) has annual investment income of less than $100 million. In addition, BDCs are subject to the same transition provisions for accelerated filer and large accelerated filer status as other issuers, but instead substituting investment income for revenue. The amendments will reduce the number of issuers required to comply with the auditor attestation on the internal control over financial reporting requirement provided under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Final Rule applies to annual report filings due on or after April 27, 2020. The Company is currently assessing this Final Rule, but believes it will no longer be an accelerated filer.

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. We had off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of outstanding commitments to fund various undrawn revolving loans, other debt investments and capital commitments totaling $4.0 and 4.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Such outstanding commitments are summarized in the following table (dollars in millions):


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
Portfolio Company - Investment	Total Commitment			Unfunded Commitment			Total Commitment			Unfunded Commitment
Combined Systems, Inc. - Revolving Loan	$	4.0		$	0.2		$	—		$	—
FDS Avionics Corp. (dba Flight Display Systems) - Revolving Loan		0.2			—			0.2			—
French Transit, LLC - Revolving Loan		—			—			1.0			1.0
Rhino Assembly Company, LLC - Delayed Draw Commitment		0.9			0.9			0.9			0.9
Safety Products Group, LLC - Common Equity (Units)		2.9	⁽¹⁾		2.9	⁽¹⁾		2.9	⁽¹⁾		2.9	⁽¹⁾

Total	$	8.0		$	4.0		$	5.0		$	4.8

(1)	Portfolio company was no longer held at period end. The commitment represents our maximum potential liability related to certain guaranteed obligations stemming from the prior sale of the portfolio company’s underlying operations.

Additional detail for each of the commitments above is provided in our consolidated schedules of investments.

Related Party Transactions

We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:

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We have entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with Fidus Investment Advisors as our investment advisor. Pursuant to the agreement, the Investment Advisor manages our day-to-day operating and investing activities. We pay the Investment Advisor a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements.

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Edward H. Ross, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas C. Lauer, our President, are managers of Fidus Investment Advisors. In May 2015, Fidus Investment Advisors entered into a combination with Fidus Partners, LLC (the “Combination”), by which members of Fidus Investment Advisors and Fidus Partners, LLC (“Partners”) contributed all of their respective membership interest in Fidus Investment Advisors and Partners to a newly formed limited liability company, Fidus Group Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”). As a result, Fidus Investment Advisors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, which is a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware.

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We entered into the Administration Agreement with Fidus Investment Advisors to provide us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct day-to-day operations. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements.

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We entered into a license agreement with Fidus Partners, LLC, pursuant to which Fidus Partners, LLC has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Fidus.”

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On February 25, 2020, the Company entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Fidus Equity Fund I, L.P. (“FEF I”). Pursuant to the Agreement, we will serve as the General Partner of FEF I. Owned by third-party investors, FEF I was formed to purchase 50% of select equity investments from us. On February 25, 2020, we sold 50% of our equity investments in 20 portfolio companies to FEF I and received net proceeds of $35.9 million, resulting in a realized gain, net of estimated taxes, of approximately $20.4 million. We will not receive any fees from FEF I for any services provided in our capacity as the General Partner of FEF I.

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The Investment Advisor, in consultation with the Board, agreed to voluntarily waive $0.4 of the income incentive fee for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. There was no income incentive fee waiver for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

In connection with the IPO and our election to be regulated as a BDC, we applied for and received exemptive relief from the SEC on March 27, 2012 to allow us to take certain actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the 1940 Act, as applicable to BDCs. Effective June 30, 2014, pursuant to separate exemptive relief from the SEC, any SBA debentures issued by Fund II and Fund III are not considered senior securities for purposes of the asset coverage requirements.

While we may co-invest with investment entities managed by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment. The SEC staff has granted us relief sought in an exemptive application that expands our ability to co-invest in portfolio companies with other funds managed by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates (“Affiliated Funds”) in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). Pursuant to the Order, we are permitted to co-invest with our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) or the Independent Directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transactions, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching by us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned, and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies.

In addition, we and the Investment Advisor have each adopted a joint code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the conduct of our and the Investment Advisor’s officers, directors and employees. Additionally, the Investment Advisor has adopted a code of ethics pursuant to rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and in accordance with Rule 17j-1(c) under the 1940 Act. We have also adopted a code of business conduct that is applicable to all officers, directors and employees of Fidus and the Investment Advisor. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the duties imposed by both the 1940 Act and the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Recent Developments

On October 1, 2020, we exited our debt and equity investments in Pugh Lubricants, LLC. We received payment in full of $26.6 million on our subordinated debt investment, which includes a prepayment fee. We received a distribution on our common equity investment for a realized gain of approximately $0.5 million.

On October 26, 2020, our Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share payable on December 18, 2020 to stockholders of record as of December 4, 2020. In addition, our Board of Directors declared a supplemental dividend of $0.04 per share payable December 18, 2020 to stockholders of record as of December 4, 2020.

On October 28, 2020, we invested $6.0 million in second lien debt, which was a partial funding of a $12.0 million note commitment, and $1.5 million common equity in a leading regional distributor of pool equipment and supplies.

Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related effect on the U.S. and global economies, has continued to have adverse consequences for the business operations of some of the Company’s portfolio companies. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, remain uncertain. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Company invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Company’s investments and negatively impact the Company’s performance.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect both our cost of funding and the valuation of our investment portfolio. 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. In addition, U.S. and global capital markets and credit markets have experienced a higher level of stress due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an increase in the level of volatility across such markets and a general decline in value of the securities held by us.

In the future, our investment income may also be affected by changes in various interest rates, including LIBOR and prime rates, to the extent of any debt investments that include floating interest rates. In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks have reduced certain interest rates and LIBOR has decreased. A prolonged reduction in interest rates will reduce our gross investment income and could result in a decrease in our net investment income if such decreases in LIBOR are not offset by a corresponding increase in the spread over LIBOR that we earn on any portfolio investments, a decrease in in our operating expenses, including with respect to our income incentive fee, or a decrease in the interest rate of our floating interest rate liabilities tied to LIBOR. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 19 and 17 portfolio company’s debt investments, respectively, bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $203.0 million and $181.3 million of our portfolio on a fair value basis, respectively, and the remainder of our debt portfolio was comprised entirely of fixed rate investments. Our pooled SBA debentures and our Public Notes bear interest at fixed rates. Our Credit Facility bears interest, at our election, at a rate per annum equal to (a) 3.00% (or 2.75% if certain conditions are satisfied, including if (x) no equity interests are included in the borrowing base, (y) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans is greater than or equal to 35%, and (z) the contribution to the borrowing base of eligible portfolio investments that are performing first lien bank loans, performing last out loans, or performing second lien loans is greater than or equal to 60%) plus the one, two, three or six month LIBOR rate, as applicable, or (b) 2.00% (or 1.75% if the above conditions are satisfied) plus the highest of (A) a prime rate, (B) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, (C) three month LIBOR plus 1.0%, and (D) zero.

Because we currently borrow, and plan to borrow in the future, money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest the funds borrowed. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income if there is not a corresponding increase in interest income generated by our investment portfolio.

The following table shows the approximate annualized increase or decrease in the components of net investment income due to hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates, assuming no changes in our investments and borrowings as of September 30, 2020 (dollars in millions):


Basis Point Increase (Decrease)	Interest Income Increase (Decrease) ^{(1) (2)}			Interest Expense Increase (Decrease)		Net Increase (Decrease)			Net Investment Income ⁽³⁾
(200)	$	(0.1	)	$	—	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)
(150)		(0.1	)		—		(0.1	)		(0.1	)
(100)		(0.1	)		—		(0.1	)		(0.1	)
(50)		(0.1	)		—		(0.1	)		(0.1	)
50		0.2			0.1		0.1			0.1
100		0.4			0.3		0.1			0.1
150		0.7			0.4		0.3			0.2
200		1.4			0.5		0.9			0.7
250		2.4			0.6		1.8			1.4
300		3.4			0.7		2.7			2.2

(1)	Certain of our variable rate debt investments have a LIBOR interest rate floor, which lessens the impact of decreases in interest rates.

(2)	Interest income calculated assuming three-month LIBOR rate as of September 30, 2020.

(3)	Includes the impact of income incentive fee at 20.0% on net increase (decrease) in net interest.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are not, and the Investment Advisor is not, currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to other information set forth in this report, including the risk factor below, you should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. These Risk Factors could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Legislation that took effect in 2018 would allow us to incur additional leverage.

The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Company from incurring indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we have an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200.0% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed 50.0% of the value of our assets). However, in March 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (“the “SBCA”) modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200.0% to an asset coverage ratio of 150.0%, if certain requirements are met. Under the SBCA, we are allowed to increase our leverage capacity if stockholders representing at least a majority of the votes cast, when a quorum is present, approve a proposal to do so. If we receive stockholder approval, we would be allowed to increase our leverage capacity on the first day after such approval. Alternatively, the SBCA allows the “required majority” of the Independent Directors, as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act, to approve an increase in our leverage capacity, and such approval would become effective after the one-year anniversary of such proposal. In either case, we would be required to make certain disclosures on our website and in SEC filings regarding, among other things, the receipt of approval to increase our leverage, our leverage capacity and usage, and risks related to leverage.

Leverage magnifies the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and on invested equity capital. As we use leverage to partially finance our investments, our stockholders will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the NAV attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock dividends, scheduled debt payments, or other payments related to our securities. Increased leverage may also cause a downgrade of our credit rating. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.

Changes relating to the LIBOR calculation process may adversely affect the value of our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.

The London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. We typically use LIBOR as a reference rate in floating-rate loans we extend to portfolio companies such that the interest due to us pursuant to a term loan extended to a portfolio company is calculated using LIBOR. The terms of our debt investments generally include minimum interest rate floors which are calculated based on LIBOR.

In the recent past, concerns have been publicized that some of the member banks surveyed by the British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”) in connection with the calculation of LIBOR across a range of maturities and currencies may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating the inter-bank lending rate applicable to them in order to profit on their derivative positions or to avoid an appearance of capital insufficiency or adverse reputational or other consequences that may have resulted from reporting inter-bank lending rates higher than those they actually submitted. A number of BBA member banks entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to alleged manipulation of LIBOR, and investigations by regulators and governmental authorities in various jurisdictions are ongoing.

Actions by the ICE Benchmark Administration, 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. Potential changes, or uncertainty related to such potential changes may adversely affect the market for LIBOR-based securities, including our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market for LIBOR-based securities or the value of our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us.

On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. In addition, on March 25, 2020, the FCA stated that although the central assumption that firms cannot rely on LIBOR being published after the end of 2021 has not changed, the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted the timing of many firms’ transition planning, and the FCA will continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transition timelines and update the marketplace as soon as possible. It is unclear if after 2021 LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. We have exposure to LIBOR, including in financial instruments that mature after 2021. Our exposure arises from the value of our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.

In the United States, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 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 a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing SOFR in April 2018. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain, including whether the COVID-19 pandemic will have further effect on LIBOR transition plans.

The elimination of LIBOR or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. If LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate the credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established.

Events outside of our control, including public health crises such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, may negatively affect our results of operations and financial performance.

Periods of market volatility have occurred and could continue to occur in response to pandemics or other events outside of our control. These types of events have adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect operating results for us and for our portfolio companies. For example, in December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19) surfaced in China and has since spread and continues to spread to other countries, including the United States This outbreak has led and for an unknown period of time will continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby.

With respect to the U.S. credit markets (in particular for middle market loans), this outbreak has resulted in, and until fully resolved is likely to continue to result in, the following among other things: (i) government imposition of various forms of shelter-in-place orders and the closing of “non-essential” businesses, resulting in significant disruption to the businesses of many middle-market loan borrowers including supply chains, demand and practical aspects of their operations, as well as in lay-offs of employees, and, while these effects are hoped to be temporary, some effects could be persistent or even permanent; (ii) increased draws by borrowers on revolving lines of credit; (iii) increased requests by borrowers for amendments and waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by such borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing at the maturity dates of their loans; (iv) volatility and disruption of these markets including greater volatility in pricing and spreads and difficulty in valuing loans during periods of increased volatility, and liquidity issues; and (v) rapidly evolving proposals and/or actions by state and federal governments to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general which will not necessarily adequately address the problems facing the loan market and middle market businesses.

This outbreak is having, and any future outbreaks could have, an adverse impact on the markets and the economy in general, which could have a material adverse impact on, among other things, the ability of lenders to originate loans, the volume and type of loans originated, and the volume and type of amendments and waivers granted to borrowers and remedial actions taken in the event of a borrower default, each of which could negatively impact the amount and quality of loans available for investment by us and returns to us, among other things.

The Company and the Investment Advisor have taken and continue to take steps reasonably designed to ensure that they maintain normal business operations, and that the Company, its portfolio and assets are protected. However, in the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, such as COVID-19, there can be no assurance that the Company, the Investment Advisor and service providers, or the Company’s portfolio companies, will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons. A pandemic or disease could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Investment Advisor relies and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Company’s service providers to perform essential tasks. As of the date of this 10-Q, it is impossible to determine the scope of this outbreak, or any future outbreaks, how long any such outbreak, market disruption or uncertainties may last, the effect any governmental actions will have or the full potential impact on us and our portfolio companies. Any potential impact to our results of operations will depend to a large extent on future developments and new information that could emerge regarding the duration and severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities and other entities to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results.

If the economy is unable to substantially reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, loan non-accruals, problem assets, and bankruptcies may increase. In addition, collateral for our loans may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase and the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors could decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us. An increase in loan delinquencies and non-accruals or a decrease in loan collateral and guarantor net worth could result in increased costs and reduced income which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We will also be negatively affected if our operations and effectiveness or the operations and effectiveness of a portfolio company (or any of the key personnel or service providers of the foregoing) is compromised or if necessary or beneficial systems and processes are disrupted.

Any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic or any outbreak of other existing or new epidemic diseases, or the threat thereof, and the resulting financial and economic market uncertainty could have a significant adverse impact on us and the fair value of our investments. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results.

We are currently operating in a period of capital markets disruption and economic uncertainty.

The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the global outbreak of COVID-19 that began in December 2019. The global impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, have created significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity. The impact of COVID- 19 has led to significant volatility and declines in the global public equity markets and it is uncertain how long this volatility will continue. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the potential impacts, including a global, regional or other economic recession, are increasingly uncertain and difficult to assess. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn.

Disruptions in the capital markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to 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 have limited and could continue to limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

Additionally, the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes. An inability to raise or access capital, and any required sale of all or a portion of our investments as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.

Under certain applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations and a revenue procedure issued by the IRS, a RIC may treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its RIC distribution requirements if each stockholder may elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC, subject to a limitation that the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all stockholders must be at least 20% of the aggregate declared distribution. If too many stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, we must allocate the cash available for distribution among the shareholders electing to receive cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in shares of our common stock). If we decide to make any distributions consistent with this revenue procedure that are payable in part in our stock, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (whether received in cash, our stock, or a combination thereof) as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale.

Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. If a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other disruptions in the economy, we may not be able to increase our dividends and may reduce or defer our dividends and choose to incur US federal excise tax in order preserve cash and maintain flexibility.

As a BDC, we are not required to make any distributions to shareholders other than in connection with our election to be taxed as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. In order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute to shareholders for each taxable year at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (i.e., net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses). If we qualify for taxation as a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level US federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) that we timely distribute to shareholders. We will be subject to a 4% US federal excise tax on undistributed earnings of a RIC unless we distribute each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98.0% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (iii) any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no federal income tax.

Under the Code, we may satisfy certain of our RIC distributions with dividends paid after the end of the current year. In particular, if we pay a distribution in January of the following year that was declared in October, November, or December of the current year and is payable to shareholders of record in the current year, the dividend will be treated for all US federal tax purposes as if it were paid on December 31 of the current year. In addition, under the Code, we may pay dividends, referred to as “spillover dividends,” that are paid during the following taxable year that will allow us to maintain our qualification for taxation as a RIC and eliminate our liability for corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. Under these spillover dividend procedures, we may defer distribution of income earned during the current year until December of the following year. For example, we may defer distributions of income earned during 2020 until as late as December 31, 2021. If we choose to pay a spillover dividend, we will incur the 4% U.S. federal excise tax on some or all of the distribution.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other disruptions in the economy, we anticipate that we may take certain actions with respect to the timing and amounts of our distributions in order to preserve cash and maintain flexibility. For example, we anticipate that we will not be able to increase our dividends. In addition, we may reduce our dividends and/or defer our dividends to the following taxable year. If we defer our dividends, we may choose to utilize the spillover dividend rules discussed above and incur the 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such amounts. To further preserve cash, we may combine these reductions or deferrals of dividends with one or more distributions that are payable partially in our stock as discussed above under “We may choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.”

Public health threats may affect the market for the 2023 Notes, the February 2024 Notes and the November 2024 Notes, impact the businesses in which we invest and affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Public health threats, such as COVID-19 or any other illness, have and may continue to disrupt the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such threats can create economic and political uncertainties and can contribute to global economic instability. A public health threat poses the risk that our portfolio companies may have significantly reduced or be prevented from conducting business activities for an unknown period of time, including shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities. We cannot estimate the impact that a public health threat could have on our portfolio companies, but it could disrupt their businesses and their ability to make interest or dividend payments and decrease the overall value of our investments which adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, as a result of the volatile market conditions that may result from public health threats, such as COVID-19 or any other illness, we cannot provide any assurance that the 2023 Notes, the February 2024 Notes and the November 2024 Notes will trade at a favorable price.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased zero and 25,719 shares of common stock on the open market for zero and $0.3 million under the Stock Repurchase Program. The following table provides information regarding such repurchases of our common stock (dollars in millions, except per share data):


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Stock Repurchase Program
January 1, 2020 through January 31, 2020		—	$	—		—	$	4.4
February 1, 2020 through February 29, 2020		—		—		—		4.4
March 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020		25,719		10.37		25,719		4.1
April 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020		—		—		—		4.1
May 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020		—		—		—		4.1
June 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020		—		—		—		4.1
July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020		—		—		—		4.1
August 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020		—		—		—		4.1
September 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020		—		—		—		4.1

Total		25,719	$	10.37		25,719

(1)

Excludes shares purchased on the open market and reissued in order to satisfy the dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) obligation to deliver shares of common stock in lieu of issuing new shares. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we purchased and reissued shares of common stock to satisfy the DRIP obligation as follows:


Period	Number of Shares Purchased and Reissued		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Amount Paid
January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020		31,586	$	7.58	$	0.2
April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020		21,905		9.04		0.2
July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020		28,871		10.18		0.3

Total		82,362	$	8.88	$	0.7

Refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning stock repurchases under our Stock Repurchase Program.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.


Number		Exhibit
3.1		Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (a)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2		Bylaws of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (b)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1		Form of Stock Certificate of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (d) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

31.1		Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2		Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1		Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

*	Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.


				FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Date: October 29, 2020				/s/ EDWARD H. ROSS
				Edward H. Ross
				Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
				(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: October 29, 2020				/s/ SHELBY E. SHERARD
				Shelby E. Sherard
				Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)