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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-280593
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated June 28, 2024)
$400,000,000
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
5.950% Notes Due 2029
We are offering $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.950% notes due 2029, which we refer to as the Notes. The Notes will mature on March 15, 2029. We will pay interest on the Notes on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The Notes offered hereby are a further issuance of the 5.950% notes due 2029 that were issued on January 22, 2024 in the aggregate amount of $600.0 million (the “Existing Notes”). The Notes offered hereby will be treated as a single series with the Existing Notes under the indenture and will have the same terms as the Existing Notes (except the issue date, the offering price and the initial interest payment date). The Notes offered hereby will have the same CUSIP number and will be fungible and rank equally with the Existing Notes. Upon the issuance of the Notes offered hereby, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 5.950% notes due 2029 will be $1,000,000,000. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the “Notes” include the Notes offered hereby and the Existing Notes.
We may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the redemption price discussed under the caption “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement. In addition, holders of the Notes can require us to repurchase the Notes at 100% of their principal amount upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined herein). The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Notes are our direct unsecured obligation and rank pari passu, or equal in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us. As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $7.8 billion of debt outstanding of which $4.4 billion was unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and $3.5 billion was indebtedness secured by our assets or assets of our subsidiaries, and, therefore, will be effectively and/or structurally senior to the Notes.
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle market companies. 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, although we may on occasion invest in smaller or larger companies if an opportunity presents itself.
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. The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3), which is often referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” 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 are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain statutory and regulatory requirements.
Investing in the Notes involves risks, including the risk of leverage, that are described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-22 of this prospectus supplement and page 29 of the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in the Notes. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before investing and keep it for future reference. We also file periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, calling us at (212) 419-3000 or visiting our corporate website located at www.blueowlcapitalcorporation.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains this information.
THE NOTES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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| Per Note | | Total |
Public offering price(1) | 100.043 | % | | $ | 400,172,000 | |
Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) paid by us | 0.900 | % | | $ | 3,600,000 | |
Proceeds to us, before expenses(2) | 99.143 | % | | $ | 396,572,000 | |
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(1)The public offering price set forth above does not include accrued and unpaid interest of $4,231,111.11 in the aggregate from and including September 15, 2024 up to, but not including the date of delivery set forth below, which will be paid by the purchasers of the Notes offered hereby. On March 15, 2025, we will pay this pre-issuance accrued interest to the holders of the Notes offered hereby as of the applicable record date along with the interest accrued on the Notes offered hereby from the date of delivery to such interest payment date.
(2)We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $1,500,000.
Delivery of the Notes offered hereby in book-entry form only through the Depository Trust Company on or about November 19, 2024.
Joint Book-Running Managers
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RBC Capital Markets | MUFG | SMBC Nikko | Santander | SOCIETE GENERALE |
BofA Securities | ING | J.P. Morgan | Truist Securities |
Co-Managers
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | HSBC | M&T Securities | Morgan Stanley | Regions Securities LLC | TD Securities | US Bancorp | Wells Fargo Securities |
ICBC Standard Bank | Natixis | R. Seelaus & Co., LLC | Independence Point Securities | Roberts & Ryan | Siebert Williams Shank |
The date of this prospectus supplement is November 12, 2024
Prospectus Supplement
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to give you any information other than the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus, or any information that we have incorporated by reference herein or therein and we and the underwriters take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on their respective front covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law. This prospectus supplement supersedes the accompanying prospectus to the extent it contains information different from or additional to the information in that prospectus.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, include all material information relating to the applicable offering. Please carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, any exhibits and the additional information described under the headings “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference,” “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, “Available Information” in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein before you make an investment decision. This prospectus supplement includes summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described in this prospectus supplement, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed, or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in the section titled “Available Information” in the accompanying prospectus.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider before investing in the Notes. You should read this entire document and the other information incorporated by reference herein before investing in the Notes. Throughout this prospectus supplement we refer to Blue Owl Capital Corporation as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company,” and to “Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC,” our investment adviser, as “OCA” or the “Adviser.”
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
Blue Owl Capital Corporation is a Maryland corporation formed on October 15, 2015. We were formed primarily to originate and make loans to, and make debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies. 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.
We are managed by Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC. The Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), an indirect affiliate of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL) and part of Blue Owl’s Credit platform, which focuses on direct lending. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors (“the Board” or “our Board”), the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations, and provides investment advisory and management services to us. The Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees. The Adviser is responsible for managing our business and activities, including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research, performing diligence on potential investments, structuring our investments, and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis through a team of investment professionals.
The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to Blue Owl Capital Corporation II and Blue Owl Credit Income Corp.
Blue Owl consists of three investment platforms: (1) Credit, which focuses on direct lending, (2) GP Strategic Capital, which focuses on acquiring equity stakes in and providing debt financing to institutional alternative asset managers, and (3) Real Estate, which focuses on triple net lease real estate strategies and real estate credit. Blue Owl’s Credit platform is comprised of the Adviser, Blue Owl Technology Credit Advisors LLC, Blue Owl Technology Credit Advisors II LLC, Blue Owl Credit Private Fund Advisors LLC and Blue Owl Diversified Credit Advisors LLC (collectively, the “Blue Owl Credit Advisers”), which also are registered investment advisers.
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle market companies. We define “middle market companies” to generally mean companies with EBITDA between $10 million and $250 million annually, and/or annual revenue of $50 million to $2.5 billion at the time of investment, although we may on occasion invest in smaller or larger companies if an opportunity presents itself. We generally seek to invest in companies with a loan-to-value ratio of 50% or below. 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. The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3), which is often referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” As of September 30, 2024, our average debt investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $55.9 million based on fair value. As of September 30, 2024, our portfolio companies, excluding the investment in OBDC SLF LLC (“OBDC SLF”), Blue Owl Credit SLF LLC (“Credit SLF”) and certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile, representing 90.1% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $875 million, weighted average annual EBITDA of $197 million, an average interest coverage of 1.7x and an average net loan-to value of 43%.
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.
We are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain statutory and 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. See “Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Form 10-K”) and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus. We will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States. 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 in its sole discretion.
To achieve our investment objective, we will leverage 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.
A BDC generally may borrow money from time to time if immediately after such borrowing, the ratio of the BDC’s total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to its total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, or its “asset coverage,” is at least 200%, or 150%, if certain requirements are met. This means that, generally, a BDC may borrow up to $1 for every $1 of investor equity, or, if certain conditions are met, a BDC may borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity.
As of September 30, 2024, we had in place the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), one special purpose vehicle asset credit facility (the “SPV Asset Facility II), and seven term debt securitization transactions (the “OBDC CLOs”), also known as collateralized loan obligations, and in the future may enter into additional credit facilities or other financing arrangements.
In addition, as of September 30, 2024, we have issued unsecured notes maturing in March 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), July 2025 (the “July 2025 Notes”), January 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), July 2026 (the “July 2026 Notes”), January 2027 (the “2027 Notes”), June 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and the Existing Notes in registered offerings and in the future may issue additional unsecured notes. 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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Debt” in our 2023 Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 ( “Third Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q”). Investment Portfolio
As of September 30, 2024, we had investments in 219 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $13.5 billion. As of September 30, 2024, based on fair value, our portfolio consisted of 75.9% first lien senior secured debt investments (of which 51.0% were considered to be unitranche debt investments (including “last out” portions of such loans)), 5.4% second lien senior secured debt investments, 2.3% unsecured investments, 2.9% preferred equity investments, 10.6% common equity investments and 2.9% joint ventures. As of September 30, 2024, 96.3% of our debt investments based on fair value were floating rate in nature and subject to interest rate floors.
As of September 30, 2024, our portfolio was invested across 31 different industries. The largest industry in our portfolio as of September 30, 2024 was internet software and services, which represented 11.2% of our portfolio based on fair value.
Corporate Structure
The following chart depicts our structure:
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(1)From time to time we may form wholly-owned subsidiaries to facilitate the normal course of business.
The Adviser — Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC
The Adviser serves as our investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between us and the Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). See “Business—The Adviser and Administrator—Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC” in our 2023 Form 10-K. The Adviser also serves as our Administrator pursuant to an amended and restated administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). The Adviser is an indirect affiliate of Blue Owl and part of Blue Owl’s Credit platform, which focuses on direct lending. Blue Owl is a leading alternative asset management firm that offers differentiated capital solutions through Blue Owl’s Credit platform, its direct lending business, GP Strategic Capital, which focuses on acquiring equity stakes in and providing debt financing to institutional alternative asset managers and Real Estate, which focuses on triple net lease real estate strategies and real estate credit. The management of our investment portfolio is the responsibility of the Adviser and the Diversified Lending Investment Committee. Blue Owl’s credit platform is comprised of the Blue Owl Credit Advisers, and 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 also 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 Blue Owl’s Credit platform’s investment committees. Blue Owl’s Credit platform has four investment committees, each of which focuses on a specific investment strategy (Diversified Lending, Technology Lending, First Lien Lending and Opportunistic Lending). Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alexis Maged sit on each of Blue Owl’s Credit platform’s investment committees. In addition to Messrs. Ostrover, Lipschultz, Packer and Maged, the Diversified Lending Investment Committee is comprised of Patrick Linnemann, Meenal Mehta and Logan Nicholson. We consider the individuals on the Diversified Lending Investment Committee to be our portfolio managers. The Investment Team, under the Diversified Lending Investment Committee's supervision, sources investment opportunities, conducts research, performs due diligence on potential investments, structures our investments and will monitor our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.
As of September 30 2024, the Adviser and its affiliates had $128.44 billion of assets under management across Blue Owl’s Credit platform. The Blue Owl Credit Advisers focus on direct lending to middle market companies primarily in the United States across the following four investment strategies which are offered through BDCs, private funds and separately managed accounts:
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Strategy | | Funds |
Diversified Lending. The diversified lending strategy seeks to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns across credit cycles with an emphasis on preserving capital primarily through originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies. The diversified lending strategy provides a wide range of financing solutions with strong focus on the top of the capital structure and operate this strategy through diversification by borrower, sector, sponsor, and position size. | | The diversified lending strategy is primarily offered through four BDCs: the Company, Blue Owl Capital Corporation II (“OBDC II”), Blue Owl Capital Corporation III (“OBDE”), and Blue Owl Credit Income Corp. (“OCIC”). |
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Technology Lending. The technology lending strategy seeks to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from equity and equity- linked investments primarily through originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, technology related companies based primarily in the United States. The technology lending strategy originates and invests in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The technology lending strategy invests in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that are capitalizing on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. This strategy focuses on companies that operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, information technology, application or infrastructure software, financial services, data and analytics, security, cloud computing, communications, life sciences, healthcare, media, consumer electronics, semi-conductor, internet commerce and advertising, environmental, aerospace and defense industries and sectors. | | The technology lending strategy is primarily managed through three BDCs: Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp. (“OTF”), Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp. II (“OTF II”) and Blue Owl Technology Income Corp. (“OTIC”, and together with the Company, OBDC II, OBDE, OCIC, OTF and OTF II, “the Blue Owl BDCs”). |
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First Lien Lending. The first lien lending strategy seeks to realize 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. |
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Strategy | | Funds |
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Opportunistic Lending. The opportunistic lending strategy seeks 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 focuses on high-quality companies that could be experiencing disruption, dislocation, distress or transformational change. The opportunistic lending strategy aims to be the partner of choice for companies by being well equipped to provide a variety of financing solutions to meet a broad range of situations, including the following: (i) rescue financing, (ii) new issuance and recapitalizations, (iii) wedge capital, (iv) debtor-in-possession loans, (v) financing for additional liquidity and covenant relief and (vi) broken syndications. | | The opportunistic lending strategy is managed through private funds and separately managed accounts. |
We refer to the Blue Owl BDCs and the private funds and separately managed accounts managed by the Blue Owl Credit Advisers as the “Blue Owl Credit Clients.” In addition to the Blue Owl Credit Clients, Blue Owl’s Credit platform includes (i) an alternative credit strategy, which targets credit-oriented investments in markets underserved by traditional lenders or the broader capital markets, with deep expertise investing across specialty finance, private corporate credit and equipment leasing; (ii) an investment grade private credit strategy, which focuses on generating capital-efficient investment income through asset-backed finance, private corporate credit, and structured products; and (iii) a liquid credit strategy, which focuses on the management of CLOs. As of September 30, 2024, the alternative credit strategy, the investment grade private credit strategy and the liquid credit strategy had $10.61 billion, $17.25 billion and $8.04 billion of assets under management, respectively. Blue Owl’s Credit platform also employs various other investment strategies to pursue long-term capital appreciation and risk adjusted returns including (i) direct investments in strategic equity assets, with a focus on single-asset GP-led continuation funds, and (ii) mid-to-late-stage biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies. As of September 30, 2024, these strategies had $1.56 billion of assets under management.
In addition, the Adviser and its affiliates may provide management or investment advisory services to entities that 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 Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that addresses the allocation of investment opportunities as well as co-investment restrictions under the 1940 Act.
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. The middle market is a large addressable market. According to GE Capital’s National Center for the Middle Market Mid-Year 2024 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. We believe U.S. middle market companies will continue to require access to debt capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. We believe that regulatory and structural factors, industry consolidation and general risk aversion, limit the amount of traditional financing available to U.S. 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. Access to underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets is challenging for middle market companies due to loan issue size and liquidity. For example, high yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors, such as mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) who, among other things, are focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued 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. Syndicated loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that 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 have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets, and 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. In addition, our Adviser has teams focused on both liquid credit and private credit and these teams are able to collaborate with respect to syndicated loans.
Secular Trends Supporting Growth for Private Credit. We believe that periods of market volatility, such as the current period of market volatility caused, in part, by uncertainty regarding inflation and interest rates, and current geopolitical conditions, have accentuated the advantages of private credit. The availability of capital in the liquid credit market is highly sensitive to market conditions whereas we believe private lending has proven to be a stable and reliable source of capital through periods of volatility. We believe the opportunity set for private credit will continue to expand even as the public markets remain open. Financial sponsors and companies today are familiar with direct lending and have seen firsthand the strong value proposition that a private solution can offer. Scale, certainty of execution and flexibility all provide borrowers with a compelling alternative to the syndicated and high yield markets. Based on our experience, there is an emerging trend where higher quality credits that have traditionally been issuers in the syndicated and high yield markets are increasingly seeking private solutions independent of credit market conditions. In our view, this is supported by financial sponsors wanting to work with collaborative financing partners that have scale and breadth of capabilities. We believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms broadly, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $2.7 trillion as of December 31, 2023, 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.
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 global 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. 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 Diversified Lending Investment Committee have an average of over 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, mergers and acquisitions, and workout restructuring. The members of the Diversified Lending Investment Committee have diverse backgrounds with investing experience through multiple business and credit cycles. Moreover, certain members of the Diversified Lending 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
The Investment Team includes more than 130 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, 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 broaden our deal funnel and 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 September 30, 2024, the Adviser and its affiliates have reviewed approximately 10,000 opportunities and sourced potential investment opportunities from more than 760 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. Although we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans (as defined below), 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 or otherwise include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, which we believe will allow us to closely monitor the performance of these portfolio companies. In addition, the Adviser has built out its portfolio management team to include workout experts who closely monitor our portfolio companies and who, on at least a quarterly basis, assess each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook to understand and mitigate risks; and, on at least a monthly basis, evaluate existing and newly identified situations where operating results are deviating from expectations. As part of its monitoring process, the Adviser focuses on projected liquidity needs and where warranted, re-underwriting credits and evaluating downside and liquidation scenarios.
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, which we may hold directly or through special purpose vehicles. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments and broadly syndicated loans, 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, including publicly traded debt instruments, which are typically originated and structured by banks on behalf of large corporate borrowers with employee counts, revenues, EBITDAs and enterprise values larger than those of middle market companies described above, and equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. In addition, we generally do not intend to invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States, although we do not generally intend to invest in companies whose principal place of business is in an emerging market. 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. 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.
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 generally 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 September 30, 2024, 51% 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.
•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: collateralized loan obligations; 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 maintenance covenants), lien protection, limitations on debt incurrence, restrictions on asset sales, downside and liquidation cases, restrictions on dividends and other payments, cash flow sweeps, collateral protection, required debt amortization, 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. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments and we may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder.
Specialty Financing Portfolio Companies. We may make equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. Our specialty financing companies include the following:
•Wingspire Capital Holdings LLC (“Wingspire”), an independent diversified direct lender focused on providing asset-based commercial finance loans and related senior secured loans to U.S.-based middle market borrowers. Wingspire offers a wide variety of asset-based financing solutions to businesses in an array of industries, including revolving credit facilities, machinery and equipment term loans, real estate term loans, first-in/last-out tranches, cash flow term loans, and opportunistic/bridge financings.
•Amergin, which consists of AAM Series 1.1 Rail and Domestic Intermodal Feeder, LLC and AAM Series 2.1 Aviation Feeder, LLC (collectively, “Amergin AssetCo”) and Amergin Asset Management LLC, which has entered into a Servicing Agreement with Amergin AssetCo. Amergin was created to invest in a leasing platform focused on railcar, aviation and other long-lived transportation assets. Amergin acquires existing on-lease portfolios of new and end-of-life railcars and related equipment and selectively purchases off-lease assets and is building a commercial aircraft portfolio through aircraft financing and engine acquisition on a sale and lease back basis.
•Fifth Season Investments LLC (“Fifth Season”), a portfolio company created to invest in life insurance based assets, including secondary and tertiary life settlement and other life insurance exposures using detailed analytics, internal life expectancy review and sophisticated portfolio management techniques.
•LSI Financing 1 DAC (“LSI Financing”), a portfolio company formed to acquire contractual rights to revenue pursuant to earnout agreements in the life sciences space.
OBDC SLF LLC (“OBDC SLF”). We may make equity investments in OBDC SLF, a Delaware limited liability company, which is a joint venture between us and Nationwide Life Insurance Company. OBDC 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.
Blue Owl Credit SLF LLC (“Credit SLF”). We may make equity investments in Credit SLF, a Delaware limited liability company, which is a joint venture between us, OBDC II, OBDE, OCIC, OTF, OTF II, OTIC, and State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. Credit SLF’s principal purpose is to make investments in senior secured loans to middle-market companies, broadly syndicated loans and senior and subordinated notes issued by collateralized loan obligations.
Conflicts of Interests
We have entered into both the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. See “Business—The Adviser and Administrator—Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC” in our 2023 Form 10-K. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we pay the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee. See “Business — Investment Advisory Agreement” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a description of how the fees payable to the Adviser will be determined. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we reimburse the Adviser for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations. See “Business — Administration Agreement” in our 2023 Form 10-K for a description of services for which we reimburse to the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees. In addition, we are seeking shareholder approval of a Fourth Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement (the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”). The New Investment Advisory Agreement would adjust the calculation of the incentive fee based on income to exclude any amortization or accretion of any purchase premium or discount to interest income resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any purchase premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger, including the Mergers (as defined below), and the calculation of the incentive fee based on capital gains will be adjusted to exclude realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any purchase premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger, including the Mergers. See our joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on October 21, 2024.
Our executive officers, certain of our directors and certain other finance professionals of Blue Owl also serve as executives of the Adviser and the Blue Owl Credit Advisers, and certain of our officers and directors and professionals of Blue Owl and the Blue Owl Credit Advisers are officers of Blue Owl Securities LLC and Blue Owl. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of the Adviser and members of its investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or a related, line of business as we do (including the Blue Owl Credit Advisers), including serving on their respective investment committees and/or on the investment committees of investments funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates which may have investment objectives similar to our investment objective. At times we may compete with the Blue Owl Credit Clients for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by the Blue Owl Credit Clients. This can create a potential conflict when allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Blue Owl Credit Clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of the Adviser and its affiliates may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. However, in order for the Adviser and its
affiliates to fulfill their fiduciary duties to each of their clients, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers intend to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with its investment allocation policy, so that no client of the Adviser or its affiliates is disadvantaged in relation to any other client of the Adviser or its affiliates, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments, cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, the clients for which participation is appropriate, targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate. The Blue Owl Credit Advisers intend to allocate common expenses among us and other clients of the Adviser and its affiliates in a manner that is fair and equitable over time or in such other manner as may be required by applicable law or the Investment Advisory Agreement. Fees and expenses generated in connection with potential portfolio investments that are not consummated will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and in accordance with policies adopted by the Blue Owl Credit Advisers and the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act. When we engage in co-investments as permitted by the exemptive relief described below, we will do so in a manner consistent with the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ investment allocation policy. In situations where co-investment with other entities managed by the Adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, a committee comprised of certain executive officers of the Blue Owl Credit Advisers (including executive officers of the Adviser) along with other officers and employees, will need to decide whether we or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The allocation committee will make these determinations based on the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ investment allocation policy, which generally requires that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts in a manner that will be fair and equitable over time.
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ investment allocation policy is designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to us and its or its affiliates’ similar fiduciary obligations to other clients, including the Blue Owl Credit Clients; however, there can be no assurance that the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in our favor.
The allocation of investment opportunities among us and any of the other investment funds sponsored or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates may not always, and often will not, be proportional. In general, pursuant to the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ investment allocation policy, the process for making an allocation determination includes an assessment as to whether a particular investment opportunity (including any follow-on investment in, or disposition from, an existing portfolio company held by the Company or another investment fund or account) is suitable for us or another investment fund or account including the Blue Owl Credit Clients. In making this assessment, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers may consider a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies applicable to the investment fund or account; the nature of the investment, including its risk-return profile and expected holding period; portfolio diversification and concentration concerns; the liquidity needs of the investment fund or account; the ability of the investment fund or account to accommodate structural, timing and other aspects of the investment process; the life cycle of the investment fund or account; legal, tax and regulatory requirements and restrictions, including, as applicable, compliance with the 1940 Act (including requirements and restrictions pertaining to co-investment opportunities discussed below); compliance with existing agreements of the investment fund or account; the available capital of the investment fund or account; diversification requirements for BDCs or RICs; the gross asset value and net asset value of the investment fund or account; the current and targeted leverage levels for the investment fund or account; and portfolio construction considerations. The relevance of each of these criteria will vary from investment opportunity to investment opportunity. In circumstances where the investment objectives of multiple investment
funds or accounts regularly overlap, while the specific facts and circumstances of each allocation decision will be determinative, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers may afford prior decisions precedential value.
Pursuant to the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ investment allocation policy, if through the foregoing analysis, it is determined that an investment opportunity is appropriate for multiple investment funds or accounts, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers generally will determine the appropriate size of the opportunity for each such investment fund or account. If an investment opportunity falls within the mandate of two or more investment funds or accounts, and there are no restrictions on such funds or accounts investing with each other, then each investment fund or account will receive the amount of the investment that it is seeking, as determined based on the criteria set forth above. Certain allocations may be more advantageous to us relative to one or all of the other investment funds, or vice versa. While the Blue Owl Credit Advisers will seek to allocate investment opportunities in a way that it believes in good faith is fair and equitable over time, there can be no assurance that our actual allocation of an investment opportunity, if any, or terms on which the allocation is made, will be as favorable as they would be if the conflicts of interest to which the Adviser may be subject did not exist.
Exemptive Relief
We, the Adviser and certain of its affiliates have been granted an order for exemptive relief, as amended (the “Order”) 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 our Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the 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. See “Business — Affiliated Transactions” in our 2023 Form 10-K. The Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the Order. As a result of the Order, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the Blue Owl Credit Clients that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief and that have an investment objective similar to ours. See “Business—The Adviser and Administrator—Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC” in our 2023 Form 10-K. In addition, the Order to permits us to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain affiliates that are private funds if such private funds did not have an investment in such existing portfolio company. Merger Agreement
On August 7, 2024, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Blue Owl Capital Corporation III, a Maryland corporation (“OBDE”), Cardinal Merger Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, the Adviser and Blue Owl Diversified Credit Advisers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and investment advisor to OBDE (“ODCA”). The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into OBDE, with OBDE continuing as the surviving company and as our wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Initial Merger”), and, immediately thereafter, OBDE will merge with and into us, with us continuing as the surviving company (the “Second Merger” and together, with the Initial Merger, the “Mergers”). The parties to the Merger Agreement intend the Mergers to be treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Effective upon the closing of the Mergers, each share of OBDE common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Mergers, except for shares, if any, owned by us or any of our
consolidated subsidiaries, will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below), plus any cash (without interest) in lieu of fractional shares, in connection with the closing of the Mergers.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the “Exchange Ratio” will be determined as of a mutually agreed date (such date, the “Determination Date”) no earlier than 48 hours (excluding Sundays and holidays) prior to the effective date of the Mergers and based on (i) the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock (the “OBDC Per Share NAV”) and the adjusted net asset value per share of OBDE (the “OBDE Per Share NAV”) and (ii) the closing price per share of our common stock on the NYSE on either the Determination Date or, if the NYSE is closed on the Determination Date, the most recent trading day prior to the Determination Date (the “OBDC Common Stock Price”).
The Exchange Ratio will be calculated as follows:
•if the quotient of the OBDC Common Stock Price and the OBDC Per Share NAV is less than or equal to 100%, then the Exchange Ratio shall be the quotient (rounded to the fourth nearest decimal) of the OBDE Per Share NAV and the OBDC Per Share NAV;
•if the quotient of the OBDC Common Stock Price and the OBDC Per Share NAV is greater than 100% but less than or equal to 104.5%, then the Exchange Ratio shall be equal to the quotient (rounded to the fourth nearest decimal) of (A) the product of (x) the OBDE Per Share NAV and (y) the sum of (i) 1.00 and (ii) 50% of the difference between (a) the quotient of (I) the OBDC Common Stock Price and (II) the OBDC Per Share NAV and (b) 1.00 and (B) the OBDC Common Stock Price; or
•if the quotient of the OBDC Common Stock Price and the OBDC Per Share NAV is greater than 104.5%, then the Exchange Ratio shall be equal to the quotient (rounded to the fourth nearest decimal) of (A) the product of (x) the OBDE Per Share NAV and (y) 102.25% and (B) the OBDC Common Stock Price.
Consummation of the Mergers, which is currently anticipated to occur during the first quarter of 2025, is subject to certain closing conditions, including (1) requisite approvals of OBDE’s and our shareholders, (2) the absence of certain enumerated legal impediments to the consummation of the Mergers, (3) effectiveness of the registration statement for our common stock to be issued as consideration in the Mergers, (4) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties and compliance with the covenants of each party to the Merger Agreement, (5) required regulatory approvals (including expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended), (6) the absence of a material adverse effect in respect of the parties, and (7) the receipt of customary legal opinions to the effect that the Mergers will be treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code by the parties.
Prior to the anticipated closing of the Mergers, we and OBDE intend to declare and pay ordinary course quarterly dividends.
Prior to the anticipated closing of the Mergers, subject to the approval of OBDE's board of directors, OBDE will declare a dividend to its shareholders equal to any undistributed net investment income estimated to be remaining as of the closing of the Mergers. This will include any unpaid special dividends previously declared in conjunction with OBDE's listing in January 2024.
In connection with the Mergers, we and OBDE filed with the SEC and mailed to our respective shareholders a joint proxy statement/prospectus (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) and we filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-14 that included the Joint Proxy Statement and our prospectus. The definitive joint proxy statement and prospectus was filed with the SEC on October 21, 2024. See “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 (“Second Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q”) for risks relating to the Mergers. Based on financial data as of September 30, 2024 and before giving effect to this offering, we would have had $18.56 billion in combined total assets and total funded debt of $10.3 billion if the Mergers had been completed on September 30, 2024 and our total funded debt would have been comprised of approximately 50% unsecured notes, 12% revolving credit facilities, 14% special purpose vehicle asset credit facilities, and 24% debt securitizations. As
of September 30, 2024, our portfolio investments overlapped with portfolio investments of OBDE represented 76% of our total investment portfolio at fair value. OBDE’s portfolio investments that overlapped with our portfolio investments represented 96% of OBDE investment portfolio at fair value as of September 30, 2024.
The diversity by obligor of our total investment portfolio at fair value as of September 30, 2024 compared to OBDE, and on a pro forma basis to reflect the Mergers, is set forth below:
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| | | | | Pro Forma |
| OBDC | | OBDE | | OBDC |
Top 10 Investments | 25 | % | | 21 | % | | 22 | % |
Top 25 Investments | 44 | % | | 42 | % | | 40 | % |
Remaining Investments | 56 | % | | 58 | % | | 60 | % |
Our key portfolio metrics (percentage of total investment portfolio at fair value as of September 30, 2024) compared to the portfolio metrics of OBDE, and as shown on a pro forma basis to reflect the proposed Mergers, are set forth below.
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| | | | | Pro Forma |
| OBDC | | OBDE | | OBDC |
Asset Mix |
| |
| | |
First-lien | 76 | % | | 85 | % | | 78 | % |
Second-lien | 5 | % | | 5 | % | | 5 | % |
Unsecured | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | 2 | % |
Preferred Equity | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | 3 | % |
Common Equity | 11 | % | | 5 | % | | 9 | % |
Joint Ventures | 3 | % | | <1 % | | 2 | % |
| | | | | |
Internal Performance Ratings | | | | | |
Internal Performance Rating 1 | 6 | % | | 10 | % | | 7 | % |
Internal Performance Rating 2 | 87 | % | | 85 | % | | 86 | % |
Internal Performance Rating 3 | 6 | % | | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
Internal Performance Rating 4 | 1 | % | | <1 % | | 1 | % |
Internal Performance Rating 5 | <1 % | | <1 % | | <1 % |
Non-Accrual Investments | | | | | |
Non-Accrual Investments(1) | 0.7 | % | | 0.2 | % | | 0.5 | % |
Industry(2) | | | | | |
Internet Software and Services | 11 | % | | 13 | % | | 12 | % |
Insurance | 8 | % | | 11 | % | | 9 | % |
Food and Beverage | 7 | % | | 5 | % | | 7 | % |
Healthcare providers and services | 6 | % | | 8 | % | | 7 | % |
Healthcare technology | 6 | % | | 7 | % | | 6 | % |
Asset Based Lending and Finance | 6 | % | | 1 | % | | 5 | % |
Manufacturing | 5 | % | | 3 | % | | 5 | % |
Business Services | 4 | % | | 7 | % | | 5 | % |
Buildings and Real Estate | 4 | % | | 3 | % | | 4 | % |
Consumer Products | 4 | % | | 3 | % | | 3 | % |
| | | | | |
__________________
Note: Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
(1)Non-accrual investments as a percentage of total debt investments at fair value.
(2)The largest industries represented as a percentage of the portfolio at fair value are labeled.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 and our telephone number is (212) 419-3000. Our corporate website is located at www.blueowlcapitalcorporation.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
Risk Factors
Investing in our securities may be speculative and involves certain risks relating to our structure and our investment objective that you should consider before deciding whether to invest. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-22 in this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus, in our 2023 Form 10-K and Second Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion of material risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities. Recent Developments
OBDC SLF Transaction
On November 1, 2024, the OBDC SLF Members authorized the liquidation over time of the assets of OBDC SLF and subsequent dissolution. We purchased a portion of OBDC SLF’s portfolio with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $750 million for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $750 million. OBDC SLF intends to use a portion of these proceeds to fully repay and terminate its credit facilities.
Credit SLF Transaction
On November 1, 2024, certain Credit SLF Members, including us, increased their capital commitments to Credit SLF. Subsequently, Credit SLF delivered a capital call to certain of Credit SLF Members, including us, our portion of which is $750 million. We determined, and Credit SLF agreed, to allow us to make this capital contribution in-kind by delivering to Credit SLF the assets we purchased from OBDC SLF.
SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE NOTES AND THE OFFERING
This section outlines certain legal and financial terms of the Notes. On January 22, 2024, we and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the “trustee”) entered into the eighth supplemental indenture to the indenture, dated as of April 10, 2019, relating to the Existing Notes, which we refer to collectively as the “indenture.” The Notes offered hereby will be a further issuance of, rank equally in right of payment with, and form a single series with the Existing Notes for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, consents, redemptions and other offers to purchase and voting. We refer to the “Notes” and the “Existing Notes” separately within this prospectus supplement because only the Notes are being offered hereby, but any general discussion of the terms of the Notes also would apply to the Existing Notes because they are treated as the same under the indenture. You should read this section together with the more detailed description of the Notes under the heading “Description of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement before investing in the Notes. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the indenture governing the Notes, as amended from time to time, the “indenture”.
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Issuer | Blue Owl Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation |
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Title of the Securities | 5.950% Notes due 2029 |
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Aggregate Principal Amount Being Offered | $400,000,000 |
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Public Offering Price | 100.043% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes offered hereby, plus the aggregate accrued interest, which is the interest on the Notes offered hereby accruing from and including September 15, 2024 up to, but not including, the date of delivery which is expected to be November 19, 2024 (the “Aggregate Accrued Interest”). The interest payment we will make on March 15, 2025 will include Aggregate Accrued Interest. |
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Aggregate accrued interest | $4,231,111.11 of accrued and unpaid interest from and including September 15, 2024 up to, but not including, the date of delivery of the Notes which is expected to be November 19, 2024. |
Interest Rate | 5.950% |
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Yield to Maturity | 5.936% |
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Trade Date | November 12, 2024 |
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Issue Date | November 19, 2024 |
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Maturity Date | March 15, 2029 |
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Interest Payment Dates | March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2025. The interest payment we will make on March 15, 2025 will include Aggregate Accrued Interest. |
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Ranking of Notes | The Notes are our direct, general unsecured obligations and rank: |
| •senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the Notes; |
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| •pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior, including our 2025 Notes, of which $425 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30 2024, our July 2025 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2026 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our July 2026 Notes, of which $1,000 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2027 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2028 Notes, of which $850 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and our Existing Notes of which $600 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024; |
| •effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, including borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, of which $950 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2024; and |
| •structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities including, without limitation, borrowings under our SPV Asset Facility II and the OBDC CLOs, which had an aggregate of approximately $2.5 billion outstanding as of September 30, 2024. |
| As of September 30, 2024, our total indebtedness was approximately $7.8 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding, of which approximately $3.5 billion was secured indebtedness. See “Capitalization.” |
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Denominations | We will issue the Notes in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
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Optional Redemption | Prior to February 15, 2029 (one month prior to maturity date of the Notes) (the “Par Call Date”), we may redeem the Notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of: (1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the treasury rate plus 35 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. |
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| On or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. |
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Sinking Fund | The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund. A sinking fund is a reserve fund accumulated over a period of time for the retirement of debt. |
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Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event | If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs prior to maturity, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes in full, holders will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of the Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. |
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Legal Defeasance | If there is a change in U.S. tax law or we obtain an Internal Revenue Service ruling described herein, the Notes will be subject to legal defeasance by us, which means that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) depositing in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their various due dates and (ii) delivering to the Trustee an opinion of counsel as described herein under “Description of the Notes—Defeasance—Legal Defeasance”, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the Notes. |
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Covenant Defeasance | Under current U.S. tax law and the indenture, the Notes are subject to covenant defeasance by us, which means that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) depositing in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their various due dates and (ii) delivering to the Trustee an opinion of counsel as described herein under “Description of the Notes— Defeasance—Covenant Defeasance”, we will be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture. |
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Form of Notes | The Notes will be represented by global securities that will be deposited and registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or its nominee. This means that, except in limited circumstances, you will not receive certificates for the Notes. Beneficial interests in the Notes will be represented through book- entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Notes through either DTC, if they are a participant, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC. |
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Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as successor to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
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Events of Default | If an event of default (as described under “Description of the Notes”)on the Notes occurs, the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to conditions set forth in the indenture. These amounts automatically become due and payable in the case of certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events involving us. |
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Other Covenants | In addition to the covenants described in this prospectus supplement, the following covenants shall apply to the Notes: |
| •We agree that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not violate, whether or not we are subject thereto, Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC. |
| •If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the Notes and the Trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. |
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Trading Market | While a trading market developed after issuing the Existing Notes, we cannot assure you that an active and liquid market for the Notes will be maintained. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any automated dealer quotation system. Although certain of the underwriters have informed us that they currently intend to continue to make a market in the Notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market making activities at any time without notice. See “Underwriting.” |
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Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures | Interests in the Notes will trade in DTC’s Same Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. None of the Company, the Trustee or the paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations. |
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Governing Law | The Notes and the indenture are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. |
RISK FACTORS
Investing in the Notes involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in the Notes, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any document incorporated by reference herein or therein, including in the 2023 Form 10-K and the Second Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q and any free writing prospectus we may authorize in connection with this offering. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in the Notes. The risks set out in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any document incorporated by reference herein or therein, and any free writing prospectus we may authorize in connection with this offering are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, you may lose all or part of your investment. Risks Related to the Notes
The Notes are unsecured and therefore are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.
The Notes are not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated, or junior, to any secured indebtedness or other obligations we have currently incurred and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Substantially all of our assets are currently pledged as collateral under the Revolving Credit Facility. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. As of September 30, 2024, our total indebtedness was approximately $7.8 billion in aggregate principal amount outstanding, of which approximately $3.5 billion was secured by our assets and, therefore, will be effectively senior to the Notes.
The Notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
The Notes are obligations exclusively of Blue Owl Capital Corporation and not of any of our subsidiaries.
None of our subsidiaries are a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes are structurally subordinated, or junior, to the SPV Asset Facility II, the OBDC CLOs and all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities and any subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities that we may in the future acquire or establish. As of September 30, 2024, our subsidiaries had $2.5 billion of indebtedness outstanding under the SPV Asset Facility II and the OBDC CLOs; in addition, our subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes.
Our current indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under the Notes and our other debt.
As of September 30, 2024, our total consolidated indebtedness was approximately $7.8 billion in aggregate principal amount outstanding, of which approximately $3.5 billion was indebtedness secured by our assets or
assets of our subsidiaries and approximately $4.4 billion in aggregate principal amount was unsecured indebtedness.
The use of debt could have significant consequences on our future operations, including:
•making it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under the Notes and our other outstanding indebtedness;
•resulting in an event of default if we fail to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements, which event of default could result in substantially all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable;
•reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund investments, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
•subjecting us to the risk of increased sensitivity to interest rate increases on our indebtedness with variable interest rates; and
•limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate and the general economy.
Any of the above-listed factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under the Notes and our other debt.
Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our debt instruments depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our financing arrangements or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the Notes, on or before the scheduled maturity. The conditions of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our shareholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements, including our payment obligations under the Notes.
A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or the Notes, if any, or change in the debt markets, could cause the liquidity or market value of the Notes to decline significantly.
Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due.
Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings.
The indenture offers limited protection for holders of the Notes.
The indenture offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate
transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:
•issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including
(1)any indebtedness or other obligations that would be pari passu, or equal, in right of payment to the Notes,
(2)any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness,
(3)indebtedness or other obligations of ours that are guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore are structurally senior to the Notes and
(4)securities, indebtedness or other obligations incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of those subsidiaries, but giving effect, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC. Currently, these provisions generally prohibit us from incurring additional borrowings, including through the issuance of additional debt securities, unless our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% (or 150% if certain conditions are met) after such borrowings;
•pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes;
•sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);
•create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
•enter into transactions with affiliates;
•make investments; or
•create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.
Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity.
Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.
Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the indenture and the Notes. In addition, other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business – We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us” in the 2023 Form 10-K. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes. The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes.
The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option. We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the Notes being redeemed.
Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness or under other indebtedness to which we may be a party, that is not waived by the required lenders or holders and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the Notes.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our current indebtedness or other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders or holders under the agreements governing our indebtedness, or other indebtedness that we may incur in the future, to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders. If this occurs, we would be in default and our lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations, including the lenders under certain of our credit facilities, could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because our credit facilities, the 2025 Notes, the July 2025 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the July 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes and the Existing Notes each have, and any future debt will likely have, customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness thereunder, hereunder or under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due. See “Description of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Our Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.
We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event, as defined in the indenture that governs the Notes, as supplemented, subject to certain conditions, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The source of funds for that purchase of Notes will be our available cash or cash generated from our operations or other potential sources, including borrowings, investment repayments, sales of assets or sales of equity. We cannot assure you that sufficient funds from such sources will be available at the time of any Change of Control Repurchase Event to make required repurchases of Notes tendered. Our debt instruments may contain restrictions and provisions that we would have to comply with in connection with any repurchase of the Notes. If the holders of the Notes exercise their right to require us to repurchase all the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the financial effect of this repurchase could cause a default under our existing or future debt instruments, even if the Change of Control Repurchase Event itself would not cause a default. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of the Change of Control Repurchase Event to make the required repurchase of the Notes or our other debt. See “Description of the Notes—Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event” in this prospectus supplement.
While a trading market developed after issuing the Existing Notes, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for the Notes will be maintained.
The Notes are not listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any automated dealer quotation system, and we do not intend to apply for a listing of the Notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. While a trading market developed after issuing the Existing Notes, we cannot assure you that an active and liquid market for the Notes will be maintained. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the Notes on any automated dealer quotation system. If no active trading market develops, you may not be able to resell the Notes at their fair market value or at all. If the Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial condition,
performance and prospects and other factors. Certain of the underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to continue to make a market in the Notes after the offering, but they are not obligated to do so. Such underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the Notes at any time at their sole discretion. In addition, any market-making activity will be subject to limits imposed by law. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will be maintained for the Notes, that you will be able to sell the Notes at a particular time or that the price you receive when you sell will be favorable. To the extent an active trading market for the Notes is not maintained, the liquidity and trading price for the Notes may be harmed. Accordingly, you may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Notes for an indefinite period of time.
Risks relating to the Mergers
We are subject to risks related to the Mergers.
The Mergers are subject to closing conditions, including certain approvals of the stockholders of both us and OBDE, and there is no assurance as to when or whether the Mergers will close. Uncertainty about the Mergers may have an adverse effect on us, and the dedication of management resources to closing the transaction may detract attention from our day-to-day business, including following completion of the Mergers.
If the Mergers do not close, we will not benefit from the expected operational synergies and cost savings that are expected from the Mergers. Even if the Mergers are consummated, the realization of such operational synergies and cost savings (and the amount of such savings) will depend in part on the integration of OBDE’s investment portfolio with ours and the integration of OBDE’s business with our business. There can be no assurance that OBDE’s investment portfolio or business can be operated profitably or integrated successfully into our operations in a timely fashion or at all. The dedication of management resources to such integration may detract attention from the day-to-day business of the combined company, and there can be no assurance that we will not incur substantial costs associated with the integration process or that there will not be other material adverse effects as a result of these integration efforts, including expenses related to litigation that we may face as a result of the Mergers. Such effects, including incurring unexpected costs or delays in connection with such integration and failure of OBDE’s investment portfolio to perform as expected, could have a material adverse effect on our future financial results.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any documents we may incorporate by reference herein, and any related free writing prospectus contain 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 us, 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;
•the impact of elevated interest and inflation rates, ongoing supply chain and labor market disruptions, including those as a result of strikes, work stoppages or accidents, instability in the U.S. and international banking systems, and the risk of recession or a shutdown of government services could impact our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio 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;
•changes in base interest rates and significant market volatility on our business and our portfolio companies (including our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies including the ability to achieve our and their business objectives), our industry and the global economy including as a result of ongoing supply chain disruptions;
•interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly because we use leverage as part of our investment strategy;
•currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars;
•our future operating results;
•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;
•risks related to the uncertainty of the value of our portfolio investments, particularly those having no liquid trading market;
•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 the 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 RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and as a BDC under the 1940 Act;
•the impact that environmental, social and governance matters could have on our brand and reputation and our portfolio companies;
•the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes;
•the impact of information technology system failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology;
•the impact of geo-political conditions, including revolution, insurgency, terrorism or war, including those arising out of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the escalated conflict in the Middle-East, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, and general uncertainty surrounding the financial and political stability of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and China, on financial market volatility, global economic markets, and various markets for commodities globally such as oil and natural gas;
•the ability of the parties to consummate the Mergers on the expected timeline, or at all;
•the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Mergers;
•the effects of disruption on our business from the Mergers;
•the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions as a result of the Mergers;
•any potential termination of the Merger Agreement;
•the actions of our shareholders or the shareholders of OBDE with respect to the proposals submitted for their approval in connection with the Mergers;
•the possibility that competing offers or acquisitions proposals will be made;
•risk that stockholders litigation in connection with Mergers may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and
•other risks, uncertainties and other factors previously identified in the reports and other documents we have filed with the SEC.
Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any documents we may incorporate by reference herein, and any related free writing prospectus 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 dates of
this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any documents we may incorporate by reference herein, and any related free writing prospectus. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and projections contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are excluded from the safe-harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from this offering will be approximately $395.0 million, based on the public offering price of 100.043% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $1.5 million payable by us. Such estimate is subject to change and no assurances can be given that actual expenses will not exceed such amount. We expect to use proceeds from this offering to pay down certain of our existing indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility with respect to certain “extending commitments” in U.S. dollars bear interest at either (i) term SOFR plus any applicable credit adjustment spread plus margin of either 1.875% per annum or, if the gross borrowing base is greater than or equal to the product of 1.60 and the combined debt amount, 1.75% per annum or (ii) the “alternative base rate” (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility) plus margin of either 0.875% per annum or, if the gross borrowing base is greater than or equal to the product of 1.60 and the combined debt amount, 0.75% per annum. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility with respect to certain “non-extending commitments” in U.S. Dollars will bear interest at either (i) term SOFR plus any applicable credit adjustment spread plus margin of 2.00% per annum or (ii) the alternative base rate plus margin of 1.00% per annum. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility with respect to the extending commitments in certain non-U.S. currencies will bear interest at the relevant rate specified therein (including any applicable credit adjustment spread) plus margin of either 1.875% per annum or, if the gross borrowing base is greater than or equal to the product of 1.60 and the combined debt amount, 1.75% per annum. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility with respect to the non-extending commitments in other permitted currencies will bear interest at the relevant rate specified therein (including any applicable credit adjustment spread) plus margin of 2.00% per annum. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on August 26, 2027, with respect to $50 million of commitments and on November 17, 2028, with respect to the remaining commitments.
Affiliates of certain underwriters are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. Accordingly, affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive more than 5% of the proceeds of this offering to the extent the proceeds are used to pay down a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth:
•the actual consolidated capitalization of the Company at September 30, 2024; and
•the consolidated capitalization of the Company as of September 30, 2024, as adjusted to reflect the assumed sale of $400,000,000 of aggregate principal amount of Notes in this offering at a public offering price of 100.043% per Note after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $1.5 million payable by us and application of the net proceeds as discussed in more detail under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement.
You should read this table together with “Use of Proceeds” and our most recent balance sheet included in the Third Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | As Adjusted for this |
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) | (Unaudited) | | Offering |
Assets | | | |
Investments at fair value (amortized cost of $13,400,390) | $ | 13,447,536 | | | $ | 13,447,536 | |
Cash (restricted cash of $54,553) | 479,477 | | | 479,477 | |
Foreign cash (cost of $1,826) | 1,838 | | | 1,838 | |
Interest receivable | 121,082 | | | 121,082 | |
Receivable from a controlled affiliate | 24,244 | | | 24,244 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 16,603 | | | 16,603 | |
Total Assets | $ | 14,090,780 | | | $ | 14,090,780 | |
Liabilities | | | |
Debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $80,810) | $ | 7,741,075 | | | $ | 7,741,075 | |
Distribution payable | 144,380 | | | 144,380 | |
Management fee payable | 49,264 | | | 49,264 | |
Incentive fee payable | 39,224 | | | 39,224 | |
Payables to affiliates | 10,719 | | | 10,719 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 144,269 | | | 144,269 | |
Total Liabilities | 8,128,931 | | | 8,128,931 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | | | |
Net Assets | | | |
Common shares $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 390,217,304 shares issued and outstanding | $ | 3,902 | | | $ | 3,902 | |
Additional paid-in-capital | 5,931,419 | | | 5,931,419 | |
Accumulated undistributed (overdistributed) earnings | 26,528 | | | 26,528 | |
Total Net Assets | 5,961,849 | | | 5,961,849 | |
Total Liabilities and Net Assets | $ | 14,090,780 | | | $ | 14,090,780 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | $ | 15.28 | | | $ | 15.28 | |
SENIOR SECURITIES
Information about our senior securities as of September 30, 2024 and the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is located under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Senior Securities” in our Third Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q and “Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities” in our 2023 Form 10-K, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax consequences. The discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Treasury (the “Treasury Regulations”), rulings and pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change at any time. Any such change may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the Notes. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.
This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:
•banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions;
•U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;
•personal holding companies;
•corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
•holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;
•dealers in securities or currencies;
•traders in securities;
•partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities;
•U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
•controlled foreign corporations;
•tax-exempt organizations;
•passive foreign investment companies;
•a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust or other financial conduit (or shareholders of such entity);
•a retirement plan, individual retirement account or tax deferred account;
•persons holding the Notes as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction; and
•persons deemed to sell the Notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.
In addition, this discussion is limited to persons purchasing the Notes for cash at original issue and at their original “issue price” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the Notes are sold to the public for cash). This discussion also does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to beneficial owners of the Notes subject to the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code. Moreover, the effects of other U.S. federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. The discussion deals only with Notes held as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
If an entity taxable as a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the Notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships holding Notes, and persons holding interests in such partnerships, should each consult their own tax advisors as to the consequences of investing in the Notes in their individual circumstances.
YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.
Qualified Reopening
We intend to treat, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the issuance of the Notes as a “qualified reopening” of our Existing Notes, which had an issue price equal to 98.818% of their principal amount and which will mature on March 15, 2029. Accordingly, we intend to treat the Notes offered hereby as having the same issue date and the same issue price as those previously issued Existing Notes. If this position is respected, because the Existing Notes were issued with less than a de minimis amount of “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore treated as not having OID, the Notes in this offering also would not have OID. However, depending on a holder’s purchase price, the Notes may have bond premium (discussed below). The remainder of this summary assumes that the issuance of the Notes will be treated as a “qualified reopening.”
Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest
A portion of the price paid for the Notes is attributable to the amount of unpaid interest on the Notes accrued from September 15, 2024, which, for purposes of this discussion, is referred to as “pre-issuance accrued interest.” Pursuant to certain U.S. Treasury regulations, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend to treat a portion of the first interest payment on the Notes that equals the pre-issuance accrued interest as a return of the pre-issuance accrued interest, rather than an amount payable on such Notes. If this position is respected, a portion of the interest payment received by a holder on the first interest payment date following the issuance of the Notes will be treated as a non-taxable return of the pre-issuance accrued interest paid by the holder, rather than as taxable interest, as if the holder purchased a debt instrument on the secondary market between interest payment dates and will, when received, reduce the holder's basis in the Notes. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax treatment of the pre-issuance accrued interest on the Notes.
U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a “U.S. holder” of a Note. As used herein, “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a Note who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
•an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meets the “substantial presence” test under Section 7701(b) of the Code;
•a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
•an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
•a trust, if a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code can control all substantial trust decisions, or, if the trust was in existence on August 20, 1996, and it has elected to continue to be treated as a United States person.
Payments of Interest
The following discussion assumes the Notes will be issued with no original issue discount or less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Stated interest on the Notes (other than pre-issuance accrued interest as described above) generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary income at the time that such interest is received or accrued, in accordance with such U.S. holder’s method of tax accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Bond Premium
If a U.S. holder purchases a Note in this offering at a price (excluding any amount attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest described above) that exceeds the stated principal amount of the Note, such U.S. holder will be considered to have purchased the Note with amortizable bond premium equal to the amount of that excess. A U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize the premium using a constant yield method over the remaining term of the Note as an offset to interest when included in income in accordance with such U.S. holder's regular method of tax accounting. Any amortized amount of the premium for a taxable year generally will be treated first as a reduction of interest on the Note includible in the U.S. holder's gross income in such taxable year to the extent thereof, then as a deduction allowed in that taxable year to the extent of the U.S. holder's prior interest inclusions on the Note, and finally as a carryforward allowable against the U.S. holder's future interest inclusions on the Note. This election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will apply to all debt obligations (other than debt obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income) held by such U.S. holder as of the beginning of, or acquired during or after, the first taxable year for which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. holder makes the election to amortize bond premium with respect to a Note, such holder will be required to reduce its adjusted tax basis in such Note by the amount of the premium amortized. If a U.S. holder does not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss such holder would otherwise recognize on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of the Note. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding this election.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
A U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Note equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition (less any portion allocable to any accrued and unpaid interest, including pre-issuance accrued interest, as discussed above, which will be taxable as interest to the extent not previously included in income) and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Note. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a Note generally will be equal to the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the Note (excluding any amount attributable to the pre-issuance accrued interest and decreased by any bond premium previously amortized with respect to the Note, each as described above) less any principal payments received by the U.S. holder. Any gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the Note for more than one year at the time of disposition. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be a short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, generally are eligible for reduced rates of tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such U.S. holder receives interest payments on the Notes held or upon the proceeds received upon the sale or other disposition of such Notes (including a redemption or retirement of the Notes). Certain U.S. holders, such as corporations, are exempt from information reporting or backup withholding. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such U.S. holder is not otherwise exempt and such U.S. holder:
•fails to furnish the U.S. holder’s taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), which, for an individual, ordinarily is his or her social security number;
•furnishes an incorrect TIN;
•is notified by the IRS that the U.S. holder has failed properly to report payments of interest or dividends; or
•fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, on an IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) or a suitable substitute form (or other applicable certificate), that the U.S. holder has furnished a correct TIN and that the IRS has not notified the U.S. holder that the U.S. holder is subject to backup withholding.
U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and taxpayers may use amounts withheld as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability or may claim a refund if they timely provide certain information to the IRS.
Unearned Income Medicare Contribution
A tax of 3.8% will be imposed on certain “net investment income” (or “undistributed net investment income”, in the case of estates and trusts) received by individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly and $125,000 in the case of married individuals filing a separate return) and certain estates and trusts. “Net investment income” as defined for U.S. federal Medicare contribution purposes generally includes interest payments and gain recognized from the sale or other disposition of the Notes. Tax-exempt trusts, which are not subject to income taxes generally, and foreign individuals will not be subject to this tax. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of the Notes.
Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a “Non-U.S. holder” of a Note. A “Non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a Note that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Special rules may apply to Non-U.S. holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, including controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, U.S. expatriates, and foreign persons eligible for benefits under an applicable income tax treaty with the U.S. Such Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them including any reporting requirements.
Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussions, below, concerning backup withholding and FATCA (as defined below), generally interest income paid to a Non-U.S. holder that is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business is subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate). Nevertheless, interest paid on a Note to a Non-U.S. holder that is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if any applicable treaty so provides, is not attributable to the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax provided that:
•such Non-U.S. holder does not directly or indirectly own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock;
•such Non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through actual or constructive stock ownership (under the Code) and is not a bank that received such Note on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business; and
•either (1) the Non-U.S. holder certifies in a statement (generally, a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or a suitable substitute) provided to us or the paying agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is the beneficial owner of the Notes and not a “United States person” within the meaning of the Code and provides its name and address, (2) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the Note on behalf of the Non-U.S. holder certifies to us or the paying agent under penalties of
perjury that it, or the financial institution between it and the Non-U.S. holder, has received from the Non-U.S. holder a statement, under penalties of perjury, that such Non-U.S. holder is the beneficial owner of the Notes and is not a United States person and provides us or the paying agent with a copy of such statement or (3) the Non-U.S. holder holds its Note directly through a “qualified intermediary” and certain conditions are satisfied.
Even if the above conditions are not met, a Non-U.S. holder generally will be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding tax on interest if the Non-U.S. holder provides us or our paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or a suitable substitute form (or other applicable certificate) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an income tax treaty between the United States and the Non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. A Non-U.S. holder is required to inform the recipient of any change in the information on such statement within 30 days of such change. Special certification rules apply to Non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
If interest paid to a Non-U.S. holder is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, such Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such interest or gain is attributable), then the interest income generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular graduated income tax rates in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder (but without regard to the additional tax on net investment income described above). Such effectively connected interest income will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if a Non-U.S. holder satisfies certain certification requirements by providing to the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form). In addition, if a Non-U.S. holder is a corporation, the portion of such Non-U.S. holder’s earnings and profits that are effectively connected with such Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
Subject to the discussion below concerning FATCA (defined below), any gain realized by a Non-U.S. holder on the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
•the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a U.S. permanent establishment to which such gain is attributable); or
•the Non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale, exchange or other disposition, certain conditions are met and the Non-U.S. holder is not eligible for relief under an applicable income tax treaty; or
•a portion of the gain is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, in which case such amounts would be subject to tax as described above in “— Payments of Interest.
A Non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder, and if such Non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be required to pay an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so specified by an applicable income tax treaty). A Non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.
Certain other exceptions may be applicable, and Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with regard to whether taxes will be imposed on capital gain in their individual circumstances.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
The amount of interest that we pay to any Non-U.S. holder on the Notes will be reported to the Non-U.S. holder and to the IRS annually on an IRS Form 1042-S, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific income tax treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. holder resides. However, a Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding and certain other information reporting with respect to payments that we make to the Non-U.S. holder, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such Non-U.S. holder is a “United States person,” within the meaning of the Code, and the Non-U.S. holder has given us the statement described above under “Non-U.S. holders—Payments of Interest.”
If a Non-U.S. holder sells or exchanges a Note through a United States broker or the United States office of a foreign broker or such sale is deemed to occur through a United States office of a foreign broker the proceeds from such sale or exchange will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. holder provides a withholding certificate or other appropriate documentary evidence establishing that such holder is not a U.S. holder to the broker and such broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a U.S. holder, or the Non-U.S. holder is an exempt recipient (as that term is defined in Treas. Reg. § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)) eligible for an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. If a Non-U.S. holder sells or exchanges a Note through the foreign office of a broker who is a United States person or a U.S. middleman (as that term is defined under applicable Treasury Regulations), the proceeds from such sale or exchange will be subject to information reporting unless the Non-U.S. holder provides to such broker a withholding certificate or other documentary evidence establishing that such holder is not a U.S. holder and such broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such evidence is false, or the Non-U.S. holder is an exempt recipient (as that term is defined in Treas. Reg. § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)) eligible for an exemption from information reporting. In circumstances where information reporting by the foreign office of such a broker is required, backup withholding will be required only if the broker has actual knowledge that the holder is a U.S. holder.
A Non-U.S. holder generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against the Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or may claim a refund provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if available.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs either (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by certain specified U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have certain specified U.S. persons as substantial owners) or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends. While the Code would also require withholding on payments of the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S. source interest or dividends, the U.S. Treasury Department has indicated its intent to eliminate this requirement in subsequent proposed regulations, which state that taxpayers may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a specified U.S. person and financial information associated with the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding on certain payments to certain foreign entities that are not FFIs unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a greater than 10% owner that is a specified U.S. person or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% owner that is a specified U.S. person. Depending on the status of a beneficial owner and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their Notes, beneficial owners could
be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to interest paid on the Notes. Under certain circumstances, a beneficial owner might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
We will issue the Notes under the base indenture dated April 10, 2019, between us and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as successor to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by an eighth supplemental indenture dated as of January 22, 2024. The $400 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes offered hereby will be treated as a single series with the Existing Notes under the indenture and will have the same terms as the Existing Notes (except the issue date, the offering price and the initial interest payment date). The Notes offered hereby will have the same CUSIP number and will be fungible and rank equally with the Existing Notes. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this “Description of the Notes,” references to the Notes include the Notes offered hereby, the Existing Notes and any further additional Notes that may be issued from time to time under the indenture. As used in this section, all references to the indenture mean the base indenture as supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture. The terms of the Notes include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”).
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the Notes and the indenture and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the Notes and the indenture, including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read these documents because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the Notes.
For purposes of this description, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to the Company and not to any of its current or future subsidiaries and references to “subsidiaries” refer only to our consolidated subsidiaries and exclude any investments held by the Company in the ordinary course of business which are not, under GAAP, consolidated on the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries.
General
The Notes:
•are our direct, general unsecured, unsubordinated obligations;
•were issued prior to the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, not including the $400 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes being offered hereby;
•will mature on March 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased, as discussed below;
•will bear cash interest from September 15, 2024, at an annual rate of 5.950% payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2025, with such payment including Aggregate Accrued Interest;
•will be subject to redemption at our option as described herein under “— Optional Redemption”;
•will be subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders following a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined below under “— Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event”), at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase;
•will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; and
•will be represented by one or more registered Notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by Notes in definitive form. See “— Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance”.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise but does contain a covenant regarding our asset coverage that would have to be satisfied at the time of incurrence of additional indebtedness. See “— Covenants — Other Covenants”. The indenture does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions and other provisions described under “— Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control
Repurchase Event” and “— Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” below, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.
We may, without the consent of the holders, issue additional Notes under the indenture with the same terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date) and with the same CUSIP numbers as the Notes offered hereby in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that such additional Notes must either be issued in a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount, or otherwise be part of the same issue as the Notes offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The $400 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes offered hereby will be issued as additional Notes under the indenture.
We do not intend to list the Notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.
Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar; Transfer and Exchange
We will pay the principal of, and interest on, the Notes in global form registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note (as defined below).
Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on the Notes will be made at the corporate trust office of the paying agent, which initially shall be the trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that, in the case of notes that are not in global form, at our option payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the security register.
A holder of Notes may transfer or exchange Notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. A holder may be required, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture.
The registered holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
Interest
The Notes will bear cash interest at a rate of 5.950% per year until maturity. Interest on the Notes will accrue from and including September 15, 2024 or from the most recent date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Interest will be payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2025. The interest payment we will make on March 15, 2025 will include Aggregate Accrued Interest.
Interest will be paid to the person in whose name the Notes are registered at 5:00 p.m. New York City time (the “close of business”) on March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a business day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date, redemption date, the maturity date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event (defined below) of the Notes falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The term “business day” means, with respect to any of the Notes, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York or the city in which the corporate trust office of the trustee is located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Ranking
The Notes are our direct, general unsecured obligations that rank:
•senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the Notes;
•pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior, including, without limitation, our 2025 Notes, of which $425 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30 2024, our July 2025 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2026 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our July 2026 Notes, of which $1,000 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2027 Notes, of which $500 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024, our 2028 Notes, of which $850 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and our Existing Notes of which $600 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of September 30, 2024;
•effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, including, without limitation, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, of which approximately $950 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2024; and
•structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities, including, without limitation, borrowings under the SPV Asset Facility II and the OBDC CLOs of which approximately $2.5 billion was outstanding as of September 30, 2024.
As of September 30, 2024, our total indebtedness was approximately $7.8 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding, of which approximately $3.5 billion was secured by our assets or assets of our subsidiaries. See “Capitalization” in this prospectus supplement.
In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on the Notes only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the Notes then outstanding.
Optional Redemption
Prior the Par Call Date, we may redeem the Notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of: (1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 35 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.
On or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs. The Treasury Rate shall be determined by us after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, we shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H. 15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H. 15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H. 15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date. If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, we shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi- annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, we shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, we shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places. Our actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary. Any exercise of our option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the 1940 Act.
Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
The calculation or determination of the redemption price shall be made by us or on our behalf by such person as we shall designate. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation or determination of the redemption price shall not be the obligation or responsibility of the trustee or paying agent.
Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event
If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs with respect to the Notes, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes in full, we will make an offer to each holder of the Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount thereabove) of that holder’s
Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, we will send a notice to each holder and the trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Notes and offering to repurchase the Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent. The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Notes occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-l under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.
On a Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, subject to extension if necessary to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act, we will, to the extent lawful:
(1)accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to our offer;
(2)deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes of or portions of Notes properly tendered; and
(3)deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being purchased by us.
The paying agent will promptly remit to each holder of Notes properly tendered the purchase price for the Notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new Notes equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided that each new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
We will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in respect of the Notes in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.
The source of funds that will be required to repurchase Notes in the event of a Change of Control Repurchase Event will be our available cash or cash generated from our operations or other potential sources, including funds provided by a purchaser in the Change of Control transaction, borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We cannot assure you that sufficient funds from such sources will be available at the time of any Change of Control Repurchase Event to make required repurchases of Notes tendered. For a general discussion of our indebtedness, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, in our Third Quarter 2024 Form 10-Q and in our subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K. Before making any such repurchase of Notes, we would have to comply with any applicable restrictions in our debt instruments at the time. If the holders of the Notes exercise their right to require us to repurchase Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the financial effect of this repurchase could cause a default under our existing or future debt instruments, even if the Change of Control Repurchase Event itself would not cause a default. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of the Change of Control Repurchase Event to make the required repurchase of the Notes or our other debt. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event” in this prospectus supplement. The definition of “Change of Control” includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our properties or assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no
precise, established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of Notes to require us to repurchase the Notes as a result of a sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.
For purposes of the Notes:
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are downgraded below Investment Grade by all four Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that results in a Change of Control until the end of the 60- day period following public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by either of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event under the indenture) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform us in writing that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1)the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Controlled Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to any Permitted Holders; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Controlled Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or disposition;
(2)the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than any Permitted Holders) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or
(3)the approval by the Company’s stockholders of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
“Controlled Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company, 50% or more of the outstanding equity interests of which are owned by the Company and its direct or indirect subsidiaries and of which the Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting equity interests, by agreement or otherwise.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, or any successor thereto.
“Investment Grade” means a rating of BBB– or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch), Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s), BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) and BBB- or better by KBRA (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of KBRA) (or if such Rating Agency ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of our control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by us as a replacement Rating Agency).
“KBRA” means Kroll Bond Rating Agency or any successor thereto.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. or any successor thereto.
“Permitted Holders” means (i) us, (ii) one or more of our Controlled Subsidiaries and (iii) Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC, any affiliate of Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America and in the business of managing or advising clients.
“Rating Agency” means:
(1)each of Fitch, Moody’s, S&P and KBRA; and
(2)if any of Fitch, Moody’s, S&P or KBRA ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section (3)(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by us as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s, S&P and/or KBRA, as the case may be.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor thereto.
“Voting Stock” as applied to stock of any person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
Covenants
In addition to the covenants described in the base indenture, the following covenants shall apply to the Notes.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that we will not merge or consolidate with or into any other person (other than a merger of a wholly owned subsidiary into us), or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our property (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition; and provided further that this covenant shall not apply to any sale, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our property (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition; and provided further that this covenant shall not apply to any sale, transfer, lease, conveyance, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s property to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) in any one transaction or series of related transactions unless:
•we are the surviving person (the “Surviving Person”) or the Surviving Person (if other than us) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof;
•the Surviving Person (if other than us) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, executed and delivered to the trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the indenture to be performed by us;
•immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
•we shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the trustee, an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto, comply with this covenant, and that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
For the purposes of this covenant, the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all the property of one or more of our subsidiaries, which property, if held by us instead of such subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of our property on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of our property.
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all”, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether the merger, consolidation or sale of assets covenant would apply to a particular transaction as described above absent a decision by a court of competent jurisdiction. Although these types of transactions are permitted under the indenture, certain of the foregoing transactions could constitute a Change of Control that results in a Change of Control Repurchase Event permitting each holder to require us to repurchase the Notes of such holder as described above.
An assumption by any person of obligations under the Notes and the indenture might be deemed for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be an exchange of the Notes for new Notes by the holders thereof, resulting in recognition of gain or loss for such purposes and possibly other adverse tax consequences to the holders. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such an assumption.
Other Covenants
•We agree that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not violate, whether or not we are subject thereto, Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC.
•If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the Notes and the trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, as applicable. Delivery of such financial statements to the trustee is for informational purposes only and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including our compliance with any of our covenants hereunder (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on officers’ certificates).
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the Notes issued thereunder.
Changes Requiring Your Approval
First, there are changes that we cannot make to your Notes without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:
•change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on the Notes;
•reduce any amounts due on the Notes;
•reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;
•adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;
•change the place (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement) or currency of payment on a debt security;
•impair your right to sue for payment;
•modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is adverse to holders of outstanding Notes;
•reduce the percentage of holders of the Notes whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;
•reduce the percentage of holders of the Notes whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;
•modify certain of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and
•change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.
Changes Not Requiring Approval
The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the Notes. This type is limited to clarifications, establishment of the form or terms of new securities of any series as permitted by the indenture, and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding Notes in any material respect, including adding additional covenants or events of default. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only Notes to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.
Changes Requiring Majority Approval
Any other change to the indenture and the Notes would require the following approval:
•If the change affects only one series of the Notes, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.
•If the change affects more than one series of the securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all of the securities affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of debt securities issued under an indenture, or all series, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “— Changes Requiring Your Approval”.
Further Details Concerning Voting
When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to the Notes: The Notes will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. The Notes will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “— Defeasance — Legal Defeasance”.
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the Notes or request a waiver.
Events of Default
Each of the following is an event of default:
(1)default in the payment of any interest upon any Notes when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
(2)default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when it becomes due and payable at its maturity, including upon any redemption date or required repurchase date;
(3)our failure for 60 consecutive days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to us and the trustee, as applicable, has been received to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the Notes or indenture;
(4)default by us or any of our significant subsidiaries, as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act (but excluding any subsidiary which is (a) a non-recourse or limited recourse subsidiary, (b) a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle or (c) not consolidated with the Company for purposes of GAAP), with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $100 million in the aggregate of us and/or any such subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, unless, in either case, such indebtedness is discharged, or such acceleration is rescinded, stayed or annulled, within a period of 30 calendar days after written notice of such failure is given to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;
(5)Pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(C)(ii) and Section 61 of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, any class of securities shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) of less than 100%, giving effect to any amendments to such provisions of the 1940 Act or to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC; and
(6)certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization involving us occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 consecutive days.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case (other than an event of default specified in item (6) above) the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the entire principal amount of Notes to be due and immediately payable, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in item (6) above, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes will automatically become due and payable.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (i) we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay all overdue installments of interest, if any, on all outstanding Notes, the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all outstanding Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Notes, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Notes, and all sums paid or advanced by the trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee, its agents and counsel, and (ii) all events of default with respect to the Notes, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on such Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
No holder of Notes will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under the indenture, unless:
(i)such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the Notes;
(ii)the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;
(iii)such holder or holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(iv)the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(v)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Note on the stated maturity or maturity expressed in such Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the holders, on the repayment date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.
The trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to the foregoing, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the Notes, provided that (i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, (ii) the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction and (iii) the trustee need not take any action that may involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial (it being understood that the trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such holders) to the holders of Notes not consenting.
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past default under the indenture with respect to the Notes and its consequences, except a default (i) in the payment of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any of the Notes, or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.
We are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an officers’ certificate stating that to the knowledge of the signers whether we are in default in the performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the indenture.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default under the indenture with respect to the Notes, the trustee shall transmit notice of such default actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any of the Notes, the trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of the Notes.
Satisfaction and Discharge
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all outstanding Notes or by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes after the Notes have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year). Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.
Defeasance
The Notes will be subject to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance.
Covenant Defeasance
If certain conditions are satisfied, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the Notes were issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your Notes. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
•deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the Notes a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their various due dates.
•deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance or to be taxed on the Notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit and repaid the Notes at maturity.
•deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.
If we accomplished covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the Notes if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the Notes became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Legal Defeasance
If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the Notes (called “defeasance” or “legal defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
•We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the Notes a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their various due dates.
•We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or to be taxed on the Notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit and repaid the Notes at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the Notes would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited
in trust in exchange for your Notes and you would recognize gain or loss on the Notes at the time of the deposit.
•We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.
If we ever accomplished legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the Notes. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent.
Trustee
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as successor to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the trustee, security registrar and paying agent. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, in each of its capacities, including without limitation as trustee, security registrar and paying agent, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this prospectus supplement or the related documents or for any failure by us or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information, or for any information provided to it by us, including but not limited to settlement amounts and any other information. Neither the trustee nor any paying agent shall be responsible for determining whether any Change of Control or Below Investment Grade Rating Event has occurred and whether any Change of Control offer with respect to the Notes is required.
We may maintain banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the trustee and its affiliates.
Resignation of Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed with respect to the Notes provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
Governing Law
The indenture provides that it and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws that would cause the application of laws of another jurisdiction.
Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance
Global Notes
The Notes will be initially issued in the form of one or more registered Notes in global form, without interest coupons (the “Global Notes”). Upon issuance, each of the Global Notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
•upon deposit of a Global Note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the Global Note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the underwriters; and
•ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC
participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note).
Beneficial interests in Global Notes may not be exchanged for Notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.
Book-Entry Procedures for Global Notes
All interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. Neither we, the trustee nor the underwriters are responsible for those operations or procedures.
DTC has advised us that it is:
•a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;
•a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;
•a member of the Federal Reserve System;
•a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and
•a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.
So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by that Global Note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note:
•will not be entitled to have Notes represented by the Global Note registered in their names;
•will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated Notes; and
•will not be considered the owners or holders of the Notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to receiving notices or the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture.
As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest). Payments of principal and interest with respect to the Notes represented by a Global Note will be made by the trustee to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the Global Note. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests. Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.
Cross-market transfers of beneficial interests in Global Notes between DTC participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected within DTC through the DTC participants
that are acting as depositaries for Euroclear and Clearstream. To deliver or receive an interest in a Global Note held in a Euroclear or Clearstream account, an investor must send transfer instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, under the rules and procedures of that system and within the established deadlines of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will send instructions to its DTC depositary to take action to effect final settlement by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment under normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the DTC depositaries that are acting for Euroclear or Clearstream.
Because the settlement of cross-market transfers takes place during New York business hours, DTC participants may employ their usual procedures for sending securities to the applicable DTC participants acting as depositaries for Euroclear and Clearstream. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC participant seller on the settlement date. Thus, to a DTC participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently from a trade between two DTC participants. Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant that purchases an interest in a Global Note from a DTC participant will be credited on the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream from the sale of an interest in a Global Note to a DTC participant will be reflected in the account of the Euroclear of Clearstream participant the following business day, and receipt of the cash proceeds in the Euroclear or Clearstream participant’s account will be back-valued to the date on which settlement occurs in New York. DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in those settlement systems. However, the settlement systems are not obligated to perform these procedures and may discontinue or change these procedures at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations, including maintaining, supervising or reviewing the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in Global Notes.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.
Certificated Notes
Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related Notes only if:
•DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;
•DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or
•an event of default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its Notes be issued in physical, certificated form.
UNDERWRITING
RBC Capital Markets, LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Santander US Capital Markets LLC and SG Americas Securities, LLC are acting as the representatives of the underwriters. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth below:
| | | | | | | | |
Name | | Principal Amount of Notes |
RBC Capital Markets, LLC | | $ 57,000,000 |
MUFG Securities Americas Inc. | | 52,000,000 |
SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. | | 52,000,000 |
Santander US Capital Markets LLC | | 37,000,000 |
SG Americas Securities, LLC | | 37,000,000 |
BofA Securities, Inc. | | 20,000,000 |
ING Financial Markets LLC | | 20,000,000 |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | 20,000,000 |
Truist Securities, Inc. | | 20,000,000 |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | 8,000,000 |
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. | | 8,000,000 |
M&T Securities, Inc. | | 8,000,000 |
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC | | 8,000,000 |
Regions Securities LLC | | 8,000,000 |
TD Securities (USA) LLC | | 8,000,000 |
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. | | 8,000,000 |
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | | 8,000,000 |
ICBC Standard Bank Plc | | 4,000,000 |
Natixis Securities Americas LLC | | 4,000,000 |
R. Seelaus & Co., LLC | | 4,000,000 |
Independence Point Securities LLC | | 3,000,000 |
Roberts & Ryan, Inc. | | 3,000,000 |
Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC | | 3,000,000 |
Total | | $ | 400,000,000 | |
The underwriters are committed to purchase all the Notes offered by us if they purchase any Notes. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The underwriters are offering the Notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the Notes, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The underwriters propose to offer some of the Notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the Notes to certain other dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of 0.55% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of 0.35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. After the initial offering of the Notes to the public, the public offering price and other selling terms may be changed. No such change shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Per Note | | Amount |
Public offering price | | 100.043 | % | | $ | 400,172,000 | |
Underwriting discount (sales load) | | 0.900 | % | | $ | 3,600,000 | |
Proceeds to us, before expenses | | 99.143 | % | | $ | 396,572,000 | |
The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $1.5 million and are payable by us.
The public offering price set forth above does not include Aggregate Accrued Interest. The interest payment we will make on March 15, 2025 will include Aggregate Accrued Interest.
No Sales of Similar Securities
Subject to certain exceptions, we have agreed not to, directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale, or otherwise transfer or dispose of any securities that are substantially similar to the Notes or file or confidentially submit any registration statement under the Securities Act relating to such securities until the settlement date of this offering without first obtaining the written consent of the representatives. This consent may be given at any time without public notice.
Listing
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any automated dealer quotation system.
While a trading market developed after issuing the Existing Notes, we cannot assure you that an active and liquid market for the Notes will be maintained. We have been advised by certain of the underwriters that they presently intend to continue to make a market in the Notes as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. Such underwriters are not obligated, however, to make a market in the Notes and any such market-making may be discontinued at any time in the sole discretion of such underwriters without any notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that a liquid market for the Notes will be maintained. If an active public trading market for the Notes is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of securities in excess of the aggregate principal amount of securities to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of securities made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased Notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Any of these activities may cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without any notice relating thereto.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Notes. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates were underwriters in connection with the offering of our 2025 Notes, our July 2025 Notes, our 2026 Notes, our July 2026 Notes, our 2027 Notes, our 2028 Notes, our Existing Notes and our initial public offering, for which they have received customary fees.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively traded securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities or instruments of us (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) or persons and entities with relationships with us. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the Notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.
We expect to use proceeds from this offering to pay down certain of our existing indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. Affiliates of certain underwriters are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. Accordingly, affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive more than 5% of the proceeds of this offering to the extent the proceeds are used to pay down the Revolving Credit Facility.
Certain accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser may purchase Notes in this offering through the underwriters at a purchase price per Note equal to the issue price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriting agreement among us, the Adviser and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Santander US Capital Markets LLC and SG Americas Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters, will not restrict the ability of these accounts to buy or sell the Notes in the future, and as a result, these accounts may buy or sell Notes in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers or otherwise at any time following the consummation of this offering.
The underwriters or their affiliates may also trade in our securities, securities of our portfolio companies or other financial instruments related thereto for their own accounts or for the account of others and may extend loans or financing directly or through derivative transactions to the Adviser or any of our portfolio companies.
ICBC Standard Bank Plc is restricted in its U.S. securities dealings under the United States Bank Holding Company Act and may not underwrite, subscribe, agree to purchase or procure purchasers to purchase notes that are offered or sold in the United States. Accordingly, ICBC Standard Bank Plc shall not be obligated to, and shall not,
underwrite, subscribe, agree to purchase or procure purchasers to purchase notes that may be offered or sold by other underwriters in the United States. ICBC Standard Bank Plc shall offer and sell the Notes constituting part of its allotment solely outside the United States.
Settlement
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made to investors on or about November 19, 2024, which will be the business day following the date hereof. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes prior to one business day before the date of delivery will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle T+5, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Notes who wish to trade the Notes prior to one business day before the date of delivery should consult their own advisor.
Principal Business Addresses
The principal business address of RBC Capital Markets, LLC is 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10281. The principal business address of MUFG Securities Americas Inc. is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10020. The principal business address of SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. is 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172. The principal business address of Santander US Capital Markets LLC is 437 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. The principal business address of SG Americas Securities, LLC is 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167.
Other Jurisdictions
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The Notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any Notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
The Notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area, or EEA. For these purposes:
(a)a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i)a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended or superseded, or MiFID II); or
(ii)a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended or superseded, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
(iii)not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the “Prospectus Regulation”), and
(b)the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Notes.
Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, or the PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any member state of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the Notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision:
(a)the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i)a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or
(ii)a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”) of the United Kingdom and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or
(iii)not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”); and
(b)the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes.
Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the
UK PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of Notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
This prospectus supplement and any other material in relation to the Notes is only being distributed to, and is directed only at, persons in the United Kingdom who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation who are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Order”), or (ii) high net worth entities or other persons falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it would otherwise be lawful to distribute it, all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”. The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the Notes will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by any recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement or its contents. The Notes are not being offered to the public in the United Kingdom.
In addition, in the United Kingdom, each underwriter has represented and agreed the Notes may not be offered other than by an underwriter that:
•has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and
•has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
This prospectus supplement constitutes an “exempt offering document” as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this prospectus supplement or on the merits of the Notes and any representation to the contrary is an offence.
Canadian investors are advised that this prospectus supplement has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, the Company and the underwriters in the offering are exempt from the requirement to provide Canadian investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure pertaining to “connected issuer” and/or “related issuer” relationships as would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.
Resale Restrictions
The offer and sale of the Notes in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that the Company prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of Notes by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the Notes outside of Canada.
Representations of Purchasers
Each Canadian investor who purchases the Notes will be deemed to have represented to the Company, the underwriters and to each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor is (i) purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws; (ii) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) a “permitted client” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this prospectus supplement does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the Notes and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the Notes or with respect to the eligibility of the Notes for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.
Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission
Securities legislation in certain of the Canadian jurisdictions provides certain purchasers of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum (such as this prospectus supplement), including where the distribution involves an “eligible foreign security” as such term is defined in Ontario Securities Commission Rule 45-501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and in Multilateral Instrument 45-107 Listing Representation and Statutory Rights of Action Disclosure Exemptions, as applicable, with a remedy for damages or rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where the offering memorandum, or other offering document that constitutes an offering memorandum, and any amendment thereto, contains a “misrepresentation” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed under, and are subject to limitations and defences under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, these remedies are in addition to and without derogation from any other right or remedy available at law to the investor.
Language of Documents
Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”)) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation has acquired the Notes under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore (“Regulation 32”).
Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that trust has acquired the Notes under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign
currency) for each transaction (whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets), (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32.
Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification — Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the Notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
Notice to Prospective Investors in Israel
No action has been, or will be, taken in Israel that would permit an offering of the Notes or a distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the public in Israel. In particular, neither the prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus has been reviewed or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. The Notes are being offered to a limited number of qualified investors listed on the first addendum of the Securities Law (a “Qualified Investor”), in all cases under the circumstances that will fall within the private placement exemption of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968 (“Securities Law”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, nor be furnished to any other person other than those to whom copies have been sent. Any investor in the Notes shall be required to declare in writing prior to such purchase that it qualifies as a Qualified Investor, agrees to be deemed a Qualified Investor, and is aware of the consequences of being classified as a Qualified Investor, that it will comply with the guidelines of the Israel Securities Authority with respect to the sale or offer of securities to Qualified Investors (including those published on September 21, 2014), and that it is purchasing the Notes for its own benefit and on its own account and not with the aim or intention of distributing or offering the Notes to other parties. Nothing in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus should be considered “investment advice”, or “investment marketing” as defined in the Regulation of Investment Advice, Investment Marketing and Portfolio Management Law of 1995. Any investor who purchases the Notes shall be required to declare in writing that it has the knowledge, expertise and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the Notes, without relying on any of the materials provided.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
Warning—The contents of this prospectus supplement have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this prospectus supplement, you should obtain independent professional advice.
The Notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO, including the Securities and Futures (Professional Investor) Rules (Chapter 571D of the Laws of Hong Kong); or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“CWUMPO”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CWUMPO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO. This prospectus supplement is intended solely for the use of the person to whom it has been delivered for the purpose of evaluating a possible investment by the recipient in the Notes described herein, and is not to be reproduced or distributed to any other persons (other than professional advisors of the prospective investor receiving this prospectus supplement).
Notice to Prospective Investors in Saudi Arabia
This prospectus supplement may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Rules on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations as issued by the board of the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) pursuant to resolution number 3-123-2017 dated 9/4/1439H (corresponding to 27/12/2017G) as amended by resolution number 1-104-2019 dated 01/02/1441H (corresponding to 30/09/2019G), as amended. The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus supplement and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus supplement. Prospective purchasers of the Notes offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the Notes. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Notes offered hereby and certain legal matters for us in connection with the offering will be passed upon for us by Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to such information incorporated by reference. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus supplement from the date we file any such document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that any offering of any securities by means of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement our filings listed below; provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and any accompanying prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement will automatically update and may supersede information in this prospectus supplement and other information previously filed with the SEC.
The prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2024; •our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2024, August 7, 2024 and November 6, 2024; •OBDE’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2024; •our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024; and •our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 23, 2024, February 21, 2024, April 8, 2024, April 16, 2024, May 8, 2024, June 24, 2024, July 3, 2024, August 7, 2024, August 7, 2024, August 13, 2024, October 2, 2024 and November 6, 2024. See “Available Information” in the accompanying prospectus for information on how to obtain a copy of these filings.
PROSPECTUS
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
Common Stock
Preferred stock
Subscription Rights
Warrants
Debt Securities
Units
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle market companies. 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.
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. The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3), which is often referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” 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 may hold our investments directly or through special purpose vehicles. 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.
We are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We are advised by Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC (our “Adviser”) pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Adviser is an indirect affiliate of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL) and part of Blue Owl’s Credit platform, which focuses on direct lending. We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements.
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” The preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights and warrants offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.
In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting discounts or commissions will generally not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing shareholders, (ii) with the prior approval of the majority of our outstanding voting securities or (iii) under such other circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit.
The securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, discount or commissions arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We may not sell any of the securities pursuant to this registration statement through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
On July 22, 2019, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”) and our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on July 18, 2019. Since July 6, 2023, our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “OBDC.” On June 26, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $15.70 per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at March 31, 2024 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus for which we reported net asset value) was $15.47.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset values. Before investing in our securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities, including the risk of leverage, in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus, Part I, Item 1A “RISK FACTORS” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in any of our subsequent SEC filings, and in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read this prospectus before investing and keep it for future reference. We also file periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, calling us at (212) 419-3000 or visiting our corporate website located at www.blueowlcapitalcorporation.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains this information.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is June 28, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
We have not authorized anyone to give you any information other than in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement to this prospectus, any free writing prospectus, or any information that we have incorporated by reference herein or therein and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplements or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on their respective front covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the shelf registration process, which constitutes a delayed offering in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. Such prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus (collectively referred to hereinafter as a “prospectus supplement”) may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we incorporate by reference herein. This prospectus and the prospectus supplement, together with any documents incorporated by reference herein, will include all material information relating to the applicable offering.
Please carefully read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, together with any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, any exhibits and the additional information described or incorporated by reference under the headings “Available Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” before you make an investment decision.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider before investing in our securities. You should read our entire prospectus before investing in our securities. Throughout this prospectus we refer to Blue Owl Capital Corporation as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company,” and to “Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC,” our investment adviser, as “OCA” or the “Adviser.”
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle-market companies. Since its inception in April 2016 through March 31, 2024, our Adviser and its affiliates have originated $99.6 billion aggregate principal amount of investments, of which $95.8 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”) and our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on July 18, 2019 (the “Listing Date”). Since July 6, 2023, our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “OBDC.”
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. The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3), which is often referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” As of March 31, 2024, our average debt investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $56.6 million based on fair value. As of March 31, 2024, our portfolio companies, excluding the investment in OBDC SLF LLC (f/k/a Blue Owl Capital Corporation Senior Loan Fund LLC) (“OBDC SLF”) and certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 83.1% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $852 million, weighted average annual EBITDA of $182 million, an average interest coverage of 1.6x and an average net loan-to value of 44%.
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.
We are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under 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 Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus. 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.
We are advised by the Adviser pursuant to an amended and restated investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Investment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser is an indirect affiliate of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL) and part of Blue Owl’s Credit platform, which focuses 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 least 150%. This means that generally, we can borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity. See Part II, Item 7 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Leverage” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Leverage” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Business and Operations - We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. We currently have in place a senior secured revolving credit facility and a special purpose vehicle asset credit facility, and in the future may enter into additional credit facilities. In addition, we have outstanding unsecured notes, which were issued in registered offerings and in the future may issue additional unsecured notes. We currently have in place seven term debt securitization transactions, also known as collateralized loan obligation transactions 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. As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $7.0 billion of debt outstanding, with approximately $1.7 billion available under our existing credit facilities. As of March 31, 2024, our asset coverage ratio was 185%. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company” and Part II, Item 7 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Debt” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Investment Portfolio
As of March 31, 2024, we had investments in 198 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $12.41 billion.
As of March 31, 2024, based on fair value, our portfolio consisted of 73.0% first lien senior secured debt investments (of which 62% we consider to be unitranche debt investments (including “last out” portions of such loans)), 7.7% second lien senior secured debt investments, 2.2% unsecured debt investments, 3.6% preferred equity investments, 10.7% common equity investments and 2.8% joint ventures.
As of March 31, 2024, our portfolio was invested across 31 different industries. The largest industry in our portfolio as of March 31, 2024 was internet software and services, which represented, 11.9% of our total portfolio, based on fair value.
As of March 31, 2024, our weighted average total yield of the portfolio at fair value and amortized cost was 11.5% and 11.6%, respectively, and our weighted average yield of accruing debt and income producing securities at fair value and amortized cost was 12.1% and 12.3%, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the weighted average spread of total debt investments was 6.6%.
As of March 31, 2024 we had net leverage of 1.04x debt-to-equity, which is within our target range.
The Adviser and Administrator - Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC
Blue Owl Credit 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 Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Investment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser also serves as our Administrator pursuant to an amended and restated administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) between us and the Adviser. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Administration Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company that 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 affiliate of Blue Owl and part of Blue Owl’s Credit platform, which focuses on direct lending. Blue Owl consists of three investment platforms: (1) Credit, which focuses on direct lending, (2) GP Strategic Capital, which focuses on providing capital to institutional alternative asset managers, and (3) Real Estate, which focuses on triple net lease real estate strategies. Blue Owl's Credit platform is comprised of the Adviser, Blue Owl Technology Credit Advisors LLC (“OTCA”), Blue Owl Technology Credit Advisors II LLC (“OTCA II”), Blue Owl Capital Private Fund Advisors LLC (“OPFA”) and Blue Owl Diversified Credit Advisors LLC (“ODCA” and together with the Adviser, OTCA, OTCA II, and OPFA, the “Blue Owl Credit Advisers”), which are also registered investment advisers. Blue Owl’s Credit platform 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 also 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 Blue Owl’s Credit platform’s investment committees. Blue Owl's Credit platform has four investment committees, each of which focuses on a specific investment strategy (Diversified Lending, Technology Lending, First Lien Lending and Opportunistic Lending). Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alexis Maged sit on each of Blue Owl’s Credit platform’s investment committees. In addition to Messrs. Ostrover, Lipschultz, Packer and Maged, the Diversified Lending Investment Committee is comprised of Jeff Walwyn, Patrick Linnemann, Meenal Mehta and Logan Nicholson. The Investment Team, under the Diversified Lending Investment Committee’s supervision, sources investment opportunities, conducts research, performs due diligence on potential investments, structures the Company’s investments and monitors the Company’s portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. 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.
As of March 31, 2024, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers managed $91.3 billion in assets under management (“AUM”). The Blue Owl Credit Advisers focus on direct lending to middle market companies primarily in the United States across the following four investment strategies, which are offered through BDCs, private funds and separately managed accounts:
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Strategy | | Funds | | Asset Under Management |
Diversified Lending. The diversified lending strategy seeks to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns across credit cycles with an emphasis on preserving capital primarily through originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies. The diversified lending strategy provides a wide range of financing solutions with strong focus on the top of the capital structure and operate this strategy through diversification by borrower, sector, sponsor, and position size. | | The diversified lending strategy is primarily offered through four BDCs: the Company, Blue Owl Capital Corporation II (“OBDC II”), Blue Owl Capital Corporation III (“OBDC III”) and Blue Owl Credit Income Corp. (“OCIC”). | | As of March 31, 2024, the diversified lending strategy had $53.6 billion of assets under management. |
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Technology Lending. The technology lending strategy seeks to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from equity and equity-linked investments primarily through originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, technology related companies based primarily in the United States. The technology lending strategy originates and invests in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The technology lending strategy invests in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that are capitalizing on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. This strategy focuses on companies that operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, information technology, application or infrastructure software, financial services, data and analytics, security, cloud computing, communications, life sciences, healthcare, media, consumer electronics, semi-conductor, internet commerce and advertising, environmental, aerospace and defense industries and sectors. | | The technology lending strategy is primarily offered through three BDCs: Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp. (“OTF”), Blue Owl Technology Income Corp. (“OTIC”) and Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp. II (“OTF II” and together with the Company, OBDC II, OBDC III, OCIC, OTF and OTIC, the “Blue Owl BDCs”). | | As of March 31, 2024, the technology lending strategy had $21.5 billion of assets under management. |
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First Lien Lending. The first lien lending strategy seeks to realize 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 offered through private funds and separately managed accounts. | | As of March 31, 2024, the first lien lending strategy had $4.5 billion of assets under management. |
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Opportunistic Lending. The opportunistic lending strategy seeks 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 focuses on high-quality companies that could be experiencing disruption, dislocation, distress or transformational change. The opportunistic lending strategy aims to be the partner of choice for companies by being well equipped to provide a variety of financing solutions to meet a broad range of situations, including the following: (i) rescue financing, (ii) new issuance and recapitalizations, (iii) wedge capital, (iv) debtor-in-possession loans, (v) financing for additional liquidity and covenant relief and (vi) broken syndications. | | The opportunistic lending strategy is offered through private funds and separately managed accounts. | | As of March 31, 2024, the opportunistic lending strategy had $2.5 billion of assets under management across these products. |
We refer to the Blue Owl BDCs and the private funds and separately managed accounts managed by the Blue Owl Credit Advisers, as the “Blue Owl Credit Clients.” In addition to the Blue Owl Credit Clients, Blue Owl’s Credit platform includes a liquid credit strategy, which focuses on the management of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). As of March 31, 2024, the liquid credit strategy had $7.9 billion of assets under management. Blue Owl’s Credit platform also employs various other investment strategies to pursue long-term capital appreciation and risk adjusted returns including (i) direct investments in strategic equity assets, with a focus on single-asset GP-led continuation funds, and (ii) mid-to-late-stage biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies. As of March 31, 2024, these strategies had $1.5 billion of assets under management.
Blue Owl Credit 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 Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that addresses the allocation of investment opportunities as well as co-investment restrictions under the 1940 Act. See, “ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K In addition, we rely on an order for exemptive relief (as amended, the “Order”) that has been granted to our Adviser and its affiliates 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.
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the Order. As a result of the Order, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the Blue Owl Credit Clients that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief and that have an investment objective similar to ours. In addition, we have received an amendment to the Order to permit us to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain affiliates that are private funds, even if such private funds did not
have an investment in such existing portfolio company. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates - Our Adviser or its affiliates may have incentives to favor their respective other accounts and clients and/or Blue Owl over us, which may result in conflicts of interest that could be harmful to us” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees from portfolio companies. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates - Our Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for issuers in which we may invest” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser’s address is 399 Park Avenue, 37th floor, New York, NY 10022.
Investment Advisory Agreement
We and the Adviser entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement on May 18, 2021. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Investment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Adviser is responsible for managing our business and activities, including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research, performing diligence on potential investments, structuring our investments, and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis through a team of investment professionals. 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 currently payable quarterly in arrears. The management fee is payable at an annual rate of (x) 1.50% 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 our 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 Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, in each case, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. 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.
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 pre-incentive fee net investment income and a portion is based on our capital gains. The portion of the incentive fee based on pre-incentive fee net investment 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 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, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fee for prior periods. In no event will the capital gains incentive fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, including Section 205 thereof. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Compensation of the Adviser” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Administration Agreement
We and the Adviser entered into the Administration Agreement on May 18, 2021. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser performs, or oversees, the performance of, required administrative services, which includes providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the performance
of administrative and professional services rendered by others. The Administration Agreement also provides that we reimburse the Adviser for certain organization costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations, and for certain offering costs. We reimburse the Adviser for services performed for it 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 it by such affiliate or third party. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Administration Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. 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. The middle market is a large addressable market. According to GE Capital’s National Center for the Middle Market Year-End 2023 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. We believe U.S. middle market companies will continue to require access to debt capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. We believe that regulatory and structural factors, industry consolidation and general risk aversion, limit the amount of traditional financing available to U.S. 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. Access to underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets is challenging for middle market companies due to loan issue size and liquidity. For example, high yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors, such as mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) who, among other things, are focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued 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. Syndicated loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that 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 have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets, and 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. In addition, our Adviser has teams focused on both liquid credit and private credit and these teams are able to collaborate with respect to syndicated loans.
Secular Trends Supporting Growth for Private Credit. We believe that periods of market volatility, such as the current period of market volatility caused, in part, by elevated inflation and interest rates, and current geopolitical conditions have accentuated the advantages of private credit. The availability of capital in the liquid credit market is highly sensitive to market conditions whereas we believe private lending has proven to be a stable and reliable source of capital through periods of volatility. We believe the opportunity set for private credit will continue to expand even after the public markets reopen to normal levels. Financial sponsors and companies today are familiar
with direct lending and have seen firsthand the strong value proposition that a private solution can offer. Scale, certainty of execution and flexibility all provide borrowers with a compelling alternative to the syndicated and high yield markets. Based on our experience, there is an emerging trend where higher quality credits that have traditionally been issuers in the syndicated and high yield markets are increasingly seeking private solutions independent of credit market conditions. In our view, this is supported by financial sponsors wanting to work with collaborative financing partners that have scale and breadth of capabilities. We believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms broadly, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $2.7 trillion as of December 31, 2023, 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.
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 global 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. 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 Diversified Lending Investment Committee have an average of over 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, mergers and acquisitions, and workout restructuring. The members of the Diversified Lending Investment Committee have diverse backgrounds with investing experience through multiple business and credit cycles. Moreover, certain members of the Diversified Lending 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.
The Investment Team includes more than 115 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 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 broaden our deal funnel and 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 March 31, 2024, the Adviser and its affiliates have reviewed over 9,300 opportunities and sourced potential investment opportunities from more than 715 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. 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 or otherwise include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, which we believe will allow us to closely monitor the performance of these portfolio companies. In addition, the Adviser has built out its portfolio management team to include workout experts who closely monitor our portfolio companies and who, on at least a quarterly basis, assess each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook to understand and mitigate risks; and, on at least a monthly basis, evaluates existing and newly identified situations where operating results are deviating from expectations. As part of
its monitoring process, the Adviser focuses on projected liquidity needs and where warranted, re-underwriting credits and evaluating downside and liquidation scenarios.
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, which 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 herein, and equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. 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 generally 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 March 31, 2024, 62% 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.
•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 maintenance covenants), lien protection, limitations on debt incurrence, restrictions on asset sales, downside and liquidation cases, restrictions on dividends and other payments, cash flow sweeps, collateral protection, required debt amortization, 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. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments and we may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder.
Specialty Financing Portfolio Companies. We may make equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. Our specialty financing companies include the following:
•Wingspire Capital Holdings LLC (“Wingspire”) is an independent diversified direct lender focused on providing asset-based commercial finance loans and related senior secured loans to U.S.-based middle market borrowers. Wingspire offers a wide variety of asset-based financing solutions to businesses in an array of industries, including revolving credit facilities, machinery and equipment term loans, real estate term loans, first-in/last-out tranches, cash flow term loans, and opportunistic / bridge financings.
•Amergin consists of AAM Series 1.1 Rail and Domestic Intermodal Feeder, LLC and AAM Series 2.1 Aviation Feeder, LLC (collectively, “Amergin AssetCo”) and Amergin Asset Management LLC, which has entered into a Servicing Agreement with Amergin AssetCo. Amergin was created to invest in a leasing platform focused on railcar, aviation and other long-lived transportation assets. Amergin acquires existing on-lease portfolios of new and end-of-life railcars and related equipment and selectively purchases off-lease assets and is building a commercial aircraft portfolio through aircraft financing and engine acquisition on a sale and lease back basis.
•Fifth Season Investments LLC is a portfolio company created to invest in life insurance based assets, including secondary and tertiary life settlement and other life insurance exposures using detailed analytics, internal life expectancy review and sophisticated portfolio management techniques.
•LSI Financing 1 DAC (“LSI Financing”) is a portfolio company formed to acquire contractual rights to revenue pursuant to earnout agreements in the life sciences space.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are an externally-managed, closed-end management investment company that filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus. Our investment activities are managed by our Adviser and supervised by our Board, a majority of whom are not “interested persons” of the Company or of our Adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and are “independent,” as determined by our Board. As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
We have entered into both the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Investment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of how the fees payable to the Adviser will be determined. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we will reimburse the Adviser for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Administration Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of services for which we reimburse to the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees. Our executive officers, certain of our directors and certain other finance professionals of Blue Owl also serve as executives of the Blue Owl Credit Advisers and officers and directors of the Company and certain professionals of Blue Owl and the Adviser are officers of Blue Owl Securities LLC. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of the Adviser and members of its Diversified Lending Investment Committee serve or may serve
as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or a related, line of business as we do (including the Blue Owl Credit Advisers) including serving on their respective investment committees and/or on the investment committees of investments funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates which may have investment objective similar to our investment objective. At times we may compete with the Blue Owl Credit Clients, for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by the Blue Owl Credit Clients. This can create a potential conflict when allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Blue Owl Credit Clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of the Blue Owl Credit Advisers may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. However, in order for the Adviser and its affiliates to fulfill their fiduciary duties to each of their clients, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers intend to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with its allocation policy, so that no client of the Adviser or its affiliates is disadvantaged in relation to any other client of the Adviser or its affiliates, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments, cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, the clients for which participation is appropriate, targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate. The Blue Owl Credit Advisers intend to allocate common expenses among us and other clients of the Adviser and its affiliates in a manner that is fair and equitable over time or in such other manner as may be required by applicable law or the Investment Advisory Agreement. Fees and expenses generated in connection with potential portfolio investments that are not consummated will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and in accordance with policies adopted by the Blue Owl Credit Advisers and the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act. When we engage in co-investments as permitted by the exemptive relief described below, we will do so in a manner consistent with the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy. In situations where co-investment with other entities managed by the Adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, a committee comprised of certain executive officers of the Blue Owl Credit Advisers (including executive officers of the Adviser) along with other officers and employees, will need to decide whether we or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The allocation committee will make these determinations based on the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy, which generally requires that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts in a manner that will be fair and equitable over time.
The Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy is designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to us and its or its affiliates’ similar fiduciary obligations to other Blue Owl Clients, however, there can be no assurance that the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in our favor.
The allocation of investment opportunities among us and any of the other investment funds sponsored or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates may not always, and often will not, be proportional. In general, pursuant to the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy, the process for making an allocation determination includes an assessment as to whether a particular investment opportunity (including any follow-on investment in, or disposition from, an existing portfolio company held by the Company or another investment fund or account) is suitable for us or another investment fund or account including the Blue Owl Credit Clients. In making this assessment, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers may consider a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies applicable to the investment fund or account; the nature of the investment, including its risk-return profile and expected holding period; portfolio diversification and concentration
concerns; the liquidity needs of the investment fund or account; the ability of the investment fund or account to accommodate structural, timing and other aspects of the investment process; the life cycle of the investment fund or account; legal, tax and regulatory requirements and restrictions, including, as applicable, compliance with the 1940 Act (including requirements and restrictions pertaining to co-investment opportunities discussed below); compliance with existing agreements of the investment fund or account; the available capital of the investment fund or account; diversification requirements for BDCs or RICs; the gross asset value and net asset value of the investment fund or account; the current and targeted leverage levels for the investment fund or account; and portfolio construction considerations. The relevance of each of these criteria will vary from investment opportunity to investment opportunity. In circumstances where the investment objectives of multiple investment funds or accounts regularly overlap, while the specific facts and circumstances of each allocation decision will be determinative, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers may afford prior decisions precedential value.
Pursuant to the Blue Owl Credit Advisers’ allocation policy, if through the foregoing analysis, it is determined that an investment opportunity is appropriate for multiple investment funds or accounts, the Blue Owl Credit Advisers generally will determine the appropriate size of the opportunity for each such investment fund or account. If an investment opportunity falls within the mandate of two or more investment funds or accounts, and there are no restrictions on such funds or accounts investing with each other, then each investment fund or account will receive the amount of the investment that it is seeking, as determined based on the criteria set forth above.
Certain allocations may be more advantageous to us relative to one or all of the other investment funds, or vice versa. While the Blue Owl Credit Advisers will seek to allocate investment opportunities in a way that it believes in good faith is fair and equitable over time, there can be no assurance that our actual allocation of an investment opportunity, if any, or terms on which the allocation is made, will be as favorable as they would be if the conflicts of interest to which the Adviser may be subject did not exist.
Exemptive Relief
We, the Adviser and certain of our affiliates have been granted an order for exemptive relief (the “Order”) 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 the Order, 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 our Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the parties to the transaction), except to the extent permitted by the Order and applicable law, including the limitations set forth in Section 57(k) of the 1940 Act. In addition, we have received an amendment to the Order to permit us to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain affiliates that are private funds, if such private funds did not have an investment in such existing portfolio company. See Part III, Item 13 ”CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE - Exemptive Relief” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. 2024 Stock Repurchase Program
On May 6, 2024, our Board approved a repurchase program (the “2024 Repurchase Program”) under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock. See “Recent Developments.”
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 399 Park Avenue, 37th floor, New York, NY 10022 and our telephone number is (212) 419-3000. Our corporate website is located at www.blueowlcapitalcorporation.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.
Recent Developments
Debt
On April 11, 2024 we completed a $260.0 million term debt securitization refinancing in CLO III. As part of the refinancing we issued the following classes of notes:(i) $228.0 million of AAA(sf) Class A-R Notes, which bear interest at the Benchmark plus 1.85% and (ii) $32.0 million of AA(sf) Class B-R Notes, which bear interest at the Benchmark plus 2.35%. We also issued approximately $135.3 million of subordinated securities, in the form of 135,310 preferred shares at an issue price of U.S.$1,000 per share held by us. Following the refinancing, the reinvestment period was extended to April 20, 2028 and the maturity date was extended to April 20, 2036.
Dividend
On May 7, 2024, our Board declared a second quarter dividend of $0.37 per share for stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024, payable on or before July 15, 2024 and a first quarter supplemental of $0.05 per share for stockholders of record as of May 31, 2024, payable on or before June 14, 2024.
2024 Stock Repurchase Program
On May 6, 2024, our Board approved the 2024 Repurchase Program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the 2024 Repurchase Program, purchases may be made at management’s discretion from time to time in open-market transactions, including pursuant to trading plans with investment banks pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Act, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations. Unless extended by the Board, the 2024 Stock Repurchase Program will terminate 18-monthss from the date it was approved.
Joint Venture
On May 6, 2024, we entered into an agreement with each of the Blue Owl BDCs and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (“OSTRS”) to co-manage Blue Owl Credit SLF LLC (“Credit SLF”), a joint venture that is expected to invest primarily in senior secured loans to middle market companies, broadly syndicated loans and in senior and subordinated notes issued by collateralized loan obligations. Each of the Blue Owl BDCs has agreed to initial commitments to Credit SLF totaling $50.0 million in the aggregate, of which we have agreed to contribute $24.5 million, representing an approximately 43% economic ownership. OSTRS will initially commit $7.1 million, representing a 12.5% economic ownership. Credit SLF is managed by a board consisting of an equal number of representatives appointed by each member and which acts unanimously. Investment decisions must be approved by Credit SLF’s board.
Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk and may be considered speculative. You should carefully consider the information found under the captions Part I, Item 1A “RISK FACTORS” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent filings we have made with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus before deciding to invest in our securities. The following is a summary of the principal risks that you should carefully consider before investing in our securities: We are subject to risks related to the economy.
•Global economic, political and market conditions, including uncertainty about the financial stability of the United States, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses.
•Inflation may adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
We are subject to risks related to our business and operations.
•The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
•We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.
•Defaults under our current borrowings or any future borrowing facility or notes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
•If we are unable to obtain additional debt financing, or if our borrowing capacity is materially reduced, our business could be materially adversely affected.
•Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Adviser’s ability to manage and support our investment process. If our Adviser were to lose a significant number of its key professionals, or terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.
•Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon Blue Owl’s relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, the inability of Blue Owl to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
•We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.
•Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by our Board and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
•Our Board may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our shareholders.
•Internal and external cybersecurity threats and risks, as well as other disasters, may adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies by impairing the ability to conduct business effectively.
We are subject to risks related to our Adviser and its affiliates.
•Our Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking or speculative investments, or cause our Adviser to use substantial leverage.
•The time and resources that individuals associated with our Adviser devote to us may be diverted, and we may face additional competition due to, among other things, the fact that neither our Adviser nor its affiliates is prohibited from raising money for or managing another entity that makes the same types of investments that we target.
•Our Adviser and its affiliates, may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for issuers in which we may invest.
•Our Adviser or its affiliates may have incentives to favor their respective other accounts and clients and/or Blue Owl over us, which may result in conflicts of interest that could be harmful to us.
•We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive fees even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio and even if our earned interest income is not payable in cash.
•Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
•Our Adviser’s inability to attract, retain and develop human capital in a highly competitive talent market could have an adverse effect on our Adviser, and thus us.
We are subject to risks related to business development companies.
•The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.
•Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage.
We are subject to risks related to our investments.
•Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments.
•We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and our investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, or risks that we otherwise would not incur, if we otherwise made such investments directly.
•Defaults by our portfolio companies could jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold which could harm our operating results.
•Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we may make to portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.
•We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interest in our portfolio companies.
•We are, and will continue to be, exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
•International investments create additional risks.
•Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.
We are subject to risks related to an investment in our common stock.
•The market value of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
•The amount of any distributions we may make on our common stock is uncertain. We may not be able to pay distributions to shareholders, or be able to sustain distributions at any particular level, and our distributions per share, if any, may not grow over time, and our distributions per share may be reduced. We have not established any limits on the extent to which we may use borrowings, if any, and we may use sources other than from cash flows from operations to fund distributions (which may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in portfolio companies).
We are subject to risks related to an investment in our unsecured notes.
•Our unsecured notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.
•Our unsecured notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
•A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our unsecured Notes, if any, or change in the debt markets, could cause the liquidity or market value of our unsecured Notes to decline significantly.
We are subject to risks related to U.S. federal income tax.
•We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at corporate rates if we are unable to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.
•We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
We are subject to general risks
•Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
•Heightened scrutiny of the financial services industry by regulators may materially and adversely affect our business.
•We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.
THE OFFERING SUMMARY
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We will offer our securities at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, generally will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of such an offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing shareholders, (b) with the prior approval of the majority of our outstanding voting securities or (c) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit. Any such issuance of shares of our common stock below net asset value may be dilutive to the net asset value of our common stock. See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus” below and Part I, Item 1A “RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as in any of our subsequent SEC filings for more information. We may offer our securities directly to one or more purchasers, including existing shareholders in a rights offering by us, through agents that we designate from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers.
The prospectus supplement relating to each offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and the agents or underwriters or among the underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We may not sell any of the securities pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of our securities.
Set forth below is additional information regarding offerings of our securities:
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Use of Proceeds | Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, investing in accordance with our investment objective and repaying indebtedness (which will be subject to reborrowing). Each supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus. |
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Symbol on the New York Stock Exchange | “OBDC” |
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Distributions | We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to shareholders after the end of the calendar year. Future quarterly dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board. See “Distributions” in this prospectus. To maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must make certain distributions. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company” in this prospectus. |
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Taxation | We have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we intend to operate in a manner so as to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. Our tax treatment as a RIC will enable us to deduct from our taxable income qualifying distributions to our shareholders, so that we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax only in respect of earnings that we retain and do not distribute. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must, among other things: •maintain our election under the 1940 Act to be treated as a BDC; • derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities and other specified categories of investment income; and • maintain diversified holdings. In addition, to receive tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least the sum of (i) 90% of our investment company taxable income and (ii) 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we timely distribute to shareholders as dividends. If we fail to distribute our investment company taxable income or net capital gains on a timely basis, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed at corporate rates and possibly a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax. We may choose to carry forward investment company taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay U.S. federal income tax imposed at corporate rates and possibly a 4% excise tax on such income. Any carryover of investment company taxable income or net capital gains must be timely declared and distributed as a dividend in the taxable year following the taxable year in which the income or gains were earned. See “Distributions” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus. |
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Leverage | As a BDC, we are permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds or issue “senior securities” to finance a portion of our investments. As a result, we are exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. Leverage increases the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and, as a result, increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. On June 8, 2020, our shareholders, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the Small Business Credit Availability Act. As a result, effective June 9, 2020, our asset coverage ratio applicable to senior securities was reduced from 200% to 150%. See Part II, Item 7 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Leverage” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Leverage” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The costs associated with our borrowings, including any increase in the management fee payable to the Adviser, are borne by our shareholders. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of March 31, 2024, our asset coverage was 185%. |
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Dividend reinvestment plan | We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our shareholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each shareholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash distributions. There will be no up-front selling commissions or dealer manager fees to shareholders who elect to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan. We will pay the plan administrator fees under the plan. Shareholders who receive dividends and other distributions in the form of shares of common stock generally are subject to the same U.S. federal tax consequences as shareholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash; however, since their cash dividends will be reinvested, those shareholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested dividends. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in this prospectus. |
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Investment Advisory Fees | We pay the Adviser a 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. The Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of (x) 1.50% of the average of the Company’s 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 average of the Company’s 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. |
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| 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. 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, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fee for prior periods. In no event will the capital gains incentive fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof. In addition, the Adviser agreed at all times prior to the fifteen-month anniversary of the Listing Date, 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 our income and the Capital Gains Incentive Fee). See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Compensation of the Adviser” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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Administration Agreement | We reimburse the Adviser under the Administration Agreement, for certain administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. The Company will reimburse the Adviser for services performed for it 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 the Company will reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for it by such affiliate or third party. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Administration Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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License Agreement | We have also entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with an affiliate of Blue Owl, pursuant to which we were granted a non-exclusive license to use the name “Blue Owl.” Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the Blue Owl name for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “Blue Owl” name or logo. See “Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - License Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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Trading at a Discount | Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below our net asset value per share unless we have shareholder approval. The risk that our shares may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below net asset value. See Part I, Item IA “RISK FACTORS” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. |
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Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar | State Street serves as our custodian and will serve as our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar. See “Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar” in this prospectus. |
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Available Information | We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act. This registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus. We are also required to file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.blueowlcapitalcorporation.com and make all of our periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information available, free of charge, on or through our website. Information on our website is not incorporated into or part of this prospectus. You may also obtain such information free of charge by contacting us in writing at 399 Park Avenue, 37th floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Investor Relations, or by calling Blue Owl Capital Corporation at (212) 419-3000. |
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Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference | This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus from the date we file any such document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus and before the date that any offering of any securities by means of this prospectus and any supplement thereto is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus. |
FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “the Company” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear these fees or expenses as an investor in the Company.
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Shareholder transaction expenses: | | |
Sales load | — | % | (1) |
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price) | — | % | (2) |
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses | — | % | (3) |
Total shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price) | — | % | |
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock): | | |
Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement | 3.0 | % | (4) |
Incentive Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement | 2.3 | % | (5) |
Interest payments on borrowed funds | 6.6 | % | (6) |
Other expenses | 0.4 | % | (7) |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.8 | % | (9) |
Total annual expenses | 13.1 | % | (8)(10) |
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(1)In the event that the securities are sold to or through underwriters, a related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load (underwriting discount or commission).
(2)A related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the estimated amount of offering expenses borne by