SARATOGA INVESTMENT CORP. - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Form
10-K
R
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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For
the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010
£
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the transition period
from to
Commission
File No. 001-33376
GSC
Investment Corp.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
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20-8700615
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
Number)
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500
Campus Drive, Suite 220
Florham
Park, New Jersey 07932
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(973)
437-1000
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of Each Class
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Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common
Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
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The
New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes £ No R
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes £ No R
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 R No £
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files). Yes £ No R
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. £
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer £
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Accelerated
filer £
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Non-accelerated
filer R
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Smaller
reporting company £
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Act). Yes £ No R
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant as of August 31, 2009 was approximately $13.1
million based upon a closing price of $1.5796 reported for such date by the New
York Stock Exchange. Common shares held by each executive officer and director
and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common shares have
been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This
determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination
for other purposes.
The
number of outstanding common shares of the registrant as of May 12, 2010 was
16,940,109.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on July 7, 2010, to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year
covered by this Annual Report, are incorporated by reference into Part III of
this Annual Report.
NOTE
ABOUT REFERENCES
In this
Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”), the “Company,” “we,” “us” and
“our” refer to GSC Investment Corp., its subsidiaries and related companies,
unless the context otherwise requires. We refer to GSCP (NJ) L.P.,
our investment adviser, as “GSCP” or “the investment adviser” and together with
its affiliates and subsidiaries, as “GSC Group.”
NOTE
ABOUT TRADEMARKS
We have
entered into a license agreement with GSC Group, pursuant to which GSC Group
grants us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “GSC” name and
logo.
NOTE
ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of
the statements in this Annual Report constitute forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future
plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions
concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can
identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,”
“should,” “will” and “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable
terminology.
The
forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and
expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information
currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can
change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are
known to us or are within our control. If a change occurs, our business,
financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially
from those expressed in our forward-looking statements.
The
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report involve risks and
uncertainties, including statements as to:
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our
future operating results;
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our
business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio
companies;
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the
impact of investments that we expect to
make;
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our
contractual arrangements and relationships with third
parties;
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the
dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on
the industries in which we
invest;
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the
ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their
objectives;
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our
expected financings and
investments;
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our
regulatory structure and tax treatment, including our ability to operate
as a business development company and a regulated investment
company;
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the
adequacy of our cash resources and working
capital;
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the
timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio
companies;
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the
ability of our investment adviser to locate suitable investments for us
and to monitor and effectively administer our investments;
and
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•
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continued
access to our Revolving
Facility.
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For a
discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report, please see the
discussion under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors”. You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
made in this Annual Report relate only to events as of the date on which the
statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this
Annual Report.
2
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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PART
I
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4
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Item
1. Business
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4
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Item
1A. Risk Factors
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19
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Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
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35
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Item
2. Properties
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36
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Item
3. Legal Proceedings
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36
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PART
II
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37
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Item
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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37
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Item
6. Selected Financial Data
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39
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Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
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40
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Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk
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53
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Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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54
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Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
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54
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Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
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55
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Item
9B. Other Information
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55
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PART
III
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56
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Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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56
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Item
11. Executive Compensation
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56
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Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
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56
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Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
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56
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Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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56
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PART
IV
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57
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Item
15. Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statement
Schedules
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57
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Signatures
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62
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Consolidated
Financial Statements
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F-1
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3
PART
I
Item
1. Business
General
GSC
Investment Corp. is a Maryland corporation that has elected to be treated as a
business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the “1940 Act”). The Company is the successor by merger to GSC Investment, LLC
(the “LLC”), a Maryland limited liability company that had elected to be
regulated as a BDC, which was merged into the Company concurrently with the
Company’s incorporation on March 21, 2007. As a result of the merger, each
outstanding common share of the LLC was converted into an equivalent number of
shares of the Company’s common stock.
Our
investment objectives are to generate current income and capital appreciation
through debt and equity investments by primarily investing in middle market
companies and select high yield bonds. We have elected and qualified to be
treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We commenced operations
on March 23, 2007 and completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) on March 28,
2007. We are externally managed and advised by our investment adviser, GSCP
(NJ), L.P. (together with certain of its affiliates, “GSC Group”).
We used
the net proceeds of our IPO to purchase approximately $100.7 million in
aggregate principal amount of debt investments from GSC Partners CDO Fund III,
Limited (“CDO Fund III”), a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) fund managed
by our investment adviser. We used borrowings under our Facilities (as defined
below) to purchase approximately $115.1 million in aggregate principal amount of
debt investments in April and May 2007 from CDO Fund III and GSC Partners CDO
Fund Limited (“CDO Fund I”), a collateralized debt obligation fund managed by
our investment adviser. As of February 28, 2010, our portfolio consisted of
$89.4 million of investments in 27 portfolio companies and one CLO.
Significant
Developments in Our Business
Since the
third quarter of fiscal year 2009 (November 30, 2008), due to constraints
imposed by our Revolving Facility (as defined below), we have had limited
investment activity in both the primary and secondary markets. On
July 30, 2009, we exceeded permissible borrowing limits for 30 consecutive days,
resulting in an event of default under our credit facility that is continuing as
of February 28, 2010. As a result of this event of default, our
lender has the right to accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness
under our credit facility and to foreclose and liquidate the collateral pledged
thereunder. Acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness and/or
liquidation of the collateral would have a material adverse effect on our
liquidity, financial condition and operations. As of the date of this
Annual Report, our lender has not accelerated the debt, but has reserved the
right to do so. There is no assurance that we will have sufficient
funds available to pay in full the total amount of obligations that would become
due as a result of such acceleration or that we will be able to obtain
additional or alternative financing to pay or refinance any such accelerated
obligations. In a report dated May 27, 2010, our independent
registered public accountants have determined that there is substantial doubt
regarding our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our
remaining in default of our Revolving Facility. Please see Part I, Item
1A. “Risk Factors—Risks related to our liquidity and financial condition” for
more information.
Substantially
all of our assets other than our investment in the subordinated notes of GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007, Ltd. ("GSCIC CLO") are held in a special purpose
subsidiary and pledged under our Revolving Facility. We commenced the
two year amortization period under the Revolving Facility in January 2009,
during which time all principal proceeds from the pledged assets are used to
repay the Revolving Facility. In addition, during the continuance of an event of
default, all interest proceeds from the pledged assets are also used to repay
the Revolving Facility. As a result, the Company is required to fund
its operating expenses and dividends solely from cash on hand, management fees
earned from, and the proceeds of the subordinated notes of, GSCIC
CLO. The deleveraging of the Company may significantly impair the
Company’s ability to effectively operate.
In
December 2008, the Company engaged the investment banking firm of Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, to evaluate strategic transaction opportunities and
consider alternatives. On April 14, 2010, the Company announced that
it entered into a definitive agreement with Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC
(“Saratoga”) to execute a $55 million recapitalization plan that would cure the
existing bank default. Please see “Proposed Saratoga Transaction” below
for more information.
GSC
Group, the parent of our investment adviser, has been in negotiations with its
secured lenders regarding a restructuring of its credit facility since
defaulting on its credit facility in April 2009. A combination of
planned reductions and attrition has resulted in a decrease in the number of GSC
employees from 85 at the end of fiscal year 2009 to 45 at the end of fiscal year
2010. Additionally, on May 25, 2010, our Chief Financial Officer,
Richard T. Allorto, Jr., who is an employee of GSC Group, announced his
resignation effective July 15, 2010. While we don’t believe these
staffing changes have adversely affected our operations to date, additional
attrition has the potential to adversely affect our operations in the future, as
we rely on GSC Group for all of our employees. In order to avoid a
negative impact on our operations, GSC Group is preparing an appropriate
succession plan for Mr. Allorto and securing alternative resources, including
third party service providers, to insure adequate resources are available in the
event of future attrition.
On May
25, 2010, our independent registered public accountants identified a material
weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. See Item
9A. “Controls and Procedures” for more information. In order to remediate the
material weakness, we have requested that GSC Group provide us with additional
support in order to improve our internal control over financial
reporting.
4
Proposed
Saratoga Transaction
On April
14, 2010, we entered into a stock purchase agreement (“the Stock Purchase
Agreement”) with Saratoga and CLO Partners LLC (together with Saratoga, the
“Investors”) and an assignment, assumption and novation agreement (the
“Assignment Agreement”) with Saratoga, pursuant to which we assumed certain
rights and obligations of Saratoga under the debt commitment letter (the
“Madison Commitment Letter”) Saratoga received from Madison Capital Funding LLC
(“Madison”), indicating Madison’s willingness to provide the Company with a $40
million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Replacement Facility”),
subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions. We refer
to the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement collectively as
the “Saratoga Transaction.”
If the
conditions to closing under the Stock Purchase Agreement are satisfied, pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Agreement, we will issue and sell to the Investors
9,868,422 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $15,000,000 at a price of $1.52 per share, in a private
transaction that is exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Regulation D thereunder. Concurrently with
the closing of the Saratoga Transaction and pursuant to the terms of the Stock
Purchase Agreement, we will (i) enter into the Replacement Facility with
Madison; (ii) enter into a registration rights agreement with the Investors;
(iii) enter into a trademark license agreement with Saratoga or one of its
affiliates; and (iv) replace GSCP (NJ), L.P. as the Company’s investment adviser
with Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, by executing the Investment Advisory and
Management Agreement, subject to stockholder approval, and as the Company’s
administrator with an affiliate of Saratoga by executing an Administration
Agreement. The Company and its current investment adviser, GSCP (NJ),
L.P., have entered into a Termination and Release Agreement, to be effective as
of the closing, pursuant to which GSCP (NJ), L.P., among other things, has
agreed to waive any and all accrued and unpaid deferred incentive management
fees up to and as of the closing of the Saratoga Transaction but will continue
to receive the base management fees earned through the date of the
closing.
In
addition, as a condition to closing of the Saratoga Transaction and in each case
to be effective as of the closing, the Company is required to procure the
resignations of Robert F. Cummings, Jr. and Richard M. Hayden, both of whom are
affiliates of GSCP (NJ) L.P., as members of the Board and to elect Christian L.
Oberbeck and Richard A. Petrocelli, both of whom are affiliates of Saratoga, as
members of the Board (the “Saratoga Directors”). The Saratoga
Directors will be elected by the Board to fill the vacancies created by the
resignations described above and the Saratoga Directors will be appointed to the
class of directors as determined by the Board in accordance with the Company’s
organizational documents. The Company’s stockholders will have the
opportunity to vote for each of the Saratoga Directors when his class of
directors is up for reelection. In addition, all officers of the
Company will resign at closing and the Board will appoint Mr. Oberbeck as the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Petrocelli as the Company’s Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer.
Promptly
after closing of the Saratoga Transaction, the Company will change its name from
“GSC Investment Corp.” to “Saratoga Investment Corp.” and the Company intends to
undertake a one-for-ten reverse stock split, pursuant to which each stockholder
will receive one share of our common stock in exchange for every ten shares
owned at that time. After giving effect to the shares of common stock
issued in connection with the Saratoga Transaction and the one-for-ten reverse
stock split, the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding will be
approximately 2.7 million.
The
Company will use the net proceeds from the Saratoga Transaction and a portion of
the funds available to it under the Replacement Facility to pay the full amount
of principal and accrued interest, including default interest, outstanding under
our Revolving Facility due and payable as of the date of closing.
Following
completion of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, the
Investors and certain individuals affiliated with Saratoga and Saratoga
Partners, including Messrs. Oberbeck and Petrocelli, will hold approximately
36.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. Pursuant to the
provisions of the 1940 Act, the Company will be deemed to be controlled by Mr.
Oberbeck following consummation of the Saratoga Transaction. Mr.
Oberbeck is the Managing Partner of Saratoga Partners, an affiliate of Saratoga,
and has been a member of its investment committee for 15 years. Mr.
Oberbeck is the primary investor in Saratoga, and CLO Partners LLC is an entity
wholly-owned by Mr. Oberbeck. Saratoga Partners has also provided
Saratoga with an equity commitment letter, pursuant to which Saratoga Partners
has agreed to fulfill and satisfy solely the payment obligations of Saratoga and
CLO Partners under the Stock Purchase Agreement, subject to the satisfaction of
certain terms and conditions, including the closing conditions described
herein.
For more
information about Saratoga, see “—About Saratoga” below and our Preliminary
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 13,
2010.
5
Investments
Our
portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in leveraged loans (comprised of
both first and second lien term loans) issued by middle market companies and
high yield bonds. We seek to create a diversified portfolio by investing up to
5% of our total assets in each investment, although the investment sizes may be
more or less than the targeted range. These investments are sourced in both the
primary and secondary markets through a network of relationships with commercial
and investment banks, commercial finance companies and financial sponsors. Due
to constraints imposed by our Revolving Facility, we have had limited investment
activity in both the primary and secondary markets. The leveraged loans and high
yield bonds that we purchase are generally used to finance buyouts,
acquisitions, growth, recapitalizations and other types of transactions.
Leveraged loans are generally senior debt instruments that rank ahead of
subordinated debt of the portfolio company. Leveraged loans also have the
benefit of security interests on the assets of the portfolio company, which may
rank ahead of, or be junior to, other security interests. High yield bonds are
typically subordinated to leveraged loans and generally unsecured, though a
substantial amount of the high yield bonds that we currently own are secured.
Substantially all of the debt investments held in our portfolio hold a
non-investment grade rating by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and/or
Standard & Poor’s or, if not rated, would be rated below investment grade if
rated. High yield bonds rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as
“junk bonds.” As part of our long-term strategy, we also anticipate purchasing
mezzanine debt and making equity investments in middle market companies.
Mezzanine debt is typically unsecured and subordinated to senior debt of the
portfolio company. For purposes of this Annual Report, we generally use the term
“middle market” to refer to companies with annual EBITDA of between $5 million
and $50 million. EBITDA represents earnings before net interest expense, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization. Investments in middle market companies are
generally less liquid than equivalent investments in companies with larger
capitalizations.
While our
primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation through
investments in debt and equity securities of middle market companies and high
yield bonds, we intend to invest up to 30% of our assets in opportunistic
investments. Opportunistic investments may include investments in distressed
debt, debt and equity securities of public companies, credit default swaps,
emerging market debt, and structured finance vehicles, including CLOs. As part
of this 30%, we may also invest in debt of middle market companies located
outside the United States. Given our primary investment focus on first and
second lien term loans issued by middle market companies and high yield
bonds, we believe our opportunistic
investments will allow us to supplement our core investments with other
investments that are within our investment adviser’s expertise that we believe
offer attractive yields and/or the potential for capital appreciation. As of February 28,
2010, our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO, a CLO we
manage, constituted 18.7% of our total investments. We do not expect to manage
and purchase all of the equity in another CLO transaction in the near future. We
may, however, invest in CLO securities issued by other investment
managers.
As a BDC,
we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we
have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,”
including securities of U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed
on a national securities exchange (i.e., New York Stock Exchange, American Stock
Exchange and The NASDAQ Global Market), U.S. operating companies with listed
securities that have market capitalizations of less than $250 million, cash,
cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments
that mature in one year or less. In addition, we are only allowed to borrow
money such that our asset coverage, which, as defined in the 1940 Act, measures
the ratio of total assets less total liabilities (excluding borrowings) to total
borrowings, equals at least 200% after such borrowing, with certain limited
exceptions.
As of
February 28, 2010, our portfolio consisted of $89.4 million in investments. We
seek to create a diversified portfolio that includes leveraged loans, mezzanine
debt and high yield bonds by investing up to 5% of our total investments in each
portfolio company, although the investment sizes may be more or less than the
targeted range. As of February 28, 2010, we invested in excess of 5% of our
total investments in 6 of the 27 portfolio companies and the GSCIC CLO, but in
each case less than 18.7% of our total investments, and our five largest
portfolio company exposures represented approximately 48.1% of our total
investments. As part of our long-term strategy, we also anticipate purchasing
mezzanine debt and making equity investments in middle market
companies.
Leveraged
loans
Our
leveraged loan portfolio is comprised primarily of first lien and second lien
term loans. First lien term loans are secured by a first priority perfected
security interest on all or substantially all of the assets of the borrower and
typically include a first priority pledge of the capital stock of the borrower.
First lien term loans hold a first priority with regard to right of payment.
Generally, first lien term loans offer floating rate interest payments, have a
stated maturity of five to seven years, and have a fixed amortization schedule.
First lien term loans generally have restrictive financial and negative
covenants. Second lien term loans are secured by a second priority perfected
security interest on all or substantially all of the assets of the borrower and
typically include a second priority pledge of the capital stock of the borrower.
Second lien term loans hold a second priority with regard to right of payment.
Second lien term loans offer either floating rate or fixed rate interest
payments, generally have a stated maturity of five to eight years, and may or
may not have a fixed amortization schedule. Second lien term loans that do not
have fixed amortization schedules require payment of the principal amount of the
loan upon the maturity date of the loan. Second lien term loans have less
restrictive financial and negative covenants than those that govern first lien
term loans.
6
High
yield bonds
High
yield bonds are generally either senior secured or unsecured. Senior secured
bonds are secured by a perfected security interest on all or substantially all
of the assets of the borrower (which, however, may be contractually subordinated
to liens on certain assets of the borrower). In addition, senior secured bonds
may have a pledge of the capital stock of the borrower. Senior secured bonds
offer either floating rate or fixed rate interest payments and generally have a
stated maturity of five to eight years and do not have fixed amortization
schedules. Senior secured bonds generally have less restrictive financial and
negative covenants than those that govern first lien and second lien term
loans.
Unsecured
bonds are not secured by the underlying assets or collateral of the issuer and
may be subordinate in priority of payment to senior debt of the issuer. In the
event of the borrower’s liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, bankruptcy or
other similar proceeding, the bondholders only have the right to share pari passu in the issuer’s
unsecured assets with other equally-ranking creditors of the issuer. Unsecured
bonds typically have fixed rate interest payments and a stated maturity of five
to ten years and do not have fixed amortization schedules.
Mezzanine
debt
Mezzanine
debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to senior debt and is
often unsecured. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to common and preferred
equity in a borrowers’ capital structure. Mezzanine debt typically has fixed
rate interest payments and a stated maturity of six to eight years and does not
have fixed amortization schedules.
In some
cases our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest payable to
be paid-in-kind interest. To the extent interest is paid-in-kind, it will be
payable through the increase of the principal amount of the obligation by the
amount of interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of
such obligation.
Equity
investments
Equity
investments may consist of preferred equity that is expected to pay dividends on
a current basis or preferred equity that does not pay current dividends.
Preferred equity generally has a preference over common equity as to
distributions on liquidation and dividends. In some cases, we may acquire common
equity. In general, our equity investments are not control-oriented investments
and we expect that in many cases we will acquire equity securities as part of a
group of private equity investors in which we are not the lead
investor.
Opportunistic
Investments
Opportunistic
investments may include investments in distressed debt, debt and equity
securities of public companies, credit default swaps, emerging market debt,
structured finance vehicles, including CLOs, and debt of middle market companies
located outside the United States. In January 2008, we purchased for $30 million
all of the outstanding subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO, a $400 million CLO
managed by us that invests primarily in leveraged loans. As of February 28,
2010, the GSCIC CLO portfolio consisted of $387.1 million in aggregate principal
amount of investments in 143 obligors with an average obligor exposure of $2.7
million and $21.1 million in uninvested cash. The weighted average maturity of
the portfolio is 4.0 years. We do not expect to manage and purchase all of the
equity in another CLO transaction in the near future. We may, however, invest in
CLO securities issued by other investment managers.
Prospective
portfolio company characteristics
Our
investment adviser utilizes the investment philosophy of its corporate credit
and distressed investment group in identifying and selecting portfolio company
investments. Our portfolio companies generally have one or more of the following
characteristics:
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a
history of generating stable earnings and strong free cash
flow;
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7
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well
constructed balance sheets, including an established tangible liquidation
value;
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reasonable
debt-to-cash flow multiples;
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industry
leadership with competitive advantages and sustainable market shares in
attractive sectors; and
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capital
structures that provide appropriate terms and reasonable
covenants.
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Investment
selection
In
managing us, GSC Group employs the same investment philosophy and portfolio
management methodologies used by its corporate credit and distressed investment
group. Through this investment selection process, based on quantitative and
qualitative analysis, GSC Group seeks to identify issuers with superior
fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong, defensible business franchises with
the goal of minimizing principal losses while maximizing risk-adjusted returns.
Our investment adviser’s investment process emphasizes the
following:
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•
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bottoms-up,
company-specific research and
analysis;
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•
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capital
preservation, low volatility and minimization of downside risk;
and
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•
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investing
with experienced management teams that hold meaningful equity ownership in
their businesses.
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Our
investment adviser’s investment process generally includes the following
steps:
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Initial
screening. A brief analysis identifies the investment opportunity and
reviews the merits of the transaction. The initial screening memorandum
provides a brief description of the company, its industry, competitive
position, capital structure, financials, equity sponsor and deal
economics. If the deal is determined to be attractive by the senior
members of the deal team, the opportunity is more fully
analyzed.
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•
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Full
analysis. A full analysis includes:
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Business
and Industry analysis — a review of the company’s business position,
competitive dynamics within its industry, cost and growth drivers and
technological and geographic factors. Business and industry research often
includes meetings with industry experts, consultants, other investors,
customers and competitors.
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Company
analysis — a review of the company’s historical financial performance,
future projections, cash flow characteristics, balance sheet strength,
liquidation value, legal, financial and accounting risks, contingent
liabilities, market share analysis and growth
prospects.
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Structural/security
analysis — a thorough legal document analysis including but not limited to
an assessment of financial and negative covenants, events of default,
enforceability of liens and voting
rights.
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Approval
of the group head. After an investment has been identified and diligence
has been completed, a report is prepared. This report is reviewed by the
senior investment professional in charge of the potential investment. If
such senior investment professional is in favor of the potential
investment, it is presented for the approval of the group head. Additional
due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted by attorneys
and independent accountants prior to the closing of the investment, as
well as by other outside advisers, as
appropriate.
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Approval
of the investment committee. After the approval of the group head, the
investment is presented to the investment committee for approval. Sale
recommendations made by the investment staff must also be approved by the
investment committee. Purchase and sale recommendations over $10 million
per issuer require unanimous and majority approval of the investment
committee, respectively. Our Chief Executive Officer, Seth M.
Katzenstein, has sole discretionary authority to make purchases or sales
below $10 million per issuer, subject to certain aggregate
limits.
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8
Investment
structure
In
general, our investment adviser intends to select investments with financial
covenants and terms that reduce leverage over time, thereby enhancing credit
quality. These methods include:
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maintenance
leverage covenants requiring a decreasing ratio of debt to cash
flow;
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maintenance
cash flow covenants requiring an increasing ratio of cash flow to the sum
of interest expense and capital expenditures;
and
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•
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debt
incurrence prohibitions, limiting a company’s ability to
re-lever.
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In
addition, limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures should prevent a
company from changing the nature of its business or capitalization without
consent.
Our
investment adviser seeks, where appropriate, to limit the downside potential of
our investments by:
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requiring
a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential
equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit
risk;
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requiring
companies to use a portion of their excess cash flow to repay
debt;
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selecting
investments with covenants that incorporate call protection as part of the
investment structure; and
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selecting
investments with affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties,
lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including
either observation or participation
rights.
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There may
be certain restrictions on our investment adviser’s ability to negotiate and
structure the terms of our investments when we co-invest with other GSC
Group-managed investment vehicles. See “— Co-investment” below.
Valuation
process
We carry
our investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by our Board of
Directors. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are
recorded in our financial statements at such market quotations subject to any
decision by our Board of Directors to make a fair value determination to reflect
significant events affecting the value of these investments. We value
investments for which market quotations are not readily available at fair value
as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors based on input from our
investment adviser, our audit committee and, if our board or audit committee so
request, a third party independent valuation firm. Determinations of fair value
may involve subjective judgments and estimates. The types of factors that may be
considered in a fair value pricing include the nature and realizable value of
any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, the markets in
which the portfolio company does business, market yield trend analysis,
comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant
factors.
Our
investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO is carried at fair value,
which is based on a discounted cash flow model that utilizes prepayment,
re-investment and loss assumptions based on historical experience and projected
performance, economic factors, the characteristics of the underlying cash flow,
and comparable yields for similar CLO subordinated notes or equity, when
available.
We
undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter when valuing investments
for which market quotations are not readily available, as described
below:
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each
investment is initially valued by the responsible investment professionals
and preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with
our senior management; and
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an
independent valuation firm engaged by our Board of Directors independently
values at least one quarter of our investments each quarter so that the
valuation of each investment for which market quotes are not readily
available is independently valued by an independent valuation firm at
least annually.
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9
In
addition, all our investments are subject to the following valuation
process:
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the
audit committee of our Board of Directors reviews each preliminary
valuation and our investment adviser and independent valuation firm (if
applicable) will supplement the preliminary valuation to reflect any
comments provided by the audit committee;
and
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•
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our
Board of Directors discusses the valuations and determines the fair value
of each investment in good faith based on the input of our investment
adviser, independent valuation firm (if applicable) and audit
committee.
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Because
such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private
companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of
time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value by our Board
of Directors may differ materially from the values that would have been used if
a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be
materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our
investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately
realize upon the disposal of such investments.
Ongoing
relationships with and monitoring of portfolio companies
Our
investment adviser will closely monitor each investment the Company makes and,
when appropriate, will conduct a regular dialogue with both the management team
and other debtholders and seek specifically tailored financial reporting. In
addition, in certain circumstances, senior investment professionals of GSC Group
may take board seats or board observation seats.
Leverage
In
addition to funds available from the issuance of our common stock, we use
borrowed funds, known as “leverage,” to make investments and to attempt to
increase returns to our shareholders by reducing our overall cost of capital. As
a BDC, we are only allowed to employ leverage to the extent that our asset
coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after giving effect
to such leverage. As of February 28, 2010, our asset coverage ratio, as defined
in the 1940 Act, was 250.0%.
On April
11, 2007, we entered into a $100 million revolving securitized credit facility
with Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (the “Revolving Facility”). On May 1,
2007, we entered into a $25.7 million term securitized credit facility (the
“Term Facility” and, together with the Revolving Facility, the “Facilities”),
which was fully drawn at closing. In December 2007, we consolidated
the Facilities by using a draw under the Revolving Facility to repay the Term
Facility. Effective January 14, 2009, we terminated the revolving period of the
Revolving Facility and commenced a two-year amortization period during which all
principal proceeds from the collateral will be used to repay outstanding
borrowings. At the end of the two year amortization period, all advances will be
due and payable. In March 2009 we amended the Revolving Credit Facility to
decrease the minimum required collateralization and increase the portion of the
portfolio that can be invested in “CCC” rated investments in return for an
increased interest rate and expedited amortization.
On July
30, 2009, we exceeded permissible borrowing limits for 30 consecutive days,
resulting in an event of default under our credit facility that is continuing.
As a result of this event of default, our lender has the right to accelerate
repayment of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility and to
foreclose and liquidate the collateral pledged thereunder. Acceleration of the
outstanding indebtedness and/or liquidation of the collateral would have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and operations. To
date, our lender has not accelerated the debt, but has reserved the right to do
so.
As of
February 28, 2010, we had borrowed an aggregate of $37.0 million under the
Revolving Facility. During the continuance of an event of default, the interest
rate on the Revolving Facility is increased from the commercial paper rate plus
4.00% to the greater of the commercial paper rate and our lender’s prime rate
plus 4.00% plus a default rate of 2.00% or, if the commercial paper market is
unavailable, the greater of the prevailing LIBOR rates and our lender’s prime
rate plus 6.00% plus a default rate of 3.00%.
A
significant percentage of our total investments have been pledged to secure our
obligations under the Revolving Facility.
10
Dividends
We review
dividends to our stockholders on a quarterly basis. Our quarterly
distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors and paid out
of assets legally available for distribution. Any such distributions
will be taxable to our stockholders, including to those stockholders who receive
additional shares of our common stock pursuant to a dividend reinvestment
plan. However, since January 2009 we have suspended our quarterly
dividends and have made only one distribution to our stockholders, in November
2009. See Item 5. “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Dividend Policy”
below for more information. Although we continue to review dividends
on a quarterly basis, we do not expect to pay a dividend in every
quarter.
In order
to maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must for each fiscal year distribute
an amount equal to at least 90% of our ordinary net taxable income and realized
net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses,
if any, reduced by deductible expenses. In addition, we will be subject to
federal excise taxes to the extent we do not distribute during the calendar year
at least (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98% of our
capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one year period ending on
October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and net capital
gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such
years. For the 2009 calendar year the Company made distributions
sufficient such that we did not incur any federal excise taxes. We may elect to
withhold from distribution a portion of our ordinary income for the 2010
calendar year and/or portion of the capital gains in excess of capital losses
realized during the one year period ending October 31, 2010, if any, and, if we
do so, we would expect to incur federal excise taxes as a result.
We
maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As
a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they
specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash
dividends.
We have
distributed $2.83 per share of cash dividends to stockholders since we commenced
operations in March 2007. Please see Part II, Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s
Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities” for additional details. We are prohibited from making distributions
that cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the
1940 Act or that violate our debt covenants.
Subject
to certain conditions, for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2011,
we are permitted to make distributions to our stockholders in the form of shares
of our common stock in lieu of cash distributions. The decision to make such
distributions will be made by our Board of Directors.
About
GSC Group. Our Investment Adviser
GSC Group
was founded in 1999 by Alfred C. Eckert III, its Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. GSC Group specializes in complex credit-based alternative investment
strategies. GSC Group is privately owned, has approximately 45 employees,
and has offices in New Jersey and London. GSC Group conducts its investment
advisory business through GSCP (NJ), L.P., an investment adviser registered with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with over $6.7 billion
of assets under management(1) as of December 31, 2009.
GSC Group
operates in two main business lines: (i) the corporate credit and distressed
investments group, which provides investment advisory and management services to
the Company, is comprised of 12 investment professionals who manage
approximately $3.6 billion of assets(1) in various collateralized loan and debt
obligation funds, credit funds, and control distressed debt funds and (ii) the
European lending group, which is comprised of 8 investment professionals who
manage approximately $3.1 billion of assets(1) in various collateralized loan
and debt obligation funds and mezzanine funds.
Our Chief
Executive Officer, Seth M. Katzenstein, is a Senior Managing Director of GSC
Group, and the Head of the GSC Group’s U.S. and European lending divisions with
portfolio-management responsibility for the U.S. Corporate Debt
business. Mr. Katzenstein has over 13 years experience in corporate
finance. Mr. Katzenstein is supported by 12 investment professionals
within GSC Group’s corporate credit and distressed investments
group. Our Chairman, Richard M. Hayden, retired from GSC Group in
September 2009.
(1)
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The
methodology used by GSC Group to calculate its assets under management
varies with the nature of the account and represents (i) the sum of cash,
uncalled capital commitments, as applicable, and the market value of each
investment or (ii) the principal balance of the underlying assets adjusted
for defaulted securities plus the market value of equity securities, all
as measured under the relevant account documents. In all cases, the fair
value (as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP) of the underlying
assets may differ significantly from the assets under management as forth
above. Assets under management does not include pooled investment vehicles
comprised of asset-backed securities that are co-managed by GSC Group with
a sub-advisor.
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11
GSCP
(NJ), L.P., our investment adviser, is responsible for administering our
business activities and day-to-day operations. Our investment adviser is able to
leverage GSC Group’s current investment platform, resources and existing
relationships with financial institutions, financial sponsors and investment
firms to provide us with attractive investment opportunities. In addition to
deal flow, the GSC Group investment platform assists our investment adviser in
analyzing and monitoring investments. GSC Group has been investing in corporate
debt since its founding in 1999. In addition to having access to GSC Group’s
investment professionals, we also have access to GSC Group’s administrative
professionals who provide assistance in accounting, legal, compliance and
investor relations.
Our
relationship with GSC Group and our investment adviser
We
currently have no employees, and each of our executive officers is also an
employee of GSC Group. As of May 12, 2010, GSC Group and its affiliates owned
1,928,006 shares (11.4%) of our common stock and our directors, executive
officers, and senior employees of GSC Group (managing director and above)
owned an additional 316,430 shares (1.9%)
of our common stock. Some, but not all, of these persons are required to file
statements of beneficial ownership pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.
Pursuant
to our investment advisory and management agreement, our investment adviser
implements our business strategy on a day-to-day basis and performs certain
services for us, subject to oversight by our Board of Directors. Our
investment adviser is responsible for, among other duties, performing all of our
day-to-day functions, determining investment criteria, sourcing, analyzing and
executing investments, asset sales, financings and performing asset management
duties. Under our investment advisory and management agreement, we
have agreed to pay our investment adviser an annual base management fee based on
our total assets, as defined under the 1940 Act (other than cash and cash
equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds), and an
incentive fee based on our performance. The investment advisory and
management agreement renews automatically for additional one-year terms at the
end of each year subject to certain approvals by our Board of Directors and/or
our stockholders. Our investment advisory and management agreement
with our investment adviser has been renewed through March 21, 2011; however, if
we consummate the proposed Saratoga Transaction, we will replace GSCP with
Saratoga as our investment adviser and the outstanding incentive fees owed to
GSCP will be waived. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Expenses”
below for more information.
Pursuant
to our investment advisory and management agreement, our investment adviser has
formed an investment committee to advise and consult with our investment
adviser’s senior management team with respect to our investment policies,
investment portfolio holdings, financing and leveraging strategies and
investment guidelines. Along with GSC Group’s U.S. corporate credit and
distressed investments group’s investment staff, the investment committee
monitors investments in our portfolio.
In April
2009, our investment adviser withheld a scheduled principal amortization payment
under its credit facility, resulting in a default thereunder. Since then, our
investment adviser and its secured lenders have been in negotiations regarding a
consensual restructuring of its obligations under such credit facility. While we
are not directly affected by our investment adviser’s default, if it is unable
to restructure its credit facility, or an acceleration of the outstanding
principal balance by the lenders occurs, the ability of the investment adviser
to retain key individuals and perform its investment advisory duties for us
could be significantly impaired. A material adverse change in the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), operations or performance of our investment
adviser could constitute a default under our Revolving Facility. See Item 1A
“Risk
Factors -
Risk related to our Investment Advisor - We are dependent upon our investment
advisor and its personnel.”
About
Saratoga
If we
consummate the proposed Saratoga Transaction, we will replace our investment
adviser with Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“Saratoga”), which is an affiliate of Saratoga Partners and was formed
in connection with the Saratoga Transaction. Saratoga is an
investment adviser that has registered with the SEC pursuant to the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (as amended, the “Advisers Act”). Saratoga
Partners was established in 1984 to be the middle-market private investment arm
of Dillon Read & Co. Inc. and has been independent of Dillon Read & Co.
Inc. since 1998. Saratoga Partners has a 25-year history of private
investments in middle market companies and focuses on public and private equity,
preferred stock, mezzanine investments, and senior and subordinated
debt. Christian L. Oberbeck is the Chief Executive Officer of
Saratoga and the Managing Partner of Saratoga Partners and has been a member of
its investment committee for 15 years. Mr. Oberbeck is the primary
investor in Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, and CLO Partners LLC is an entity
wholly-owned by Mr. Oberbeck. Richard A. Petrocelli is the Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Saratoga and a Managing Director of
Saratoga Partners. Prior to or at the closing of the Saratoga
Transaction, the obligation to acquire certain of the shares of the Company’s
common stock under the Stock Purchase Agreement will be assumed by certain
individuals affiliated with Saratoga or Saratoga Partners.
12
Competition
Our
primary competitors in providing financing to private middle market companies
include public and private investment funds, commercial and investment banks and
commercial financing companies. Many of our competitors are
substantially larger and have considerably greater financial and marketing
resources than us. For example, some competitors may have access to
funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of
our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments,
which may allow them to consider a wider variety of
investments. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to
the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a
BDC. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we
face, please see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Risks related to our business—We
operate in a highly competitive market for investment
opportunities.”
Staffing
We do not
currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees in the
future. Services necessary for our business will be provided by
individuals who are employees of GSC Group, pursuant to the terms of the
investment advisory and management agreement and the administration
agreement. We reimburse GSC Group for our allocable portion of
expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration
agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our officers
and their respective staffs, subject to certain limitations. The
amount payable to GSC Group under the administration agreement is capped to the
effect that such amount, together with our other operating expenses, does not
exceed an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of our net assets attributable to
common stock. In addition, during the initial term of the
administration agreement and the current renewal term (expiring March 2011), GSC
Group has agreed to waive our reimbursement obligation under the administration
agreement until our total assets exceed $500 million. From the
commencement of operations until March 23, 2008, GSC Group reimbursed us for
operating expenses to the extent that our total annual operating expenses (other
than investment advisory and management fees and interest and credit facility
expenses) exceeded an amount equal to 1.55% of our net assets attributable to
common stock.
If we
consummate the proposed Saratoga Transaction, we will enter in administration
agreement with the new investment adviser, Saratoga, on substantially the same
terms as our administration agreement with our current manager except for the
elimination of the waiver to be reimbursed by the Company. For more
information, see our Preliminary Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 13,
2010.
13
Regulation
We have
elected and qualified to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As with other
companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive
regulatory requirements. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions
relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any
investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of
those affiliates or underwriters, and requires that a majority of the directors
be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940
Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our
business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC, unless
approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the
outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the
lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s stock present at a meeting if more
than 50% of the outstanding stock of such company is present and represented by
proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding stock of such
company.
Under the
1940 Act, we may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly
from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such
securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed a “principal
underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”).
Our
intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks
associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies,
except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks
associated with interest rate fluctuations. However, we may purchase or
otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio
companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investment.
Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require
the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under
certain circumstances.
We also
do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed
the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot
acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company,
invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one
investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in
the securities of investment companies in general. With regard to that portion
of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it
should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to
additional expenses. None of these policies are fundamental and may be changed
without stockholder approval.
Qualifying
assets
Under the
1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed
in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets,
unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at
least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying
assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:
(1)
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Securities
purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the
issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited
exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is,
or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an
eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such
rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is
defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer
which:
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(a)
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is
organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in,
the United States;
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(b)
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is
not an investment company (other than a small business investment company
wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company
but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act;
and
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(c)
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satisfies
either of the following:
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(i)
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does
not have any class of securities listed on a national securities
exchange;
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(ii)
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has
a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange but has an
aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity
of less than $250 million;
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(iii)
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is
controlled by a business development company or a group of companies
including a business development company and the business development
company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible
portfolio company;
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(iv)
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is
a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4
million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million;
or
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(v)
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meets
such other criteria as may established by the
SEC.
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(2)
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Securities
of any eligible portfolio company which we
control.
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(3)
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Securities
purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an
investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in
transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject
to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of
its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without
material assistance other than conventional lending or financing
arrangements.
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14
(4)
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Securities
of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private
transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already
own at least 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio
company.
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(5)
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Securities
received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities
described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of
options, warrants or rights relating to such
securities.
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(6)
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Cash,
cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt
securities maturing in one year or less from the time of
investment.
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Managerial
assistance to portfolio companies
As a BDC
we offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio
companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the
operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management
meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and
providing other organizational and financial guidance. Pursuant to a separate
administration agreement, our investment adviser (to the extent permitted under
the 1940 Act) will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio
companies that request this assistance, recognizing that our involvement with
each investment will vary based on factors including the size of the company,
the nature of our investment, the company’s overall stage of development and our
relative position in the capital structure. We may receive fees for these
services.
In
addition, a BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of
business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making
investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above under
“—Qualifying assets.” However, in order to count portfolio securities as
qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control
the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of
the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above)
significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such
securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of
the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance.
Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things,
any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees,
offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and
counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and
policies of a portfolio company.
Temporary
investments
As a BDC,
pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above,
our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government
securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the
time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments,
so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in
U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements
are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. Government or
its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such
as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to
repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price which is greater than
the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate.
There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be
invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total
assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not
meet the asset diversification requirements in order to qualify as a RIC for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into
repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our
investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with
which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
Indebtedness
and senior securities
As a BDC,
we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of
indebtedness and one class of shares of stock senior to our common stock if our
asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200%
immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any indebtedness and
senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any
distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or stock
unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the
distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of
our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset
coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, please see
Part 1, Item 1A “Risk factors—Risks related to our operation as a
BDC—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and
the way in which we, raise additional capital.”
15
Code
of ethics
As a BDC,
we and our investment adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to
Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal
investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel
subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment
accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as
such investments are made in accordance with the code’s
requirements.
GSC Group
has designed a compliance program to monitor its conflict-resolution policies
and procedures and regularly evaluates the reasonableness of such policies and
procedures. GSC Group’s compliance program monitors the implementation of and
tests adherence to compliance-related policies and procedures that address GSC
Group’s Code of Ethics and other compliance matters including investment
allocation, trade aggregation, best execution, cross trades and proxy voting and
related matters. The program is governed in part by the requirements of the 1940
Act and is headed by GSC Group’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Proxy
voting policies and procedures
SEC
registered investment advisers that have the authority to vote (client) proxies
(which authority may be implied from a general grant of investment discretion)
are required to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that
the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients. Registered
investment advisers also must maintain certain records on proxy voting. In most
cases, we will invest in securities that do not generally entitle us to voting
rights in its portfolio companies. When we do have voting rights, we will
delegate the exercise of such rights to our investment adviser.
Our
investment adviser has particular proxy voting policies and procedures in place.
In determining how to vote, officers of our investment adviser will consult with
each other and other investment professionals of GSC Group, taking into account
our interests and the interests of our investors, as well as any potential
conflicts of interest. Where appropriate, our investment adviser will consult
with legal counsel to identify potential conflicts of interest. Where a
potential conflict of interest exists, our investment adviser may, if it so
elects, resolve it by following the recommendation of a disinterested third
party, by seeking the direction of our independent directors or, in extreme
cases, by abstaining from voting. While our investment adviser may retain an
outside service to provide voting recommendations and to assist in analyzing
votes, our investment adviser will not delegate its voting authority to any
third party.
Privacy
principles
We are
committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and to safeguarding
their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to
help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that
information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select
other parties.
Generally,
we do not receive any non-public personal information relating to our
stockholders, although certain non-public personal information of our
stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any non-public
personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders to anyone,
except as permitted by law, or as is necessary in order to service stockholder
accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party
administrator).
We
restrict access to non-public personal information about our stockholders to
employees of our investment adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate
business need for the information. We maintain appropriate physical, electronic
and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal
information of our stockholders.
Compliance
with applicable laws
As a BDC,
we may be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act. Our
manager is a registered investment adviser and is also subject to examination by
the SEC.
We are
required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance
company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC,
we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability
to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
person’s office.
16
We and
our investment adviser are each required to adopt and implement written policies
and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal
securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their
adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a chief
compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and
procedures.
Co-investment
As a BDC,
we are prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain
transactions with our affiliates, including GSC Group, without the prior
approval of our independent directors, or in some cases, the prior approval of
the SEC. For example, any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more
of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940
Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or
to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The
1940 Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an affiliate, which could
include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or
different times), without prior approval of our independent directors and, in
some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting
securities, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to
such person, or entering into joint transactions with such person, absent the
prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact
business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. As a result, we are
limited in our ability to negotiate the terms of any investment (except with
respect to price) in instances where we are participating in such investments
with other funds managed by our affiliates. Generally, we are prohibited from
knowingly purchasing securities in a primary offering from a portfolio company
the securities of which are already held by our affiliates or any other fund
managed by our affiliates. However, if a portfolio company offers additional
securities and existing securities are held by us and our affiliates or other
funds managed by our affiliates, then we may participate in a follow-on
investment in such securities on a pro-rata basis. We may also purchase
securities in the secondary market of a company, the securities of which are
already held by our affiliates or another fund managed by our
affiliates.
We and
our affiliates may in the future submit an exemptive application to the SEC to
permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments because we
believe that it will be advantageous for us to co-invest with funds managed by
our affiliates where such investment is consistent with the investment
objectives, investment positions, investment policies, investment strategies,
investment restrictions, regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors
applicable to us. We believe that co-investment by the Company and funds managed
by our affiliates may afford us additional investment opportunities and the
ability to achieve greater diversification. Accordingly, any application would
seek an exemptive order permitting us to negotiate more than price terms when
investing with funds managed by our affiliates in the same portfolio companies.
It is expected that any exemptive relief permitting co-investments on those
terms would be granted, if at all, only upon the conditions, among others, that
before such a co-investment transaction is effected, our investment adviser will
make a written investment presentation regarding the proposed co-investment to
the independent directors of the Company and the independent directors of the
Company will review our investment adviser’s recommendation.
Moreover,
it is expected that prior to committing to such a co-investment, a “required
majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the independent
directors of the Company would conclude that (i) the terms of the proposed
transaction are reasonable and fair to the Company and its stockholders and do
not involve overreaching of the Company and its stockholders on the part of any
person concerned; (ii) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the
stockholders of the Company and is consistent with the investment objectives and
policies of the Company; and (iii) the co-investment by any fund managed by our
affiliates would not disadvantage the Company in making its investment,
maintaining its investment position, or disposing of such investment and that
participation by the Company would not be on a basis different from or less
advantageous than that of the affiliated co-investor. There is no
assurance that the application for exemptive relief will be granted by the SEC
or that, if granted, it will be on the terms set forth above.
Resolution of potential conflicts of
interest; equitable allocation of investment
opportunities
Subject
to the 1940 Act restrictions on co-investments with affiliates, GSC Group will
offer us the right to participate in all investment opportunities that it
determines are appropriate for us in view of our investment objectives, policies
and strategies and other relevant factors, subject to the exception that, in
accordance with GSC Group’s conflict of interest and allocation policies, we
might not participate in each individual opportunity but are, on an overall
basis, entitled to equitably participate with GSC Group’s other funds or other
clients.
17
We are
GSC Group’s principal investment vehicle for non-distressed second lien loans
and mezzanine debt of U.S. middle market entities. Although existing and future
investment vehicles managed or to be managed by GSC Group invest or may invest
in mezzanine loans and second lien loans, none of these investment vehicles
target non-distressed domestic second lien and mezzanine loans as the core of
their portfolios. For example, while distressed debt funds managed by GSC
Group’s corporate credit and distressed investments group may purchase second
lien loans and mezzanine debt of private middle market companies, these funds
will typically be interested in these assets in distressed situations, whereas
we generally will seek to hold performing debt. Likewise, due to the high
amounts of leverage deployed by various CLO funds managed by GSC Group, these
funds tend to target first lien loans, while second lien and mezzanine loans are
a secondary part of the strategy.
To the
extent that we do compete with any of GSC Group’s clients for a particular
investment opportunity, our investment adviser will allocate the investment
opportunity across the funds for which the investment is appropriate based on
its internal conflict of interest and allocation policies consistent with the
requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers
Act”), subject further to the 1940 Act restrictions on co-investments with
affiliates and also giving effect to priorities that may be enjoyed from to time
to time by one or more funds based on their investment mandate or guidelines, or
any right of first review agreed to from time to time by GSC Group. Currently
GSC European Mezzanine Fund II, L.P. has a priority on investments in mezzanine
securities of issuers located primarily in Europe.
Subject
to the foregoing, GSC Group’s allocation policies are intended to ensure that we
may generally share equitably with other GSC Group-managed investment vehicles
in investment opportunities, particularly those involving a security with
limited supply or involving differing classes of securities of the same issuer,
which may be suitable for us and such other investment vehicles.
GSC Group
has historically managed investment vehicles with similar or overlapping
investment strategies and has a conflict resolution policy in place that will
also address the co-investment restrictions under the 1940 Act. The policy is
intended to ensure that we comply with the 1940 Act restrictions on transactions
with affiliates. These restrictions will significantly impact our ability to
co-invest with other funds managed by GSC Group. While the 1940 Act generally
prohibits all “joint transactions” between entities that share a common
investment adviser, the staff of the SEC has granted no-action relief to an
investment adviser permitting purchases of a single class of privately-placed
securities, provided that the investment adviser negotiates no term other than
price and certain other conditions are satisfied. Neither our investment adviser
nor any participant in a co-investment will have both a material pecuniary
incentive and ability to cause us to participate with it in a co-investment. As
a result, we only expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with GSC Group’s
funds when each fund will own the same securities of the issuer. If
opportunities arise that would otherwise be appropriate for us and for one or
more of GSC Group’s other funds to invest in different securities of the same
issuer, our investment adviser will need to decide whether we or the other funds
will proceed with the investment.
GSC
Group’s allocation procedures are designed to allocate investment opportunities
among the investment vehicles of GSC Group in a manner consistent with its
obligations under the Advisers Act. If two or more investment vehicles with
similar investment strategies are still in their investment periods, an
available investment opportunity will be allocated as described below, subject
to any provisions governing allocations of investment opportunities in the
relevant organizational documents. As an initial step, our investment adviser
will determine whether a particular investment opportunity is an appropriate
investment for us and its other clients and typically will determine the amount
that would be appropriate for each client by considering, among other things,
the following criteria:
(1)
|
the
investment guidelines and/or restrictions set forth in the applicable
organizational documents;
|
(2)
|
the
risk and return profile of the client
entity;
|
(3)
|
the
suitability/priority of a particular investment for the client
entity;
|
(4)
|
if
applicable, the target position size of the investment for the client
entity;
|
(5)
|
the
level of available cash for investment with respect to the particular
client entity;
|
(6)
|
the
total amount of funds committed to the client;
and
|
(7)
|
the
age of the fund and the remaining term of a fund’s investment period, if
any.
|
If there
is an insufficient amount of an opportunity to satisfy the needs of all
participants, the investment opportunity will generally be allocated pro-rata
based on the initial investment amounts. Please see Part I, Item 1A “Risk
Factors—Risks related to our business—There are conflicts of interest in our
relationship with our investment adviser and/or affiliates of our investment
adviser that could cause them to make decisions that are not in the best
interests of our stockholders.” Subject to applicable law, GSC Group may modify
its allocation procedures from time to time at its discretion.
18
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance
regulations
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) imposes a wide variety of
new regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their
insiders. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our policies
and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
the new regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to
monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in
compliance therewith. We are not required to include an attestation
report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal
control over financial reporting in this Annual Report pursuant to temporary
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the company to
provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
In
addition, we are subject to the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock
Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual. At our next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, to be held on July 7, 2010, we will correct a violation of NYSE
rules arising from the imbalance in the number of directors in each class of
directors. As a result of the decision of one Class II director not
to stand for re-election in 2009, and the resignation of one GSC affiliated
Class I director to maintain a majority of independent directors on our board,
our board currently consists of one Class I director, one Class II director and
three Class III directors. As a
result, our board will consist of two Class I directors, whose terms will expire
at our 2011 annual meeting, one Class II director, whose term will expire at our
2012 annual meeting and two Class III directors, whose terms expire at our 2013
annual meeting. The violation will not result in a notation being added
to the GNV ticker symbol or affect our listing so long as remedial measures are
taken. For more information, see our Definitive Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the
SEC not later
than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual
Report. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future
listing standards and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in
compliance therewith.
Available
Information
We file
with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy
statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may inspect
and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the Public
Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements
and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by
electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by
writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. In
addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the
SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Our Internet address is http://www.gscinvestmentcorp.com.
We make available free of charge on our Internet website our Annual Report on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and
amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we
electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
Investing
in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. The risks set forth below
are not the only risks we face. If any of the following risks occur, our
business and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In
such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could
decline.
Risks
related to our liquidity and financial condition
We
have exceeded the permissible borrowing limits under our Revolving Facility,
resulting in an event of default that permits our lenders to accelerate
repayment of the outstanding indebtedness and foreclose and liquidate our
assets.
The
amount that may be outstanding under our Revolving Facility at any time (our
“Borrowing Base”) is based on, among other things, the value of the pledged
collateral. (See Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and
Capital Resources” in this Annual Report for details). If securities deemed to
have a rating of Caa2 or below by Moody’s comprise in excess of 30% of the value
of the collateral, such excess Caa2 rated securities are deemed to have a value
of zero when calculating the Borrowing Base. The economic recession and
resultant stress on our portfolio companies has resulted in a large number of
our portfolio companies being downgraded by one or more rating agencies, and
continued economic stress may result in additional downgrades in the
future.
19
As of
February 28, 2010, approximately 71.2% of the collateral was deemed to be rated
Caa2 or below by Moody’s and a further 15.4% of the collateral was deemed to be
rated Caa1. As a consequence, approximately 41.2% of securities
pledged as collateral under our Revolving Facility are deemed to have a value of
zero when calculating the Borrowing Base and has resulted in the Borrowing Base
being less than our outstanding borrowings. On July 30, 2009, we
exceeded permissible borrowing limits for 30 consecutive days, resulting in an
event of default under our credit facility that is continuing. As a
result of this event of default, our lender has the right to accelerate
repayment of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility and to
foreclose and liquidate the collateral pledged
thereunder. Acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness and/or
liquidation of the collateral would have a material adverse effect on our
liquidity, financial condition and operations.
A
forced liquidation of the pledged assets under our Revolving Facility may yield
less than the fair value of the assets.
As a
result of the continuing event of default under our Revolving Facility, our
lender has the right to accelerate the outstanding indebtedness and liquidate
the pledged assets. Given the unfavorable conditions in the credit
markets, the pledged assets may be liquidated for less than their fair
value. If the pledged assets are sold for less than fair value, we
will incur realized losses that will negatively affect net asset value and may
negatively affect the price of our common stock. As a result,
shareholders may realize less than the current net asset value of the common
stock.
Continuance
of an event of default under our Revolving Facility and/or deferral of payments
from GSCIC CLO may result in a shortage of working capital.
Substantially
all of our assets other than our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO are held in a special purpose subsidiary and pledged under our Revolving
Facility. We commenced the two year amortization period under the Revolving
Facility in January 2009, during which time all principal proceeds from the
pledged assets are used to repay the Revolving Facility. In addition, during the
continuance of an event of default, all interest proceeds from the pledged
assets are also used to repay the Revolving Facility. As a result, the Company
is required to fund its operating expenses and dividends solely from cash on
hand, management fees earned from, and the proceeds of the subordinated
notes of, GSCIC CLO. Management fees and subordinated note distributions
from GSCIC CLO are also subject to deferral depending on the performance of the
GSCIC CLO portfolio.
If the
event of default under the Revolving Facility continues, and/or distributions
from GSCIC CLO are deferred, the Company may find itself with insufficient
working capital to fund its operating expenses and/or pay dividends sufficient
to comply with its RIC requirements. If such an event were to occur, the ability
of the Company to continue to operate and/or comply with its RIC requirements
would be seriously impaired.
Our
independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has
concluded that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
Our
consolidated financial statements as of February 28, 2009 and 2010 and for the
three years in the period ended February 28, 2010 were prepared on a “going
concern” basis; however, our independent registered public accounting firm
concluded in its report dated May 27, 2010
regarding those consolidated financial statements, that there is substantial
doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our
remaining in default under our Revolving Facility, which gives our lender
the right to accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness and foreclose
and liquidate the collateral pledged. This would have a material
adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and
operations. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and
classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that
may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
20
Risks
related to the proposed Saratoga Transaction
The
Saratoga Transaction is subject to closing conditions, including approval by our
stockholders, and, while pending, may cause disruption in our
business.
The Saratoga Transaction requires
approval by our stockholders and is subject to various closing
conditions. The Saratoga Transaction may also be terminated or
abandoned by one or both parties under certain circumstances. Even if
the Saratoga Transaction is consummated, the success of the post-transaction
company and any improvement in our financial condition and operations cannot be
assured.
The announcement of the Saratoga
Transaction, whether or not consummated, has and may continue to result in a
loss of key personnel and may disrupt our operations, which may have an impact
on our financial performance. The Stock Purchase Agreement generally
requires us to operate our business in the ordinary course pending consummation
of the Saratoga Transaction, but includes certain contractual restrictions on
the conduct of our business that may affect our ability to execute on our
business strategies and attain our financial goals. Additionally, the
announcement of the pending Saratoga Transaction, whether or not consummated,
may impact our relationships with third parties and investors.
Failure
to consummate the Saratoga Transaction could negatively impact us and, if the
pending Saratoga Transaction is not consummated, we will have incurred
significant expenses and our stock price may decline.
If the
Saratoga Transaction is not consummated, we would still remain liable for
significant transaction costs and expenses, and the focus of our management
would have been diverted from seeking other potential strategic opportunities,
in each case without realizing any benefits of a completed
transaction. Depending on the basis for not consummating the Saratoga
Transaction, we could also be required to pay Saratoga a termination fee of
$1.25 million or an expense reimbursement of up to $500,000.
In
addition, if the Saratoga Transaction is not consummated, we have no assurance
that our lender will continue to forbear exercising its remedial rights under
the Revolving Facility and may take action against the collateral pledged under
the Revolving Facility. For these and other reasons, a failed
transaction could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial
condition. In addition, the trading price of our securities could be
adversely affected to the extent that the current price reflects an assumption
that the Saratoga Transaction will be completed. These matters, alone
or in combination, could have a material adverse effect on our business and
financial results.
Saratoga,
the entity to become the Company’s investment adviser, subject to stockholder
approval and consummation of the Saratoga Transaction, has no prior experience
managing a business development company or a RIC.
The 1940
Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of business
development companies and RICs that do not apply to the other investment
vehicles previously managed by the principals of Saratoga. For
example, under the 1940 Act, business development companies are required to
invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of qualifying
U.S. private or thinly-traded companies. Moreover, qualification for
taxation as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code requires satisfaction of
source-of-income and diversification requirements and our ability to avoid
corporate-level taxes on our income and gains depends on our satisfaction of
distribution requirements. The failure to comply with these
provisions in a timely manner could prevent us from qualifying as a business
development company or RIC or could force us to pay unexpected taxes and
penalties, which could be material.
Saratoga,
the entity to become the Company’s investment adviser if approved by the vote of
the Company’s stockholders and subject to the closing of the Saratoga
Transaction, is a newly-formed entity and is newly-registered with the SEC as an
investment adviser pursuant to the Advisers Act. As a new entity,
Saratoga does not have any prior experience managing a business development
company or RIC and its lack of experience in managing a portfolio of assets
under such constraints may hinder its ability to take advantage of attractive
investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment
objectives. Saratoga also does not have a proven track-record in
managing corporate debt investments and collateralized loan obligation
funds. Despite the 25-year history of Saratoga Partners, an affiliate
of Saratoga, with a track record in private investments in middle market
companies, there is no guarantee that Saratoga Partners’ past performance record
will translate into future success.
21
Moreover,
Saratoga intends to supplement its capabilities in the management of the
Company’s investments by recruiting and hiring additional professionals with
experience in the management of debt investments and collateralized loan
obligations and to dedicate such individuals to the management of the
Company. Although Saratoga has represented that it has had
discussions with a number of qualified individuals, and the Company’s
independent directors have discussed with Saratoga their interviewing criteria
and processes, including the caliber of individuals being considered for such
positions, and have vetted such processes to their satisfaction and in
consideration of their statutory duties to the Company, there is no guarantee
that Saratoga will hire or will have hired a sufficient number of professionals
with adequate experience in the Company’s line of business as of or after the
closing of the Saratoga Transaction.
Even
if consummated, the Saratoga Transaction may not achieve the intended results
and our post-transaction company may not succeed.
Certain
of our stockholders may view the post-transaction company as a different and
less desirable investment vehicle for their capital, and sales of shares of our
common stock by such stockholders could depress the share price of our common
stock. For this and the reasons set forth above, there can be no
assurance that, if the Saratoga Transaction is consummated, the post-transaction
company will succeed.
Risks
related to current economic and market conditions
The recent
global recession has impaired our portfolio
companies and harmed our operating results.
The U.S.
economy is tentatively recovering from a severe
recession. Many of the companies in which we have made or will make
investments have been adversely affected. An economic recession, including the
recent recession and any future recessions or economic slowdowns, may
affect the ability of a company to repay our loans or engage in a liquidity
event such as a sale, recapitalization, or initial public offering. Such
adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing our
loans, if any. A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating
covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and,
potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on
its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements
and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the
debt that we hold and the value of any equity securities we own. We
may also incur expenses to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate
new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.
Declining asset
values and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets have adversely
affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the fair value of our portfolio
investments, reducing the value of our assets.
As a BDC,
we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value
is ascertainable, at fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors. Decreases in the values of our investments are recorded as
unrealized depreciation. The recent unprecedented declines in asset values
and liquidity in the corporate debt markets have resulted in significant net
unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. As a result, we have
incurred and, depending on market conditions, we may continue to incur,
significant unrealized depreciation in our portfolio, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
22
Our common stock
could be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange if our average market
capitalization over 30 consecutive trading days is below $15 million.
In order
to maintain our listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), we must
continue to meet the NYSE minimum average market capitalization requirement. At
February 28, 2010, our minimum average market capitalization over the preceding
30 consecutive trading days was $28.3 million. If the average market
capitalization over 30 consecutive trading days falls below $15.0 million, our
common stock may be delisted, which could (i) reduce the liquidity and market
price of our common stock; (ii) negatively impact our ability to raise equity
financing and access the public capital markets; and (iii) materially and
adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks related to our investment advisors
We are dependent
upon our investment adviser and its personnel.
We depend
on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our investment
adviser’s investment professionals and the information and deal flow generated
by them in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities
and on our investment advisor’s non-investment
professionals for the provision of our administrative services, including legal,
compliance and accounting services, necessary for our business. The departure of
a significant number of the investment and non-investment professionals of our
investment adviser could have a material adverse effect on our ability to
operate and achieve our investment objectives.
In April
2009, our investment adviser withheld a scheduled principal amortization payment
under its credit facility, resulting in a default thereunder. Since then, our
investment adviser and its secured lenders have been in negotiations regarding a
consensual restructuring of its obligations under such credit facility. While we
are not directly affected by our investment adviser’s default, if it is unable
to restructure its credit facility, or an acceleration of the outstanding
principal balance by the lenders occurs, the ability of the investment adviser
to retain key individuals and perform its investment advisory duties for us
could be significantly impaired. A material adverse change in the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), operations or performance of our investment
adviser could constitute a default under our Revolving Facility.
At
February 28, 2010, our investment advisor employed approximately 45 persons,
down from 85 at February 28, 2009. The corporate credit and distressed
investment group, which provides investment advisory and management services to
the Company, employed 12 investment professional at February 28, 2010 down
from 19 at February 28, 2009. On May 25, 2010, our CFO, Richard T. Allorto,
Jr., announced his resignation from the Company and GSC Group, to take effect on
July 15, 2010.
The Board
of Directors of the Company actively monitors the financial condition of GSC
Group to ensure that adequate resources are available to the Company. We expect
GSC Group to continue to provide the necessary resources to the Company,
supplemented with third party service providers, when and if necessary. If
adequate resources are not available and the Company is not able to employ a
replacement investment advisor, the Company’s ability to operate and achieve its
investment objectives may be materially impaired.
If we consummate the proposed Saratoga Transaction, we will
replace our current investment adviser, GSCP, with a new investment adviser,
Saratoga. Saratoga has no experience managing a BDC or a RIC, and we
can provide no assurance that the past performance of Saratoga Partners, the
parent affiliate of Saratoga, will translate into future success. In
addition, we cannot assure you that Saratoga will remain our investment adviser
or that we will continue to have access to Saratoga’s investment professionals
or its information and deal flow.
Our
Chief Financial Officer, Richard T. Allorto, Jr., announced his resignation
effective July 15, 2010.
On May
25, 2010, our Chief Financial Officer, Richard T. Allorto, Jr., announced his
resignation effective July 15, 2010. The departure of Mr. Allorto may
have an adverse effect on our business and future operations if GSC is unable to
procure an adequate replacement, particularly if the Saratoga Transaction is not
consummated in the near future or at all. In order to avoid a
negative impact on our operations, GSC Group is preparing an appropriate
succession plan. However, we can provide no assurance that GSC will
be able to find a timely and adequate replacement for Mr.
Allorto. Furthermore, a significant leadership change is inherently
risky and we may be unable to manage the transition to a new CFO smoothly, which
may cause a disruption to our business and could materially and adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Risks
related to our business
We employ
leverage.
We
currently use the Revolving Facility to leverage our portfolio and our strategy
includes borrowing from and issuing senior debt securities to banks and other
lenders, subject to market conditions, as well as securitizing certain of our
portfolio investments. However, under current market conditions, we
are not in a position to issue senior debt securities on acceptable
terms.
With
certain limited exceptions, as a BDC we are only allowed to borrow amounts such
that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least 200% after such
borrowing. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our investment
adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other
factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. There is no assurance that a
leveraging strategy will be successful. Leverage involves risks and special
considerations for stockholders, including:
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A
likelihood of greater volatility in the net asset value and market price
of our common stock.
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Diminished
operating flexibility as a result of asset coverage or investment
portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those
imposed by the 1940 Act.
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The
possibility that investments will have to be liquidated at less than full
value or at inopportune times to comply with debt covenants or to pay
interest or dividends on the
leverage.
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Increased
operating expenses due to the cost of leverage, including issuance and
servicing costs.
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Subordination
to lenders’ superior claims on our assets as a result of which lenders
will be able to receive proceeds available in the case of our liquidation
before any proceeds are distributed to our
shareholders.
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For
example, the amount we may borrow under our Revolving Facility is determined, in
part, by the fair value of our investments. As the fair value of our investments
declines, we are forced to sell investments at a loss to maintain compliance
with our borrowing limits. We are currently in default of our
Revolving Facility for failure to maintain compliance with our borrowing
limits. Other debt facilities we may enter into in the future,
including the proposed Replacement Facility, contain similar provisions. Such
forced sales reduce our net asset value and also make it difficult for the net
asset value to recover.
Our
investment adviser and our Board of Directors in their best judgment
nevertheless may determine to use leverage if they expect that the benefits to
our stockholders of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the
risks.
We need to find
alternative sources of leverage and/or access the equity markets to
maintain and grow our business.
We
commenced the two year amortization period under the Revolving Facility in
January 2009, during which time all principal proceeds of our pledged
investments are used to reduce the outstanding borrowings under the Revolving
Facility. In addition, during the continuance of the event of default
that exists under our Revolving Facility, all interest proceeds from the pledged
assets are also used to repay the Revolving Facility. As a result,
the Company is required to fund its operating expenses and dividends solely from
cash on hand, management fees earned from, and the proceeds of the
subordinated notes of, GSCIC CLO.
On the
second anniversary of the amortization period, all remaining outstanding
borrowings under the Revolving Facility will become due and payable. As a result
of these mandatory repayments, our investment portfolio will begin to
de-leverage commencing with the payment of the first principal proceeds on our
portfolio, and must be completely deleveraged in two years, unless we can obtain
an alternative source of financing.
23
On April
14, 2010, we entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement with Saratoga
and CLO Partners LLC and an assignment, assumption and novation
agreement with Saratoga, pursuant to which we assumed certain rights and
obligations of Saratoga under the Madison Commitment Letter Saratoga
received from Madison, indicating Madison’s willingness to provide the Company
with a $40 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to the
satisfaction of certain terms and conditions. However, if the
Saratoga Transaction is not consummated and we do not receive the Replacement
Facility from Madison, given the unfavorable conditions in the credit markets,
there is no assurance we will be able to secure new financing or, if we are able
to obtain financing, that the terms of such financing will be commensurate with
the terms of the Revolving Facility. Because our ability to generate
net investment income is based, in part, on the use of relatively inexpensive
financing available under the Revolving Facility to purchase portfolio assets,
the amortization of the Revolving Facility will negatively impact our ability to
generate investment income (and pay dividends) in the future.
Because
the amount of leverage we can employ is limited by the 1940 Act, our ability to
grow depends on raising additional equity capital notwithstanding the
availability of additional leverage. Under current market conditions, we are not
in a position to issue additional equity capital. An inability to
access the equity capital markets will limit our ability to grow our business
and fully execute our business strategy.
Many of our
portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our
Board of Directors; such valuations are inherently uncertain and may be
materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the
disposal of such investments.
A large
percentage of our portfolio is, and we expect will continue to be, comprised of
investments that are not publicly traded. The value of investments that are not
publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We value these investments
quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors.
Where appropriate, our Board of Directors may utilize the services of an
independent valuation firm to aid it in determining fair value. The types of
factors that may be considered in valuing our investments include the nature and
realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make
payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does
business, market yield trend analysis, comparison to publicly traded companies,
discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and
particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are
inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based
on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the
values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments
existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations
regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than
the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such
investments.
Our independent
registered public accountants have identified a material weakness in our
internal control over financial reporting, and
our business and stock price may be adversely affected if we have not
adequately
addressed the weakness or if we have other material weaknesses or significant
deficiencies in our internal controls over financial
reporting.
Our
independent registered public accountants have identified a material weakness in
our internal control over financial reporting. In particular, we did
not maintain effective controls over the accounting and disclosure of complex
investment valuations. The material weakness related to an error in
the valuation reconciliation for certain investments. This error
occurred as a result of an inadequate internal review and reconciliation of the
inputs used in preparing the complex investment valuations. In order
to remediate the material weakness, we have requested that GSC Group provide us
with additional staff and support in order to improve our internal control over
financial reporting.
These
control deficiencies resulted in adjustments to our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended February 28, 2010. If we cannot produce
reliable financial reports, investors could lose confidence in our reported
financial information, the market price of our stock could decline
significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and
expand our business, and our business and financial condition could be
harmed. In addition, we face the risk that, notwithstanding our
efforts to identify and remedy all material errors in those financial
statements, we may discover other errors in the future. We also face
the risk that the cost of identifying and remedying the errors and remediating
our material weakness in internal controls will be high and could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
We may be
obligated to pay our investment adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a net
loss, regardless of the market value of our common stock.
Our
investment adviser is entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter
in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of our investment income for
that quarter (before deducting incentive compensation, net operating losses and
certain other items) above a threshold return for that quarter. Our
pre-incentive fee net investment income, for incentive compensation purposes,
excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal
quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss on our statement of
operations for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay our investment
adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline
in the value of our Portfolio or we incur a net loss for that
quarter.
Under the
investment advisory and management agreement, we will defer cash payment of any
incentive fee otherwise earned by our investment adviser if, during the most
recent four full quarterly periods ending on or prior to the date such payment
is to be made, the sum of (a) our aggregate distributions to our stockholders
and (b) our change in net assets (defined as total assets less liabilities) is
less than 7.5% of our net assets at the beginning of such period. These
calculations will be appropriately pro rated during the first three quarters of
this fiscal year and will be adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases.
Furthermore, the incentive fee that we pay is not tied to the market value of
our common stock.
If a
portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued
interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the
calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. The investment
adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the
incentive fee it received that was based on accrued income that we never
received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted
in the accrual of such income.
24
The
proposed investment advisory and management agreement with Saratoga is
substantially similar to the investment advisory and management agreement with
our current investment adviser, except for the following material distinctions
in the fee terms:
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The
capital gains portion of the incentive fee will be reset with respect to
gains and losses from May 31, 2010, and therefore losses and gains
incurred prior to such time will not be taken into account when
calculating the capital gains fee, and Saratoga will be entitled to 20% of
gains that arise after May 31, 2010. In addition, the cost
basis for computing realized losses on investment held by the Company as
of May 31, 2010 will equal the fair value of such investment as of such
date. Under the investment advisory and management agreement
with our current investment adviser, the capital gains fee is calculated
from March 21, 2007, and the gains are substantially outweighed by
losses.
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Under
the “catch up” provision, 100% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net
investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee
net investment income that exceeds 1.875% (7.5% annualized) but is less
than or equal to 2.344% in any fiscal quarter is payable to
Saratoga. This will enable Saratoga to receive 20% of all net
investment income as such amount approaches 2.344% in any quarter, and
Saratoga will receive 20% of any additional net investment
income. Under the investment advisory and management agreement
with our current investment adviser, GSCP only receives 20% of the excess
net investment income over 1.875%.
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The
Company will no longer have deferral rights regarding incentive fees in
the event that the distributions to stockholders and change in net assets
is less than 7.5% for the preceding four fiscal
quarters.
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Our investment
adviser’s incentive compensation may cause it to pursue a high risk
investment strategy.
The
incentive fee payable to the investment adviser may create an incentive for the
investment adviser to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than
would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in
which the incentive fee payable to the investment adviser is determined (in the
case of GSCP, 20% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds a
hurdle rate of a 1.875% quarterly return on the value of net assets, and in the
case of Saratoga, 100% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income that
exceeds a hurdle rate of a 1.875% quarterly return on the value of net assets,
up to 2.344% in any quarter) may encourage the investment adviser to use
leverage to increase the return to the Company’s investments. If the investment
adviser acquires poorly-performing assets with such leverage, the loss to
holders of the shares could be substantial. Moreover, if our leverage is
increased, we will be exposed to increased risk of loss, bear the increased cost
of issuing and servicing such senior indebtedness, and will be subject to any
additional covenant restrictions imposed on us in an indenture or other
instrument or by the applicable lender. Our Board of Directors will monitor the
conflicts presented by this compensation structure by approving the amount of
leverage that we may incur. In addition, the investment adviser receives the
incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our
investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is
no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net
capital gains. As a result, the investment adviser may have a tendency to invest
more in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to
income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in
more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result
in higher investment losses, particularly during economic
downturns.
Our investment
adviser’s base compensation may cause it to increase our leverage contrary
to our interest.
We pay
the investment adviser a quarterly base management fee based on the value of our
total assets (including any assets acquired with leverage). Accordingly, the
investment adviser has an economic incentive to increase our leverage. Our Board
of Directors monitors the conflicts presented by this compensation structure by
approving the amount of leverage that we incur. If our leverage is increased, we
will be exposed to increased risk of loss, bear the increase cost of issuing and
servicing such senior indebtedness, and will be subject to any additional
covenant restrictions imposed on us in an indenture or other instrument or by
the applicable lender.
We operate in a
highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
A number
of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to
make in private middle market companies. We compete with other BDCs, public and
private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies,
insurance companies, high-yield investors, hedge funds, and, to the extent they
provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Many of our
competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than us. Some competitors may have a lower
cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In
addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different
risk assessments that could allow them to consider a wider variety of
investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our
competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act
imposes on us as a BDC. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to
take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we
cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that
meet our investment objectives.
25
We do not
seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer and we believe
that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are
comparable to or lower than the rates we offer.
We may
lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms
and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may
experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss. As a
result of operating in such a competitive environment, we may make investments
that are on better terms to our portfolio companies than we originally
anticipated, which may impact our return on these investments.
We are a
non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and
therefore are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may
be invested in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large
positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value
may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company
as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of
the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory
occurrence than a diversified investment company. However, we intend to comply
with the diversification requirements imposed by the Code for qualification as a
RIC.
Our financial
condition and results of operation depend on our ability to manage future
investments effectively.
Our
ability to achieve our investment objectives depends on our ability to acquire
suitable investments and monitor and administer those investments, which
depends, in turn, on our investment adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and
monitor companies that meet our investment criteria.
Accomplishing
this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our investment
adviser’s structuring of the investment process and its ability to provide
competent, attentive and efficient service to us. Our executive officers and the
employees of our investment adviser have substantial responsibilities in
connection with their roles at GSC Group and with the other GSC Group investment
vehicles as well as responsibilities under the investment advisory and
management agreement. Likewise, if the proposed Saratoga Transaction is
consummated, the executive officers of our new investment adviser will have
substantial responsibilities in connection with their roles at Saratoga and with
other Saratoga investment vehicles as well as responsibilities under the
investment advisory and management agreement. They may also be called
upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands
on their time, which will increase as the number of investments grow, may
distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, our investment
adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. However, we
cannot assure you that any such employees will contribute to the work of the
investment adviser. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could
have a material adverse effect on our business and financial
condition.
There are
conflicts of interest in our relationship with our investment adviser and/or
affiliates of our investment adviser that could cause them to make decisions
that are not in the best
interests of our stockholders.
Subject
to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, we may co-invest in investments of
portfolio companies on a concurrent basis with other investment vehicles managed
by affiliates of our investment adviser, such as GSC Group, or, if we consummate
the proposed Saratoga Transaction, Saratoga. An affiliate-managed
investment vehicle may, in certain circumstances, invest in securities issued by
a company in which we have made, or are making, an investment. Similarly, in
certain circumstances, we may invest in securities issued by a company in which
another affiliate-managed investment vehicle has made an investment. Although
certain such investments may present conflicts of interest, we nonetheless may
pursue and consummate such transactions. These conflicts may
include:
Co-Investment. We are
prohibited from co-investing with other investment vehicles managed now or in
the future by our affiliates in certain investments of portfolio companies in
instances where our affiliates negotiate terms other than price. In instances
where we co-invest with an affiliate-managed investment vehicle, while we will
invest on the same terms and neither we nor the affiliate-managed investment
vehicle may negotiate terms of the transaction other than price, conflicts of
interest may arise. For example, if an investee company in which both we and an
affiliate-managed investment vehicle have invested becomes distressed, and the
size of our relative investments varies significantly, the decisions relating to
actions to be taken could raise conflicts of interest.
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Conflicts in Different Parts of
Capital Structure. If a portfolio company in which we and another
affiliate-managed investment vehicle hold different classes of securities
encounters financial problems, decisions over the terms of any workout will
raise conflicts of interest. For example, a debt holder may be better served by
a liquidation of the issuer in which it will be paid in full, whereas an equity
holder might prefer a reorganization that could create value for the equity
holder.
Potential Conflicting Positions.
Given our investment objectives and the investment objectives of other
affiliate-managed investment vehicles, it is possible that we may hold a
position that is contrary to a position held by another affiliate-managed
investment vehicle. For example, we could hold a longer term investment in a
certain portfolio company and at the same time another affiliate-managed
investment vehicle could hold a short-term position in the same company. Our
affiliates make each investment decision separately based upon the investment
objective of each of their clients.
Shared Legal Counsel. We and
other affiliate-managed investment vehicles generally engage common legal
counsel in transactions in which both are participating or with respect to
matters that may affect both. Although separate counsel may be engaged, the time
and cost savings and other efficiencies and advantages of using common counsel
will generally outweigh the disadvantages. In the event of a significant dispute
or divergence of interests, typically in a work-out or other distressed
situation, separate representation may become desirable, and in litigation and
other circumstances, separate representation may be necessary.
Allocation of Opportunities.
Our investment adviser provides investment management, investment advice
or other services in relation to a number of investment vehicles that focus on
corporate credit, distressed debt, mezzanine investments and structured finance
products and have investment objectives that are similar to or overlap with
ours. Investment opportunities that may be of interest to us may also be of
interest to our affiliates’ other investment vehicles, and our affiliates may
buy or sell securities for us which differ from securities which they may cause
to be bought or sold for other investment vehicles. Our affiliates have greater
interests in other investment vehicles they manage, including greater capital
commitments to, or larger fees earned from, such investment vehicles. These
differing interests may create a conflict of interest for our affiliates in
determining which investment vehicle should pursue a given investment
opportunity.
Material Nonpublic Information.
Our affiliates or their employees, officers, principals or affiliates may
come into possession of material nonpublic information in connection with
business activities unrelated to our operations. The possession of such
information may limit our ability to buy or sell securities or otherwise
participate in an investment opportunity or to take other action we might
consider in our best interest.
Cross-Trading. Subject to
applicable law, we may engage in transactions directly with other investment
vehicles managed by our affiliates, including the purchase or sale of all or a
portion of a portfolio investment. Cross-trades can save us brokerage
commissions and, in certain cases, related transaction costs. Cross-trades
between affiliates may create conflicts of interest with respect to certain
terms of the transaction, including price. The 1940 Act imposes substantial
restrictions on cross-trades between us and investment vehicles managed by our
affilaites. As a result, our Board of Directors has adopted cross-trading
procedures designed to ensure compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act
and will regularly review the terms of any cross-trades.
We may compete
with investment vehicles of our parent affiliate for access to our parent
affiliate.
Our
investment adviser and its affiliates have sponsored and currently manage other
investment vehicles with an investment focus that overlaps with our focus, and
may in the future sponsor or manage additional investment vehicles with an
overlapping focus to ours, which, in each case, could result in us competing for
access to the benefits that we expect our relationship with our parent affiliate
to provide to us.
27
We are exposed to
risks associated with changes in interest rates.
General
interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads on floating rate loans
may have a substantial negative impact on our investments and investment
opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on investment
objectives and our rate of return on invested capital. In addition, an increase
in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt to finance our
investments. Decreases in credit spreads on debt that pays a floating rate of
return would have an impact on the income generation of our floating rate
assets. Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as
interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate
securities that have longer maturities. Although we have no policy governing the
maturities of our investments, under current market conditions we expect that we
will invest in a portfolio of debt generally having maturities of up to ten
years. This means that we will be subject to greater risk (other things being
equal) than an entity investing solely in shorter-term securities. A decline in
the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock.
We may experience
fluctuations in our quarterly results.
We could
experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of
factors, including the interest rate payable on the debt investments we make,
the default rate on such investments, the level of our expenses, variations in
and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses,
the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic
conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be
relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
Our investment
adviser’s liability is limited under the investment advisory and management
agreement and we will indemnify our investment adviser against certain
liabilities, which may lead our investment adviser to act in a riskier
manner on
our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Our
investment adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render
the services described in the investment advisory and management
agreement. Pursuant to the investment advisory and management
agreement, our investment adviser and its general partner, officers and
employees are not liable to us for their acts, under the investment advisory and
management agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to
indemnify, defend and protect our investment adviser and its general partner,
officers and employees with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and
expenses resulting from acts of our investment adviser not arising out of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the
performance of their duties under the investment advisory and management
agreement. These protections may lead our investment adviser to act
in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its
own account. If we enter into the proposed Saratoga Transaction, the
new investment advisory and management agreement will contain substantially the
same indemnification provisions as under our current investment advisory and
management agreement.
Changes in laws
or regulations governing our operations, or changes in the interpretation
thereof, and any failure by us to comply with laws or regulations
governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
We and
our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and
federal levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may
be changed from time to time. Any change in these laws or regulations, or their
interpretation, or any failure by us to comply with these laws or regulations
may adversely affect our business.
As
discussed below, there is a risk that certain investments that we intend to
treat as qualifying assets will be determined to not be eligible for such
treatment. Any such determination would have a material adverse effect on our
business.
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Risks
related to our operation as a BDC
Our common stock
may trade at a discount to our net asset value per share.
Common
stock of BDCs, as closed-end investment companies, frequently trade at a
discount to net asset value. Our common stock has traded at a discount to our
net asset value since shortly after our initial public offering. The risk that
our common stock may continue to trade at a discount to our net asset value is
separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may
decline.
Regulations
governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to raise additional
capital.
We have
incurred indebtedness under the Revolving Facility and we may issue debt
securities or preferred stock, which we refer to collectively as “senior
securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the
provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to incur indebtedness or
issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined
in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence or issuance. If the
value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test, which could
prohibit us from paying dividends and prevent us from qualifying as a RIC. If we
cannot satisfy this test, we may be required to sell a portion of our
investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our
indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.
We are
not generally able 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 current net asset value
of the common stock if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in
our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our
stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our
securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the
determination of our Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value
of such securities (less any commission or discount). If our common stock trades
at a discount to net asset value, this restriction could adversely affect our
ability to raise capital.
To
generate cash for funding new investments, we pledged a substantial portion of
our portfolio investments under the Revolving Facility. Such assets are not
available to secure other sources of funding or for securitization. Our ability
to obtain additional secured or unsecured financing on attractive terms in the
future is uncertain. Alternatively, we may in the future seek to securitize
a portion of our loan portfolio. The loan and securitization markets are subject
to changing market conditions, however, and we may not be able to access this
market when we would otherwise deem appropriate. An inability to obtain
additional leverage through secured or unsecured financing or securitization of
our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business, fully execute
our business strategy and decrease our earnings, if any. We may also face a
heightened risk of loss to the extent we hold a first loss position in a
securitized loan portfolio. The 1940 Act may also impose restrictions on the
structure of any securitization.
There is a risk
that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may
not grow over time.
As a BDC
for 1940 Act purposes and a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend
to make distributions out of assets legally available for distribution on a
quarterly basis to our stockholders once such distributions are authorized by
our Board of Directors and declared by us. We cannot assure you that we will
achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash
distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due
to the asset coverage test that is applicable to us as a BDC, we may be limited
in our ability to make distributions. Further, if we invest a greater amount of
assets in equity securities that do not pay current dividends, it could reduce
the amount available for distribution.
A failure on our
part to maintain our qualification as a BDC would significantly
reduce our operating flexibility.
If we
fail to qualify as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment
company under the 1940 Act, which would significantly decrease our operating
flexibility.
We will be
subject to corporate-level income tax if we fail to qualify as a
RIC.
We will
seek to qualify as a RIC under the Code, which requires us to qualify
continuously as a BDC and meet certain source of income, distribution and asset
diversification requirements.
The
source of income requirement is satisfied if we derive at least 90% of our
annual gross income from interest, dividends, payments with respect to certain
securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or
options thereon or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to
our business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from
interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” as defined in the
Code.
29
The
annual distribution requirement is satisfied if we distribute to our
stockholders on an annual basis an amount equal to at least 90% of our ordinary
net taxable income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of
realized net long-term capital losses, if any, reduced by deductible expenses.
We are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act
and covenants under the Facilities that could, under certain circumstances,
restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. In such
case, if we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify
as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax.
To
qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements
at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in
our having to (i) dispose of certain investments quickly or (ii) raise
additional capital to prevent the loss of our RIC qualification. Because most of
our investments will be in private companies, any such dispositions could be
made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we raise
additional capital to satisfy the asset diversification requirements, it could
take us time to invest such capital. During this period, we will invest the
additional capital in temporary investments, such as cash and cash equivalents,
which we expect will earn yields substantially lower than the interest income
that we anticipate receiving in respect of investments in first and second lien
loans, mezzanine debt and high yield debt.
If we
fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason, all of our taxable income will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates. The resulting
corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income
available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure
would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.
As a BDC, we may
have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income
before or without receiving cash in respect of such income.
For U.S.
federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have
not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we
receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other
circumstances, or contracted paid-in-kind interest, which represents contractual
interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such
original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall
investment activities, or increases in loan balances will be included in income
before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to
include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash,
including, for example, non-cash income from paid-in-kind securities and
deferred payment securities. In addition, we will consolidate GSCIC CLO for
federal income tax purposes, and income earned thereon may differ from the
distributions paid in respect of our investment in the GSCIC CLO subordinated
notes because of the factors set forth above or because distributions on the
subordinated notes are contractually required to be diverted for reinvestment or
to pay down outstanding indebtedness.
Since in
certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash in
respect of such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement that we
distribute an amount equal to at least 90% of our ordinary net taxable income
and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term
capital losses, if any, reduced by deductible expenses, to qualify as a RIC.
Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments (or investments in the
GSCIC CLO portfolio) at times we would not consider advantageous, raise
additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investments to meet these
distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources,
or are restricted from selling investments in the GSCIC CLO portfolio by the
terms of the applicable indenture, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be
subject to corporate-level income tax.
If our primary
investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify
as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business
plan.
If we are
to maintain our qualification as a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other
than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such
acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. We believe
that the leveraged loans and mezzanine investments that we propose to acquire
constitute qualifying assets because, at the time of our investment, the
privately held issuers will not have securities listed on a national securities
exchange and the publicly traded issuers will have a market capitalization of
less than $250 million.
The floating
interest rate features of any indebtedness incurred by us could adversely affect
us if interest rates rise.
Any
indebtedness incurred by us will likely bear interest at a floating rate based
on an index. As a result, if that index increases, our costs under any
indebtedness incurred would become more expensive, which could have a material
adverse effect on our earnings.
30
Risks
related to our investments
Our investments
may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Substantially
all of the debt investments held in the portfolio hold, and will likely continue
to hold, a non-investment grade rating by Moody’s and/or Standard & Poor’s
or, where not rated by any rating agency, would be below investment grade, if
rated. High yield bonds rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as
“junk bonds.” A below investment grade rating means that, in the rating agency’s
view, there is an increased risk that the obligor on such debt will be unable to
pay interest and repay principal on its debt in full. We may also invest in debt
that defers or pays paid-in-kind interest. To the extent interest payments
associated with such debt are deferred, such debt will be subject to greater
fluctuations in value based on changes in interest rates, such debt could
produce taxable income without a corresponding cash payment to us, and since we
generally do not receive any cash prior to maturity of the debt, the investment
will be of greater risk.
In
addition, private middle market companies in which we expect to invest are
exposed to a number of significant risks, including:
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limited
financial resources and an inability to meet their obligations, which may
be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a
reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have
obtained in connection with our
investment;
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shorter
operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than
larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to
competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic
downturns;
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dependence
on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; the
death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of which
could have a material adverse impact on the company and, in turn, on
us;
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less
predictable operating results and, possibly, substantial additional
capital requirements to support their operations, finance expansion or
maintain their competitive position.;
and
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difficulty
accessing the capital markets to meet future capital
needs.
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In
addition, our executive officers, directors and our investment adviser may, in
the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising
from our investments in the portfolio companies.
The lack of
liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We expect
to make investments in private companies. A portion of these securities may be
subject to legal and other restrictions on resale, transfer, pledge or other
disposition or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities.
The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such
investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all
or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than
the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. In addition, we
may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a
business entity to the extent that we or our investment adviser has or could be
deemed to have material non-public information regarding such business
entity.
The debt
securities in which we invest are subject to credit risk and prepayment
risk.
An issuer
of debt security may be unable to make interest payments and repay principal. We
could lose money if the issuer of a debt obligation is, or is perceived to be,
unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to
otherwise honor its obligations. The downgrade of a security by rating agencies
may further decrease its value.
Certain
debt instruments may contain call or redemption provisions which would allow the
issuer thereof to prepay principal prior to the debt instrument’s stated
maturity. This is known as prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is greater during a
falling interest rate environment as issuers can reduce their cost of capital by
refinancing higher interest debt instruments with lower interest debt
instruments. An issuer may also elect to refinance their debt instruments with
lower interest debt instruments if the credit standing of the issuer improves.
To the extent debt securities in our portfolio are called or redeemed, we may
receive less than we paid for such security and we may be forced to reinvest in
lower yielding securities or debt securities of issuers of lower credit
quality.
31
Our investment in
GSCIC CLO constitutes a leveraged investment in a portfolio of predominantly
senior secured first lien term loans and is subject to additional risks
and volatility.
At
February 28, 2010, our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO had a
fair value of $16.7 million and constituted 18.7% of our portfolio. This
investment constitutes a first loss position in a portfolio that, as of February
28, 2010, was composed of $387.1 million in aggregate principal amount of
primarily senior secured first lien term loans and $21.1 million in uninvested
cash. Interest payments generated from this portfolio will be used to pay the
administrative expenses of GSCIC CLO and interest on the debt issued by GSCIC
CLO before paying a return on the subordinated notes. Principal payments will be
similarly applied to pay administrative expenses of GSCIC CLO and for
reinvestment or repayment of GSCIC CLO debt before paying a return on, or
repayment of, the subordinated notes. In addition, 80% of our fixed management
fee and 100% our incentive management fee is subordinated to the payment of
interest and principal on GSCIC CLO’s debt. Any losses on the portfolio will
accordingly reduce the cash flow available to pay these management fees and
provide a return on, or repayment of, our investment. Depending on the amount
and timing of such losses we may experience smaller than expected returns and,
potentially, the loss of our entire investment.
As the
manager of the portfolio, we will have some ability to direct the composition of
the portfolio, but our discretion is limited by the terms of the debt issued by
GSCIC CLO, which may limit our ability to make investments that we feel are in
the best interests of the subordinated notes, and the availability of suitable
investments. The performance of the portfolio is also subject to many of the
same risks sets forth in this Annual Report with respect to portfolio
investments in senior secured first lien term loans.
Available
information about privately held companies is limited.
We invest
primarily in privately-held companies. Generally, little public information
exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our
investment adviser’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to
evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. These
companies and their financial information are not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover
all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed
investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.
When we are a
debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we may not be in a
position to control the entity, and its management may make decisions that
could decrease the value of our investment.
We
anticipate making both debt and minority equity investments; therefore, we will
be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with
which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of such company may take
risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests. As a result, a
portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our
portfolio holdings.
Our portfolio
companies may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or
senior to, our investments in such companies.
Our
portfolio companies usually will have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt,
or issue other equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our
investments. By their terms, such instruments may provide that the holders are
entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the
dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of our
investments. These debt instruments will usually prohibit the portfolio
companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and
during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of
insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a
portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in
that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full
before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying
such holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for
repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debtor equity ranking equally with
our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with
other holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution,
reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
There may be
circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other
creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
If one of
our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we may have structured
our interest as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including
the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio
company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding and
subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In
addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by
them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise
control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a
lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we actually
render significant managerial assistance.
32
Investments in
equity securities involve a substantial degree of risk.
We may
purchase common stock and other equity securities. Although equity securities
have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income
securities over the long-term, equity securities also have experienced
significantly more volatility in those returns and in recent years have
significantly under performed relative to fixed-income securities. The equity
securities we acquire may fail to appreciate and may decline in value or become
worthless and our ability to recover our investment will depend on our portfolio
company’s success. Investments in equity securities involve a number of
significant risks, including:
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any
equity investment we make in a portfolio company could be subject to
further dilution as a result of the issuance of additional equity
interests and to serious risks as a junior security that will be
subordinate to all indebtedness or senior securities in the event that the
issuer is unable to meet its obligations or becomes subject to a
bankruptcy process;
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to
the extent that the portfolio company requires additional capital and is
unable to obtain it, we may not recover our investment in equity
securities; and
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in
some cases, equity securities in which we invest will not pay current
dividends, and our ability to realize a return on our investment, as well
as to recover our investment, will be dependent on the success of our
portfolio companies. Even if the portfolio companies are successful, our
ability to realize the value of our investment may be dependent on the
occurrence of a liquidity event, such as a public offering or the sale of
the portfolio company. It is likely to take a significant amount of time
before a liquidity event occurs or we can sell our equity investments. In
addition, the equity securities we receive or invest in may be subject to
restrictions on resale during periods in which it could be advantageous to
sell.
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There are
special risks associated with investing in preferred securities,
including:
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preferred
securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its
discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse
consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is
deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for tax
purposes even though we have not received any cash payments in respect of
such income;
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preferred
securities are subordinated with respect to corporate income and
liquidation payments, and are therefore subject to greater risk than
debt;
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preferred
securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities,
such as common securities or U.S. government securities;
and
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preferred
security holders generally have no voting rights with respect to the
issuing company, subject to limited
exceptions.
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Our investments
in foreign debt, including that of emerging market issuers, may involve
significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Although
there are limitations on our ability to invest in foreign debt, we may, from
time to time, invest in debt of foreign companies, including the debt of
emerging market issuers. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to
additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies.
These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and
social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid
markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United
States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges,
brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing
contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and
greater price volatility. Investments in the debt of emerging market issuers may
subject us to additional risks such as inflation, wage and price controls, and
the imposition of trade barriers. Furthermore, economic conditions in emerging
market countries are, to some extent, influenced by economic and securities
market conditions in other emerging market countries. Although economic
conditions are different in each country, investors’ reaction to developments in
one country can have effects on the debt of issuers in other
countries.
Although
most of our investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, our investments that
are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value
of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other
currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade
balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values
of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for
investment and capital appreciation, and political developments. We may employ
hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that we
will fully hedge against these risks or that such strategies will be
effective.
33
We may expose
ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.
We may
utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest
rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in
the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange
rates and market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may expose us
to counter-party credit risk. Hedging against a decline in the values of our
portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the
values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions
decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain
from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of
such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the
opportunity for gain if the values of the portfolio positions should increase.
Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest
rate fluctuation that is generally anticipated at an acceptable
price.
Our Board of
Directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior
notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.
Our Board
of Directors has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies
and our strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We
cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and
strategies would have on our business, financial condition, and value of our
common stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively
impact our ability to pay dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your
investment.
Risks
related to an investment in our shares
Investing in our
common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.
The
investments we make in accordance with our investment objectives may result in a
higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss
of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative
and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our common stock may not be
suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
The market price
of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The
market price and liquidity of the market for our common stock may be
significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control
and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors
include:
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significant
volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or
other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the
operating performance of these
companies;
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changes
in regulatory policies or tax rules, particularly with respect to RICs or
BDCs;
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loss
of RIC qualification;
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changes
in the value of our portfolio of
investments;
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any
shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels
expected by investors or securities
analysts;
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departure
of our investment adviser’s key
personnel;
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operating
performance of companies comparable to
us;
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general
economic trends and other external factors;
and
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loss
of a major funding source.
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34
If the Saratoga
Transaction is not consummated, provisions of our governing documents and the
Maryland General Corporation Law could deter
future takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our
common
stock.
We are
governed by our charter and bylaws, which we refer to as our “governing
documents.”
Our
governing documents and the Maryland General Corporation Law contain provisions
that, to the extent that the Saratoga Transaction is not consummated, may have
the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future transaction or change
in control of us that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or
otherwise be in their best interest.
Our
charter provides for the classification of our Board of Directors into three
classes of directors, serving staggered three-year terms, which may render a
change of control of us or removal of our incumbent management more
difficult. Furthermore, any and all vacancies on our Board of
Directors will be filled generally only by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not
constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for
the remainder of the full term until a successor is elected and
qualifies.
Our Board
of Directors is authorized to create and issue new series of shares, to classify
or reclassify any unissued shares of stock into one or more classes or series,
including preferred stock and, without stockholder approval, to amend our
charter to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have
authority to issue, which could have the effect of diluting a stockholder’s
ownership interest. Prior to the issuance of shares of stock of each class or
series, including any reclassified series, our Board of Directors is required by
our governing documents to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each
class or series of shares of stock.
Our
governing documents also provide that our Board of Directors has the exclusive
power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws, and to make new
bylaws. The Maryland General Corporation Law also contains certain provisions
that may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us, such
as:
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The
Maryland Business Combination Act, which, subject to certain limitations,
prohibits certain business combinations between us and an “interested
stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or
more of the voting power of the common stock or an affiliate thereof) for
five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an
interested stockholder and, thereafter, imposes special minimum price
provisions and special stockholder voting requirements on these
combinations; and
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The
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, which provides that “control
shares” of a Maryland corporation (defined as shares of common stock
which, when aggregated with other shares of common stock controlled by the
stockholder, entitles the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing
ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share
acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership
or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent
approved by stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of
all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested
shares of common stock.
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The
provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act will not apply, however, if
our Board of Directors adopts a resolution that any business combination between
us and any other person will be exempt from the provisions of the Maryland
Business Combination Act. Although our Board of Directors has adopted such a
resolution, there can be no assurance that this resolution will not be altered
or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If the resolution is altered or
repealed, the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act may discourage
others from trying to acquire control of us.
As
permitted by Maryland law, our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of
our common stock. Although our bylaws include such a provision, such a provision
may also be amended or eliminated by our Board of Directors at any time in the
future.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
35
Item
2. Properties
We do not
own any real estate or physical properties materially important to our business.
Our corporate office is located at 500 Campus Drive, Suite 220, Florham Park,
New Jersey 07932. Our telephone number is (973) 437-1000. We believe that our
office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as currently
conducted and as reasonably foreseeable.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
Neither
we nor our investment adviser are currently subject to any material legal
proceedings.
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PART
II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s
Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Price
range of common stock
Our
common stock is quoted on the NYSE under the symbol “GNV” and started trading on
March 23, 2007 at an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share. Prior to
such date there was no public market for our common stock. Set forth below are
the net asset value per share of our common stock and the range of high and low
closing sales prices for our common stock for each full quarterly period for the
years ended February 28, 2009 and 2010.
Price
Range
|
||||||||||||
Fiscal 2009
|
NAV(1)
|
High
|
Low
|
|||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$ | 11.75 | $ | 10.67 | $ | 9.30 | ||||||
Second
Quarter
|
$ | 11.05 | $ | 11.05 | $ | 9.16 | ||||||
Third
Quarter
|
$ | 10.14 | $ | 10.86 | $ | 1.10 | ||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 8.20 | $ | 3.15 | $ | 1.55 |
Fiscal 2010
|
NAV(1)
|
High
|
Low
|
|||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$ | 8.85 | $ | 3.95 | $ | 1.50 | ||||||
Second
Quarter
|
$ | 6.91 | $ | 3.49 | $ | 2.09 | ||||||
Third
Quarter
|
$ | 3.80 | $ | 3.71 | $ | 1.70 | ||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 2.09 | $ | 1.42 |
(1)
|
Net
asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant
quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the
date of the high and low closing sales prices. The net asset values shown
are based on outstanding shares at the end of each
period.
|
Holders
As of May
12, 2010, there were 13 holders of record of our common stock (including Cede
& Co.).
Dividend
Policy
The
following table summaries our dividends or distributions declared during fiscal
2009 and 2010:
Date Declared
|
Record Date
|
Payment Date
|
Amount
per Share
|
|||||
May
22, 2008
|
May
30, 2008
|
June
13, 2008
|
$ | 0.39 | ||||
August
19, 2008
|
August
29, 2008
|
September
15, 2008
|
$ | 0.39 | ||||
December
8, 2008
|
December
18, 2008
|
December
29, 2008
|
$ | 0.25 | ||||
Total
Dividends Declared for Fiscal 2009
|
$ | 1.03 | ||||||
November
13, 2009
|
November
25, 2009
|
December
31, 2009
|
$ | 1.825 | ||||
Total
Dividends Declared for Fiscal 2010
|
$ | 1.825 |
We review
dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution
on a quarterly basis. Our quarterly distributions, if any, will be
determined by our Board of Directors. Any such distributions will be
taxable to our stockholders, including to those stockholders who receive
additional shares of our common stock pursuant to a dividend reinvestment
plan. However, since January 2009 we have suspended our quarterly
dividends and have made only one distribution to our stockholders, in November
2009. Although we continue to review dividends on a quarterly basis,
we do not expect to pay a dividend in every quarter. We are prohibited from
making distributions that cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios
stipulated by the 1940 Act or that violate our debt covenants.
37
In order
to maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must for each fiscal year distribute
an amount equal to at least 90% of our ordinary net taxable income and realized
net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses,
if any, reduced by deductible expenses. In addition, we will be subject to
federal excise taxes to the extent we do not distribute during the calendar year
at least (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98% of our
capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one year period ending on
October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and net capital
gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such
years. For the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, provisions of
$27,445 and $140,322, respectively were recorded for federal exercise
taxes. In order to maintain our qualification as a RIC, we expect to
declare dividends payable from our fiscal year 2010 earnings prior to November
15, 2010 and to distribute such dividends prior to February 28,
2011. We may elect to withhold from distribution a portion of our
ordinary income for the 2010 calendar year and/or portion of the capital gains
in excess of capital losses realized during the one year period ending October
31, 2010, if any, and, if we do so, we would expect to incur federal excise
taxes again as a result.
We
maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As
a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they
specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash
dividends. GSC Group, and the funds managed by it, do not currently participate
in the dividend reinvestment plan with respect to their holdings of the
company’s common stock.
Subject
to certain conditions, for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2011,
we are permitted to make distributions to our stockholders in the form of shares
of our common stock in lieu of cash distributions. The decision to make such
distributions will be made by our Board of Directors.
Performance
Graph
The
following graph compares the return on our common stock with that of the
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the NASDAQ Financial 100 index, for
the period from March 23, 2007, the date our common stock began trading, through
February 28, 2010. The graph assumes that, on March 23, 2007, a person invested
$100 in each of our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and
the NASDAQ Financial 100 index. The graph measures total shareholder return,
which takes into account both changes in stock price and dividends. It assumes
that dividends paid are reinvested in like securities.
38
Sales
of unregistered securities
We did
not sell any securities during the period covered by this report that were not
registered under the Securities Act.
Issuer
purchases of equity securities
We did
not purchase any shares of our common stock in the open market during the year
ended February 28, 2010.
Item
6. Selected Financial Data
As of
February 28, 2007, the Company (including its predecessors) had not yet
commenced operations. The following selected financial and other data for the
years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 are derived from
our consolidated financial statements which have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose report thereon
is included within this Annual Report. The data should be read in conjunction
with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included
elsewhere in this Annual Report, and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
GSC
INVESTMENT CORP.
SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA
(dollar
amounts in thousands, except share and per share numbers)
Year Ended
February 28, 2010
|
Year Ended
February 28, 2009
|
Year Ended
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
Income
Statement Data:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and related portfolio income:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 13,324 | $ | 21,142 | $ | 20,744 | ||||||
Management
fee and other income
|
2,293 | 2,245 | 642 | |||||||||
Total
interest and related portfolio income
|
15,617 | 23,387 | 21,386 | |||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and credit facility financing expenses
|
4,096 | 2,605 | 5,031 | |||||||||
Base
management and incentive management fees(1)
|
2,278 | 4,432 | 3,650 | |||||||||
Administrator
expenses
|
671 | 961 | 892 | |||||||||
Administrative
and other
|
3,502 | 2,433 | 2,766 | |||||||||
Expense
reimbursement
|
(671 | ) | (1,010 | ) | (1,789 | ) | ||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
9,876 | 9,421 | 10,550 | |||||||||
Net
investment income before income taxes
|
5,741 | 13,966 | 10,836 | |||||||||
Income
tax expenses, including excise tax
|
(27 | ) | (140 | ) | (89 | ) | ||||||
Net
investment income
|
5,714 | 13,826 | 10,747 | |||||||||
Realized
and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and derivatives
|
||||||||||||
Net
realized gain (loss)
|
(6,654 | ) | (7,143 | ) | 3,908 | |||||||
Net
change in unrealized loss
|
(9,523 | ) | (27,998 | ) | (20,106 | ) | ||||||
Total
net loss
|
(16,177 | ) | (35,141 | ) | (16,198 | ) | ||||||
Net
decrease in net assets resulting from operations
|
$ | (10,463 | ) | $ | (21,315 | ) | $ | (5,451 | ) |
Year Ended
February 28, 2010
|
Year Ended
February 28, 2009
|
Year Ended
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
Per
Share:
|
||||||||||||
Earnings
(loss) per common share — basic and diluted(2)
|
$ | (0.99 | ) | $ | (2.57 | ) | $ | (0.70 | ) | |||
Net
investment income per share — basic and diluted(2)
|
$ | 0.54 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.38 | ||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share — basic and
diluted(2)
|
$ | (1.52 | ) | $ | (4.24 | ) | $ | (2.08 | ) | |||
Dividends
declared per common share(3)
|
$ | 1.83 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.55 | ||||||
Statement
of assets and liabilities Data:
|
||||||||||||
Investment
assets at fair value
|
$ | 89,373 | $ | 118,912 | $ | 172,837 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
96,935 | 130,662 | 192,842 | |||||||||
Total
debt outstanding
|
36,992 | 58,995 | 78,450 | |||||||||
Stockholders’
equity
|
55,478 | 68,014 | 97,869 | |||||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 8.20 | $ | 11.80 | ||||||
Common
shares outstanding at end of year
|
16,940,109 | 8,291,384 | 8,291,384 | |||||||||
Other
Data:
|
||||||||||||
Investments
funded
|
$ | — | $ | 28,260 | $ | 314,003 | ||||||
Principal
collections related to investment repayments or sales
|
$ | 15,185 | $ | 49,195 | $ | 141,772 | ||||||
Number
of portfolio investments at year end
|
41 | 45 | 46 | |||||||||
Weighted
average yield of income producing debt investments —
Non-control/non-affiliate
|
9.6 | % | 9.7 | % | 10.7 | % | ||||||
Weighted
average yield on income producing debt investments —
Control
|
8.3 | % | 12.2 | % | 8.2 | % |
39
(1)
|
See
note 7 in consolidated financial statements.
|
(2)
|
For
the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008,
amounts are calculated using weighted average common shares outstanding of
10,613,507, 8,291,384 and 7,761,965, respectively.
|
(3)
|
Based
on 8,291,384 common
shares outstanding.
|
Quarterly
Data
2010
|
2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Qtr 4
|
Qtr 3
|
Qtr 2
|
Qtr 1
|
Qtr 4
|
Qtr 3
|
Qtr 2
|
Qtr 1
|
||||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share numbers)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
and related portfolio income
|
$ | 3,637 | $ | 3,530 | $ | 3,685 | $ | 4,764 | $ | 5,480 | $ | 6,361 | $ | 5,835 | $ | 5,715 | |||||||||
Net
investment income
|
1,201 | 869 | 1,080 | 2,564 | 3,288 | 3,887 | 3,455 | 3,195 | |||||||||||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
(10,067 | ) | 8,258 | (17,168 | ) | 2,800 | (17,296 | ) | (11,438 | ) | (6,023 | ) | (384 | ) | |||||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations
|
(8,866 | ) | 9,128 | (16,088 | ) | 5,364 | (14,008 | ) | (7,551 | ) | (2,567 | ) | 2,811 | ||||||||||||
Net
investment income per common share at end of each quarter
|
$ | 0.07 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.39 | |||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) per common share at end of each
quarter
|
$ | (0.59 | ) | $ | 0.91 | $ | (2.07 | ) | $ | 0.34 | $ | (2.09 | ) | $ | (1.38 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | |||
Dividends
declared per common share
|
$ | – | $ | 1.825 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.39 | |||||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 3.80 | $ | 6.91 | $ | 8.85 | $ | 8.20 | $ | 10.14 | $ | 11.05 | $ | 11.75 |
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of
Operations
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements
and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this
Annual Report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion
and other parts of this Annual Report contain forward-looking information that
involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors
discussed under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and “Note about Forward-Looking
Statements” appearing elsewhere herein.
Overview
GSC
Investment Corp. is a Maryland corporation that has elected to be treated as a
BDC. Our investment objectives are to generate current income and capital
appreciation through debt and equity investments by primarily investing in
middle market companies and select high yield bonds. We have elected and
qualified to be treated as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. We commenced
operations on March 23, 2007, and completed our IPO on March 28, 2007. We are
externally managed and advised by our investment adviser, GSCP (NJ),
L.P.
We used
the net proceeds of our IPO to purchase approximately $100.7 million in
aggregate principal amount of debt investments from CDO Fund III, a CLO fund
managed by our investment adviser. We used borrowings under our credit
facilities to purchase approximately $115.1 million in aggregate principal
amount of debt investments in April and May 2007 from CDO Fund III and CDO Fund
I, a collateralized debt obligation fund managed by our investment adviser. As
of February 28, 2010, our portfolio consisted of $89.4 million, principally
invested in 27 portfolio companies and one CLO.
40
Recent
Developments
On April
14, 2010, we entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement with Saratoga and CLO
Partners LLC, pursuant to which, subject to approval by our stockholders and the
satisfaction of certain closing conditions described therein, we intend to
consummate the Saratoga Transaction whereby Saratoga will acquire approximately
37% of our common stock, appoint Saratoga as our new investment adviser, replace
our existing Revolving Facility with the Replacement Facility with Madison, and
replace our two GSC Group-affiliated board members and all of our executive
officers, resulting in a change of control of the Company. For more
information regarding the proposed Saratoga Transaction, see Part I, Item 1.
“Business—Proposed Saratoga Transaction.”
Revenues
We
generate revenue in the form of interest income and capital gains on the debt
investments that we hold and capital gains, if any, on equity interests that we
may acquire. We expect our debt investments, whether in the form of first and
second lien term loans, mezzanine debt or high yield bonds, to have terms of up
to ten years, and to bear interest at either a fixed or floating rate. Interest
on debt will be payable generally either quarterly or semi-annually. In some
cases our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest to be
paid-in-kind (“PIK”). To the extent interest is paid-in-kind, it will be payable
through the increase of the principal amount of the obligation by the amount of
interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of such
obligation. The principal amount of the debt and any accrued but unpaid interest
will generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate
revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees,
fees for providing managerial assistance or investment management services and
possibly consulting fees. Any such fees will be generated in connection with our
investments and recognized as earned. We may also invest in preferred equity
securities that pay dividends on a current basis.
Pursuant
to an agreement with our investment adviser entered into on October 17, 2006,
prior to becoming a BDC, we acquired the right to act as investment adviser to
CDO Fund III and collect the management fees related thereto from March 20, 2007
until the liquidation of the CDO Fund III assets. We paid our investment adviser
a fair market price of $0.1 million for the right to act as investment adviser
to CDO Fund III.
On
January 22, 2008 we entered into a collateral management agreement with GSCIC
CLO pursuant to which we will act as its collateral manager and receive a senior
collateral management fee of 0.10% and a subordinate collateral management fee
of 0.40% of the outstanding principal amount of GSCIC CLO’s assets, paid
quarterly to the extent of available proceeds. We are also entitled to an
incentive management fee equal to 20% of excess cash flow to the extent the
GSCIC CLO subordinated notes receive an internal rate of return equal to or
greater than 12%.
We
recognize interest income on our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO using the effective interest method, based on the anticipated yield and the
estimated cash flows over the projected life of the investment. Yields are
revised when there are changes in actual or estimated cash flows due to changes
in prepayments and/or re-investments, credit losses or asset pricing. Changes in
estimated yield are recognized as an adjustment to the estimated yield over the
remaining life of the investment from the date the estimated yield was
changed.
Expenses
Our
primary operating expenses include the payment of investment advisory and
management fees, professional fees, directors and officers insurance, fees paid
to independent directors and administrator expenses, including our allocable
portion of our administrator’s overhead. Our allocable portion is based on the
ratio of our total assets to the total assets administered by our administrator.
Our investment advisory and management fees compensate our investment adviser
for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our
investments. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and
transactions, including those relating to:
|
•
|
organization;
|
|
•
|
calculating
our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent
valuation firm);
|
|
•
|
expenses
incurred by our investment adviser payable to third parties, including
agents, consultants or other advisers, in monitoring our financial and
legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due
diligence on our prospective portfolio
companies;
|
41
|
•
|
interest
payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our
investments;
|
|
•
|
offerings
of our common stock and other
securities;
|
|
•
|
investment
advisory and management fees;
|
|
•
|
administration
fees;
|
|
•
|
fees
payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisers,
relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making
investments;
|
|
•
|
transfer
agent and custodial fees;
|
|
•
|
registration
fees;
|
|
•
|
listing
fees;
|
|
•
|
taxes;
|
|
•
|
independent
directors’ fees and expenses;
|
|
•
|
costs
of preparing and filing reports or other documents of the
SEC;
|
|
•
|
the
costs of any reports;
|
|
•
|
proxy
statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing
costs;
|
|
•
|
to
the extent we are covered by any joint insurance policies, our allocable
portion of the insurance premiums for such joint
policies;
|
|
•
|
direct
costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs;
and
|
|
•
|
all
other expenses incurred by us or our administrator in connection with
administering our business.
|
The
amount payable to GSC Group as administrator under the administration agreement
is capped to the effect that such amount, together with our other operating
expenses, does not exceed an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of our net assets
attributable to common stock. In addition, for the current one-year term of the
administration agreement (expiring March 21, 2011), GSC Group has waived our
reimbursement obligation under the administration agreement until our total
assets exceed $500 million.
Pursuant
to the investment advisory and management agreement, we pay GSC Group as
investment adviser a quarterly base management fee of 1.75% of the average value
of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets
purchased with borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed
fiscal quarters, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or
repurchases during the applicable fiscal quarter, and an incentive
fee.
The
incentive fee has two parts:
|
•
|
A
fee, payable quarterly in arrears, equal to 20% of our pre-incentive fee
net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the
net assets at the end of the immediately preceding quarter, that exceeds a
1.875% quarterly (7.5% annualized) hurdle rate measured as of the end of
each fiscal quarter. Under this provision, in any fiscal quarter, our
investment adviser receives no incentive fee unless our pre-incentive fee
net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.875%. Amounts received
as a return of capital are not included in calculating this portion of the
incentive fee. Since the hurdle rate is based on net assets, a return of
less than the hurdle rate on total assets may still result in an incentive
fee.
|
42
|
•
|
A
fee, payable at the end of each fiscal year, equal to 20% of our net
realized capital gains, if any, computed net of all realized capital
losses and unrealized capital depreciation, in each case on a cumulative
basis, less the aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid to
the investment adviser through such
date.
|
We will
defer cash payment of any incentive fee otherwise earned by our investment
adviser if, during the most recent four full fiscal quarter period ending on or
prior to the date such payment is to be made, the sum of (a) our aggregate
distributions to our stockholders and (b) our change in net assets (defined as
total assets less liabilities) (before taking into account any incentive fees
payable during that period) is less than 7.5% of our net assets at the beginning
of such period. These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for the first
three fiscal quarters of operation and adjusted for any share issuances or
repurchases during the applicable period. Such incentive fee will become payable
on the next date on which such test has been satisfied for the most recent four
full fiscal quarters or upon certain terminations of the investment advisory and
management agreement. We commenced deferring cash payment of incentive fees
during the quarterly period ended August 31, 2007, and have continued to defer
such payments through the current quarterly period. For the fiscal
year ended February 28, 2010, the Company owes GSCP $2.3 million in fees for
services provided to the Company for the 2010 fiscal year; as of April 30, 2010,
$2.3 million remained unpaid, with $435,000 to be paid on or about May 28, 2010
and the remaining $1.9 million to be waived if the Saratoga Transaction is
consummated. GSCP will no longer provide services to us if the
Saratoga Transaction is consummated.
If we
consummate the proposed Saratoga Transaction, the terms of the investment
advisory and management agreement with our new investment adviser, Saratoga,
will be substantially similar to the terms of our current agreement with GSCP,
except for the following material distinctions in the fee terms:
|
•
|
The
capital gains portion of the incentive fee will be reset with respect to
gains and losses from May 31, 2010, and therefore losses and gains
incurred prior to such time will not be taken into account when
calculating the capital gains fee, and Saratoga will be entitled to 20% of
gains that arise after May 31, 2010. In addition, the cost
basis for computing realized losses on investment held by the Company as
of May 31, 2010 will equal the fair value of such investment as of such
date. Under the investment advisory and management agreement
with our current investment adviser, the capital gains fee is calculated
from March 21, 2007, and the gains are substantially outweighed by
losses.
|
|
•
|
Under
the “catch up” provision, 100% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net
investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee
net investment income that exceeds 1.875% (7.5% annualized) but is less
than or equal to 2.344% in any fiscal quarter is payable to
Saratoga. This will enable Saratoga to receive 20% of all net
investment income as such amount approaches 2.344% in any quarter, and
Saratoga will receive 20% of any additional net investment
income. Under the investment advisory and management agreement
with our current investment adviser, GSCP only receives 20% of the excess
net investment income over 1.875%.
|
|
•
|
The
Company will no longer have deferral rights regarding incentive fees in
the event that the distributions to stockholders and change in net assets
is less than 7.5% for the preceding four fiscal
quarters.
|
To the
extent that any of our leveraged loans are denominated in a currency other than
U.S. dollars, we may enter into currency hedging contracts to reduce our
exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We may also enter into
interest rate hedging agreements. Such hedging activities, which will be subject
to compliance with applicable legal requirements, may include the use of
interest rate caps, futures, options and forward contracts. Costs incurred in
entering into or settling such contracts will be borne by us.
From the
commencement of operations until March 23, 2008, GSC Group reimbursed us for
operating expenses to the extent that our total annual operating expenses (other
than investment advisory and management fees and interest and credit facility
expenses) exceeded an amount equal to 1.55% of our net assets attributable to
common stock.
43
Portfolio
and investment activity
Corporate
Debt Portfolio Overview(1)
At February 28, 2010
|
At February 28, 2009
|
At February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
($
in millions)
|
||||||||||||
Number
of investments
|
38 | 42 | 43 | |||||||||
Number
of portfolio companies
|
27 | 35 | 36 | |||||||||
Average
investment size
|
$
|
1.9 |
$
|
2.3 |
$
|
3.3 | ||||||
Weighted
average maturity
|
2.5
|
years |
3.3
|
years |
3.8
|
years | ||||||
Number
of industries
|
19 | 22 | 23 | |||||||||
Average
investment per portfolio company
|
$
|
2.7 |
$
|
2.8 |
$
|
4.0 | ||||||
Non-Performing
or delinquent investments
|
$
|
18.5 |
$
|
0.4 |
$
|
— | ||||||
Fixed
rate debt (% of interest bearing portfolio)
|
$
|
33.0(46.9 | %) |
$
|
40.3(41.8 | %) |
$
|
57.0(39.6 | %) | |||
Weighted
average current coupon
|
11.6 | % | 11.7 | % | 11.6 | % | ||||||
Floating
rate debt (% of interest bearing portfolio)
|
$
|
37.4(53.1 | %) |
$
|
56.2(58.2 | %) |
$
|
86.8(60.4 | %) | |||
Weighted
average current spread over LIBOR
|
7.6 | % | 5.9 | % | 5.6 | % |
(1)
|
Excludes
our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO and investments in
common stocks and limited partnership
interests.
|
During
the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, we made no investments in new or
existing portfolio companies and had $15.2 million in aggregate amount of exits
and repayments resulting in net repayments of $15.2 million for the
year.
During
the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, we made 17 investments in an aggregate
amount of $23.1 million in new portfolio companies and $5.2 million in
investments in existing portfolio companies. Also during the fiscal year ended
February 28, 2009, we had $49.2 million in aggregate amount of exits and
repayments resulting in net repayments of $20.9 million for the
year.
During
the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008, we made 144 investments in an aggregate
amount of $314.0 million. Also during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008,
we had $141.8 million in aggregate amount of exits and repayments, resulting in
net investments of $172.2 million in aggregate amount for the year.
Our
portfolio composition at February 28, 2010 and February 29, 2009 was as
follows:
Portfolio
composition
At February 28, 2010
|
At February 28, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
Weighted
Average
Current Yield
|
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
Weighted
Average
Current Yield
|
|||||||||||||
First
lien term loans
|
18.6 | % | 8.6 | % | 14.4 | % | 6.8 | % | ||||||||
Second
lien term loans
|
22.7 | 8.1 | 34.5 | 9.0 | ||||||||||||
Senior
secured notes
|
31.0 | 11.6 | 21.7 | 11.6 | ||||||||||||
Unsecured
notes
|
6.4 | 12.2 | 10.4 | 12.3 | ||||||||||||
GSCIC
CLO subordinated notes
|
18.7 | 8.3 | 18.8 | 12.2 | ||||||||||||
Equity
interests
|
2.6 | N/A | 0.1 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Limited
partnership interests
|
— | N/A | 0.1 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Total
|
100.0 | % | 9.3 | % | 100.0 | % | 10.2 | % |
Our
investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO represents a first loss
position in a portfolio that, at February 28, 2010 and 2009, was composed of
$387.1 and $416.0 million, respectively, in aggregate principal amount of
predominantly senior secured first lien term loans. This investment is subject
to unique risks. (See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Risks related to our
investments—Our investment in GSCIC CLO constitutes a leveraged investment in a
portfolio of predominantly senior secured first lien term loans and is subject
to additional risks and volatility”) We do not consolidate the GSCIC CLO
portfolio in our financial statements. Accordingly, the metrics below do not
include the underlying GSCIC CLO portfolio investments. However, at February 28,
2010, five GSCIC CLO portfolio investments were in default and over 92.3% of the
GSCIC CLO portfolio investments had a CMR (as defined below) color rating of
green or yellow.
GSC Group
normally grades all of our investments using an internally developed credit and
monitoring rating system (“CMR”). Prior to November 30, 2009 the CMR rating
consists of two components: (i) a numerical debt score and (ii) a corporate
letter rating. The numerical debt score is based on the objective evaluation of
six risk categories: (i) leverage, (ii) seniority in the capital structure,
(iii) fixed charge coverage ratio, (iv) debt service coverage/liquidity, (v)
operating performance, and (vi) business/industry risk. The numerical debt score
ranges from 1.00 to 5.00, which can generally be characterized as
follows:
|
•
|
1.00-2.00
represents investments that hold senior positions in the capital structure
and, typically, have low financial leverage and/or strong historical
operating performance;
|
44
|
•
|
2.00-3.00
represents investments that hold relatively senior positions in the
capital structure, either senior secured, senior unsecured, or senior
subordinate, and have moderate financial leverage and/or are performing at
or above expectations;
|
|
•
|
3.00-4.00
represents investments that are junior in the capital structure, have
moderate financial leverage and/or are performing at or below
expectations; and
|
|
•
|
4.00-5.00
represents investments that are highly leveraged and/or have poor
operating performance.
|
The
numerical debt score is designed to produce higher scores for debt positions
that are more subordinate in the capital structure. Therefore, second lien term
loans, high-yield bonds and mezzanine debt will generally be assigned scores of
2.25 or higher.
The CMR
also consists of a corporate letter rating whereby each credit is assigned a
letter rating based on several subjective criteria, including perceived
financial and operating strength and covenant compliance. The corporate letter
ratings range from (A) through (F) and are characterized as follows: (A) equals
strong credit, (B) equals satisfactory credit, (C) equals special attention
credit, (D) equals payment default risk, (E) equals payment default, (F) equals
restructured equity security.
Effective
November 30, 2009, the CMR consisted of a single component: a color rating. The
color rating is based on several criteria, including financial and operating
strength, probability of default, and restructuring risk. The color
ratings are characterized as follows: (Green) - strong credit;
(Yellow) - satisfactory credit; (Red) - payment default risk, in payment default
and/or significant restructuring activity.
The CMR
distribution of our investments at February 28, 2010 was as
follows:
Portfolio
CMR distribution
At February 28, 2010
|
||||||||
Color Score
|
Investments at
Fair Value
|
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
|
||||||
($ in thousands)
|
||||||||
Green
|
$ | 9,479 | 10.6 | % | ||||
Yellow
|
27,763 | 31.1 | ||||||
Red
|
33,222 | 37.2 | ||||||
N/A(1)
|
18,909 | 21.1 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 89,373 | 100.0 | % |
(1)
|
Predominantly
comprised of our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO.
|
The CMR
distribution of our investments, using the legacy rating components, at February
28, 2009 was as follows:
Portfolio
CMR distribution
At February 28, 2009
|
||||||||
Numerical Debt Score
|
Investments at
Fair Value
|
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
|
||||||
($ in thousands)
|
||||||||
1.00
- 1.99
|
$ | 8,941 | 7.5 | % | ||||
2.00
- 2.99
|
33,831 | 28.5 | ||||||
3.00
- 3.99
|
49,076 | 41.2 | ||||||
4.00
- 4.99
|
4,614 | 3.9 | ||||||
5.00
|
— | — | ||||||
N/A(1)
|
22,450 | 18.9 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 118,912 | 100.0 | % |
45
At February 28, 2009
|
||||||||
Corporate Letter Rating
|
Investments at
Fair Value
|
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
|
||||||
($ in thousands)
|
||||||||
A
|
$ | 4,602 | 3.9 | % | ||||
B
|
36,818 | 30.9 | ||||||
C
|
42,700 | 35.9 | ||||||
D
|
11,668 | 9.8 | ||||||
E
|
674 | 0.6 | ||||||
F
|
— | — | ||||||
N/A(1)
|
22,450 | 18.9 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 118,912 | 100.0 | % |
(1)
|
Predominantly
comprised of our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO.
|
The
following table shows the portfolio composition by industry grouping at fair
value at February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009.
Portfolio
composition by industry grouping at fair value
At
February 28, 2010
|
At
February 28, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||
Investments
at
Fair Value
|
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
Investments
at
Fair Value
|
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
|||||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Structured
Finance Securities(1)
|
$ | 16,698 | 18.7 | % | $ | 22,341 | 18.8 | % | ||||||||
Packaging
|
9,791 | 11.0 | 10,070 | 8.5 | ||||||||||||
Consumer
Products
|
7,508 | 8.4 | 7,843 | 6.6 | ||||||||||||
Healthcare
Services
|
7,190 | 8.0 | 6,010 | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
Apparel
|
6,910 | 7.7 | 6,616 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
Publishing
|
6,710 | 7.5 | 6,477 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||
Electronics
|
6,617 | 7.4 | 6,849 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||
Manufacturing
|
6,399 | 7.2 | 14,480 | 12.2 | ||||||||||||
Metals
|
3,794 | 4.3 | 5,693 | 4.8 | ||||||||||||
Homebuilding
|
3,634 | 4.1 | 3,490 | 2.9 | ||||||||||||
Natural
Resources
|
2,989 | 3.3 | 4,470 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||
Logistics
|
2,230 | 2.5 | 2,134 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||
Environmental
|
2,060 | 2.3 | 3,592 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||
Food
and Beverage
|
1,697 | 1.9 | 1,707 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Printing
|
1,614 | 1.8 | 1,638 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Oil
and Gas
|
1,129 | 1.2 | 7,359 | 6.2 | ||||||||||||
Financial
Services
|
984 | 1.1 | 3,162 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||
Education
|
634 | 0.7 | 674 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Building
Products
|
530 | 0.6 | 1,426 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Consumer
Services
|
255 | 0.3 | 244 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Insurance
|
— | — | 1,493 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Software
|
— | — | 773 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Chemicals
|
— | — | 371 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 89,373 | 100.0 | % | $ | 118,912 | 100.0 | % |
(1)
|
Predominantly
comprised of our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO.
|
The
following table shows the portfolio composition by geographic location at fair
value at February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009. The geographic composition is
determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio
company.
Portfolio
composition by geographic location at fair value
At
February 28, 2010
|
At
February 28, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||
Investments
at
Fair Value
|
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
Investments
at
Fair Value
|
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
|
|||||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Midwest
|
$ | 23,637 | 26.5 | % | $ | 31,716 | 26.7 | % | ||||||||
Other(1)
|
16,698 | 18.7 | 22,449 | 18.9 | ||||||||||||
West
|
14,695 | 16.4 | 16,137 | 13.6 | ||||||||||||
International
|
12,781 | 14.3 | 12,165 | 10.2 | ||||||||||||
Northeast
|
11,631 | 13.0 | 12,578 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||
Southeast
|
9,931 | 11.1 | 23,094 | 19.4 | ||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic
|
— | — | 773 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 89,373 | 100.0 | % | $ | 118,912 | 100.0 | % |
(1)
|
Predominantly
comprised of our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO.
|
46
Results
of operations
For
the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008
Operating results for the years ended
February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 are as follows;
For
the Year Ended
|
||||||||||||
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Total
investment income
|
$ | 15,617 | $ | 23,387 | $ | 21,386 | ||||||
Total
expenses before waiver and reimbursement
|
10,547 | 10,431 | 12,339 | |||||||||
Total
expense waiver and reimbursement
|
(671 | ) | (1,010 | ) | (1,789 | ) | ||||||
Total
expenses net of expense waiver and reimbursement
|
9,876 | 9,421 | 10,550 | |||||||||
Net
investment income before income taxes
|
5,741 | 13,966 | 10,836 | |||||||||
Income
tax expense, including excise tax
|
(27 | ) | (140 | ) | (89 | ) | ||||||
Net
investment income
|
5,714 | 13,826 | 10,747 | |||||||||
Net
realized gains (losses)
|
(6,654 | ) | (7,143 | ) | 3,908 | |||||||
Net
unrealized losses
|
(9,523 | ) | (27,998 | ) | (20,106 | ) | ||||||
Net
decrease in net assets resulting from operations
|
$ | (10,463 | ) | $ | (21,315 | ) | $ | (5,451 | ) |
Investment
income
The
composition of our investment income in each period was as follows:
Investment
Income
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
|
($
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||
Interest
from investments
|
$ | 13,300 | $ | 20,967 | $ | 20,378 | ||||||
Management
of GSCIC CLO
|
2,057 | 2,050 | 599 | |||||||||
Interest
from cash and cash equivalents and other income
|
260 | 370 | 409 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 15,617 | $ | 23,387 | $ | 21,386 |
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, total investment income decreased $7.8 million, or
33% compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009. The decrease is
predominantly attributable to a decrease in the effective interest rate earned
on our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO, an increase in the
allowance for impaired loans and bonds, and a smaller total average
portfolio. Interest income from our investment in the subordinated
notes of GSCIC CLO decreased $2.0 million, or 45%, to $2.4 million for the year
ended February 28, 2010 from $4.4 million for the fiscal year ended February 28,
2009. The allowance for impaired loans and bonds increased $2.1
million, for the year ended February 28, 2010 from no allowance for the fiscal
year ended February 28, 2009.
For the
year ended February 28, 2009, total investment income increased $2.0 million, or
9.3% compared to the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008. The increase is
predominantly attributable to the management fee earned from GSCIC CLO during
the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 and the Company’s being operational for
only eleven months during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008.
For the
fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008, total PIK
income was $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million,
respectively.
47
Operating
expenses
The
composition of our operating expenses in each period was as
follows:
Operating
Expenses
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and credit facility expense
|
$ | 4,096 | $ | 2,605 | $ | 5,031 | ||||||
Base
management fees
|
1,951 | 2,680 | 2,939 | |||||||||
Professional
fees
|
2,071 | 1,166 | 1,410 | |||||||||
Incentive
management fees
|
328 | 1,752 | 711 | |||||||||
Administrator
expenses
|
671 | 961 | 892 | |||||||||
Insurance
expenses
|
870 | 682 | 587 | |||||||||
Directors
fees
|
295 | 295 | 314 | |||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
265 | 290 | 262 | |||||||||
Other
|
— | — | 193 | |||||||||
Total
operating expenses before manager waiver and reimbursement
|
$ | 10,547 | $ | 10,431 | $ | 12,339 |
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, total operating expenses before manager expense
waiver and reimbursement increased $0.1 million, or 1.1% compared to the fiscal
year ended February 28, 2009. For the year ended February 28, 2009,
total operating expenses before manager expense waiver and reimbursement
decreased $1.9 million, or 15.4% compared to the fiscal year ended February 29,
2008.
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, the increase in interest and credit facility
expense is primarily attributable to an increase in the interest rate on our
credit facility from the commercial paper rate plus 70 basis points to the
greater of the commercial paper rate and our lender’s prime rate plus 4.00% plus
a default rate of 2.00%, and a one time non-cash charge of $0.5 million as a
result of the write-off of deferred financing costs on our credit facility, in
each case, as a result of our July 30, 2009 event of default (please see
“—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more
information). For the year ended February 28, 2010, the weighted average
interest rate on the Revolving Facility was 6.80% compared to 3.59% for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.
For the
year ended February 28, 2009, the decrease in interest and credit facility
expense is primarily attributable to decreased borrowing under the Revolving
Facility (please see “––Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources”
below for more information).
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, base management fees decreased $0.7 million, or
27.2% compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009. For the
year ended February 28, 2009, base management fees decreased $0.3 million, or
8.8% compared to the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008. The reduction in base
management fees results from the decrease in the average value of our total net
assets and the continued reduction in the total portfolio size.
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, professional fees increased $0.9 million, or 77.6%
compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009. The increase in
professional fees is attributable to additional legal and professional fees
associated with the evaluation of strategic transaction opportunities including
the proposed Saratoga Transaction. For the year ended February 28,
2009, professional fees decreased $0.2 million, or 17.3% compared to the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2008.
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, incentive management fees decreased $1.4 million,
or 81.3% compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009. The decrease in
incentive management fees is primarily attributable to the decrease in
investment income and the increase in operating expenses which resulted in a
failure to meet the quarterly hurdle rate of 1.875% for the quarters ended
August 31, 2009 and November 30, 2009 resulting in no incentive management fees
for these quarters. If the Saratoga Transaction is consummated, the
outstanding incentive fees owed to GSCP will be waived. See
“—Overview—Expenses” above for more information.
For the
year ended February 28, 2009, incentive management fees increased $1.0 million,
or 146.3%, compared to the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008. The increase in
incentive management fees resulted from the combination of higher net investment
income and lower operating expenses between the two periods, and was partially
offset by a decrease in base management fees resulting from a decrease in the
average value of our total net assets, and decreased professional
fees.
48
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, manager expense waiver and reimbursement decreased
$0.3 million, or 33.6% compared to the fiscal year ended February 28,
2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower total
compensation expense incurred by the Administrator relating to the allocation of
those persons providing administrative support and services to the
Company.
For the
year ended February 28, 2009, manager expense waiver and reimbursement decreased
$0.8 million, or 43.5% compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009. The
decrease was due to the termination of the expense reimbursement agreement as of
March 23, 2008, pursuant to which GSC Group had reimbursed the Company for
operating expenses (other than investment advisory and management fees and
interest and credit facility expenses) in excess of 1.55% of net assets
attributable to common stock.
Net
realized gains/losses on sales of investments
For the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the Company had $15.2 million of sales,
repayments, exits or restructurings resulting in $6.7 million of net realized
losses. Net realized losses were comprised of $1.1 million of gross realized
gains and $7.8 million of gross realized losses. The most significant realized
gains and losses during the year ended February 28, 2010 were as
follows:
Fiscal
year ended February 28, 2010
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Gross Proceeds
|
Cost
|
Net
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
|
||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||
Atlantis
Plastics Films, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
$ | 521 | $ | — | $ | 482 | |||||||
Asurion
Corporation
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
1,930 | (1,725 | ) | 205 | |||||||||
Edgen
Murray II, L.P.
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
3,000 | (2,832 | ) | 168 | |||||||||
USS
Mergerco, Inc.
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
3,159 | (5,847 | ) | (2,688 | ) | ||||||||
Targus
Group International, Inc.
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
2,121 | (4,793 | ) | (2,672 | ) | ||||||||
Blaze
Recycling & Metals, LLC
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
1,538 | (2,495 | ) | (957 | ) |
For the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Company had $49.2 million of sales,
repayments or exits resulting in $7.2 million of net realized losses. Net
realized losses were comprised of $0.6 million of gross realized gains and $7.8
million of gross realized losses. The most significant realized gains and losses
during the year ended February 28, 2009 were as follows:
Fiscal
year ended February 28, 2009
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Gross Proceeds
|
Cost
|
Net
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
|
||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||
Key
Safety Systems
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
$ | 2,063 | $ | 1,857 | $ | 206 | |||||||
SILLC
Holdings, LLC
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
23,049 | 22,878 | 171 | ||||||||||
EuroFresh,
Inc.
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
2,880 | 6,900 | (4,020 | ) | |||||||||
Atlantis
Plastics Films, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
3,073 | 6,053 | (2,980 | ) | |||||||||
Claire’s
Stores, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
2,103 | 2,584 | (481 | ) | |||||||||
Jason
Incorporated
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
1,581 | 1,700 | (119 | ) |
For the
fiscal year ended February 29, 2008, the Company had $141.8 million of sales,
repayments or exits resulting in $3.2 million of net realized gains. Net
realized gains were comprised of $4.1 million of gross realized gains and $0.9
million of gross realized losses. The most significant realized gains and losses
during the year ended February 29, 2008 were as follows:
Fiscal
year ended February 29, 2008
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Gross Proceeds
|
Cost
|
Net
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
|
||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||
Sportcraft,
LTD
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
$ | 9,000 | $ | 7,302 | $ | 1,698 | |||||||
SILLC
Holdings, LLC
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
22,821 | 21,838 | 983 | ||||||||||
McMillin
Companies, LLC
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
3,300 | 3,066 | 234 |
Net
unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
For the
year ended February 28, 2010, the Company had net unrealized losses of $9.5
million, which was comprised of $7.4 million in unrealized appreciation, $25.5
million in unrealized depreciation and $8.6 million related to the reversal of
prior period net unrealized depreciation recorded upon the exit of an
investment. The most significant changes in net unrealized appreciation
and depreciation for the year ended February 28, 2010 are as
follows:
49
Fiscal
year ended February 28, 2010
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
Total
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
YTD
Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
|
|||||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp.
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
$ | 10,437 | $ | 9,791 | $ | (646 | ) | $ | 2,091 | ||||||||
Penton
Media, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
3,908 | 3,478 | (430 | ) | 1,286 | ||||||||||||
IDI
Acquisition Corp.
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
3,679 | 3,621 | (58 | ) | 1,136 | ||||||||||||
Jason
Incorporated
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
13,700 | 1,688 | (12,012 | ) | (8,190 | ) | |||||||||||
GSCIC
CLO
|
Other/Structured
Finance Securities
|
29,233 | 16,698 | (12,535 | ) | (4,970 | ) | |||||||||||
Energy
Alloys, LLC
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
6,239 | 1,129 | (5,110 | ) | (4,197 | ) |
For the
year ended February 28, 2009, the Company had net unrealized losses of $28.0
million, which was comprised of $0.1 million in unrealized appreciation, $36.1
million in unrealized depreciation and $8.0 million related to the reversal of
prior period net unrealized depreciation recorded upon the exit of an
investment. The most significant changes in net unrealized appreciation and
depreciation for the year ended February 28, 2009 are as follows:
Fiscal
year ended February 28, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||||
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
Total
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
YTD
Change in
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
|||||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
GSCIC
CLO
|
Other/Structured
Finance Securities
|
$ | 29,905 | $ | 22,341 | $ | (7,564 | ) | $ | (6,480 | ) | |||||||
Jason
Incorporated
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
13,700 | 9,878 | (3,822 | ) | (3,453 | ) | |||||||||||
Grant
U.S. Holdings LLP
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
6,140 | 2,388 | (3,752 | ) | (2,553 | ) | |||||||||||
McMillin
Companies, LLC
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
7,295 | 3,490 | (3,805 | ) | (2,522 | ) | |||||||||||
Penton
Media, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
3,724 | 2,008 | (1,716 | ) | (1,906 | ) | |||||||||||
Network
Communications
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
5,082 | 2,503 | (2,579 | ) | (1,884 | ) | |||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp.
|
Senior
Secured Notes
|
10,431 | 7,694 | (2,737 | ) | (1,863 | ) |
The $6.5
million net unrealized depreciation in our investment in the GSCIC CLO
subordinated notes was due to an increase in the assumed portfolio default rate
and present value discount rate in our discounted cash flow model. These changes
were made to reflect the current market environment for CLO equity investments
and not as a result of any change in the underlying GSCIC CLO
portfolio.
For the
year ended February 29, 2008, the Company had net unrealized losses of $20.1
million, which was comprised of $0.5 million in unrealized appreciation and
$20.6 million in unrealized depreciation. The most significant changes in net
unrealized appreciation and depreciation for the year ended February 29, 2008
are as follows:
Fiscal
year ended February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||||
Issuer
|
Asset Type
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
Total
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
YTD
Change in
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
|||||||||||||
($ in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Eurofresh,
Inc.
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
$ | 6,891 | $ | 3,850 | $ | (3,041 | ) | $ | (3,041 | ) | |||||||
SILLC
Holdings, LLC
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
22,865 | 20,283 | (2,582 | ) | (2,582 | ) | |||||||||||
Atlantis
Plastics Films, Inc.
|
First
Lien Term Loan
|
6,492 | 4,298 | (2,194 | ) | (2,194 | ) | |||||||||||
Bankruptcy
Management
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
4,902 | 3,555 | (1,347 | ) | (1,347 | ) | |||||||||||
McMillin
Companies LLC
|
Unsecured
Notes
|
7,195 | 5,912 | (1,283 | ) | (1,283 | ) | |||||||||||
Grant
U.S. Holdings LLP
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
5,365 | 4,167 | (1,198 | ) | (1,198 | ) |
Net
realized gains/losses on derivatives
For the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Company recorded a net realized gain on
derivatives of $30,454 relating to our investment in the GSCIC CLO warehouse
facility. For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008, the Company recorded a
net realized gain on derivatives of $0.7 million from the same warehouse
facility (see “— Off-balance sheet arrangements” below).
50
Net
unrealized appreciation/depreciation on derivatives
For the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, changes in the value of the interest rate
caps purchased pursuant to the credit facilities resulted in an unrealized
appreciation of $2,634 versus an unrealized depreciation of $37,221 and $54,266
for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008.
Changes
in net asset value from operations
For the
fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008,
we recorded a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $10.5
million, $21.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Based on 10,613,507
weighted average common shares outstanding as of February 28, 2010, our per
share net decrease in net assets resulting from operations was $0.99 for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2010. This compares to a per share
decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $2.57 for the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2009 (based on 8,291,384 weighted average common shares
outstanding as of February 28, 2009) and a per share decrease in net assets
resulting from operations of $0.70 for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008
(based on 7,761,965 weighted average common shares outstanding for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2008).
Financial
condition, liquidity and capital resources
The
Company’s liquidity and capital resources have been generated primarily from the
net proceeds of its IPO, advances from the Revolving Facility and the Term
Facility, as well as cash flows from operations. On March 28, 2007, we completed
our IPO and issued 7,250,000 common shares and received net proceeds of $100.7
million.
On April
11, 2007, we entered into a $100.0 million revolving securitized credit facility
(the “Revolving Facility”). On May 1, 2007, we entered into a $25.7 million term
securitized credit facility (the “Term Facility” and, together with the
Revolving Facility, the “Facilities”), which was fully drawn at closing. In
December 2007, we consolidated the Facilities by using a draw under the
Revolving Facility to repay the Term Facility. In response to the market wide
decline in financial asset prices, which has negatively affect the value of our
portfolio, we terminated the revolving period of the Revolving Facility
effective January 14, 2009 and commenced a two-year amortization period during
which all principal proceeds from the collateral will be used to repay
outstanding borrowings. In March 2009 we amended the Revolving Credit Facility
to decrease the minimum required collateralization and increase the portion of
the portfolio that can be invested in “CCC” rated investments in return for an
increased interest rate and expedited amortization.
A
Borrowing Base violation will occur if our outstanding borrowings exceed the
Borrowing Base at any time. We can cure a Borrowing Base violation by reducing
our borrowing below the Borrowing Base (by, e.g., selling collateral and
repaying borrowings) or pledging additional collateral to increase the Borrowing
Base. If we fail to cure a Borrowing Base violation within the specified time, a
default under the Revolving Facility shall occur. On July 30, 2009 an
unremedied Borrowing Base violation became an event of default, which is
currently continuing. As a result of this event of default, our lender has the
right to accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness under the
Revolving Facility and to foreclose and liquidate the collateral pledged
thereunder. Acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness and/or liquidation of
the collateral would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial
condition and operations. As a result of the continuing default, the Company may
be forced to sell its investments to raise funds to repay outstanding amounts.
Such forced sales may result in values that could be less than carrying values
reported in these financial statements. The deleveraging of the Company may
significantly impair the Company’s ability to effectively operate. To date, our
lender has not accelerated the debt with respect to this event of default, but
has reserved the right to do so. Please see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk
Factors—Risks related to our liquidity and financial condition” for more
information.
During
the continuance of an event of default, the interest rate on the Revolving
Facility is increased from the commercial paper rate plus 4.00% to the greater
of the commercial paper rate and our lender’s prime rate plus 4.00% plus a
default rate of 2.00% or, if the commercial paper market is unavailable, the
greater of the prevailing LIBOR rates and our lender’s prime rate plus 6.00%
plus a default rate of 3.00%. Under this formula, the current interest rate at
February 28, 2010 was 9.25%.
At
February 28, 2010, we had $37.0 million in borrowings under the Revolving
Facility versus $59.0 million in borrowings at February 28, 2009. The actual
amount that we are permitted to borrow under the Revolving Facility at any given
time (the “Borrowing Base”) is dependent upon the amount and quality of the
collateral securing the Revolving Facility. Our Borrowing Base was $1.7 million
at February 28, 2010 versus $59.9 million at February 28, 2009. The decline in
our Borrowing Base during this period is mainly attributable to the decline in
the value of the pledged collateral and the downgrade of certain public ratings
or private credit estimates of the pledged collateral.
51
Substantially
all of our assets other than our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC
CLO are held in a special purpose subsidiary and pledged under our Revolving
Facility. We commenced the two year amortization period under the Revolving
Facility in January 2009, during which time all principal proceeds from the
pledged assets are used to repay the Revolving Facility. In addition, during the
continuance of an event of default, all interest proceeds from the pledged
assets are also used to repay the Revolving Facility. As a result, the Company
is required to fund is operating expenses and dividends solely from cash on
hand, management fees earned from, and the proceeds of the subordinated
notes of, GSCIC CLO. Please see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks related to
our liquidity and financial condition” for more information.
In April
2009, our investment adviser withheld a scheduled principal amortization payment
under its credit facility, resulting in a default thereunder. Since then, our
investment adviser and its secured lenders have been in negotiations regarding a
consensual restructuring of its obligations under such credit facility. While we
are not directly affected by our investment adviser’s default, a material
adverse change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations
or performance of our investment adviser could constitute a default under our
Revolving Facility.
Our asset
coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, was 250%, 215% and 225% for the
years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008,
respectively.
At
February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008, the fair value of investments,
cash and cash equivalents and cash and cash equivalents, securitization accounts
were as follows:
At
February 28, 2010
|
At
February 28, 2009
|
February
29, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair
Value
|
Percent
of Total
|
Fair
Value
|
Percent
of Total
|
Fair
Value
|
Percent
of Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 3,352 | 3.6 | % | $ | 6,356 | 5.0 | % | $ | 1,073 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, securitization accounts
|
226 | 0.2 | 1,178 | 0.9 | 14,581 | 7.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
First
lien term loans
|
16,653 | 17.9 | 17,118 | 13.5 | 26,362 | 14.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Second
lien term loans
|
20,267 | 21.8 | 41,043 | 32.5 | 62,446 | 33.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Senior
secured notes
|
27,742 | 29.9 | 25,832 | 20.4 | 31,657 | 16.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unsecured
notes
|
5,690 | 6.1 | 12,381 | 9.8 | 23,280 | 12.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Structured
finance securities
|
16,698 | 18.0 | 22,341 | 17.7 | 28,915 | 15.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock
|
2,323 | 2.5 | 89 | 0.1 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other/limited
partnership interests
|
- | - | 109 | 0.1 | 176 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 92,951 | 100.0 | % | $ | 126,447 | 100.0 | % | $ | 188,490 | 100.0 | % |
On
November 13, 2009, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $1.825 per
share payable on December 31, 2009, to common stockholders of record on November
25, 2009. Shareholders had the option to receive payment of the dividend in
cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of common
stock, provided that the aggregate cash payable to all shareholders was limited
to $2.1 million or $0.25 per share.
Based on
shareholder elections, the dividend consisted of $2.1 million in cash and
8,648,725 shares of common stock, or 104% of our outstanding common stock prior
to the dividend payment. The amount of cash elected to be received was greater
than the cash limit of 13.7% of the aggregate dividend amount, thus resulting in
the payment of a combination of cash and stock to shareholders who elected to
receive cash. The number of shares of common stock comprising the stock portion
was calculated based on a price of $1.5099 per share, which equaled the volume
weighted average trading price per share of the common stock on December 24 and
28, 2009.
On
December 8, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per
share payable on December 29, 2008, to common stockholders of record on December
18, 2008.
Contractual
obligations
The
following table shows our payment obligations for repayment of debt and other
contractual obligations at February 28, 2010:
Payment Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less
Than 1
Year
|
1-3
Years
|
3-5
Years
|
More Than
5
Years
|
||||||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Long-Term
Debt Obligations
|
$ | 36,992 | $ | 36,992 | $ |
—
|
$ |
—
|
$ |
—
|
52
Off-balance
sheet arrangements
At
February 28, 2010 and 2009, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements
that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses,
results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that
are material to investors.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk
Our
business activities contain elements of market risk. We consider our principal
market risks to be fluctuations in interest rates and the inherent difficulty of
determining the fair value of our investments that do not have a readily
available market value. Managing these risks is essential to our business.
Accordingly, we have systems and procedures designed to identify and analyze our
risks, to establish appropriate policies and thresholds and to continually
monitor these risks and thresholds by means of administrative and information
technology systems and other policies and processes.
Interest
Rate Risk
Interest
rate risk is defined as the sensitivity of our current and future earnings to
interest rate volatility, including relative changes in different interest
rates, variability of spread relationships, the difference in re-pricing
intervals between our assets and liabilities and the effect that interest rates
may have on our cash flows. Changes in the general level of interest rates can
affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest
income earned on interest earning assets and our interest expense incurred in
connection with our interest bearing debt and liabilities. Changes in interest
rates can also affect, among other things, our ability to acquire leveraged
loans, high yield bonds and other debt investments and the value of our
investment portfolio.
Our
investment income is affected by fluctuations in various interest rates,
including LIBOR and the prime rate. A large portion of our portfolio is, and we
expect will continue to be, comprised of floating rate investments that utilize
LIBOR. Our interest expense is affected by fluctuations in the commercial paper
rate or, if the commercial paper market is unavailable, LIBOR. At February 28,
2010, we had $37.0 million of borrowings outstanding at a floating rate tied to
the prevailing commercial paper rate plus a margin of 0.70%.
In April
and May 2007, pursuant to the Revolving Facility, the Company entered into two
interest rate cap agreements with notional amounts of $34.0 million (increased
to $40.0 million in May 2007) and $60.9 million. These agreements provide for a
payment to the Company in the event LIBOR exceeds 8%, mitigating our exposure to
increases in LIBOR. At February 28, 2010, the aggregate interest rate cap
agreement notional amount was $65.6 million.
We have
analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income
from investments net of interest expense on the Revolving Facility. Assuming
that our investments as of February 28, 2010 were to remain constant for a full
fiscal year and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate terms,
a hypothetical change of 1% in interest rates would cause a corresponding change
of approximately $0.2 million to our interest income net of interest
expense.
Although
management believes that this measure is indicative of our sensitivity to
interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit
quality, size and composition of the assets on the statement of assets and
liabilities and other business developments that could magnify or diminish
our sensitivity to interest rate changes, nor does it account for divergences in
LIBOR and the commercial paper rate, which have historically moved in tandem
but, in times of unusual credit dislocations, have experienced periods of
divergence. Accordingly no assurances can be given that actual results would not
materially differ from the potential outcome simulated by this
estimate.
Portfolio
Valuation
We carry
our investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by our Board of
Directors. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are
fair valued at such market quotations. We value investments for which market
quotations are not readily available at fair value as determined in good faith
by our Board under our valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation
process. For investments that are thinly traded, we review the depth and quality
of the available quotations to determine if market quotations are readily
available. If the available quotations are indicative only, we may determine
that market quotations are not readily available. 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 ready market
existed for such investments, and the differences could be material. In
addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over
the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on
these investments to be different than the valuations that are
assigned.
53
The types
of factors that we may take into account in fair value pricing of our
investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any
collateral, third party valuations, the portfolio company’s ability to make
payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does
business, market yield trend analysis, comparison to publicly-traded securities,
recent sales of or offers to buy comparable companies, and other relevant
factors. The fair value of our investment in the subordinated notes of GSCIC CLO
is based on a discounted cash flow model that utilizes prepayment, re-investment
and loss assumptions which are adjusted to reflect changes in historical
experience and projected performance, economic factors, the characteristics of
the underlying cash flow, and comparable yields for similar CLO subordinated
notes or equity, when available
The table
below describes the primary considerations made by our Board of Directors in
determining the fair value of our investments at February 28, 2010:
Fair Value
|
Percent
of Total
Investments
|
|||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||
Third
party independent valuation firm
|
$ | 37,975 | 42.5 | % | ||||
Market
yield trend analysis and enterprise valuation
|
27,485 | 30.7 | ||||||
Discounted
cash flow model
|
16,698 | 18.7 | ||||||
Readily
available market maker, broker quotes
|
7,215 | 8.1 | ||||||
Total
fair valued investments
|
$ | 89,373 | 100.0 | % |
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our
financial statements are annexed to this Annual Report beginning on page
F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and
Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
None
54
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation
of disclosure controls and procedures
Our CEO
and our CFO have evaluated 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 upon
that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure
controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by
this report.
Management’s
annual report on internal control over financial reporting
The
Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting (as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of
management, including the CEO and CFO, the Company conducted an evaluation of
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting based on the criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO). During the audit of our financial
statements for the period ended February 28, 2010, our independent auditors
informed us that they identified a material weakness in our internal control
over financial reporting for complex investment valuation. The
material weakness related to an error in the valuation reconciliation for
certain investments. This error occurred as a result of an inadequate
internal review and reconciliation of the inputs used in preparing the complex
investment valuations. We have corrected these errors and believe
that the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual
Report reflect the proper treatment and valuation of the complex
investments.
In order
to improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in
general, and to remediate the material weakness identified by our independent
auditors, we have undertaken the measure described below.
We have
enhanced monitoring controls in our accounting and finance department, including
additional management reviews for all complex and non-routine transactions to
ensure that all investment valuation reconciliations are performed
properly.
This
Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the
Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over
financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to
attestation by Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to
provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
Changes
in internal controls over financial reporting
There
have been no changes in the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of Exchange Act) that
occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Item
9B. Other Information
None.
55
PART
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance
The
information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive
Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Stockholder Meeting and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item
11. Executive Compensation
The
information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive
Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Stockholder Meeting and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 12. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The
information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive
Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Stockholder Meeting and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The
information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive
Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Stockholder Meeting and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The
information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive
Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Stockholder Meeting and is incorporated
herein by reference.
56
PART
IV
Item
15. Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statement
Schedules
Consolidated
Financial Statements
The
following financial statements of the Company are filed herewith:
Reports
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statement
of Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and
February 29, 2008
Consolidated
Schedule of Investments as of February 28, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended February 28, 2010 and
2009 and February 29, 2008
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and
February 29, 2008
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
57
Exhibits
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of GSC Investment Corp.(8)
|
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of GSC Investment Corp.(9)
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
certificate of GSC Investment Corp.’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per
share.(4)
|
|
4.2
|
Registration
Rights Agreement dated March 27, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp., GSC
CDO III L.L.C., GSCP (NJ) L.P. and the other investors party
thereto.(8)
|
|
4.3
|
Form
of Dividend Reinvestment Plan.(1)
|
|
10.1
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of GSC Partners CDO Investors
III, L.P. dated August 27, 2001.(2)
|
|
10.2
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of GSC Partners CDO GP III,
L.P. dated October 16, 2001.(2)
|
|
10.3
|
Collateral
Management Agreement dated November 5, 2001 among GSC Partners CDO Fund
III, Limited and GSCP (NJ), L.P.(2)
|
|
10.4
|
Contribution
and Exchange Agreement dated October 17, 2006 among GSC Investment LLC,
GSC CDO III, L.L.C., GSCP (NJ), L.P., and the other investors party
thereto.(1)
|
|
10.5
|
Amendment
to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement dated as of March 20, 2007
among GSC Investment LLC, GSC CDO III, L.L.C., GSCP (NJ), L.P., and the
other investors party thereto.(11)
|
|
10.6
|
Form
of Regulations of American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company.(3)
|
|
10.7
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Peter K.
Barker, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.8
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Robert F.
Cummings, Jr., as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.9
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Richard M.
Hayden, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.10
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Thomas V.
Inglesby, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.11
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Steven M.
Looney, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.12
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Charles S.
Whitman III, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.13
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and G. Cabell
Williams, as director of GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.14
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Richard T.
Allorto, Jr., as Chief Financial Officer of GSC Investment
LLC.(8)
|
|
10.15
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and David L.
Goret, as Vice President and Secretary of GSC Investment
LLC.(8)
|
|
10.16
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Michael J.
Monticciolo, as Chief Compliance Officer of GSC Investment
LLC.(8)
|
58
10.17
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Daniel I.
Castro, Jr., as member of the investment committee of GSCP (NJ),
LP.(8)
|
|
10.18
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Robert F.
Cummings, Jr., as member of the investment committee of GSCP (NJ),
LP.(8)
|
|
10.19
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Richard M.
Hayden, as member of the investment committee of GSCP (NJ),
LP.(8)
|
|
10.20
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Thomas V.
Inglesby, as member of the investment committee of GSCP (NJ),
LP.(8)
|
|
10.21
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated March 20, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and Thomas J.
Libassi, as member of the investment committee of GSCP (NJ),
LP.(8)
|
|
10.22
|
Assignment
and Assumption Agreement dated March 20, 2007 among GSCP (NJ), L.P. and
GSC Investment LLC.(8)
|
|
10.23
|
Investment
Advisory and Management Agreement dated March 21, 2007 between GSC
Investment LLC and GSCP (NJ) L.P.(8)
|
|
10.24
|
Custodian
Agreement dated March 21, 2007 between GSC Investment LLC and U.S. Bank
National Association.(8)
|
|
10.25
|
Administration
Agreement dated March 21, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp. and GSCP (NJ)
L.P.(8)
|
|
10.26
|
Trademark
License Agreement dated March 21, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp. and
GSCP (NJ) L.P.(8)
|
|
10.27
|
Notification
of Fee Reimbursement dated March 21, 2007.(8)
|
|
10.28
|
Portfolio
Acquisition Agreement dated March 23, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp.
and GSC Partners CDO Fund III, Limited.(8)
|
|
10.29
|
Credit
Agreement dated as of April 11, 2007 among GSC Investment Funding LLC, GSC
Investment Corp., GSC (NJ), L.P., the financial institutions from time to
time party thereto, the commercial paper lenders from time to time party
thereto and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch.(5)
|
|
10.30
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between GSC Investment Corp. and GSC Investment Funding
LLC dated as of April 11, 2007.(5)
|
|
10.31
|
Amendment
No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007 among GSC Investment
Funding LLC, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, GSC Investment Corp., and
GSCP (NJ), L.P.(6)
|
|
10.32
|
Credit
Agreement dated as of May 1, 2007 among GSC Investment Funding II LLC, GSC
Investment Corp., GSC (NJ), L.P., the financial institutions from time to
time party thereto, the commercial paper lenders from time to time party
thereto and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch.(6)
|
|
10.33
|
Purchase
Sale Agreement dated as of May 1, 2007 between GSC Investment Funding II
LLC and GSC Investment Corp.(6)
|
|
10.34
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement dated as of May 1, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp.
and GSC Partners CDO Fund Limited.(6)
|
|
10.35
|
Amendment
to Investment Advisory and Management Agreement dated May 23, 2007 between
GSC Investment Corp. and GSCP (NJ), L.P.(7)
|
|
10.36
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated October 9, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp. and David
Goret, as member of the disclosure committee of GSC Investment
Corp.(11)
|
|
10.37
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated October 9, 2007 between GSC Investment Corp. and David
Rice, as member of the disclosure committee of GSC Investment
Corp.(11)
|
|
10.38
|
Agreement
Terminating Fee Reimbursement dated as of April 15, 2008 between GSCP
(NJ), L.P. and GSC Investment Corp.(10)
|
|
10.39
|
Amendment
No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2008 among GSC Investment
Funding LLC and Deutsche Bank AG, New York
Branch(12)
|
59
10.40
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated October 15, 2008 between GSC Investment Corp. and Seth M,
Katzenstein, as director of GSC Investment Corp.(13)
|
|
10.41
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated October 15, 2008 between GSC Investment Corp. and Seth M.
Katzenstein as Chief Executive Officer and President of GSC Investment
Corp.(13)
|
|
10.42
|
Indemnification
Agreement dated as of October 13, 2009 between GSC Investment Corp. and
Eric Rubenfeld, as Vice President and Secretary of GSC Investment
Corp.(14)
|
|
10.43
|
Second
Amendment to the Administration Agreement by and between GSC Investment
Corp. and GSCP (NJ), L.P.(15)
|
|
10.44
|
Third
Amendment to the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement dated March
31, 2010 between GSC Investment Corp. and GSCP (NJ),
L.P.(15)
|
|
10.45
|
Agreement
to Waive Certain Rights Under the Administration Agreement dated March 21,
2010 by and between GSC Investment Corp. and GSCP (NJ),
L.P.(15)
|
|
10.46
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement dated as of April 14, 2010 among GSC Investment Corp.,
Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC and CLO Partners
LLC.(16)
|
|
14.1
|
Code
of Ethics of the Company adopted under Rule 17j-1.(3)
|
|
21.1
|
List
of Subsidiaries.(11)
|
|
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
Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
|
|
32.1
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 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.
|
____________
(1)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Amendment No. 2 to GSC Investment LLC’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333-138051, filed on January 12,
2007.
|
(2)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Amendment No. 4 to GSC Investment LLC’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333-138051, filed on February 23,
2007.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Amendment No. 6 to GSC Investment Corp.’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333-138051, filed on March 22,
2007.
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A,
File No. 001-33376, filed on March 21,
2007.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
April 11, 2007.
|
(6)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
May 1, 2007.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 28, 2007, file No.
001-33376.
|
(8)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended May 31, 2007, File No.
001-33376.
|
(9)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
February 19, 2008.
|
(10)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
April 15, 2008.
|
(11)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2008, File No.
001-33376.
|
60
(12)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
August 8, 2008.
|
(13)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
October 15, 2008.
|
(14)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
November 12, 2009.
|
(15)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
March 31, 2010.
|
(16)
|
Incorporated
by reference to GSC Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, File No. 001-33376 dated
April 14, 2010.
|
61
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GSC
Investment Corp.
|
||
Date:
May 28, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Seth M. Katzenstein
|
Seth
M. Katzenstein
|
||
Chief Executive Officer
and President
|
||
GSC
Investment Corp.
|
* * * *
*
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/ Richard M.
Hayden
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
RICHARD
M. HAYDEN
|
||||
/s/ Seth M.
Katzenstein
|
Chief
Executive Officer and President
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
SETH
M. KATZENSTEIN
|
||||
/s/ Richard T. Allorto,
Jr.
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
RICHARD
T. ALLORTO, JR.
|
||||
/s/ Robert F. Cummings Jr.
|
Member
of the Board of Directors
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
ROBERT
F. CUMMINGS, JR.
|
||||
/s/ Steven M.
Looney
|
Member
of the Board of Directors
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
STEVEN
M. LOONEY
|
||||
/s/ Charles S. Whitman
III
|
Member
of the Board of Directors
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
CHARLES
S. WHITMAN III
|
||||
/s/ G. Cabell
Williams
|
Member
of the Board of Directors
|
May
28, 2010
|
||
G.
CABELL WILLIAMS
|
62
INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reports
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
Consolidated Statement
of Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2010 and
2009
|
F-3
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009
and February 29, 2008
|
F-4
|
Consolidated
Schedule of Investments as of February 28, 2010 and 2009
|
F-5
|
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended February 28, 2010
and 2009 and February 29, 2008
|
F-11
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009
and February 29, 2008
|
F-12
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-13
|
F-1
Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors and Shareholders of GSC Investment Corp.
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of GSC
Investment Corp. (the “Company”), including the consolidated schedule of
investments as of February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009 , and the related
consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 2010. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an
audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits
included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis
for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no
such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of GSC Investment Corp.
at February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009, and the consolidated results of its
operations, changes in its net assets and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period
ended February 28, 2010 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that
GSC Investment Corp. will continue as a going-concern. As more fully described
in Note 3, the Company remained in default of its Revolving
Facility. As a result of the default, the Company’s lender has the
right to accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness and foreclose and
liquidate the collateral pledged. This would have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and operations. This
condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a
going-concern. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and
classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that
may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Ernst
& Young LLP
New York,
NY
May 27,
2010
F-2
GSC
Investment Corp.
Consolidated
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As of
|
||||||||
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Investments
at fair value
|
||||||||
Non-control/non-affiliate
investments (amortized cost of $117,678,275 and $137,020,449,
respectively)
|
$ | 72,674,847 | $ | 96,462,919 | ||||
Control
investments (cost of $29,233,097 and $29,905,194,
respectively)
|
16,698,303 | 22,439,029 | ||||||
Affiliate
investments (cost of $0 and $0, respectively)
|
- | 10,527 | ||||||
Total
investments at fair value (amortized cost of $146,911,372 and
$166,925,643, respectively)
|
89,373,150 | 118,912,475 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
3,352,434 | 6,356,225 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, securitization accounts
|
225,424 | 1,178,201 | ||||||
Outstanding
interest rate cap at fair value (cost of $131,000 and $131,000,
respectively)
|
42,147 | 39,513 | ||||||
Interest
receivable, net of reserve
|
3,473,961 | 3,087,668 | ||||||
Deferred
credit facility financing costs, net
|
- | 529,767 | ||||||
Management
fee receivable
|
327,928 | 237,370 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
140,272 | 321,260 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 96,935,316 | $ | 130,662,479 | ||||
LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Revolving
credit facility
|
$ | 36,992,222 | $ | 58,994,673 | ||||
Management
and incentive fees payable
|
3,071,093 | 2,880,667 | ||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
1,111,081 | 700,537 | ||||||
Interest
and credit facility fees payable
|
267,166 | 72,825 | ||||||
Due
to manager
|
15,602 | - | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
$ | 41,457,164 | $ | 62,648,702 | ||||
NET
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Common
stock, par value $.0001 per share, 100,000,000 common shares authorized,
16,940,109 and 8,291,384 common shares issued and outstanding,
respectively
|
$ | 1,694 | $ | 829 | ||||
Capital
in excess of par value
|
128,339,497 | 116,943,738 | ||||||
(Distributions
in excess of accumulated net investment income) / Accumulated
undistributed net investment income
|
(2,846,135 | ) | 6,122,492 | |||||
Accumulated
net realized loss from investments and derivatives
|
(12,389,830 | ) | (6,948,628 | ) | ||||
Net
unrealized depreciation on investments and derivatives
|
(57,627,074 | ) | (48,104,654 | ) | ||||
Total
Net Assets
|
55,478,152 | 68,013,777 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and Net Assets
|
$ | 96,935,316 | $ | 130,662,479 | ||||
NET
ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 8.20 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
For the year ended
February 28, 2010
|
For the year ended
February 28, 2009
|
For the year ended
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
INVESTMENT
INCOME
|
||||||||||||
Interest
from investments
|
||||||||||||
Non-control/Non-affiliate
investments
|
$ | 10,902,482 | $ | 16,572,973 | $ | 20,115,301 | ||||||
Control
investments
|
2,397,514 | 4,393,818 | 262,442 | |||||||||
Total
interest income
|
13,299,996 | 20,966,791 | 20,377,743 | |||||||||
Interest
from cash and cash equivalents
|
23,624 | 175,567 | 366,312 | |||||||||
Management
fee income
|
2,057,397 | 2,049,717 | 599,476 | |||||||||
Other
income
|
236,259 | 195,135 | 42,548 | |||||||||
Total
investment income
|
15,617,276 | 23,387,210 | 21,386,079 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
EXPENSES
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and credit facility financing expenses
|
4,096,041 | 2,605,367 | 5,031,233 | |||||||||
Base
management fees
|
1,950,760 | 2,680,231 | 2,938,659 | |||||||||
Professional
fees
|
2,071,027 | 1,166,111 | 1,409,806 | |||||||||
Administrator
expenses
|
670,720 | 960,701 | 892,112 | |||||||||
Incentive
management fees
|
327,684 | 1,752,254 | 711,363 | |||||||||
Insurance
|
869,969 | 682,154 | 586,784 | |||||||||
Directors
fees and expenses
|
294,932 | 295,017 | 313,726 | |||||||||
General
& administrative
|
265,575 | 289,477 | 261,653 | |||||||||
Cost
of acquiring management contract
|
- | - | 144,000 | |||||||||
Organizational
expense
|
- | - | 49,542 | |||||||||
Expenses
before expense waiver and reimbursement
|
10,546,708 | 10,431,312 | 12,338,878 | |||||||||
Expense
waiver and reimbursement
|
(670,720 | ) | (1,010,416 | ) | (1,789,028 | ) | ||||||
Total
expenses net of expense waiver and reimbursement
|
9,875,988 | 9,420,896 | 10,549,850 | |||||||||
NET
INVESTMENT INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
5,741,288 | 13,966,314 | 10,836,229 | |||||||||
Income
tax expense, including excise tax
|
(27,445 | ) | (140,322 | ) | (88,951 | ) | ||||||
NET
INVESTMENT INCOME
|
5,713,843 | 13,825,992 | 10,747,278 | |||||||||
REALIZED
AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
|
||||||||||||
Net
realized gain/(loss) from investments
|
||||||||||||
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate
investments
|
(6,653,983 | ) | (7,173,118 | ) | 2,707,402 | |||||||
Control
investments
|
- | - | 428,673 | |||||||||
Affiliate
investments
|
- | - | 39,147 | |||||||||
Net
realized gain from derivatives
|
- | 30,454 | 732,526 | |||||||||
Net
unrealized depreciation on investments
|
(9,525,054 | ) | (27,961,244 | ) | (20,051,923 | ) | ||||||
Net
unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on derivatives
|
2,634 | (37,221 | ) | (54,266 | ) | |||||||
Net
loss on investments
|
(16,176,403 | ) | (35,141,129 | ) | (16,198,441 | ) | ||||||
NET
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
$ | (10,462,560 | ) | $ | (21,315,137 | ) | $ | (5,451,163 | ) | |||
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE - BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON
SHARE
|
$ | (0.99 | ) | $ | (2.57 | ) | $ | (0.70 | ) | |||
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED
|
10,613,507 | 8,291,384 | 7,761,965 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
GSC
Investment Corp.
Consolidated
Schedule of Investments
February
28, 2010
Company (a, c)
|
Industry
|
Investment Interest
Rate/Maturity
|
Principal/
Number of Shares
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
||||||||||||||
Non-control/Non-affiliated
investments - 131.0% (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
GFSI
Inc (d)
|
Apparel
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.50%,
6/1/2011
|
$ | 7,082,000 | $ | 7,082,000 | $ | 6,909,907 | 12.5 | % | ||||||||||
Legacy
Cabinets, Inc. (d, i)
|
Building
Products
|
First
Lien Term Loan
6.58%,
8/18/2012
|
1,479,842 | 1,463,159 | 444,841 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Legacy
Cabinets, Inc. (d, i)
|
Building
Products
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
12.50%,
8/18/2013
|
1,862,420 | 1,828,197 | 85,113 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Building Products
|
3,342,262 | 3,291,356 | 529,954 | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Hopkins
Manufacturing Corporation (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
7.50%,
1/26/2012
|
3,250,000 | 3,247,947 | 3,003,650 | 5.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Targus
Group International, Inc. (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
First
Lien Term Loan
10.25%,
11/22/2012
|
3,109,712 | 2,936,092 | 2,738,101 | 4.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Targus
Holdings, Inc. (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
Unsecured
Notes
10.00%,
12/14/2015
|
1,538,235 | 1,538,235 | 1,529,467 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Targus
Holdings, Inc. (d, i)
|
Consumer
Products
|
Common
|
62,413 | 566,765 | 237,169 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Consumer Products
|
7,960,360 | 8,289,039 | 7,508,387 | 13.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
CFF
Acquisition LLC (d)
|
Consumer
Services
|
First
Lien Term Loan
7.50%,
7/31/2013
|
306,855 | 306,855 | 255,242 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||
M/C
Communications, LLC (d)
|
Education
|
First
Lien Term Loan
6.75%,
12/31/2012
|
831,174 | 831,174 | 616,897 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||
M/C
Communications, LLC (d, i)
|
Education
|
Class
A Common Stock
|
166,327 | 30,241 | 16,633 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Education
|
997,501 | 861,415 | 633,530 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Advanced
Lighting Technologies, Inc. (d)
|
Electronics
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
6.23%,
6/1/2014
|
2,000,000 | 1,814,950 | 1,764,600 | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Group
Dekko (d)
|
Electronics
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
10.50%,
1/20/2012
|
6,913,293 | 6,913,293 | 4,852,440 | 8.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Electronics
|
8,913,293 | 8,728,243 | 6,617,040 | 11.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
USS
Parent Holding Corp. (d, i)
|
Environmental
|
Non
Voting Common Stock
|
765 | 133,002 | 86,745 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||
USS
Parent Holding Corp. (d, i)
|
Environmental
|
Voting
Common Stock
|
17,396 | 3,025,798 | 1,973,453 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Environmental
|
18,161 | 3,158,800 | 2,060,198 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Bankruptcy
Management Solutions, Inc. (d)
|
Financial
Services
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
6.48%,
7/31/2013
|
4,837,500 | 4,814,623 | 983,464 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Big
Train, Inc. (d)
|
Food
and Beverage
|
First
Lien Term Loan
7.75%,
3/31/2012
|
1,931,121 | 1,451,316 | 1,696,876 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
IDI
Acquisition Corp. (d)
|
Healthcare
Services
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.75%,
12/15/2011
|
3,800,000 | 3,679,489 | 3,620,640 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||||||
PRACS
Institute, LTD (d)
|
Healthcare
Services
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
8.26%,
4/17/2013
|
4,093,750 | 4,058,633 | 3,568,931 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Healthcare Services
|
7,893,750 | 7,738,122 | 7,189,571 | 13.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
McMillin
Companies LLC (d)
|
Homebuilding
|
Senior
Secured Notes
9.53%,
10/31/2013
|
7,700,000 | 7,334,121 | 3,634,400 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Worldwide
Express Operations, LLC (d)
|
Logistics
|
First
Lien Term Loan
10.00%,
6/30/2013
|
2,820,467 | 2,816,547 | 2,230,143 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Jason
Incorporated (d, i)
|
Manufacturing
|
Unsecured
Notes
13.00%,
11/1/2010
|
12,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 1,478,400 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Jason
Incorporated (d, i)
|
Manufacturing
|
Unsecured
Notes
13.00%,
11/1/2010
|
1,700,000 | 1,700,000 | 209,440 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Specialized
Technology Resources, Inc. (d)
|
Manufacturing
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
7.23%,
12/15/2014
|
5,000,000 | 4,799,666 | 4,711,000 | 8.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Manufacturing
|
18,700,000 | 18,499,666 | 6,398,840 | 11.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Elyria
Foundry Company, LLC (d)
|
Metals
|
Senior
Secured Notes
13.00%,
3/1/2013
|
5,000,000 | 4,883,382 | 3,785,500 | 6.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Elyria
Foundry Company, LLC (d, i)
|
Metals
|
Warrants
|
3,000 | - | 8,610 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Metals
|
5,003,000 | 4,883,382 | 3,794,110 | 6.8 | % |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Company (a, c)
|
Industry
|
Investment Interest
Rate/Maturity
|
Principal/
Number of Shares
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
||||||||||||||
Abitibi-Consolidated
Company of Canada (d,
e)
|
Natural
Resources
|
First
Lien Term Loan
11.00%,
3/30/2009
|
$ | 2,948,639 | $ | 2,948,639 | $ | 2,830,694 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||
Grant
U.S. Holdings LLP (d, e, i)
|
Natural
Resources
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
10.75%,
9/20/2013
|
6,349,512 | 6,349,348 | 158,738 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Natural Resources
|
9,298,151 | 9,297,987 | 2,989,432 | 5.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
Energy
Alloys, LLC (d)
|
Oil
and Gas
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
3.00%,
6/30/2015
|
6,239,318 | 6,239,318 | 1,128,693 | 2.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Energy
Alloys, LLC (d, i)
|
Oil
and Gas
|
Warrants
|
3 | - | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Oil and Gas
|
6,239,321 | 6,239,318 | 1,128,693 | 2.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
12.50%,
6/15/2010
|
4,850,000 | 4,850,000 | 4,549,785 | 8.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
12.50%,
6/15/2010
|
5,087,250 | 5,087,250 | 4,772,349 | 8.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.92%,
6/15/2010
|
500,000 | 500,000 | 469,050 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Packaging
|
10,437,250 | 10,437,250 | 9,791,184 | 17.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Custom
Direct, Inc. (d)
|
Printing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.06%,
12/31/2013
|
1,832,053 | 1,527,103 | 1,614,222 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Affinity
Group, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
12.75%,
3/31/2010
|
361,020 | 360,554 | 361,020 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Affinity
Group, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
12.75%,
3/31/2010
|
386,625 | 386,129 | 386,626 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Brown
Publishing Company (d, i)
|
Publishing
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
8.76%,
9/19/2014
|
1,203,226 | 1,198,390 | 10,709 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Network
Communications, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
Unsecured
Notes
10.75%,
12/1/2013
|
5,000,000 | 5,067,619 | 2,473,000 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Penton
Media, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
2.50%,
2/1/2013
|
4,847,802 | 3,908,440 | 3,478,299 | 6.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Publishing
|
11,798,673 | 10,921,132 | 6,709,654 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Sub
Total Non-control/Non-affiliated investments
|
117,678,275 | 72,674,847 | 131.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Control
investments - 30.1% (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP (h, i)
|
Financial
Services
|
100%
General
Partnership
Interest
|
- | - | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007 LTD. (f,
h)
|
Structured
Finance Securities
|
Other/Structured
Finance
Securities
8.27%,
1/21/2020
|
30,000,000 | 29,233,097 | 16,698,303 | 30.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Control investments
|
29,233,097 | 16,698,303 | 30.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Affiliate
investments - 0.0% (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP (g, i)
|
Financial
Services
|
6.24%
Limited
Partnership
Interest
|
- | - | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Affiliate investments
|
- | - | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
TOTAL
INVESTMENT ASSETS - 161.1% (b)
|
$ | 146,911,372 | $ | 89,373,150 | 161.1 | % |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Outstanding
interest rate cap
|
Interest
rate
|
Maturity
|
Notional
|
Cost
|
Fair
Value
|
%
of
Stockholders'
Equity |
|||||||||||||||
Interest
rate cap
|
8.0 | % |
2/9/2014
|
$ | 39,183,673 | $ | 87,000 | $ | 30,097 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
Interest
rate cap
|
8.0 | % |
11/30/2013
|
26,433,408 | 44,000 | 12,050 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Outstanding interest rate cap
|
$ | 131,000 | $ | 42,147 | 0.1 | % |
(a)
|
All
of the Fund’s equity and debt investments are issued by eligible portfolio
companies, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, except
Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada, Grant U.S. Holdings LLP, GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007 Ltd., Terphane Holdings Corp., and GSC Partners
CDO GP III, LP.
|
(b)
|
Percentages
are based on net assets of $55,478,152 as of February 28,
2010.
|
(c)
|
Fair
valued investment (see Note 4 to the consolidated financial
statements).
|
(d)
|
All
or a portion of the securities are pledged as collateral under a revolving
securitized credit facility (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial
statements).
|
(e)
|
Non-U.S.
company. The principal place of business for Terphane Holdings Corp is
Brazil, and for Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada and Grant U.S.
Holdings LLP is Canada.
|
(f)
|
8.27%
represents the modeled effective interest rate that is expected to be
earned over the life of the investment.
|
(g)
|
As
defined in the Investment Company Act, we are an "Affiliate" of this
portfolio company because we own 5% or more of the portfolio company's
outstanding voting securities. Transactions during the period in which the
issuer was an Affiliate are as
follows:
|
Interest
|
Management
|
Net
Realized
|
Net
unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company
|
Purchases
|
Redemptions
|
Sales
(cost)
|
Income
|
fee
income
|
gains/(losses)
|
gains/(losses)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (10,527 | ) |
(h)
|
As
defined in the Investment Company Act, we are an "Affiliate" of this
portfolio company because we own 5% or more of the portfolio company's
outstanding voting securities. In addition, as defined in the Investment
Company Act, we "Control" this portfolio company because we own more than
25% of the portfolio company's outstanding voting securities. Transactions
during the period in which the issuer was both an Affiliate and a
portfolio company that we Control are as
follows:
|
Interest
|
Management
|
Net
Realized
|
Net
unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company
|
Purchases
|
Redemptions
|
Sales
(cost)
|
Income
|
fee
income
|
gains/(losses)
|
gains/(losses)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007 LTD.
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 2,397,514 | $ | 2,057,397 | $ | - | $ | (4,970,217 | ) | |||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (98,412 | ) |
(i)
|
Non-income
producing at February 28, 2010.
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
GSC
Investment Corp.
Consolidated
Schedule of Investments
February
28, 2009
Company (a, c)
|
Industry
|
Investment Interest
Rate/Maturity
|
Principal
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
||||||||||||||
Non-control/Non-affiliated investments - 141.8% (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||
GFSI
Inc (d)
|
Apparel
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.50%,
6/1/2011
|
$ | 7,082,000 | $ | 7,082,000 | $ | 6,616,004 | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||
Legacy
Cabinets, Inc. (d)
|
Building
Products
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.75%,
8/18/2012
|
1,437,555 | 1,420,872 | 975,956 | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Legacy
Cabinets, Inc. (d)
|
Building
Products
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
9.75%,
8/18/2013
|
1,862,420 | 1,828,197 | 450,519 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Building Products
|
3,299,975 | 3,249,069 | 1,426,475 | 2.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.75%,
12/20/2013
|
32,381 | 27,281 | 6,152 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.47%,
12/20/2013
|
77,141 | 64,991 | 14,657 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.16%,
12/20/2014
|
92,962 | 78,320 | 17,663 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.16%,
12/20/2014
|
92,962 | 78,320 | 17,663 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.16%,
12/20/2014
|
92,962 | 78,320 | 17,663 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.75%,
12/20/2013
|
121,428 | 102,303 | 23,071 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
5.75%,
12/20/2013
|
231,354 | 194,916 | 43,957 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
7.00%,
12/20/2014
|
403,388 | 339,854 | 76,644 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
7.00%,
12/20/2014
|
403,388 | 339,854 | 76,644 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Lyondell
Chemical Company (d)
|
Chemicals
|
First
Lien Term Loan
7.00%,
12/20/2014
|
403,388 | 339,854 | 76,644 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Chemicals
|
1,951,354 | 1,644,013 | 370,758 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
Hopkins
Manufacturing Corporation (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
7.70%,
1/26/2012
|
3,250,000 | 3,246,870 | 2,627,950 | 3.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Targus
Group International, Inc. (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
First
Lien Term Loan
4.67%,
11/22/2012
|
3,122,943 | 2,895,723 | 2,089,561 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Targus
Group International, Inc. (d)
|
Consumer
Products
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
9.75%,
5/22/2013
|
5,000,000 | 4,777,205 | 3,126,000 | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Consumer Products
|
11,372,943 | 10,919,798 | 7,843,511 | 11.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
CFF
Acquisition LLC (d)
|
Consumer
Services
|
First
Lien Term Loan
8.57%,
7/31/2013
|
308,912 | 308,912 | 243,793 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
M/C
Communications, LLC (d)
|
Education
|
First
Lien Term Loan
13.12%,
12/31/2010
|
1,697,164 | 1,590,350 | 674,283 | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Advanced
Lighting Technologies, Inc. (d)
|
Electronics
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
8.53%,
6/1/2014
|
2,000,000 | 1,771,457 | 1,503,200 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Group
Dekko (d)
|
Electronics
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
6.45%,
1/20/2012
|
6,670,000 | 6,670,000 | 5,321,326 | 7.8 | % | |||||||||||||
IPC
Systems, Inc. (d)
|
Electronics
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.71%,
3/31/2014
|
46,332 | 42,367 | 24,621 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Electronics
|
8,716,332 | 8,483,824 | 6,849,147 | 10.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
USS
Mergerco, Inc. (d)
|
Environmental
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
4.73%,
6/29/2013
|
5,960,000 | 5,846,833 | 3,592,092 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Bankruptcy
Management Solutions, Inc. (d)
|
Financial
Services
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
6.70%,
7/31/2013
|
4,887,500 | 4,858,282 | 3,053,221 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Big
Train, Inc. (d)
|
Food
and Beverage
|
First
Lien Term Loan
4.98%,
3/31/2012
|
2,478,660 | 1,671,647 | 1,706,557 | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||||
IDI
Acquisition Corp. (d)
|
Healthcare
Services
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.75%,
12/15/2011
|
3,800,000 | 3,623,605 | 2,428,580 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||
PRACS
Institute, LTD (d)
|
Healthcare
Services
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
11.13%,
4/17/2013
|
4,093,750 | 4,047,419 | 3,581,213 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Healthcare Services
|
7,893,750 | 7,671,024 | 6,009,793 | 8.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
McMillin
Companies LLC (d)
|
Homebuilding
|
Senior
Secured Notes
9.53%,
4/30/2012
|
7,700,000 | 7,294,643 | 3,489,640 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Asurion
Corporation (d)
|
Insurance
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.76%,
7/3/2014
|
2,000,000 | 1,704,665 | 1,493,400 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Worldwide
Express Operations, LLC (d)
|
Logistics
|
First
Lien Term Loan
6.95%,
6/30/2013
|
2,820,779 | 2,815,612 | 2,133,637 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Jason
Incorporated (d)
|
Manufacturing
|
Unsecured
Notes
13.00%,
11/1/2010
|
12,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 8,652,000 | 12.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Jason
Incorporated (d)
|
Manufacturing
|
Unsecured
Notes
13.00%,
11/1/2010
|
1,700,000 | 1,700,000 | 1,225,700 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Specialized
Technology Resources, Inc. (d)
|
Manufacturing
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
7.48%,
12/15/2014
|
5,000,000 | 4,769,304 | 4,602,000 | 6.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Manufacturing
|
18,700,000 | 18,469,304 | 14,479,700 | 21.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
Blaze
Recycling & Metals, LLC (d)
|
Metals
|
Senior
Secured Notes
10.88%,
7/15/2012
|
2,500,000 | 2,494,342 | 1,850,500 | 2.7 | % |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
Company (a, c)
|
Industry
|
Investment Interest
Rate/Maturity
|
Principal
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
||||||||||||||
Elyria
Foundry Company, LLC (d)
|
Metals
|
Senior
Secured Notes
13.00%,
3/1/2013
|
$ | 5,000,000 | $ | 4,853,894 | $ | 3,753,000 | 5.5 | % | ||||||||||
Elyria
Foundry Company, LLC
|
Metals
|
Warrants
|
- | - | 89,610 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Metals
|
7,500,000 | 7,348,236 | 5,693,110 | 8.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
Abitibi-Consolidated
Company of Canada (d, e)
|
Natural
Resources
|
First
Lien Term Loan
11.50%,
3/30/2009
|
2,948,640 | 2,940,073 | 2,081,740 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Grant
U.S. Holdings LLP (d, e)
|
Natural
Resources
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
9.81%,
9/20/2013
|
6,139,928 | 6,139,764 | 2,388,432 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Natural Resources
|
9,088,568 | 9,079,837 | 4,470,172 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Edgen
Murray II, L.P. (d)
|
Oil
and Gas
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
7.24%,
5/11/2015
|
3,000,000 | 2,815,938 | 2,072,700 | 3.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Energy
Alloys, LLC (d)
|
Oil
and Gas
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
11.75%,
10/5/2012
|
6,200,000 | 6,200,000 | 5,286,740 | 7.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Oil and Gas
|
9,200,000 | 9,015,938 | 7,359,440 | 10.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Stronghaven,
Inc. (d)
|
Packaging
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
13.00%,
10/31/2010
|
2,500,000 | 2,500,000 | 2,375,500 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
12.50%,
6/15/2009
|
4,850,000 | 4,846,976 | 3,575,420 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
12.50%,
6/15/2009
|
5,087,250 | 5,084,820 | 3,750,321 | 5.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Terphane
Holdings Corp. (d, e)
|
Packaging
|
Senior
Secured Notes
12.02%,
6/15/2009
|
500,000 | 499,670 | 368,600 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Packaging
|
12,937,250 | 12,931,466 | 10,069,841 | 14.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Custom
Direct, Inc. (d)
|
Printing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
4.21%,
12/31/2013
|
2,049,694 | 1,618,148 | 1,638,526 | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Advanstar
Communications Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.71%,
5/31/2014
|
1,970,000 | 1,553,133 | 807,700 | 1.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Affinity
Group, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.01%,
6/24/2009
|
476,261 | 468,285 | 418,872 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Affinity
Group, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
2.98%,
6/24/2009
|
511,811 | 503,239 | 450,137 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Brown
Publishing Company (d)
|
Publishing
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
8.76%,
9/19/2014
|
1,203,226 | 1,198,390 | 288,774 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Network
Communications, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
Unsecured
Notes
10.75%,
12/1/2013
|
5,000,000 | 5,082,100 | 2,503,000 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Penton
Media, Inc. (d)
|
Publishing
|
First
Lien Term Loan
3.35%,
2/1/2013
|
4,897,651 | 3,723,761 | 2,008,037 | 3.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total
Publishing
|
14,058,949 | 12,528,908 | 6,476,520 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
GXS
Worldwide, Inc. (d)
|
Software
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
8.63%,
9/30/2013
|
1,000,000 | 887,940 | 773,299 | 1.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub Total Non-control/Non-affiliated investments | 137,020,449 | 96,462,919 | 141.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Control
investments - 33.0% (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP (h)
|
Financial
Services
|
100%
General
Partnership
interest
|
- | - | 98,412 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007 LTD. (f,
h)
|
Structured
Finance Securities
|
Other/Structured
Finance
Securities
12.15%,
1/21/2020
|
30,000,000 | 29,905,194 | 22,340,617 | 32.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Control investments
|
29,905,194 | 22,439,029 | 33.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Affiliate
investments - 0.0% (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP (g)
|
Financial
Services
|
6.24%
Limited
Partnership
Interest
|
- | - | 10,527 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Affiliate investments
|
- | 10,527 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
TOTAL
INVESTMENT ASSETS - 174.8% (b)
|
$ | 166,925,643 | $ | 118,912,475 | 174.8 | % |
Outstanding interest rate cap
|
Interest rate
|
Maturity
|
Notional
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest
rate cap
|
8.0 | % |
2/9/2014
|
$ | 40,000,000 | $ | 87,000 | $ | 27,682 | 0.1 | % |
Company (a, c)
|
Industry
|
Investment Interest
Rate/Maturity
|
Principal
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of
Stockholders'
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest
rate cap
|
8.0 | % |
11/30/2013
|
26,433,408 | 44,000 | 11,831 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Sub
Total Outstanding interest rate cap
|
$ | 131,000 | $ | 39,513 | 0.1 | % |
(a)
|
All
of the Fund’s equity and debt investments are issued by eligible portfolio
companies, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, except
Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada, Grant U.S. Holdings LLP, GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007, Terphane Holdings Corp., and GSC Partners CDO
GP III, LP.
|
(b)
|
Percentages
are based on net assets of $68,013,777 as of February 28,
2009.
|
(c)
|
Fair
valued investment (see Note 4 to the consolidated financial
statements).
|
(d)
|
All
or a portion of the securities are pledged as collateral under a revolving
securitized credit facility (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial
statements).
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-9
(e)
|
Non-U.S.
company. The principal place of business for Terphane Holdings Corp is
Brazil, and for Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada and Grant U.S.
Holdings LLP is Canada.
|
(f)
|
12.15%
represents the modeled effective interest rate that is expected to be
earned over the life of the investment.
|
(g)
|
As
defined in the Investment Company Act, we are an "Affiliate" of this
portfolio company because we own 5% or more of the portfolio company's
outstanding voting securities. Transactions during the period in which the
issuer was an Affiliate are as
follows:
|
Interest
|
Management
|
Net Realized
|
Net unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company
|
Purchases
|
Redemptions
|
Sales
(cost)
|
Income
|
fee
income
|
gains/(losses)
|
gains/(losses)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (5,706 | ) |
(h)
|
As
defined in the Investment Company Act, we are an "Affiliate" of this
portfolio company because we own 5% or more of the portfolio company's
outstanding voting securities. In addition, as defined in the Investment
Company Act, we "Control" this portfolio company because we own more than
25% of the portfolio company's outstanding voting securities. Transactions
during the period in which the issuer was both an Affiliate and a
portfolio company that we Control are as
follows:
|
Interest
|
Management
|
Net Realized
|
Net unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company
|
Purchases
|
Redemptions
|
Sales
(cost)
|
Income
|
fee
income
|
gains/(losses)
|
gains/(losses)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
GSC
Investment Corp. CLO 2007 LTD.
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 4,393,818 | $ | 2,049,717 | $ | - | $ | (6,479,722 | ) | |||||||||||||
GSC
Partners CDO GP III, LP
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | (61,741 | ) |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-10
GSC
Investment Corp.
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the year ended
February 28, 2010
|
For the year ended
February 28, 2009
|
For the year ended
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
INCREASE/(DECREASE)
FROM OPERATIONS:
|
||||||||||||
Net
investment income
|
$ | 5,713,843 | $ | 13,825,992 | $ | 10,747,278 | ||||||
Net
realized gain/(loss) from investments
|
(6,653,983 | ) | (7,173,118 | ) | 3,175,222 | |||||||
Net
realized gain from derivatives
|
- | 30,454 | 732,526 | |||||||||
Net
unrealized depreciation on investments
|
(9,525,054 | ) | (27,961,244 | ) | (20,051,923 | ) | ||||||
Net
unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on derivatives
|
2,634 | (37,221 | ) | (54,266 | ) | |||||||
Net
decrease in net assets from operations
|
(10,462,560 | ) | (21,315,137 | ) | (5,451,163 | ) | ||||||
DECREASE
FROM SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
||||||||||||
Distributions
declared
|
(15,131,775 | ) | (8,540,126 | ) | (12,851,645 | ) | ||||||
Net
decrease in net assets from shareholder distributions
|
(15,131,775 | ) | (8,540,126 | ) | (12,851,645 | ) | ||||||
CAPITAL
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
|
||||||||||||
Stock
dividend distribution
|
13,058,710 | - | - | |||||||||
Issuance
of common stock, net
|
- | - | 116,301,011 | |||||||||
Net
increase in net assets from capital share transactions
|
13,058,710 | - | 116,301,011 | |||||||||
Total
increase/(decrease) in net assets
|
(12,535,625 | ) | (29,855,263 | ) | 97,998,203 | |||||||
Net
assets at beginning of year
|
68,013,777 | 97,869,040 | (129,163 | ) | ||||||||
Net
assets at end of year
|
$ | 55,478,152 | $ | 68,013,777 | $ | 97,869,040 | ||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 8.20 | $ | 11.80 | ||||||
Common
shares outstanding at end of year
|
16,940,109 | 8,291,384 | 8,291,384 | |||||||||
(Distributions
in excess of accumulated net investment income) / Accumulated
undistributed net investment income
|
$ | (2,846,135 | ) | $ | 6,122,492 | $ | 455,576 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-11
GSC
Investment Corp.
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended
February 28, 2010
|
For the year ended
February 28, 2009
|
For the year ended
February 29, 2008
|
||||||||||
Operating
activities
|
||||||||||||
NET
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
|
$ | (10,462,560 | ) | $ | (21,315,137 | ) | $ | (5,451,163 | ) | |||
ADJUSTMENTS
TO RECONCILE NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH
PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||
Paid-in-kind
interest income
|
(858,730 | ) | (819,905 | ) | (365,592 | ) | ||||||
Net
accretion of discount on investments
|
(966,191 | ) | (1,323,644 | ) | (765,255 | ) | ||||||
Amortization
of deferred credit facility financing costs
|
633,349 | 193,464 | 502,468 | |||||||||
Net
realized loss from investments
|
6,653,983 | 7,173,118 | (3,175,222 | ) | ||||||||
Net
realized (gain) loss from derivatives
|
- | - | (732,526 | ) | ||||||||
Net
unrealized depreciation on investments
|
9,525,054 | 27,961,244 | 20,051,923 | |||||||||
Unrealized
(appreciation) depreciation on derivatives
|
(2,634 | ) | 37,221 | 54,266 | ||||||||
Proceeds
from sale and redemption of investments
|
15,185,210 | 49,193,508 | 141,772,158 | |||||||||
Purchase
of investments
|
- | (28,259,995 | ) | (314,002,526 | ) | |||||||
(Increase)
decrease in operating assets:
|
||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, securitization accounts
|
952,777 | 13,402,772 | (14,580,973 | ) | ||||||||
Interest
receivable
|
(386,293 | ) | (732,546 | ) | (2,355,122 | ) | ||||||
Due
from manager
|
- | 940,903 | (940,903 | ) | ||||||||
Management
fee receivable
|
(90,558 | ) | (21,456 | ) | (215,914 | ) | ||||||
Other
assets
|
180,988 | (281,911 | ) | (39,349 | ) | |||||||
Deferred
offering costs
|
- | - | 808,617 | |||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in operating liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Payable
for unsettled trades
|
- | (11,329,150 | ) | 11,329,150 | ||||||||
Management
and incentive fees payable
|
190,426 | 1,937,606 | 943,061 | |||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
410,544 | (12,885 | ) | 608,422 | ||||||||
Interest
and credit facility fees payable
|
194,341 | (219,482 | ) | 292,307 | ||||||||
Due
to manager
|
15,602 | (11,048 | ) | (62,762 | ) | |||||||
Accrued
offering costs
|
- | - | (760,000 | ) | ||||||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
21,175,308 | 36,512,677 | (167,084,935 | ) | ||||||||
Financing
activities
|
||||||||||||
Issuance
of shares of common stock
|
- | - | 108,750,000 | |||||||||
Offering
costs and sales load
|
- | - | (8,068,750 | ) | ||||||||
Borrowings
on debt
|
- | 7,800,000 | 167,958,119 | |||||||||
Paydowns
on debt
|
(22,002,451 | ) | (27,255,327 | ) | (89,508,119 | ) | ||||||
Credit
facility financing cost
|
(103,582 | ) | - | (1,225,699 | ) | |||||||
Cost
of interest rate cap
|
- | - | (131,000 | ) | ||||||||
Payments
of cash dividends
|
(2,073,066 | ) | (11,773,766 | ) | (9,618,005 | ) | ||||||
NET
CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
(24,179,099 | ) | (31,229,093 | ) | 168,156,546 | |||||||
NET
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(3,003,791 | ) | 5,283,584 | 1,071,611 | ||||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
6,356,225 | 1,072,641 | 1,030 | |||||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
|
$ | 3,352,434 | $ | 6,356,225 | $ | 1,072,641 | ||||||
Supplemental
Information:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
paid during the year
|
$ | 3,268,351 | $ | 2,631,385 | $ | 4,236,458 | ||||||
Federal excise tax paid during the year | $ | 140,322 | $ | 88,951 | $ | - | ||||||
Supplemental
non-cash information
|
||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock for acquisition of investments in GSC CDO III, LLC and GSC
Partners CDO GP III, L.P.
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | 15,619,761 | ||||||
Paid-in-kind
interest income
|
$ | 858,730 | $ | 819,905 | $ | 365,592 | ||||||
Net
accretion of discount on investments
|
$ | 966,191 | $ | 1,323,644 | $ | 765,255 | ||||||
Amortization
of deferred credit facility financing costs
|
$ | 633,349 | $ | 193,464 | $ | 502,468 | ||||||
Stock
dividend distribution
|
$ | 13,058,710 | $ | - | $ | - |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-12
GSC
INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Organization and Basis of
Presentation
GSC
Investment Corp. (the “Company”, “we” and “us”) is a non-diversified closed end
management investment company incorporated in Maryland that has elected to be
treated and is regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). We commenced operations on
March 23, 2007 and completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) on March 28,
2007. We have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”)
under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the “code”). We expect to
continue to qualify and to elect to be treated for tax purposes as a RIC. Our
investment objectives are to generate both current income and capital
appreciation through debt and equity investments by primarily investing in
private middle market companies and select high yield bonds.
GSC
Investment, LLC (the “LLC”) was organized in May 2006 as a Maryland limited
liability company. As of February 28, 2007, the LLC had not yet commenced its
operations and investment activities.
On March
21, 2007, the Company was incorporated and concurrently, the LLC was merged with
and into the Company in accordance with the procedure for such merger in the
LLC’s limited liability company agreement and Maryland law. In connection with
such merger, each outstanding common share of the LLC was converted into an
equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company and the Company is
the surviving entity.
We are
externally managed and advised by our investment adviser, GSCP (NJ), L.P.
(individually and collectively with its affiliates, “GSC Group” or the
“Manager”), pursuant to an investment advisory and management
agreement.
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual
basis of accounting in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting
principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its special
purpose financing subsidiaries, GSC Investment Funding, LLC and GSC Investment
Funding II, LLC. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated
in consolidation. All references made to the “Company,” “we,” and “us” in the
financial statements encompassing of these consolidated subsidiaries, except as
stated otherwise.
Note 2. Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies
In June
2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards
Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a
replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168
established the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or the “Codification”)
as the source of authoritative GAAP in the United States (the “GAAP hierarchy”)
to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of
the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of
authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Once the Codification is in effect, all
of its content will carry the same level of authority and the GAAP hierarchy
will be modified to include only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and
non-authoritative. SFAS 168, now codified as ASC 105, is effective for financial
statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15,
2009. This adoption by the Company has changed the Company’s references to GAAP
accounting standards but did not impact any of the Company’s significant
accounting policies or its results of operations or financial
position.
Use
of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The
preparation of the accompanying 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 financial statements, and revenues and
expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash and
cash equivalents include short-term, liquid investments in a money market fund.
Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair
value.
F-13
Cash
and cash equivalents, Securitization Accounts
Cash and
cash equivalents, securitization accounts include amounts held in designated
bank accounts in the form of cash and short-term liquid investments in money
market funds representing payments received on securitized investments or other
reserved amounts associated with the Company’s securitization facilities. The
Company is required to use a portion of these amounts to pay interest expense,
reduce borrowings, or pay other amounts in accordance with the related
securitization agreements. Cash held in such accounts may not be available for
the general use of the Company.
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 companies in which we own more than 25% of the voting securities or maintain
greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliated
Investments” are defined as those non-control investments in companies in which
we own between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. Under the 1940 Act,
“Non-affiliated Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control
Investments or Affiliated Investments.
Investment
Valuation
The fair
value of the Company’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial
instruments under ASC 825 (previously, SFAS No. 107, “Disclosure About Fair
Value of Financial Instruments”), approximates the carrying amounts presented in
the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
Investments
for which market quotations are readily available are fair valued at such market
quotations obtained from independent third party pricing services and market
makers subject to any decision by our board of directors to make a fair value
determination to reflect significant events affecting the value of these
investments. We value investments for which market quotations are not readily
available at fair value as determined, in good faith, by our board of directors
based on input from our Manager, our audit committee and, if our board or audit
committee so request, a third party independent valuation firm. Determinations
of fair value may involve subjective judgments and estimates. The types of
factors that may be considered in a fair value pricing include the nature and
realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make
payments, market yield trend analysis, the markets in which the portfolio
company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash
flow and other relevant factors.
We
undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter when valuing investments
for which market quotations are not readily available, as described
below:
|
•
|
Each
investment is initially valued by the responsible investment professionals
and preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with
our senior management; and
|
|
•
|
An
independent valuation firm engaged by our board of directors reviews at
least one quarter of these preliminary valuations each quarter so that the
valuation of each investment for which market quotes are not readily
available is reviewed by the independent valuation firm at least
annually.
|
In
addition, all our investments are subject to the following valuation
process.
|
•
|
The
audit committee of our board of directors reviews each preliminary
valuation and our investment adviser and independent valuation firm (if
applicable) will supplement the preliminary valuation to reflect any
comments provided by the audit committee;
and
|
|
•
|
Our
board of directors discuss the valuations and determine the fair value of
each investment, in good faith, based on the input of our investment
adviser, independent valuation firm (if applicable) and audit
committee.
|
Our
equity investment in GSC Investment Corp. CLO 2007, Ltd. (“GSCIC CLO”) is
carried at fair value, which is based on a discounted cash flow model that
utilizes prepayment, re-investment and loss assumptions based on historical
experience and projected performance, economic factors, the characteristics of
the underlying cash flow, and comparable yields for similar CLO equity, when
available, as determined by our investment advisor and recommended to our board
of directors.
F-14
Because
such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private
companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of
time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value by our board
of directors may differ materially from the values that would have been used if
a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be
materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our
investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately
realize upon the disposal of such investments.
We
account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815
(previously, SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities”). ASC 815 requires recognizing all derivative instruments as either
assets or liabilities on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities at
fair value. The Company values derivative contracts at the closing fair value
provided by the counterparty. Changes in the values of derivative contracts are
included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Investment
Transactions and Income Recognition
Purchases
and sales of investments and the related realized gains or losses are recorded
on a trade-date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and
accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such
amounts are expected to be collected. The Company stops accruing interest on its
investments when it is determined that interest is no longer collectible. If any
cash is received after it is determined that interest is no longer collectible,
we treat the cash as payment on the principal balance until the entire principal
balance has been repaid, before any interest income is recognized. Discounts and
premiums on investments purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the
respective investment using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of
investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts
and amortizations of premium on investments.
Loans are
generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that
principal or interest will be collected. Accrued interest is generally reversed
when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on
non-accrual loans may be recognized as a reduction in principal depending
upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are
restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in
management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make
exceptions to this if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the
process of collection.
Interest
income on our investment in GSCIC CLO is recorded using the effective interest
method in accordance with the provision of ASC 325 (previously, EITF 99-20),
based on the anticipated yield and the estimated cash flows over the projected
life of the investment. Yields are revised when there are changes in actual or
estimated cash flows due to changes in prepayments and/or re-investments, credit
losses or asset pricing. Changes in estimated yield are recognized as an
adjustment to the estimated yield over the remaining life of the investment from
the date the estimated yield was changed.
Paid-in-Kind
Interest
The
Company includes in income certain amounts that it has not yet received in cash,
such as contractual paid-in-kind interest (“PIK”), which represents
contractually deferred interest added to the investment balance that is
generally due at maturity. We stop accruing PIK if we do not expect the issuer
to be able to pay all principal and interest when due.
Organizational
Expenses
Organizational
expenses consist principally of professional fees incurred in connection with
the organization of the Company and have been expensed as incurred.
Deferred
Credit Facility Financing Costs
Financing
costs incurred in connection with each respective credit facility have been
deferred and are being amortized using the straight line method over the life of
each respective facility.
Indemnifications
In the
ordinary course of its business, the Company may enter into contracts or
agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties. Future events could
occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Company. Based
on its history and experience, management feels that the likelihood of such an
event is remote.
F-15
Income
Taxes
The
Company has filed an election to be treated for tax purposes as a RIC under
Subchapter M of the Code and, among other things, intends to make the requisite
distributions to its stockholders which will relieve the Company from federal
income taxes. Therefore, no provision has been recorded for federal income
taxes.
In order
to qualify as a RIC, among other requirements, the Company is required to timely
distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable
income, as defined by the Code, for each fiscal tax year. The Company will be
subject to a nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax of 4% on undistributed income
if we do not distribute at least 98% of our ordinary income in any calendar year
and 98% of our capital gain net income for each one-year period ending on
October 31.
Depending
on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry
forward taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions into the
next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent
that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable
income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions, the
Company accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as
taxable income is earned. For the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009,
provisions of $27,445 and $140,322, respectively were recorded for federal
excise taxes and as of each respective year end date the amounts remained unpaid
and included in accounts payable on the accompanying consolidated statement of
assets and liabilities. The $27,445 payable remains unpaid and the $140,322
payable has been subsequently paid.
We
adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which is codified in
FASB ASC Topic 740, Income
Taxes (“ASC 740”) on February 28, 2008. ASC 740 clarifies the
accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold
that an uncertain tax position is required to meet before tax benefits
associated with such uncertain tax position are recognized in the consolidated
financial statements. Our adoption of ASC 740 did not require a cumulative
effect adjustment to the February 28, 2008 undistributed net realized earnings.
We classify interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits
as a component of provision for income taxes.
Based on
our analysis of our tax position, we concluded that we did not have any
uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC
740. We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of both February 28, 2010
and February 28, 2009.
The Company files
federal and state tax
returns. The federal and state tax returns for fiscal years 2008 through 2010
remain subject to examination by the IRS and state and local tax
authorities.
Dividends
Dividends
to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be
paid out as a dividend is determined by the board of directors. Net realized
capital gains, if any, are generally distributed at least annually, although we
may decide to retain such capital gains for reinvestment.
The
Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment
of our dividend distributions on behalf of our stockholders unless a stockholder
elects to receive cash. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and
we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not ‘‘opted out’’ of
our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically
reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the
cash dividends. If the Company’s common stock is trading below net asset value
at the time of valuation, the plan administrator will receive the dividend or
distribution in cash and will purchase common stock in the open market, on the
New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the account of each
Participant.
New
Accounting Pronouncements
In May
2009, the FASB issued ASC 855 (previously, SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”),
which addresses accounting and disclosure requirements related to subsequent
events. ASC 855 requires management to evaluate subsequent events through the
date the financial statements are either issued or available to be issued. ASC
855 is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15,
2009 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASC 855 did not have a
material effect on our financial condition or results of
operations.
In June
2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial
Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140”, (“SFAS No. 166”) which
amends the derecognition guidance in SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”, eliminates the concept of
a “qualifying special-purpose entity” (“QSPE”) and requires more information about
transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions as well as
a company’s continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred
financial assets. SFAS No. 166 is now codified in ASC 860. The amended
requirements are effective for financial asset transfers occurring after the
beginning of an entity’s first fiscal
year that begins after November 15, 2009 and early adoption is prohibited. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact on our interim
consolidated financial statements of adopting ASC 860.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASU 2010-06”), which amends
ASC 820 and requires additional disclosure related to recurring and
non-recurring fair value measurement in respect of transfers in and out of Level
1 and 2 and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. The update also
clarifies existing disclosure about inputs and valuation techniques. ASU
2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15,
2009, except for disclosures related to activity in Level 3 fair value
measurements which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal year. Management is currently
evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements of adopting ASU
2010-06.
F-16
Risk
Management
In the
ordinary course of its business, the Company manages a variety of risks,
including market risk and credit risk. Market risk is the risk of potential
adverse changes to the value of investments because of changes in market
conditions such as interest rate movements and volatility in investment
prices.
Credit
risk is the risk of default or non-performance by portfolio companies equivalent
to the investment’s carrying amount.
The
Company is also exposed to credit risk related to maintaining all of its cash
and cash equivalents including those in securitization accounts at a major
financial institution and credit risk related to the derivative
counterparty.
The
Company has investments in lower rated and comparable quality unrated high yield
bonds and bank loans. Investments in high yield investments are accompanied by a
greater degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is
significantly greater for holders of high yield securities, because such
investments are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other
creditors of the issuer.
Note
3. Going Concern
As of
February 28, 2010, the Company remained in default on its Revolving Facility
(see Note 8) and as a result of the default, our lender has the right to
accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness and to foreclose and
liquidate the collateral pledged thereunder. Acceleration of the outstanding
indebtedness and/or liquidation of the collateral would have a material adverse
effect on our liquidity, financial condition and operations. The deleveraging of
the Company may significantly impair the Company’s ability to effectively
operate. There is no assurance that we will have sufficient funds available to
pay in full the total amount of obligations that would become due as a result of
such acceleration or that we will be able to obtain additional or alternative
financing to pay or refinance any such accelerated obligations. However, we
continue to believe that we will have adequate liquidity to continue to fund our
operations and the interest payments on our outstanding debt, including any
default interest.
On April
14, 2010 the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Saratoga
Investment Advisors, LLC (“Saratoga”) and CLO Partners LLC (“CLO Partners”) and
announced a $55 million recapitalization plan to cure the debt default. The
recapitalization plan includes Saratoga and CLO Partners purchasing
approximately 9.8 million shares of common stock of GSC Investment Corp. for
$1.52 per share pursuant to a definitive stock purchase agreement and a
commitment from Madison Capital Funding LLC to provide the Company with a
$40 million senior secured revolving credit facility. Upon the closing of the
transaction, the Company will immediately borrow funds under the new credit
facility that, when added to the $15 million equity investment, will be
sufficient to repay the full amount of the Company's existing debt and to
provide the Company with working capital thereafter. The plan is subject to
shareholder approval.
A
fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance
with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going
concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of
assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of
business. This principle is applicable to all entities except for entities in
liquidation or entities for which liquidation appears imminent. In accordance
with this requirement, our policy is to prepare our consolidated financial
statements on a going concern basis unless we intend to liquidate or have no
other alternative but to liquidate. Our consolidated financial statements have
been prepared on a going concern basis and do not reflect any adjustments that
might specifically result from the outcome of this uncertainty or our debt
restructuring activities.
Note 4.
Investments
The
Company values all investments in accordance with ASC 820 “Fair Value
Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) (previously, SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value
Measurements”). ASC 820 requires enhanced disclosures about assets and
liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value. As defined in ASC
820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date.
F-17
ASC 820
provides guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of
activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased when compared
with normal market activity for the asset or liability, and identifying
transactions that are not orderly. In those circumstances, further analysis
and/or significant adjustment to the transaction or quoted prices may be
required at the measurement date under current market
conditions.
ASC 820
establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the
level of market price observability of inputs used in measuring investments at
fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors,
including the type of investment and the characteristics specific to the
investment. Investments with readily available active quoted prices or for which
fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a
higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used
in measuring fair value.
Based on
the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques the Company is
required to provide the following information according to the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the
inputs used to determine fair values. Investments carried at fair value are
classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
|
•
|
Level
1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to
access.
|
|
•
|
Level
2 – Valuations based on inputs other than quoted prices in active markets,
which are either directly or indirectly
observable.
|
|
•
|
Level
3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to
the overall fair value measurement. The inputs into the determination of
fair value may require significant management judgment or estimation. Such
information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker
quotes which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to
such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus
pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimer would result in
classification as Level III information, assuming no additional
corroborating evidence.
|
In
addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, we continue to
employ the valuation policy approved by our board of directors that is
consistent with ASC 820 (see Note 2). Consistent with our valuation policy, we
evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments
are trading, in determining fair value.
The
following table presents fair value measurements of investments as of February
28, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements Using
|
||||||||||||||||
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Non-control/non-affiliate
investments
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 72,675 | $ | 72,675 | ||||||||
Control
investments
|
— | — | 16,698 | 16,698 | ||||||||||||
Affiliate
investments
|
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total
investments at fair value
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 89,373 | $ | 89,373 |
The
following table presents fair value measurements of investments as of February
28, 2009 (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements Using
|
||||||||||||||||
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Non-control/non-affiliate
investments
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 96,463 | $ | 96,463 | ||||||||
Control
investments
|
— | — | 22,439 | 22,439 | ||||||||||||
Affiliate
investments
|
— | — | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Total
investments at fair value
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 118,912 | $ | 118,912 |
The
following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances
for investments that use Level 3 inputs for the year ended February 28, 2010
(dollars in thousands):
Non-control/
non-affiliate
|
Control
Investments
|
Affiliate
Investments
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Balance
as of February 28, 2009
|
$ | 96,464 | $ | 22,438 | $ | 10 | $ | 118,912 | ||||||||
Net
unrealized losses
|
(4,447 | ) | (5,068 | ) | (10 | ) | (9,525 | ) | ||||||||
Purchases
and other adjustments to cost
|
1,825 | – | – | 1,825 | ||||||||||||
Sales
and redemptions
|
(14,513 | ) | (672 | ) | – | (15,185 | ) | |||||||||
Net
realized loss from investments
|
(6,654 | ) | – | – | (6,654 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance
as of February 28, 2010
|
$ | 72,675 | $ | 16,698 | $ | – | $ | 89,373 |
F-18
Purchases
and other adjustments to cost include purchases of new investments at cost,
effects of refinancing/restructuring, accretion/amortization of income from
discount/premium on debt securities, and PIK.
Sale and
redemptions represent net proceeds received from investments sold during the
year.
Net
transfers in and/or out represent existing investments that were either
previously categorized as another level and the inputs to the model became
unobservable or investments that were previously classified as the lowest
significant input became observable during the period. These investments
transfers are recorded at their end of period fair values.
The
composition of our investments as of February 28, 2010, at amortized cost and
fair value were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Investments at
Amortized
Cost
|
Investments
at Fair Value
|
Fair Value
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
|
||||||||||
First
lien term loans
|
$ | 18,936 | $ | 16,653 | 18.6 | % | ||||||
Second
lien term loans
|
41,264 | 20,267 | 22.7 | |||||||||
Senior
secured notes
|
33,416 | 27,742 | 31.0 | |||||||||
Unsecured
notes
|
20,306 | 5,690 | 6.4 | |||||||||
Structured
Finance Securities
|
29,233 | 16,698 | 18.7 | |||||||||
Common
stock/equities
|
3,756 | 2,323 | 2.6 | |||||||||
Limited
partnership interest
|
– | – | – | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 146,911 | $ | 89,373 | 100.0 | % |
The
composition of our investments as of February 28, 2009, at amortized cost and
fair value were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Investments at
Amortized
Cost
|
Investments
at Fair Value
|
Fair Value
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
|
||||||||||
First
lien term loans
|
$ | 24,901 | $ | 17,117 | 14.4 | % | ||||||
Second
lien term loans
|
57,558 | 41,043 | 34.5 | |||||||||
Senior
secured notes
|
35,780 | 25,832 | 21.7 | |||||||||
Unsecured
notes
|
18,782 | 12,381 | 10.4 | |||||||||
Structured
Finance Securities
|
29,905 | 22,341 | 18.8 | |||||||||
Common
stock/equities
|
– | – | – | |||||||||
Limited
partnership interest
|
– | 198 | 0.2 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 166,926 | $ | 118,912 | 100.0 | % |
Note 5. Investment in GSC Investment
Corp. CLO 2007, Ltd.
On
January 22, 2008, we invested $30 million in all of the outstanding subordinated
notes of GSC Investment Corp. CLO 2007, Ltd., a $400 million CLO managed by us
that invests primarily in senior secured loans. Additionally, we entered into a
collateral management agreement with GSCIC CLO pursuant to which we will act as
collateral manager to it. In return for our collateral management
services, we are entitled to a senior collateral management fee of 0.10% and a
subordinate collateral management fee of 0.40% of the outstanding principal
amount of GSCIC CLO’s assets, to be paid quarterly to the extent of available
proceeds. We are also entitled to an incentive management fee equal to 20% of
excess cash flow to the extent the GSCIC CLO subordinated notes receive an
internal rate of return equal to or greater than 12%. For the years ended
February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 we accrued $2.1, $2.0 and $0.6
million in management fee income, respectively and $2.4, $4.4 and $0.3 million
in interest income, respectively, from GSCIC CLO. We did not accrue any amounts
related to the incentive management fee as the 12% hurdle rate has not yet been
achieved.
F-19
Note 6. Income
Taxes
The
Company intends to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under
Subchapter M of the Code and, as such, will not be subject to federal income tax
on the portion of taxable income and gains distributed to
stockholders.
The
Company owns 100% of GSCIC CLO, an Exempted Company incorporated in the Cayman
Islands. For financial reporting purposes, the GSCIC CLO is not
included as part of the consolidated financial statements. For
federal income tax purposes, the Company has requested and received approval
from the Internal Revenue Service to treat the GSCIC CLO as a disregarded
entity. As such, for federal income tax purposes and for purposes of
meeting the RIC qualification and diversification tests, the results of
operations of the GSCIC CLO are included with those of the Company.
To
qualify as a RIC, the Company is required to meet certain income and asset
diversification tests in addition to distributing at least 90% of its investment
company taxable income, as defined by the Code. Because federal income tax
regulations differ from GAAP, distributions in accordance with tax regulations
may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for
financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary in
nature. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the
financial statements to reflect their tax character. Differences in
classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as
ordinary income for tax purposes. As of February 28, 2010 and 2009, the
Company reclassified for book purposes amounts arising from permanent book/tax
differences primarily related to nondeductible excise tax, meals &
entertainment, market discount, interest income with respect to the GSCIC CLO
which is consolidated for tax purposes, and the tax character of distributions
as follows (dollars in thousands):
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
|||||||
Accumulated net
investment income/(loss)
|
$ | 449 | $ | 381 | ||||
Accumulated
net realized gains (losses) on investments
|
1,213
|
(1,106
|
) | |||||
Additional
paid-in-capital
|
(1,662
|
) |
725
|
For
income tax purposes, distributions paid to shareholders are reported as ordinary
income, return of capital, long term capital gains or a combination thereof. The
tax character of distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2009 was as
follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2009 |
December
31, 2008
|
|||||||
Ordinary Income | $ | 15,132 | $ | 8,540 | ||||
Capital
gains
|
- | - | ||||||
Return of
capital
|
- | - | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 15,132 | $ | 8,540 |
For
federal income tax purposes, as of February 28, 2010, the aggregate gross
unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value
over tax cost is $17.3 million and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation
for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value is $78.8
million. The aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes is
$481.3 million.
At
February 28, 2010 and 2009, the components of accumulated losses on a
tax basis as detailed below differ from the amounts reflected per the Company’s
consolidated statements of assets and liabilities by temporary book/tax
differences primarily arising from the consolidation of the GSCIC CLO for tax
purposes, market discount and original issue discount income, interest income
accrual on defaulted bonds, write-off of investments, and amortization of
organizational expenditures (dollars in thousands).
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
|||||||
Post October loss deferred | $ | (4,560 | ) | $ | - | |||
Accumulated capital
losses
|
(17,306 | ) | (3,195 | ) | ||||
Other
temporary differences
|
(2,208
|
) |
(119
|
) | ||||
Undistributed
ordinary income
|
3,950
|
6,312
|
||||||
Unrealized
depreciation
|
(61,539
|
) |
(146,540
|
) | ||||
Components
of accumulated losses
|
$ | (81,663 | ) | $ | (143,542 | ) |
F-20
Post-October
losses represent losses realized on investments from November 1, 2009 to
February 28, 2010, in accordance with federal income tax regulations, the
Company has elected to defer and treat as having arisen in the following fiscal
year.
The
Company has incurred capital losses of $14.1 and
$3.2 million for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009. Such
capital losses will be available to offset future capital gains if any and if
unused, will expire on February 28, 2018 and 2017.
Management
has analyzed the Company’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for
all open years (fiscal years 2008-2010), and has concluded that no provision for
uncertain income tax positions is required in the Company’s financial
statements.
Note 7.
Agreements
On March
21, 2007, the Company entered into an investment advisory and management
agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with GSC Group, our investment advisor.
The initial term of the Management Agreement is two years, with automatic,
one-year renewals at the end of each year subject to certain approvals by our
board of directors and/or our stockholders. Pursuant to the Management
Agreement, our investment adviser implements our business strategy on a
day-to-day basis and performs certain services for us, subject to oversight by
our board of directors. Our investment adviser is responsible for, among other
duties, determining investment criteria, sourcing, analyzing and executing
investments transactions, asset sales, financings and performing asset
management duties. Under the Management Agreement, we have agreed to pay our
investment adviser a management fee for investment advisory and management
services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee.
The base
management fee of 1.75% is calculated based on the average value of our total
assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with
borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed fiscal quarters,
and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the
applicable fiscal quarter.
The
incentive fee consists of the following two parts:
The
first, payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20% of our pre-incentive fee net
investment income (not including excise taxes), expressed as a rate of return on
the value of the net assets at the end of the immediately preceding quarter,
that exceeds a 1.875% quarterly (7.5% annualized) hurdle rate measured as of the
end of each fiscal quarter. Under this provision, in any fiscal quarter, our
investment adviser receives no incentive fee unless our pre-incentive fee net
investment income, as defined above, exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.875%. Amounts
received as a return of capital are not included in calculating this portion of
the incentive fee. Since the hurdle rate is based on net assets, a return of
less than the hurdle rate on total assets may still result in an incentive
fee.
The
second, payable at the end of each fiscal year equals 20% of our net realized
capital gains, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and
unrealized capital depreciation, in each case on a cumulative basis, less the
aggregate amount of such incentive fees paid to the investment adviser through
such date.
We will
defer cash payment of any incentive fee otherwise earned by our investment
adviser if, during the most recent four full fiscal quarter period ending on or
prior to the date such payment is to be made, the sum of (a) our aggregate
distributions to our stockholders and (b) our change in net assets (defined as
total assets less liabilities) (before taking into account any incentive fees
payable during that period) is less than 7.5% of our net assets at the beginning
of such period. These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for the first
three fiscal quarters of operation and adjusted for any share issuances or
repurchases during the applicable period. Such incentive fee will become payable
on the next date on which such test has been satisfied for the most recent four
full fiscal quarters or upon certain terminations of the investment advisory and
management agreement.
For the
years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 we incurred $2.0,
$2.7 and $2.9 million in base management fees and $0.3, $1.8 and $0.7 million in
incentive fees related to pre-incentive fee net investment income,
respectively. For the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and
February 29, 2008, we incurred no incentive management fees related to net
realized capital gains. As of February 28, 2010 and 2009, $0.5
million and $0.6 million of base management fees and $2.6 million and $2.3
million of incentive fees, respectively, were unpaid and included in management
and incentive fees payable in the accompanying consolidated statement of assets
and liabilities.
As of
February 28, 2010, the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, the sum of
our aggregate distributions to our stockholders and our change in net assets
(defined as total assets less liabilities) (before taking into account any
incentive fees payable during that period) was less than 7.5% of our net assets
at the beginning of the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2010. Accordingly,
the payment of the incentive fee for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 has
been deferred along with all previously deferred incentive fees. The total
deferred incentive fee payable at February 28, 2010 and 2009 were $2.6 million
and $2.3 million, respectively.
On March
21, 2007, the Company entered into a separate administration agreement (the
“Administration Agreement”) with GSC Group, pursuant to which GSC Group, as our
administrator, has agreed to furnish us with the facilities and administrative
services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations and provide managerial
assistance on our behalf to those portfolio companies to which we are required
to provide such assistance. Our allocable portion is based on the proportion
that our total assets bears to the total assets or a subset of total assets
administered by our administrator.
F-21
For the
years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 we expensed $0.7,
$1.0 and $0.9 million of administrator expenses, respectively, pertaining to
bookkeeping, record keeping and other administrative services provided to the
Company in addition to our allocable portion of rent and other overhead related
expenses. GSC Group has agreed not to be reimbursed by the Company for any
expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration
Agreement until the Company’s total assets exceeds $500 million.
Additionally, the Company’s requirement to reimburse GSC Group is capped
such that the amounts payable, together with the Company’s other operating
expenses, will not exceed an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of the Company’s net
assets attributable to the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, for the
years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008, we have recorded
$0.7, $1.0 and $1.8 million in expense waiver and reimbursement, respectively,
under the Administration Agreement in the accompanying consolidated statement of
operations.
On March
23, 2007, the Manager provided the Company with a Notification of Fee
Reimbursement (the “Expense Reimbursement Agreement”). The Expense Reimbursement
Agreement provides for the Manager to reimburse the Company for operating
expenses to the extent that our total annual operating expenses (other than
investment advisory and management fees, interest and credit facility expenses,
and organizational expense) exceed an amount equal to 1.55% of our net assets
attributable to common stock. The Manager is not entitled to recover any
reimbursements under this agreement in future periods. The term of
the Expense Reimbursement Agreement is for a period of 12 months beginning
March 23, 2007 and for each twelve months period thereafter unless otherwise
agreed by the Manager and the Company. On April 15, 2008, the Manager and the
Company agreed not to extend the agreement for an additional twelve month period
and terminated the Expense Reimbursement Agreement as of March 23, 2008. For the
years ended February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008, we recorded $49,715 and
$0.9 million in expense waiver and reimbursement, respectively under the Expense
Reimbursement Agreement in the accompanying consolidated statement of
operations.
Note 8.
Borrowings
As a BDC,
we are only allowed to employ leverage to the extent that our asset coverage, as
defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after giving effect to such
leverage. The amount of leverage that we employ at any time depends on our
assessment of the market and other factors at the time of any proposed
borrowing.
On April
11, 2007, we formed GSC Investment Funding LLC (“GSC Funding”), a wholly owned
consolidated subsidiary of the Company, through which we entered into a
revolving securitized credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) with Deutsche
Bank AG, as administrative agent, under which we may borrow up to $100 million.
A significant percentage of our total assets have been pledged under the
Revolving Facility to secure our obligations thereunder. Under the Revolving
Facility, funds are borrowed from or through certain lenders at prevailing
commercial paper rates or, if the commercial paper market is at any time
unavailable, at prevailing LIBOR rates, plus 0.70% payable monthly. As of
February 28, 2010 and 2009, there was $37.0 million and $59.0 million
outstanding under the Revolving Facility, respectively. For the years ended
February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008, we recorded $3.5, $2.4 and
$4.0 million of interest expense and $0.6, $0.2 and $0.2 million of amortization
of deferred financing costs related to the Revolving Facility, respectively. For
the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 the interest
rates on the outstanding borrowings ranged from 1.37% to 9.25%, 1.50% to 5.22%
and 4.45% to 6.62%, respectively.
On May 1,
2007, we formed GSC Investment Funding II LLC (“GSC Funding II”), a wholly owned
consolidated subsidiary of the Company, through which we entered into a $25.7
million term securitized credit facility (the “Term Facility” and, together with
the Revolving Facility, the “Facilities”) with Deutsche Bank AG, as
administrative agent, which was fully drawn at closing. A significant percentage
of our total assets were pledged under the Term Facility to secure our
obligations thereunder. The Term Facility bears interest at prevailing
commercial paper rates or, if the commercial paper market is at any time
unavailable, at prevailing LIBOR rates, plus 0.70%, payable quarterly. For the
year ended February 29, 2008, we recorded $0.6 million of interest expense and
$0.3 of amortization of deferred financing costs related to the Term
Facility.
Each of
the Facilities contain limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, such as
restrictions on industry concentrations, asset size, payment frequency and
status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings. The
Facilities also include certain requirements relating to portfolio performance
the violation of which could result in the early amortization of the Facilities,
limit further advances (in the case of the Revolving Facility) and, in some
cases, result in an event of default, allowing the lenders to accelerate
repayment of amounts owed thereunder.
F-22
On
December 12, 2007, the Company consolidated its Facilities by using the proceeds
of a draw under the Revolving Facility to repay and terminate the Term Facility
and transferring all assets in GSC Funding II to GSC Funding. The Company’s
aggregate indebtedness and cost of funding were unchanged as a result of this
consolidation.
In March
2009 we amended the Revolving Credit Facility to increase the portion of the
portfolio that can be invested in "CCC" rated investments in return for an
increased interest rate and expedited amortization. As a result of
these transactions, we expected to have additional cushion under our Borrowing
Base (as defined below) that would allow us to better manage our capital in
times of declining asset prices and market dislocation. If we are not able to
obtain new sources of financing, however, we expect our portfolio will gradually
de-lever as principal payments are received, which may negatively impact our net
investment income and ability to pay dividends.
At
February 28, 2010 and 2009 we had $37.0 million and $59.0 million in borrowings
under the Revolving Facility, respectively. The actual amount that may be
outstanding at any given time (the “Borrowing Base”) is dependent upon the
amount and quality of the collateral securing the Revolving Facility. Our
Borrowing Base was $1.7 million at February 28, 2010 versus $59.9 million at
February 28, 2009. The decline in our Borrowing Base in fiscal year 2010 is
mainly attributable to the decline in the value of the pledged collateral and
the downgrade of certain public ratings or private credit estimates of the
pledged collateral.
For
purposes of determining the Borrowing Base, most assets are assigned the values
set forth in our most recent quarterly report filed with the SEC. Accordingly,
the February 28, 2010 Borrowing Base relies upon the valuations set forth in the
quarterly report for the quarter ended November 30, 2009. The valuations
presented in this annual report will not be incorporated into the Borrowing Base
until after this report is filed with the SEC.
On July
30, 2009 we exceeded the permissible borrowing limit for 30 consecutive days,
resulting in an event of default under our Revolving Facility that is
continuing. As a result of this event of default, our lender has the right to
accelerate repayment of the outstanding indebtedness under and Revolving
Facility and to foreclose and liquidate the collateral pledged thereunder.
Acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness and/or liquidation of the
collateral would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial
condition and operations. As a result of the continuing default, the Company may
be forced to sell its investments to raise funds to repay outstanding amounts.
Such forced sales may result in values that could be less than carrying values
reported in these financial statements. The deleveraging of the Company may
significantly impair the Company’s ability to effectively operate. Please see
Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors—An event of default under the Revolving Facility
may lead to a forced liquidation of the pledged assets that may yield less than
the fair value of the assets” for more information. Our lender has elected not
to accelerate the obligation to date, but has reserved the right to do
so.
During
the continuance of an event of default, the interest rate on the Revolving
Facility is increased from the commercial paper rate plus 4.00% to the greater
of the commercial paper rate and our lender’s prime rate plus 4.00% plus a
default rate of 2.00% or, if the commercial paper market is unavailable, the
greater of the prevailing LIBOR rates and our lender’s prime rate plus 6.00%
plus a default rate of 3.00%.
Note 9. Interest Rate Cap
Agreements
In April
and May 2007, pursuant to the requirements of the Facilities, GSC Funding and
GSC Funding II entered into interest rate cap agreements with Deutsche Bank AG
with notional amounts of $34 million and $60.9 million at costs of $75,000, and
$44,000, respectively. In May 2007 GSC Funding increased the notional under its
agreement from $34 million to $40 million for an additional cost of $12,000. The
agreements expire in February 2014 and November 2013 respectively. These
interest rate caps are treated as free-standing derivatives under ASC 815 and
are presented at their fair value on the consolidated statement of assets and
liabilities in their fair value are included on the consolidated statement of
operations.
The
agreements provide for a payment to the Company in the event LIBOR exceeds 8%,
mitigating our exposure to increases in LIBOR. With respect to calculating the
payments under these agreements, the notional amount is determined based on a
pre-determined schedule set forth in the respective agreements which provides
for a reduction in the notional at specified dates until the maturity of the
agreements. As of February 28, 2010 we did not receive any such payments as the
LIBOR has not exceeded 8%. At February 28, 2010, the total notional
outstanding for the interest rate caps was $65.6 million with an aggregate fair
value of $0.04 million, which is recorded in outstanding interest cap at fair
value on the Company’s consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. For the
years ended February, 28, 2010 and 2009, and February 29, 2008, the Company
recorded $2,634 of unrealized appreciation, $37,221 of unrealized depreciation
and $54,226 of unrealized depreciation, respectively, on derivatives in the
consolidated statement of operations related to the change in the fair value of
the interest rate cap agreements.
F-23
The table
below summarizes our interest rate cap agreements as of February 28, 2010
(dollars in thousands):
Instrument
|
Type
|
Notional
|
Interest
Rate
|
Maturity
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||||
Interest
Rate Cap
|
Free
Standing Derivative
|
$ | 39,184 | 8.0 | % |
Feb
2014
|
$ | 30 | |||||||
Interest
Rate Cap
|
Free
Standing Derivative
|
26,433 | 8.0 |
Nov
2013
|
12 | ||||||||||
Net
fair value
|
$ | 42 |
The table
below summarizes our interest rate cap agreements as of February 28, 2009
(dollars in thousands):
Instrument
|
Type
|
Notional
|
Interest
Rate
|
Maturity
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||||
Interest
Rate Cap
|
Free
Standing Derivative
|
$ | 40,000 | 8.0 | % |
Feb
2014
|
$ | 28 | |||||||
Interest
Rate Cap
|
Free
Standing Derivative
|
26,433 | 8.0 |
Nov
2013
|
12 | ||||||||||
Net
fair value
|
$ | 40 |
Note 10. Directors
Fees
The
independent directors receive an annual fee of $40,000. They also receive $2,500
plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with attending each board meeting and receive $1,000 plus reimbursement of
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each
committee meeting. In addition, the chairman of the Audit Committee receives an
annual fee of $5,000 and the chairman of each other committee receives an annual
fee of $2,000 for their additional services in these capacities. In addition, we
have purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our
directors and officers. Independent directors have the option to receive their
directors’ fees in the form of our common stock issued at a price per share
equal to the greater of net asset value or the market price at the time of
payment. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons.” For
the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 we accrued
$0.3, $0.3 and $0.3 million for directors fees expense, respectively and
$25,432, $18,017 and $13,226 for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses,
respectively. As of February 28, 2010 and 2009, $54,000 and $5,250 in
directors fees expense were unpaid and included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. As of
February 28, 2010, we had not issued any common stock to our directors as
compensation for their services.
Note 11. Stockholders’
Equity
On May
16, 2006, GSC Group capitalized the LLC, by contributing $1,000 in exchange for
67 shares, constituting all of the issued and outstanding shares of the
LLC.
On March
20, 2007, the Company issued 959,955 and 81,362 shares of common stock, priced
at $15.00 per share, to GSC Group and certain individual employees of GSC Group,
respectively, in exchange for the general partnership interest and a limited
partnership interest in GSC Partners CDO III GP, LP, collectively valued at
$15.6 million. At this time, the 67 shares owned by GSC Group in the LLC were
exchanged for 67 shares of GSC Investment Corp.
On March
28, 2007, the Company completed its IPO of 7,250,000 shares of common stock,
priced at $15.00 per share, before underwriting discounts and commissions. Total
proceeds received from the IPO, net of $7.1 million in underwriter’s discount
and commissions, and $1.0 million in offering costs, were $100.7
million.
On
November 13, 2009, we declared a dividend of $1.825 per share payable on
December 31, 2009. Shareholders had the option to receive payment of the
dividend in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of
common stock, provided that the aggregate cash payable to all shareholders was
limited to $2.1 million or $0.25 per share. Based on shareholder elections, the
dividend consisted of $2.1 million in cash and 8,648,725 of newly issued shares
of common stock.
Note 12. Earnings Per
Share
In
accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 260, “Earnings per Share” (“ASC
260”), basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
the period. Other potentially dilutive common shares, and the related impact to
earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted
basis.
F-24
On
November 13, 2009, we declared a dividend of $1.825 per share payable on
December 31, 2009. Shareholders had the option to receive payment of the
dividend in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of
common stock, provided that the aggregate cash payable to all shareholders was
limited to $2.1 million or $0.25 per share.
Based on
shareholder elections, the dividend consisted of $2.1 million in cash and
8,648,725 shares of common stock, or 104% of our outstanding common stock prior
to the dividend payment. The amount of cash elected to be received was greater
than the cash limit of 13.7% of the aggregate dividend amount, thus resulting in
the payment of a combination of cash and stock to shareholders who elected to
receive cash. The number of shares of common stock comprising the stock portion
was calculated based on a price of $1.5099 per share, which equaled the volume
weighted average trading price per share of the common stock on December 24 and
28, 2009. The financial statements for the period ended November 30, 2009 were
retroactively adjusted to reflect the increase in common stock as a result of
the dividend in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-20-550 regarding
disclosure of a capital structure change after the interim balance sheet but
before the release of the financial statements.
The
following information sets forth the computation of the weighted average basic
and diluted net decrease in net assets per share from operations for the years
ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 (dollars in thousands
except per share amounts):
Basic and diluted
|
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
February 29, 2008
|
|||||||||
Net
decrease in net assets from operations
|
$ | (10,463 | ) | $ | (21,315 | ) | $ | (5,451 | ) | |||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding
|
10,613,507 | 8,291,384 | 7,761,965 | |||||||||
Loss
per common share-basic and diluted
|
$ | (0.99 | ) | $ | (2.57 | ) | $ | (0.70 | ) |
Note 13. Dividend
The
following table summarizes dividends declared during the years ended February
28, 2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008 (dollars in thousands except per share
amounts):
Date Declared
|
Record Date
|
Payment Date
|
Amount Per
Share *
|
Total Amount
|
||||||||
November
13, 2009
|
November
25, 2009
|
December
31, 2009
|
$ | 1.825 | $ | 15,132 | ||||||
Total
dividends declared
|
$ | 1.825 | $ | 15,132 |
Date Declared
|
Record Date
|
Payment Date
|
Amount Per
Share *
|
Total Amount
|
||||||||
May
22, 2008
|
May
30, 2008
|
June
13, 2008
|
$ | 0.39 | $ | 3,234 | ||||||
August
19, 2008
|
August
29, 2008
|
September
15, 2008
|
0.39 | 3,234 | ||||||||
December
8, 2008
|
December
18, 2008
|
December
29, 2008
|
0.25 | 2,072 | ||||||||
Total
dividends declared
|
$ | 1.03 | $ | 8,540 |
Date Declared
|
Record Date
|
Payment Date
|
Amount Per
Share *
|
Total Amount
|
||||||||
May
21, 2007
|
May
29, 2007
|
June
6, 2007
|
$ | 0.24 | $ | 1,990 | ||||||
August
14, 2007
|
August
24, 2007
|
August
31, 2007
|
0.36 | 2,985 | ||||||||
November
15, 2007
|
November
30, 2007
|
December
3, 2007
|
0.38 | 3,151 | ||||||||
December
28, 2007
|
January
18, 2008
|
January
28, 2008
|
0.18 | 1,492 | ||||||||
February
20, 2008
|
February
29, 2008
|
March
10, 2008
|
0.39 | 3,234 | ||||||||
Total
dividends declared
|
$ | 1.55 | $ | 12,852 |
* Amount
per share is calculated based on the number of shares outstanding at the date of
declaration.
F-25
Note 14. Financial
Highlights
The
following is a schedule of financial highlights for the years ended February 28,
2010 and 2009 and February 29, 2008:
Per share data:
|
February 28, 2010
|
February 28, 2009
|
February 29, 2008
|
|||||||||
Public
offering cost at IPO, March 23, 2007
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | 15.00 | ||||||
Sales
load
|
- | - | (0.85 | ) | ||||||||
Offering
cost
|
- | - | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||
Net
asset value at beginning of period/IPO
|
8.20 | 11.80 | 14.03 | |||||||||
Net
investment income (1)
|
0.54 | 1.67 | 1.30 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments and
derivatives
|
(0.63 | ) | (0.86 | ) | 0.47 | |||||||
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and
derivatives
|
(0.90 | ) | (3.38 | ) | (2.45 | )* | ||||||
Net
decrease in stockholders’ equity
|
(0.99 | ) | (2.57 | ) | (0.68 | ) | ||||||
Distributions
declared from net investment income
|
(1.83 | ) | (1.03 | ) | (1.37 | ) | ||||||
Distributions
declared from net realized capital gains
|
- | - | (0.18 | ) | ||||||||
Other
(5)
|
(2.11 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Total
distributions to stockholders
|
(3.94 | ) | (1.03 | ) | (1.55 | ) | ||||||
Net
asset value at end of period
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 8.20 | $ | 11.80 | ||||||
Net
assets at end of period
|
$ | 55,478,152 | $ | 68,013,777 | $ | 97,869,040 | ||||||
Shares
outstanding at end of period
|
16,940,109 | 8,291,384 | 8,291,384 | |||||||||
Per
share market value at end of period
|
$ | 1.92 | $ | 1.99 | $ | 11.04 | ||||||
Total return based on market value
(2)
|
113.10 | % | (70.33 | )% | 0.45 | % | ||||||
Total return based on net asset value
(3)
|
(11.92 | )% | 14.40 | % | 10.96 | % |
* Net
unrealized depreciation on investments and derivatives per share amount includes
the net loss incurred prior to the IPO.
Ratio/Supplemental
data:
|
||||||||||||
Ratio
of net investment income net of expense waiver
and reimbursement to average net assets (4)
|
9.12 | % | 16.21 | % | 9.63 | % | ||||||
Ratio
of operating expenses net of expense waiver and reimbursement to
average net assets (4)
|
8.71 | % | 5.94 | % | 4.31 | % | ||||||
Ratio
of incentive management fees to average net assets
|
0.52 | % | 2.05 | % | 0.64 | % | ||||||
Ratio
of credit facility related expenses to average net assets
|
6.54 | % | 3.05 | % | 4.51 | % | ||||||
Ratio
of total expenses net of expense waiver and reimbursement to
average net assets (4)
|
15.77 | % | 11.04 | % | 9.45 | % |
(1)
|
Net
investment income excluding expense waiver and reimbursement equals $0.48,
$1.55 and $1.08 per share for the years ended February 28, 2010 and 2009
and February 29, 2008,
respectively.
|
(2)
|
Total
annual return historical and resumes changes in share price, reinvestments
of all dividends and distributions, and no sales change for the
year.
|
F-26
(3)
|
Total
annual return is historical and assumes changes in net assets value,
reinvestments of all dividends and distributions, and no sales change for
the year.
|
(4)
|
For
the year ended February 28, 2010, excluding the expense waiver and
reimbursement arrangement, the ratio of net investment income, operating
expenses, total expenses to average net assets is 8.10%, 9.78% and 16.84%,
respectively. For the year ended February 28, 2009, excluding the expense
waiver and reimbursement arrangement, the ratio of net investment income,
operating expenses, total expenses to average net assets is 15.19%, 7.12%
and 12.23%, respectively. For the year ended February 29, 2008, excluding
the expense waiver and reimbursement arrangement, the ratio of net
investment income, operating expenses, total expenses to average net
assets is 8.11%, 5.91% and 11.05%,
respectively.
|
(5)
|
Represents
the impact of the different share amounts used in calculating per share
data as a result of calculating certain per share data based upon the
weighted average basic shares outstanding during the period and certain
per share data based on the shares outstanding as of period
end.
|
Note 15. Related Party
Transaction
On March
20, 2007, the Company issued 959,955 and 81,362 shares of common stock, priced
at $15.00 per share, to GSC Group and certain individual employees of GSC Group,
respectively, in exchange for the general partnership interest and a limited
partnership interest in GSC Partners CDO III GP, LP, collectively valued at
$15.6 million. Additionally, GSC Group assigned its rights to act as collateral
manager for GSC Partners CDO Fund III, Limited (“CDO III”) to the Company. The
Company paid GSC Group $0.1 million to acquire the rights to act as collateral
manager and expected to receive collateral management fees of $0.2 million. For
the year ended February 29, 2008 we received $0.4 million of management fee
income from CDO III and received distributions of $16.1 million from our
partnership interests resulting in a realized gain of $0.5 million. As of
February 28, 2010, the fair value of the general partnership interest and
limited partnership interest was zero.
On
January 10, 2008, GSC Group notified our Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Administrator that it was electing to receive dividends and other distributions
in cash (rather than in additional shares of common stock) with respect to all
shares of stock held by it and the investment funds under its control. For the
year ended February 29, 2008, GSC Group received 35,911 of additional shares
under the dividend reinvestment plan. As of February 28, 2010, GSC Group and its
affiliates own approximately 11.4% of the outstanding common shares of the
Company.
On
January 22, 2008, we entered into a collateral management agreement with GSCIC
CLO pursuant to which we will act as collateral manager to it. In
return for our collateral management services, we are entitled to a senior
collateral management fee of 0.10% and a subordinate collateral management fee
of 0.40% of the outstanding principal amount of GSCIC CLO’s assets, to be paid
quarterly to the extent of available proceeds. We are also entitled
to an incentive management fee equal to 20% of excess cash flow to the extent
the GSCIC CLO subordinated notes receive an internal rate of return equal to or
greater than 12%. We do not expect to enter into additional
collateral management agreements in the near future.
F-27
In April
2009, our investment adviser withheld a scheduled principal amortization payment
under its credit facility, resulting in a default thereunder. Since then,
our investment adviser and its secured lenders have been in negotiations
regarding a consensual restructuring of its obligations under such credit
facility. While we are not directly affected by our investment adviser’s
default, if it is unable to restructure its credit facility, or an acceleration
of the outstanding principal balance by the lenders occurs, the ability of the
investment adviser to retain key individuals and perform its investment advisory
duties for us could be significantly impaired.
Note 16. Selected Quarterly Data
(Unaudited)
2010
|
||||||||||||||||
($
in thousands, except per share numbers)
|
Qtr 4
|
Qtr 3
|
Qtr 2
|
Qtr 1
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and related portfolio income
|
$ | 3,637 | $ | 3,530 | $ | 3,685 | $ | 4,764 | ||||||||
Net
investment income
|
1,201 | 869 | 1,080 | 2,564 | ||||||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
(10,067 | ) | 8,258 | (17,168 | ) | 2,800 | ||||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations
|
(8,866 | ) | 9,128 | (16,088 | ) | 5,364 | ||||||||||
Net
investment income per common share at end of each quarter
|
$ | 0.07 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.31 | ||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) per common share at end of each
quarter
|
$ | (0.59 | ) | $ | 0.91 | $ | (2.07 | ) | $ | 0.34 | ||||||
Dividends
declared per common share
|
$ | – | $ | 1.825 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 3.27 | $ | 3.80 | $ | 6.91 | $ | 8.85 |
2009
|
||||||||||||||||
($
in thousands, except per share numbers)
|
Qtr 4
|
Qtr 3
|
Qtr 2
|
Qtr 1
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and related portfolio income
|
$ | 5,476 | $ | 6,361 | $ | 5,835 | $ | 5,715 | ||||||||
Net
investment income
|
3,289 | 3,887 | 3,455 | 3,195 | ||||||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized loss
|
(17,296 | ) | (11,438 | ) | (6,023 | ) | (384 | ) | ||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations
|
(14,008 | ) | (7,551 | ) | (2,567 | ) | 2,811 | |||||||||
Net
investment income per common share at end of each quarter
|
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.39 | ||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized loss per common share at end of each
quarter
|
$ | (2.09 | ) | $ | (1.38 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||||
Dividends
declared per common share
|
$ | – | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.39 | ||||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 8.20 | $ | 10.14 | $ | 11.05 | $ | 11.75 | ||||||||
2008
|
||||||||||||||||
($
in thousands, except per share numbers)
|
Qtr 4
|
Qtr 3
|
Qtr 2
|
Qtr 1
|
||||||||||||
Interest
and related portfolio income
|
$ | 5,520 | $ | 5,882 | $ | 5,882 | $ | 4,102 | ||||||||
Net
investment income
|
2,562 | 3,070 | 3,157 | 1,958 | ||||||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
(11,972 | ) | (2,009 | ) | (3,939 | ) | 1,722 | |||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations
|
(9,410 | ) | 1,061 | (782 | ) | 3,680 | ||||||||||
Net
investment income per common share at end of each quarter
|
$ | 0.32 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) per common share at end of each
quarter
|
$ | (1.46 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (0.47 | ) | $ | 0.21 | |||||
Dividends
declared per common share
|
$ | 0.57 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.24 | ||||||||
Net
asset value per common share
|
$ | 11.80 | $ | 13.51 | $ | 13.76 | $ | 14.21 |
Note 17. Subsequent
Events
There
have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would
require disclosure in this Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in
the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years then ended, except
as disclosed below.
F-28
On March
2, 2010 the Company received a full par redemption of $0.7 million related to
Affinity Group, Inc. On March 11, 2010, a portion of the proceeds from this
redemption were used to make a repayment of $0.7 million of outstanding
borrowings.
On April
9, 2010 the Company received a full par redemption of $1.8 million related to
Custom Direct, Inc. On April 13, 2010, the proceeds from this redemption plus a
portion of interest collections related to Elyria Foundry Company were used to
make a repayment of $1.9 million of outstanding borrowings.
On April
14, 2010 the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Saratoga
Investment Advisors, LLC (“Saratoga”) and CLO Partners LLC (“CLO Partners”) and
announced a $55 million recapitalization plan to cure the debt default. The
recapitalization plan includes Saratoga and CLO Partners purchasing
approximately 9.8 million shares of common stock of GSC Investment Corp. for
$1.52 per share pursuant to a definitive stock purchase agreement and a
commitment from Madison Capital Funding LLC to provide the Company with a
$40 million senior secured revolving credit facility. Upon the closing of the
transaction, the Company will immediately borrow funds under the new credit
facility that, when added to the $15 million equity investment, will be
sufficient to repay the full amount of the Company's existing debt and to
provide the Company with working capital thereafter. The plan is subject to
shareholder approval.
On May 4,
2010 the Company received an interest payment of $0.4 million related to
McMillin Companies, LLC. On May 14, 2010, a portion of the proceeds were used to
make a repayment of $0.3 million of outstanding borrowings.
On May
13, 2010 the Company filed a Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A related
to the proposed Saratoga transaction.
F-29