UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

OR

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

Commission File Number 814-01190

 

OWL ROCK CAPITAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Maryland

 

47-5402460

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York

 

10022

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 419-3000

 

 

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

ORCC

The New York Stock Exchange

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 x NO o

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO x

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 x NO o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

Small reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2021 based on the closing price on that date of $14.27 on The New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $5,596,943,582.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock $0.01 par value per share, outstanding at February 23, 2022 was 394,580,939.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

2

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

30

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

64

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

64

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

64

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

65

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

74

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

76

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

150

Item 8.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

F-1

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

151

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

152

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

152

Item 9C.

 

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

153

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

167

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

 

168

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

169

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

172

 

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

173

Item 16.

 

Form 10-K Summary

 

181

Signatures

 

 

 

182

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Owl Rock Capital Corporation (the “Company,” “we” or “our”), our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs and opinions, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;
an economic downturn could disproportionately impact the companies that we intend to target for investment, potentially causing us to experience a decrease in investment opportunities and diminished demand for capital from these companies;
an economic downturn could also impact availability and pricing of our financing and our ability to access the debt and equity capital markets;
a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;
the impact of the “COVID-19” pandemic and related changes in base interest rates and significant market volatility on our business, our portfolio companies, our industry and the global economy including as a result of recent supply chain disruptions;
interest rate volatility, including the decommissioning of LIBOR, could adversely affect our results, particularly because we use leverage as part of our investment strategy;
currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars;
our future operating results;
our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;
the impact of interest and inflation rates on our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;
our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;
the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;
competition with other entities and our affiliates for investment opportunities;
the speculative and illiquid nature of our investments;
the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments as well as any estimates regarding potential use of leverage;
the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital;
the loss of key personnel;
the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;
the ability of Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC (“the Adviser” or “our Adviser”) to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;
the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain highly talented professionals;
our ability to qualify for and maintain our tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and as a business development company (“BDC”);
the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law in March 2021; and
other risks, uncertainties and other factors previously identified in the reports and other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements. Because we are an investment company, the forward-looking statements and projections contained in this report are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Our Company

Owl Rock Capital Corporation was formed on October 15, 2015 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland. We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle-market companies. Since we began investment activities in April 2016 through December 31, 2021, our Adviser and its affiliates have originated $51.2 billion aggregate principal amount of investments, of which $48.2 billion of aggregate principal amount of investments prior to any subsequent exits or repayments, was retained by either us or a fund advised by our Adviser or its affiliates. Our capital will be used by our portfolio companies to primarily support growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion, refinancings and/or recapitalizations.

On July 22, 2019, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 10 million shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $15.30 per share, and on August 2, 2019, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 1.5 million shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $15.30 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, we received total cash proceeds of $164.0 million. Our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ORCC” on July 18, 2019.

We define “middle market companies” to generally mean companies with earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) between $10 million and $250 million annually, and/or annual revenue of $50 million to $2.5 billion at the time of investment. We may on occasion invest in smaller or larger companies if an attractive opportunity presents itself, especially when there are dislocations in the capital markets, including the high yield and syndicated loan markets. Our target credit investments will typically have maturities between three and ten years and generally range in size between $20 million and $250 million. The investment size will vary with the size of our capital base. As of December 31, 2021, excluding certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile, our portfolio companies representing 84.8% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $632 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $136 million.

We invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities including warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns. While we believe that current market conditions favor extending credit to middle market companies in the United States, our investment strategy is intended to generate favorable returns across credit cycles with an emphasis on preserving capital. As of December 31, 2021, based on fair value, our portfolio consisted of 74.9% first lien debt investments, 15.1% second-lien debt investments, 1.5% unsecured debt investments, 1.9% investment funds and vehicles, 2.1% preferred equity investments and 4.5% common equity investments. As of December 31, 2021, 98.9% of our debt investments based on fair value are floating rate in nature and subject to interest rate floors. As of December 31, 2021, we had investments in 143 portfolio companies, with an average investment size in each of our portfolio companies of approximately $89.1 million based on fair value.

As of December 31, 2021, our portfolio was invested across 27 different industries. The largest industry in our portfolio as of December 31, 2021 was internet software and services, which represented, as a percentage of our portfolio, 11.3%, based on fair value.

We are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. As a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, as described herein. We will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States. See “— Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “— Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

We generally intend to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of our available earnings, on a quarterly basis, as determined by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) in its sole discretion.

Certain consolidated subsidiaries of ours are subject to U.S. federal and state corporate-level income taxes.

The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Blue Owl Capital Inc. ("Blue Owl") (NYSE: OWL) and part of Owl Rock, a division of Blue Owl focused on direct lending. To achieve our investment objective, we will leverage Blue Owl's, and, in particular, the Adviser’s investment team’s extensive network of relationships with other sophisticated institutions to source, evaluate and, as appropriate, partner with on transactions. There are no assurances that we will achieve our investment objective.

We may borrow money from time to time if immediately after such borrowing, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, is at 150%. This means that generally, we can borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity.

We currently have in place a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and three special purpose vehicle asset credit facilities (the “SPV Asset Facility II,” the “SPV Asset Facility III,” and the “SPV Asset Facility IV,” respectively), and in the future may enter into additional credit facilities. In addition, we have outstanding unsecured notes maturing in 2024, 2025,

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2026, 2027 and 2028 (the “2024 Notes,” the “2025 Notes,” the “July 2025 Notes,” the “2026 Notes,” the “July 2026 Notes,” the "2027 Notes" and the "2028 Notes," respectively) in registered offerings and in the future may issue additional unsecured notes. The special purpose vehicle asset credit facilities are financing facilities pursuant to which we formed wholly owned subsidiaries, or SPVs, which enter into credit agreements. We periodically sell and contribute investments to the SPVs and the SPVs use the proceeds from the credit agreements to finance the purchase of assets, including from us. We have also entered into six term debt securitization transactions, also known as collateralized loan obligation transactions (“CLO I,” “CLO II,” “CLO III,” “CLO IV,” “CLO V” and "CLO VI," respectively) and in the future may enter into additional collateralized loan obligation transactions. We expect to use our credit facilities and other borrowings, along with proceeds from the rotation of our portfolio, to finance our investment objectives. See “— Regulation as a Business Development Company” for discussion of BDC regulation and other regulatory considerations. See “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Debt.”

The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC

Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC serves as our investment adviser pursuant to an amended and restated investment advisory agreement between us and the Adviser (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"). See “Investment Advisory Agreement” below. The Adviser also serves as our Administrator pursuant to an amended and restated administration agreement between us and the Adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Blue Owl Capital Inc. ("Blue Owl") (NYSE: OWL) and part of Owl Rock, a division of Blue Owl focused on direct lending. Owl Rock is led by its three co-founders, Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer. The Adviser’s investment team (the “Investment Team”) is led by Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer and is supported by certain members of the Adviser’s senior executive team and the investment committee (the “Investment Committee”). The Investment Committee is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged and Jeff Walwyn. Subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations, and provides investment advisory and management services to us.

The Adviser is affiliated with Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (“ORTA”), Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC ("ORTA II"), Owl Rock Technology Opportunities Advisers LLC ("ORTOA"), Owl Rock Capital Private Fund Advisors LLC (“ORCPFA”) and Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC (“ORDA" and together with the Adviser, ORTA, ORTA II, ORTOA and ORCPFA, the “Owl Rock Advisors”). The Owl Rock Advisors are indirect subsidiaries of Blue Owl and comprise the Owl Rock division of Blue Owl. As of December 31, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisors managed $39.2 billion in AUM. The Owl Rock Advisors focus on direct lending to middle market companies primarily in the United States under the following four investment strategies:

 

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Strategy

Funds

Asset Under Management

Diversified Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors primarily originate and make loans to, and make debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies The Owl Rock Advisors invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities including warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.

The diversified lending strategy is currently managed through four BDCs: the Company, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II (“ORCC II”), Owl Rock Capital Corporation III (“ORCC III”), Owl Rock Core Income Corp. (“ORCIC”); and private funds (the "Diversified Lending Funds").

As of December 31, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisors have $25.8 billion of assets under management across these products.

Technology Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors are focused primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. The Owl Rock Advisors originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments.

The technology lending strategy is managed through three BDCs: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (“ORTF”), Owl Rock Technology Income Corp. ("ORTIC") and Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II ("ORTF II") and together with the Company, ORCC II, ORCC III and ORCIC, the “Owl Rock BDCs”).

As of December 31, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisors have $7.9 billion of assets under management across these products.

First Lien Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers seek to realize significant current income with an emphasis on preservation of capital primarily through originating primary transactions in and, to a lesser extent, secondary transactions of first lien senior secured loans in or related to middle market businesses based primarily in the United States.

The first lien lending strategy is managed through private funds and separately managed accounts (the “First Lien Funds”).

As of December 31, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisors have $3.5 billion of assets under management across these products.

Opportunistic Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors intend to make opportunistic investments in U.S. middle-market companies by providing a variety of approaches to financing, including but not limited to originating and/or investing in secured debt, unsecured debt, mezzanine debt, other subordinated debt, interests senior to common equity, as well as equity securities (or rights to acquire equity securities) which may or may not be acquired in connection with a debt financing transaction, and doing any and all things necessary, convenient or incidental thereto as necessary or desirable to promote and carry out such purpose. The funds with this investment strategy seek to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns by taking advantage of credit opportunities in U.S. middle-market companies with liquidity needs and market leaders seeking to improve their balance sheets.

The opportunistic lending strategy is managed through private funds and separately managed accounts (the “Opportunistic Lending Funds” and together with the First Lien Funds and the Diversified Lending Funds, the “Owl Rock Private Funds”).

As of December 31, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisors have $2.0 billion of assets under management across these products.

We refer to the Owl Rock BDCs and the Owl Rock Private Funds, as the “Owl Rock Clients.” Blue Owl consists of three divisions: Owl Rock, which focuses on direct lending, Dyal, which focuses on providing capital to institutional alternative asset managers and Oak Street, which focuses on real estate strategies. In addition, Blue Owl has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Wellfleet Credit Partners ("Wellfleet") from affiliates of Littlejohn & Co., LLC. Wellfleet manages 16 collateralized loan obligation portfolios of broadly syndicated leveraged loans (the "Wellfleet CLOs"). Upon closing of the transaction, which is subject to closing conditions, Wellfleet will become part of the Owl Rock division of Blue Owl. The Wellfleet CLOs invest across credit strategies.

Owl Rock Clients may have overlapping objectives with us. The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and others. In order to address these conflicts, the Owl Rock Advisers have put in place an allocation policy that addresses the allocation of investment opportunities as well as co-investment restrictions under the 1940 Act.

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In addition, we, the Adviser and certain of its affiliates have been granted exemptive relief by the SEC to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching by us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing and (4) the proposed investment by us would not benefit the Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than parties to the transaction), except to the extent permitted by the exemptive relief and applicable law, including the limitations set forth in Section 57(k) of the 1940 Act.

In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, we were permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and covered by our exemptive relief, even if such private funds had not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with us unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with us. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2022, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing coinvestment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Owl Rock Advisers’ allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the exemptive relief. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the Owl Rock Clients and/or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief and that have an investment objective similar to ours. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors —Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates — We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interest.

The Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees from portfolio companies. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors —Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates — The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for issuers in which we invest.”

The Adviser’s address is 399 Park Avenue, 38th floor, New York, NY 10022.

Market Trends

We believe the middle-market lending environment provides opportunities for us to meet our goal of making investments that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Limited Availability of Capital for Middle-Market Companies. We believe that regulatory and structural changes in the market have reduced the amount of capital available to U.S. middle-market companies. In particular, we believe there are currently fewer providers of capital to middle market companies. We believe that many commercial and investment banks have, in recent years, de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market businesses in favor of lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions. In addition, these lenders may be constrained in their ability to underwrite and hold bank loans and high yield securities for middle-market issuers as they seek to meet existing and future regulatory capital requirements. We also believe that there is a lack of market participants that are willing to hold meaningful amounts of certain middle-market loans. As a result, we believe our ability to minimize syndication risk for a company seeking financing by being able to hold its loans without having to syndicate them, coupled with reduced capacity of traditional lenders to serve the middle-market, present an attractive opportunity to invest in middle-market companies.

Capital Markets Have Been Unable to Fill the Void in U.S. Middle Market Finance Left by Banks. While underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets have been robust in recent years, middle market companies are less able to access these markets for reasons including the following:

High-Yield Market – Middle market companies generally are not issuing debt in an amount large enough to be an attractively sized bond. High yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors who, among other things, are focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued. For example, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) are significant buyers of underwritten bonds. However, mutual funds and ETFs generally require the ability to liquidate their investments quickly in order to fund investor redemptions and/or comply with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, the existence of an active secondary market for bonds is an important consideration in these entities’ initial investment decision. Because there is typically little or no active secondary market for the debt of U.S. middle market companies, mutual funds and ETFs generally do not provide debt capital to U.S. middle market companies. We believe this is likely to be a persistent problem and creates an advantage for those like us who have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets.

Syndicated Loan Market – While the syndicated loan market is modestly more accommodating to middle market issuers, as with bonds, loan issue size and liquidity are key drivers of institutional appetite and, correspondingly, underwriters’ willingness to underwrite the loans. Loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that

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permit the underwriters to change certain terms, including pricing, structure, yield and tenor, otherwise known as “flex”, to successfully syndicate the loan, in the event the terms initially marketed are insufficiently attractive to investors. Furthermore, banks are generally reluctant to underwrite middle market loans because the arrangement fees they may earn on the placement of the debt generally are not sufficient to meet the banks’ return hurdles. Loans provided by companies such as ours provide certainty to issuers in that we can commit to a given amount of debt on specific terms, at stated coupons and with agreed upon fees. As we are the ultimate holder of the loans, we do not require market “flex” or other arrangements that banks may require when acting on an agency basis.

Robust Demand for Debt Capital. We believe U.S. middle market companies will continue to require access to debt capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. In addition, we believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $1.7 trillion as of January 2022 will continue to drive deal activity. We expect that private equity sponsors will continue to pursue acquisitions and leverage their equity investments with secured loans provided by companies such as us.

The Middle Market is a Large Addressable Market. According to GE Capital’s National Center for the Middle Market 4th quarter 2021 Middle Market Indicator, there are approximately 200,000 U.S. middle market companies, which have approximately 48 million aggregate employees. Moreover, the U.S. middle market accounts for one-third of private sector gross domestic product (“GDP”). GE defines U.S. middle market companies as those between $10 million and $1 billion in annual revenue, which we believe has significant overlap with our definition of U.S. middle market companies.

Attractive Investment Dynamics. An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, middle market debt capital creates attractive pricing dynamics. We believe the directly negotiated nature of middle market financings also generally provides more favorable terms to the lender, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection, and lender-protective change of control provisions. Additionally, we believe BDC managers’ expertise in credit selection and ability to manage through credit cycles has generally resulted in BDCs experiencing lower loss rates than U.S. commercial banks through credit cycles. Further, we believe that historical middle market default rates have been lower, and recovery rates have been higher, as compared to the larger market capitalization, broadly distributed market, leading to lower cumulative losses. Lastly, we believe that in the current environment, lenders with available capital may be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as the economy reopens and may be able to achieve improved economic spreads and documentation terms.

Conservative Capital Structures. Following the credit crisis, which we define broadly as occurring between mid-2007 and mid-2009, lenders have generally required borrowers to maintain more equity as a percentage of their total capitalization, specifically to protect lenders during economic downturns. With more conservative capital structures, U.S. middle market companies have exhibited higher levels of cash flows available to service their debt. In addition, U.S. middle market companies often are characterized by simpler capital structures than larger borrowers, which facilitates a streamlined underwriting process and, when necessary, restructuring process.

Attractive Opportunities in Investments in Loans. We invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities. We believe that opportunities in senior secured loans are significant because of the floating rate structure of most senior secured debt issuances and because of the strong defensive characteristics of these types of investments. Given the current low interest rate environment, we believe that debt issues with floating interest rates offer a superior return profile as compared with fixed-rate investments, since floating rate structures are generally less susceptible to declines in value experienced by fixed-rate securities in a rising interest rate environment. Senior secured debt also provides strong defensive characteristics. Senior secured debt has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders whereby holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders. Further, these investments are secured by the issuer’s assets, which may provide protection in the event of a default.

Potential Competitive Advantages

We believe that the Adviser’s disciplined approach to origination, fundamental credit analysis, portfolio construction and risk management should allow us to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns while preserving our capital. We believe that we represent an attractive investment opportunity for the following reasons:

Experienced Team with Expertise Across all Levels of the Corporate Capital Structure. The members of the Investment Committee have an average of 25 years of experience in private lending and investing at all levels of a company’s capital structure, particularly in high yield securities, leveraged loans, high yield credit derivatives and distressed securities, as well as experience in operations, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. The members of the Investment Committee have diverse backgrounds with investing experience through multiple business and credit cycles. Moreover, certain members of the Investment Committee and other executives and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates have operating and/or investing experience on behalf of business development companies. We believe this experience provides the Adviser with an in-depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational challenges and opportunities of middle market companies and will afford it numerous tools to manage risk while preserving the opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns on our investments and offering a diverse product set to help meet borrowers' needs.

Distinctive Origination Platform. To date, a substantial majority of our investments have been sourced directly. We believe that our origination platform provides us the ability to originate investments without the assistance of investment banks or other traditional Wall Street intermediaries.

6


 

The Investment Team includes 85 investment professionals and is responsible for originating, underwriting, executing and managing the assets of our direct lending transactions and for sourcing and executing opportunities directly. The Investment Team has significant experience as transaction originators and building and maintaining strong relationships with private equity sponsors and companies. In addition, we believe that as a result of the formation of Blue Owl and the combination of Owl Rock’s and Dyal Capital Partner’s relationships with the alternative asset management community the investment team has enhanced sourcing capabilities because of their ability to utilize Blue Owl’s resources and its relationships with the financial sponsor community and service providers, which we believe may result in an increased pipeline of deal opportunities.

The Investment Team also maintains direct contact with banks, corporate advisory firms, industry consultants, attorneys, investment banks, “club” investors and other potential sources of lending opportunities. We believe the Adviser’s ability to source through multiple channels allows us to generate investment opportunities that have more attractive risk-adjusted return characteristics than by relying solely on origination flow from investment banks or other intermediaries and to be more selective investors.

Since its inception in April 2016 through December 31, 2021, the Adviser and its affiliates have reviewed nearly 6,000 opportunities and sourced potential investment opportunities from nearly 600 private equity sponsors and venture capital firms. We believe that the Adviser receives “early looks” and “last looks” based on its and Blue Owl's relationships, allowing it to be highly selective in the transactions it pursues.

Potential Long-Term Investment Horizon. We believe our potential long-term investment horizon gives us flexibility, allowing us to maximize returns on our investments. We invest using a long-term focus, which we believe provides us with the opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital, as compared to other private company investment vehicles or investment vehicles with daily liquidity requirements (e.g., open-ended mutual funds and ETFs).

Defensive, Income-Orientated Investment Philosophy. The Adviser employs a defensive investment approach focused on long-term credit performance and principal protection. This investment approach involves a multi-stage selection process for each investment opportunity as well as ongoing monitoring of each investment made, with particular emphasis on early detection of credit deterioration. This strategy is designed to minimize potential losses and achieve attractive risk adjusted returns.

Active Portfolio Monitoring. The Adviser closely monitors the investments in our portfolio and takes a proactive approach to identifying and addressing sector- or company-specific risks. The Adviser receives and reviews detailed financial information from portfolio companies no less than quarterly and seeks to maintain regular dialogue with portfolio company management teams regarding current and forecasted performance. In addition, the Adviser has built out its portfolio management team to include workout experts who closely monitor our portfolio companies and assess each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook. Although we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans, which generally do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants, we anticipate that many of our investments will have financial covenants that we believe will provide an early warning of potential problems facing our borrowers, allowing lenders, including us, to identify and carefully manage risk. Further, we anticipate that many of our equity investments will provide us the opportunity to nominate a member or observer to the board of directors of the portfolio company, which we believe will allow us to closely monitor the performance of our portfolio companies.

Investment Selection

The Adviser has identified the following investment criteria and guidelines that it believes are important in evaluating prospective portfolio companies. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines will be met, or will be equally important, in connection with each of our investments.

Established Companies with Positive Cash Flow. We seek to invest in companies with sound historical financial performance which we believe tend to be well-positioned to maintain consistent cash flow to service and repay their obligations and maintain growth in their businesses or market share in all market conditions, including in the event of a recession. The Adviser typically focuses on upper middle-market companies with a history of profitability on an operating cash flow basis. The Adviser does not intend to invest in start-up companies that have not achieved sustainable profitability and cash flow generation or companies with speculative business plans.

Strong Competitive Position in Industry. The Adviser analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of target companies relative to their competitors. The factors the Adviser considers include relative product pricing, product quality, customer loyalty, substitution risk, switching costs, patent protection, brand positioning and capitalization. We seek to invest in companies that have developed leading positions within their respective markets, are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and operate businesses, exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows and profitability to service their obligations in a range of economic environments or are in industries with significant barriers to entry. We seek companies that demonstrate advantages in scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing or product quality versus their competitors that, when compared to their competitors, may help to protect their market position and profitability.

Experienced Management Team. We seek to invest in companies that have experienced management teams. We also seek to invest in companies that have proper incentives in place, including management teams having significant equity interests to motivate management to act in concert with our interests as an investor.

7


 

Diversified Customer and Supplier Base. We generally seek to invest in companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation, changing business preferences and other factors that may negatively impact their customers, suppliers and competitors.

Exit Strategy. While certain debt investments may be repaid through operating cash flows of the borrower, we expect that the primary means by which we exit our debt investments will be through methods such as strategic acquisitions by other industry participants, an initial public offering of common stock, a recapitalization, a refinancing or another transaction in the capital markets.

Prior to making an equity investment in a prospective portfolio company, we analyze the potential for that company to increase the liquidity of its equity through a future event that would enable us to realize appreciation in the value of our equity interest. Liquidity events may include an initial public offering, a private sale of our equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of our equity position by the company or one of its stockholders.

In addition, in connection with our investing activities, we may make commitments with respect to an investment in a potential portfolio company substantially in excess of our final investment. In such situations, while we may initially agree to fund up to a certain dollar amount of an investment, we may sell a portion of such amount, such that we are left with a smaller investment than what was reflected in our original commitment.

Financial Sponsorship. We seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what we believe to be high-quality private equity and venture capital firms. We believe that a financial sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an explicit endorsement of the quality of their investment. Further, financial sponsors of portfolio companies with significant investments at risk have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational issues arise.

Investments in Different Portfolio Companies and Industries. We seek to invest broadly among portfolio companies and industries, thereby potentially reducing the risk of any one company or industry having a disproportionate impact on the value of our portfolio; however, there can be no assurances in this regard. We seek to structure larger transactions and invest in recession-resistant industries that we are familiar with. We seek to invest not more than 20% of our portfolio in any single industry classification and target portfolio companies that comprise 1-2% of our portfolio (with no individual portfolio company generally expected to comprise greater than 5% of our portfolio).

Investment Process Overview

Origination and Sourcing. The Investment Team has an extensive network from which to source deal flow and referrals. Specifically, the Adviser sources portfolio investments from a variety of different investment sources, including among others, private equity sponsors, management teams, financial intermediaries and advisers, investment bankers, family offices, accounting firms and law firms. The Adviser focuses on sponsor-led leveraged buyouts, refinancings, recapitalizations and acquisitions and sponsors who value the ability to provide sizeable commitments; flexible and creative solutions; and certainty, speed and transparency. To a lesser extent, the Adviser may invest in broadly syndicated loans. The Adviser believes that its experience across different industries and transaction types makes the Adviser particularly qualified to source, analyze and execute investment opportunities with a focus on downside protection and a return of principal.

Due Diligence Process. The process through which an investment decision is made involves extensive research into the company, its industry, its growth prospects and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. If one or more members of the Investment Team responsible for the transaction determines that an investment opportunity should be pursued, the Adviser will engage in an intensive due diligence process focused on fundamental credit analysis and downside protection. Though each transaction may involve a somewhat different approach, the Adviser’s diligence of each opportunity could include:

understanding the purpose of the loan, the key personnel, the sources and uses of the proceeds;
meeting the company’s management and key personnel, including top level executives, to get an insider’s view of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects;
checking management’s backgrounds and references;
performing a detailed review of historical financial performance, including performance through various economic cycles, and the quality of earnings;
contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices;
conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the company to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis;
researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives;
assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth;

8


 

leveraging the Adviser’s internal resources and network with institutional knowledge of the company’s business;
assessing business valuation and corresponding recovery analysis;
developing downside financial projections and liquidation analysis;
reviewing environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations including consulting the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s Engagement Guide for ESG considerations; and
investigating legal and regulatory risks and financial and accounting systems and practices.

Selective Investment Process. After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, an investment committee memorandum is prepared. This report is reviewed by the members of the Investment Team in charge of the potential investment and generally includes information on downside protection, asset coverage and collateral. If these members of the Investment Team are in favor of the potential investment, then a more extensive due diligence process, which may include significant analysis and focus on strategy and potential to recover par in default scenarios, is employed. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third-party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Structuring and Execution. Approval of an investment requires the approval of a majority of the Investment Committee. Once the Investment Committee has determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, the Adviser works with the management team of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, if any, to finalize the structure and terms of the investment. With respect to an investment in broadly syndicated loans, a majority of the Investment Committee may approve parameters or guidelines pursuant to which the investment may be made.

Inclusion of Covenants. Covenants are contractual restrictions that lenders place on companies to limit the corporate actions a company may pursue. Generally, the loans in which we expect to invest will have financial maintenance covenants, which are used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance. However, to a lesser extent, we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

Portfolio Monitoring. The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action with respect to our investment in each portfolio company. The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants;
periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;
comparisons to other companies in the portfolio company’s industry;
attendance at, and participation in, board meetings; and
review of periodic financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies.

An investment will be placed on the Adviser's credit watch list when select events occur and will only be removed from the watch list with oversight of the Investment Committee and/or other Owl Rock agent. Once an investment is on the credit watch list, the Adviser works with the borrower prior to payment default to resolve financial stress through amendments, waivers or other alternatives. If a borrower defaults on its payment obligations, the Adviser's focus shifts to capital recovery.

 

 

9


 

Structure of Investments

Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.

We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans, with a lesser allocation to equity or equity-linked opportunities. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which will not be our primary focus, but will be intended to enhance returns to our shareholders and from time to time, we may evaluate and enter into strategic portfolio transactions which may result in additional portfolio companies which we are considered to control. These investments may include high-yield bonds and broadly-syndicated loans. Our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.

Covenants are contractual restrictions that lenders place on companies to limit the corporate actions a company may pursue. Generally, the loans in which we expect to invest will have financial maintenance covenants, which are used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance. However, to a lesser extent, we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans. See “Investment Process Overview – Inclusion of Covenants.”

Debt Investments. The terms of our debt investments are tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction. The Adviser negotiates the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk. We intend to invest in the following types of debt:

First-lien debt. First-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second-lien lenders in those assets. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans, “unitranche” loans (including “last out” portions of such loans), and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. As of December 31, 2021, 55% of our first lien debt was comprised of unitranche loans.
Stand-alone first lien loans. Stand-alone first-lien loans are traditional first-lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest.
Unitranche loans. Unitranche loans (including the “last out” portions of such loans) combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In many cases, we may provide the issuer most, if not all, of the capital structure above their equity. The primary advantages to the issuer are the ability to negotiate the entire debt financing with one lender and the elimination of intercreditor issues. “Last out” first-lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first-lien loan are typically set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first-lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second-lien lenders often are subject. Among the types of first-lien debt in which we may invest, “last out” first-lien loans generally have higher effective interest rates than other types of first-lien loans, since “last out” first-lien loans rank below standalone first-lien loans.
Second-lien debt. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. Second-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to unsecured liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first-lien debt secured by those assets. First-lien lenders and second-lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first-lien lenders with priority over the second-lien lenders’ liens on the collateral.
Mezzanine debt. Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first-lien and second-lien debt, is often unsecured, and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first-lien and second-lien debt. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments, which could be paid-in-kind, and may provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation, if any, of an issuer through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than first-lien and second-lien debt.

10


 

Broadly syndicated loans. Broadly syndicated loans (whose features are similar to those described under "First-lien debt" and "Second-lien debt" above) are typically originated and structured by banks on behalf of large corporate borrowers with employee counts, revenues, EBITDAs, and enterprise values larger than the middle-market characteristics described above. The proceeds of broadly syndicated loans are often used for leveraged buyout transactions, mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancings, and financing capital expenditures. Broadly syndicated loans are typically distributed by the arranging bank to a diverse group of investors primarily consisting of: CLOs; senior secured loan and high yield bond mutual funds; closed-end funds, hedge funds, banks, and insurance companies; and finance companies. A borrower must comply with various covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the broadly syndicated loan. The broadly syndicated loans in which we invest may include loans that are considered "covenant-lite" loans, because of their lack of a full set of financial maintenance covenants.

Our debt investments are typically structured with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. The Adviser seeks to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;
negotiating covenants in connection with our investments consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative covenants (including reporting requirements), negative covenants (including financial covenants), lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation rights or rights to a seat on the board under some circumstances; and
including debt amortization requirements, where appropriate, to require the timely repayment of principal of the loan, as well as appropriate maturity dates.

Within our portfolio, the Adviser aims to maintain the appropriate proportion among the various types of first-lien loans, as well as second-lien debt and mezzanine debt, to allow us to achieve our target returns while maintaining our targeted amount of credit risk.

Equity Investments. Our investment in a portfolio company could be or may include an equity interest, such as common stock or preferred stock, or equity linked interest, such as a warrant or profit participation right. We may make direct and indirect equity investments with or without a concurrent investment in a more senior part of the capital structure of the issuer.

Investment Portfolio

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had made investments with an aggregate fair value of $12.7 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively, in 143 and 119 portfolio companies, respectively. Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

($ in thousands)

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

First-lien senior secured debt investments

 

$

9,548,096

 

 

$

9,539,774

 

 

$

(8,322

)

 

$

8,483,799

 

 

$

8,404,754

 

 

$

(79,045

)

Second-lien senior secured debt investments

 

 

1,919,453

 

 

 

1,921,447

 

 

 

1,994

 

 

 

2,035,151

 

 

 

2,000,471

 

 

 

(34,680

)

Unsecured debt investments

 

 

197,198

 

 

 

196,485

 

 

 

(713

)

 

 

56,473

 

 

 

59,562

 

 

 

3,089

 

Investment funds and vehicles(2)

 

 

249,714

 

 

 

247,061

 

 

 

(2,653

)

 

 

107,837

 

 

 

105,546

 

 

 

(2,291

)

Preferred Equity investments(3)

 

 

256,630

 

 

 

260,869

 

 

 

4,239

 

 

 

22,163

 

 

 

22,157

 

 

 

(6

)

Common Equity investments(1)(3)

 

 

477,462

 

 

 

576,004

 

 

 

98,542

 

 

 

223,295

 

 

 

249,582

 

 

 

26,287

 

Total Investments

 

$

12,648,553

 

 

$

12,741,640

 

 

$

93,087

 

 

$

10,928,718

 

 

$

10,842,072

 

 

$

(86,646

)

________________

(1)
Includes equity investment in Wingspire Capital Holdings LLC (“Wingspire”). See “ITEM 8. – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” for more information regarding Wingspire Capital Holdings LLC.
(2)
Includes equity investment in ORCC SLF. See “ITEM 8. – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 4. Investments” for more information regarding ORCC SLF.
(3)
As of December 31, 2020, preferred equity investments and common equity investments were reported in aggregate as equity investments.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had outstanding commitments to fund unfunded investments totaling $963.8 million and $880.6 million, respectively.

11


 

The industry composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

Advertising and media

 

 

0.9

 

%

 

1.0

 

%

Aerospace and defense

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

Automotive

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

Buildings and real estate

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

Business services

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

Chemicals

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

Consumer products

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

Containers and packaging

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

Distribution

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

Education

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

Energy equipment and services

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Financial services(1)

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

Food and beverage

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

Healthcare equipment and services

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

Healthcare providers and services

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

Healthcare technology

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

Household products

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

Human resource support services(3)

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.0

 

 

Infrastructure and environmental services

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

Insurance

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

Internet software and services

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

Investment funds and vehicles(2)

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

Leisure and entertainment

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

Oil and gas

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

Professional services

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

Specialty retail

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

Telecommunications

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

Transportation

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

Total

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

100.0

 

%

________________

(1)
Includes equity investment in Wingspire. See “ITEM 8. – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” for more information regarding Wingspire.
(2)
Includes investment in ORCC SLF. See “ITEM 8. – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 4. Investments” for more information regarding ORCC SLF.
(3)
Rounds to less than 0.1% as of December 31, 2020.

The geographic composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

United States:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest

 

 

17.0

 

%

 

18.2

 

%

Northeast

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

South

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

42.3

 

 

West

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

International

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.6

 

(1)

Total

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

100.0

 

%

________________

(1)
As of December 31, 2020, the geographic composition of Belgium, Canada, Israel and the United Kingdom were 0.8%, 1.0%, 0.4% and 3.4%, respectively.

 

 

12


 

ORCC Senior Loan Fund (fka Sebago Lake LLC)

ORCC Senior Loan Fund (fka Sebago Lake LLC) ("ORCC SLF"), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed as a joint venture between us and The Regents of the University of California (“Regents”) and commenced operations on June 20, 2017. ORCC SLF’s principal purpose is to make investments, primarily in senior secured loans that are made to middle-market companies or in broadly syndicated loans. Through June 30, 2021, both we and Regents (the “Initial Members”) had a 50% economic ownership in ORCC SLF. Each of the Initial Members initially agreed to contribute up to $100 million to ORCC SLF. On July 26, 2018, each of the Initial Members increased their contribution to ORCC SLF up to an aggregate of $125 million. Effective as of June 30, 2021, capital commitments to ORCC SLF were increased to an aggregate of $371.5 million. In connection with this change, the Company increased its economic ownership interest to 87.5% from 50.0% and Regents transferred its remaining economic interest of 12.5% to Nationwide Life Insurance Company (“Nationwide” and together with us, the “Members” and each a “Member”). Except under certain circumstances, contributions to ORCC SLF cannot be redeemed. ORCC SLF is managed by the Members, each of which have equal voting rights. Investment decisions must be approved by each of the Members.

We have determined that ORCC SLF is an investment company under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946; however, in accordance with such guidance, we will generally not consolidate our investment in a company other than a wholly owned investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. Accordingly, we do not consolidate our non-controlling interest in ORCC SLF.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, ORCC SLF had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value, as determined by an independent valuation firm, of $790.3 million and $554.7 million, respectively. The following table is a summary of ORCC SLF’s portfolio as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

($ in thousands)

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Total senior secured debt investments(1)

 

$

798,420

 

 

$

563,555

 

Weighted average spread over LIBOR(1)

 

 

4.14

%

 

 

4.45

%

Number of portfolio companies

 

 

38

 

 

 

17

 

Largest funded investment to a single borrower(1)

 

$

40,693

 

 

$

49,625

 

________________

(1)
At par.

See “Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSPortfolio and Investment Activity – ORCC SLF.”

Capital Resources and Borrowings

We anticipate generating cash in the future from the issuance of common stock and debt securities and cash flows from operations, including interest received on our debt investments.

Additionally, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. Effective June 9, 2020, our asset coverage requirement applicable to senior securities was reduced from 200% to 150% and our current target leverage ratio is 0.90x-1.25x. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our asset coverage was 182% and 206%, respectively. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company – Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio” below.

Furthermore, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must take provisions to prohibit any distribution to our shareholders (which may cause us to fail to distribute amounts necessary to avoid entity-level taxation under the Code), or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. In addition, we must also comply with positive and negative covenants customary for these types of indebtedness or senior securities.

13


 

Our debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

($ in thousands)

 

Aggregate Principal Committed

 

 

Outstanding Principal

 

 

Amount Available(1)

 

 

Net Carrying Value(2)

 

Revolving Credit Facility(3)(5)

 

$

1,655,000

 

 

$

892,313

 

 

$

707,370

 

 

$

879,943

 

SPV Asset Facility II

 

 

350,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

95,668

 

SPV Asset Facility III

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

190,000

 

 

 

310,000

 

 

 

188,979

 

SPV Asset Facility IV

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

155,000

 

 

 

95,000

 

 

 

152,727

 

CLO I

 

 

390,000

 

 

 

390,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

386,989

 

CLO II

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

256,942

 

CLO III

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,937

 

CLO IV

 

 

292,500

 

 

 

292,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

287,342

 

CLO V

 

 

196,000

 

 

 

196,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

194,167

 

CLO VI

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

258,093

 

2024 Notes(4)

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

406,481

 

2025 Notes

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

419,674

 

July 2025 Notes

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

493,637

 

2026 Notes

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

491,085

 

July 2026 Notes

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

978,537

 

2027 Notes(4)

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

497,537

 

2028 Notes

 

 

850,000

 

 

 

850,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

833,588

 

Total Debt

 

$

8,588,500

 

 

$

7,170,813

 

 

$

1,362,370

 

 

$

7,079,326

 

________________

(1)
The amount available reflects any collateral related limitations at the Company level related to each credit facility’s borrowing base.
(2)
The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility, SPV Asset Facility II, SPV Asset Facility III, SPV Asset Facility IV, CLO I, CLO II, CLO III, CLO IV, CLO V, CLO VI, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes, July 2026 Notes, 2027 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented net of deferred financing costs of $12.4 million, $4.3 million, $1.0 million, $2.2 million, $3.0 million, $3.1 million, $2.1 million, $5.2 million, $1.8 million, $1.9 million, $5.0 million, $5.3 million, $6.4 million, $8.9 million, $21.5 million, $9.7 million and $16.4 million, respectively.
(3)
Includes the unrealized translation gain (loss) on borrowings denominated in foreign currencies.
(4)
Inclusive of change in fair market value of effective hedge.
(5)
The amount available is reduced by $55.3 million of outstanding letters of credit.

14


 

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

($ in thousands)

 

Aggregate Principal Committed

 

 

Outstanding Principal

 

 

Amount Available(1)

 

 

Net Carrying Value(2)

 

Revolving Credit Facility(3)(5)

 

$

1,355,000

 

 

$

252,525

 

 

$

1,075,636

 

 

$

243,143

 

SPV Asset Facility II

 

 

350,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

95,654

 

SPV Asset Facility III

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

375,000

 

 

 

125,000

 

 

 

373,238

 

SPV Asset Facility IV

 

 

450,000

 

 

 

295,000

 

 

 

155,000

 

 

 

291,644

 

CLO I

 

 

390,000

 

 

 

390,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

386,708

 

CLO II

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,686

 

CLO III

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,744

 

CLO IV

 

 

252,000

 

 

 

252,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

247,745

 

CLO V

 

 

196,000

 

 

 

196,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

194,128

 

2023 Notes(4)

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

151,889

 

2024 Notes(4)

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

418,372

 

2025 Notes

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

425,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

418,154

 

July 2025 Notes

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

492,095

 

2026 Notes

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

489,176

 

July 2026 Notes

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

975,346

 

Total Debt

 

$

6,988,000

 

 

$

5,355,525

 

 

$

1,605,636

 

 

$

5,292,722

 

________________

(1)
The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base.
(2)
The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility, SPV Asset Facility II, SPV Asset Facility III, SPV Asset Facility IV, CLO I, CLO II, CLO III, CLO IV, CLO V, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, 2026 Notes and July 2026 Notes are presented net of deferred financing costs of $9.4 million, $4.2 million, $1.8 million, $3.4 million, $3.3 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million, $4.3 million, $1.9 million, $1.0 million, $7.0 million, $6.8 million, $7.9 million, $10.8 million and $24.7 million, respectively.
(3)
Includes the unrealized translation gain (loss) on borrowings denominated in foreign currencies.
(4)
Inclusive of change in fair market value of effective hedge.
(5)
The amount available is reduced by $26.8 million of outstanding letters of credit.

See “Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources Debt”.

Dividend Policy

To qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends of an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as well as other taxable income, excluding any net capital gains reduced by deductible expenses) and 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to shareholders. We may be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax if we do not distribute (or are treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

98% of our net ordinary income, excluding certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized during a calendar year;
98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and
100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years.

 

We have previously incurred, and can be expected to incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% excise tax, we may not be able to, or may not choose to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – Federal Income Tax Risks – We will be subject to corporate-level U.S federal income tax if we are unable to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.”

On February 23, 2022, the Board declared a distribution of $0.31 per share for shareholders of record on March 31, 2022 payable on or before May 13, 2022.

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

15


 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Distribution per Share

 

November 2, 2021

 

December 31, 2021

 

January 31, 2022

 

$

0.31

 

August 3, 2021

 

September 30, 2021

 

November 15, 2021

 

$

0.31

 

May 5, 2021

 

June 30, 2021

 

August 13, 2021

 

$

0.31

 

February 23, 2021

 

March 31, 2021

 

May 14, 2021

 

$

0.31

 

 

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Distribution per Share

 

November 3, 2020

 

December 31, 2020

 

January 19, 2020

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

December 31, 2020

 

January 19, 2020

 

$

0.08

 

August 4, 2020

 

September 30, 2020

 

November 13, 2020

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

September 30, 2020

 

November 13, 2020

 

$

0.08

 

May 5, 2020

 

June 30, 2020

 

August 14, 2020

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

June 30, 2020

 

August 14, 2020

 

$

0.08

 

February 19, 2020

 

March 31, 2020

 

May 15, 2020

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

March 31, 2020

 

May 15, 2020

 

$

0.08

 

 

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Distribution per Share

 

October 30, 2019

 

December 31, 2019

 

January 31, 2020

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

December 31, 2019

 

January 31, 2020

 

$

0.04

 

May 28, 2019

 

September 30, 2019

 

November 15, 2019

 

$

0.31

 

May 28, 2019 (special dividend)

 

September 30, 2019

 

November 15, 2019

 

$

0.02

 

June 4, 2019

 

June 14, 2019

 

August 15, 2019

 

$

0.44

 

February 27, 2019

 

March 31, 2019

 

May 14, 2019

 

$

0.33

 

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board on behalf of our shareholders who do not elect to receive their distribution in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our shareholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. As described below, we may purchase shares in the open market or use newly issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan. Any fractional share otherwise issuable to a participant in the dividend reinvestment plan will instead be paid in cash.

In connection with our IPO, we entered into our second amended and restated dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which, if newly issued shares are used to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, the number of shares to be issued to a shareholder will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable to a shareholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the payment date of a distribution, or if no sale is reported for such day, the average of the reported bid and ask prices. However, if the market price per share on the payment date of a cash dividend or distribution exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share, we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share (or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeded the most recently computed net asset value per share). Pursuant to our second amended and restated dividend reinvestment plan, if shares are purchased in the open market to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, the number of shares to be issued to a shareholder shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the cash dividend payable to such shareholder by the weighted average price per share for all shares purchased by the plan administrator in the open market in connection with the dividend. Shareholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions.

No action is required on the part of a registered shareholder to have his, her or its cash dividend or other distributions reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered shareholder is able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or other distribution in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing so that such notice is received by the Adviser no later than ten days prior to the record date for distributions to the shareholders.

16


 

There are no brokerage charges or other charges to shareholders who participate in the plan.

The plan is terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each shareholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us.

During each quarter, but in no event later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, our transfer agent or another designated agent will mail and/or make electronically available to each participant in the dividend reinvestment plan, a statement of account describing, as to such participant, the distributions received during such quarter, the number of shares of our common stock purchased during such quarter, and the per share purchase price for such shares. Annually, as required by the Code, we (or the applicable withholding agent) will include tax information for income earned on shares under the dividend reinvestment plan on a Form 1099-DIV that is mailed to shareholders subject to Internal Revenus Service (“IRS”) tax reporting. We reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the dividend reinvestment plan. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our gross assets on which the base management fee and the incentive fee are determined and paid under the Investment Advisory Agreement. State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as the administrator of the dividend reinvestment plan.

Additional information about the dividend reinvestment plan may be obtained by contacting shareholder services for Owl Rock Capital Corporation at (212) 419-3000.

Repurchase Offers

Stock Repurchase Plans

On July 7, 2019, our Board approved a stock repurchase plan (the “Company 10b5-1 Plan”), to acquire up to $150 million in the aggregate of our common stock at prices below our net asset value per share over a specified period, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The Company 10b5-1 Plan commenced on August 19, 2019 and was exhausted on August 4, 2020.

The following table provides information regarding purchases of our common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co., as agent, pursuant to the 10b5-1 plan for each month in the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Period
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)

 

Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased

 

 

Average Price Paid per Share

 

 

Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that have been
Purchased Under
the Plans

 

 

Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan

 

January 1, 2020 - January 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

150.0

 

February 1, 2020 - February 29, 2020

 

 

87,328

 

 

$

15.17

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

148.6

 

March 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020

 

 

4,009,218

 

 

$

12.46

 

 

$

46.6

 

 

$

102.0

 

April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020

 

 

6,235,497

 

 

$

11.95

 

 

$

74.3

 

 

$

27.7

 

May 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020

 

 

2,183,581

 

 

$

12.76

 

 

$

27.7

 

 

$

 

June 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

July 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

August 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Total

 

 

12,515,624

 

 

 

 

 

$

150.0

 

 

 

 

On November 3, 2020, our Board approved a repurchase program (the “Repurchase Plan”) under which we may repurchase up to $100 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the program, purchases may be made at management’s discretion from time to time in open-market transactions, in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations.Unless extended by the Board, the repurchase program will terminate 12-months from the date it was approved. On November 2, 2021, the Board approved an extension to the Repurchase Plan and, unless further extended by the Board, the Repurchase Plan will terminate 12-months from that date. As of December 31, 2021, Goldman, Sachs & Co., as agent, has repurchased 186,150 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Repurchase Plan for approximately $2.6 million.

17


 

The following table provides information regarding purchases of our common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co., as agent, pursuant to the Repurchase plan for each month in the year ended December 31, 2021:

Period
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)

 

Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased

 

 

Average Price Paid per Share

 

 

Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that have been
Purchased Under
the Plans

 

 

Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan

 

October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

100.0

 

November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021

 

 

22,900

 

 

$

13.92

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

99.7

 

December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

 

 

163,250

 

 

$

14.00

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

97.4

 

Total

 

 

186,150

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

 

 

Competition

Our primary competitors in providing financing to middle market companies include public and private funds, other BDCs, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. 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 could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Further, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company, or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to qualify for RIC tax treatment. See Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risk Related to Our Business — We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.”

Investment Advisory Agreement

The description below of the Investment Advisory Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for the following:

managing our assets in accordance with our investment objective, policies and restrictions;
determining the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;
making investment decisions for us, including negotiating the terms of investments in, and dispositions of, portfolio securities and other instruments on its behalf;
monitoring our investments;
performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;
exercising voting rights in respect of portfolio securities and other investments for us;
serving on, and exercising observer rights for, boards of directors and similar committees of our portfolio companies; and
providing us with such other investment advisory and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of capital.

The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.

Term

The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board on January 12, 2021, as described further below under “Business – Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement.” Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date it first became effective and from year-to-year thereafer if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors. As described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement became effective on May 18, 2021.

The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment. In accordance with the 1940 Act, without payment of penalty, we may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board or the shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock. “Majority of the

18


 

Outstanding Shares” means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) a majority of outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, without payment of penalty, the Adviser may generally terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.

Compensation of the Adviser

We pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a Management Fee and an Incentive Fee. The cost of both the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee will ultimately be borne by our shareholders.

The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to July 18, 2019 (the “Listing Date”), the Management Fee was payable at an annual rate of 0.75% of our (i) average gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, at the end of our two most recently completed calendar quarters plus (ii) the average of any shareholder’s remaining unfunded Capital Commitments to us at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Following the Listing Date, the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of (x) 1.5% of our average gross assets excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, that is above an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act and (y) 1.00% of the Company’s average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, in each case at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee for any partial month or quarter, as the case may be, will be appropriately prorated and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant calendar months or quarters, as the case may be. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, gross assets means our total assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, excluding cash and cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser was not entitled to an Incentive Fee prior to the Listing Date. Following the Listing Date, the Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, each as described below. The portion of the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Listing Date, and equals 100% of the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a calendar quarter (7.27% annualized), which is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends (including reinvested dividends), interest and fee income accrued by us during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the calendar quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, as discussed below, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest (“PIK”) and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we may not have received in cash. The Adviser is not obligated to return the Incentive Fee it receives on PIK interest that is later determined to be uncollectible in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

To determine whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Listing Date. Because of the structure of the Incentive Fee, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a calendar quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that calendar quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given calendar quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood of us paying an Incentive Fee for that calendar quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee because gross assets are total assets (including cash received) before deducting liabilities (such as declared dividend payments).

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:

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Quarterly Subordinated Incentive Fee on

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

 

0%

 

1.5%

 

1.82%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

← 0% →

 

← 100% →

 

← 17.5% →

 

The second component of the Incentive Fee, the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, payable at the end of each calendar year in arrears, equals 17.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year. Each year, the fee paid for the Capital Gains Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee for prior periods. We will accrue, but will not pay, a Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to unrealized appreciation because a Capital Gains Incentive Fee would be owed to the Adviser if we were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. For the sole purpose of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis as of the Listing Date for all of our investments made prior to the Listing Date will be equal to the fair market value of such investments as of the last day of the quarter in which the Listing Date occurred; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.

The fees that are payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement for any partial period will be appropriately prorated.

Fee Waiver

On February 27, 2019, the Adviser agreed at all times prior to the fifteen-month anniversary of an Exchange Listing (which includes the IPO), to waive (i) any portion of the Management Fee that is in excess of 0.75% of the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash and cash-equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, calculated in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, and (ii) the entire Incentive Fee (including, for the avoidance of doubt, both the portion of the incentive fee based on the Company’s income and the capital gains incentive fee). The fee waiver expired on October 18, 2020.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification

The Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its sole member, are not liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services).

We will indemnify the Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner or managing member (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of us or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser. However, the Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification in respect of, any liability to us or our shareholders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

On January 12, 2021, the Board held a meeting to consider and approve the continuation of the prior investment advisory agreement and, subject to the consummation of the transaction pursuant to which Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP), and Dyal Capital Partners merged to form Blue Owl (the "Transaction"). The Transaction resulted in a change of control of the Adviser and was deemed an assignment of the prior investment advisory agreement between the Company and the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement became effective on May 18, 2021, upon consummation of the Transaction, and the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are identical to the prior investment advisory agreement. The Company's shareholders approved the Investment Advisory Agreement at a meeting held on March 17, 2021. The Board was provided information it required to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement, including: (a) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by the Adviser; (b) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other

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BDCs, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates; (c) our projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to BDCs with similar investment objectives; (d) any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the Adviser from its relationship with us and the profitability of that relationship; (e) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (f) the organizational capability and financial condition of the Adviser and its affiliates; and (g) the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third-party service providers or through an internally managed structure.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussion thereof, the Board, including a majority of the non-interested directors, determined that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services provided and approved the continuation of the prior investment advisory agreement and, subject to the consummation of the Transaction and the approval of the Company’s shareholders, the Investment Advisory Agreement as being in the best interests of our shareholders.

Administration Agreement

The description below of the Administration Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Administration Agreement.

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser performs, or oversees the performance of, administrative services for us, which includes, but is not limited to, providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. We will reimburse the Adviser for services performed for us pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and we will reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for us by such affiliate or third party.

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date it first became effective and from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors. We may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board or the shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock. In addition, the Adviser may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. To the extent that the Adviser outsources any of its functions we will pay the fees associated with such functions without profit to the Adviser.

The Administration Agreement became effective on May 18, 2021, upon consummation of the Transaction and the terms of the Administration Agreement are identical to the prior administration agreement. See "Business - The Adviser and Administrator - Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC."

The Administration Agreement provides that the Adviser and its affiliates’ respective officers, directors, members, managers, stockholders and employees are entitled to indemnification from us from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Administration Agreement, except where attributable to willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such person’s duties or reckless disregard of such person’s obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement.

Payment of Our Expenses under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements

Except as specifically provided below, we anticipate that all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. We will bear our allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs, and as otherwise set forth in the Administrative Agreement). We also will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including Management Fees and Incentive Fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its administrative obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administrative Agreement, and (iii) all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

the cost of our organization and offerings;
the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;
the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the common stock and other securities;
fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any;
debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements;

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costs of hedging;