EX-99.2 10 d791359dex992.htm EXHIBIT 99.2 Exhibit 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

This preliminary prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but the information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not permitted.

 

[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE COMMON STOCK OFFERINGS] (1)

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED                      , 20    

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated                      , 20    )

             Shares

Saratoga Investment Corp.

Common Stock

 

 

We are an externally managed non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the “1940 Act.” Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation from our investments.

We are offering for sale              shares of our common stock. We have granted the underwriter a [    ]-day option to purchase additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SAR.” On                , 20    , the last reported sales price on the NYSE for our common stock was $         per share. Our net asset value per share of our common stock as of was $        .

Substantially all of the debt investments held in our portfolio hold a non-investment grade rating by one or more rating agencies (which non-investment grade debt is commonly referred to as “high yield” and “junk” debt) or, if not rated, would be rated below investment grade or “junk” if rated. A majority of our debt portfolio consists of debt securities for which issuers were not required to make principal payments until the maturity of such debt securities, which could result in a substantial loss to us if such issuers are unable to refinance or repay their debt at maturity. In addition, a majority of our debt investments had variable interest rates that reset periodically based on benchmarks such as LIBOR and the prime rate. As a result, significant increases in such benchmarks in the future may make it more difficult for these borrowers to service their obligations under the debt investments that we hold.

Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before investing in our common stock and keep each for future reference. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our common stock. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, by telephone at (212) 906-7800, or on our website at http://www.saratogainvestmentcorp.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by referenced into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains information about us.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative. For more information regarding the risks you should consider, including the risk of leverage, please see “Supplementary Risk Factors” on page [ ] of this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” on page 21 of the accompanying prospectus. For example, our investment in the subordinated notes of one collateralized loan obligation fund, Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd., represents a first loss position in a portfolio that is composed predominantly of senior secured first lien term loans. A first loss position means that we will suffer the first economic losses if losses are incurred on loans held by the collateralized loan obligation fund or losses are otherwise incurred by the collateralized loan obligation fund, including its incurrence of operating expenses in excess of its operating income.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.

 

     Per Share      Total  

Public Offering Price

   $                    $                

Sales Load (Underwriting Discounts and Commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds to the Company (before expenses)

   $         $     

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about                     , 20    .

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated                    , 20    .

 

(1) In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement actually used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached will be updated to include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide a rough approximation of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement used for the purposes of offering securities pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached, and is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear is any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

    

Page

About this Prospectus Supplement

   S-1

Summary

   S-2

The Offering

   S-11

Fees and Expenses

   S-15

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   S-17

Capitalization

   S-18

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

   S-19

Use of Proceeds

   S-20

Underwriting

   S-21

Legal Matters

   S-24

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   S-25

Available Information

   S-26

Index to Financial Statements

   S-27

PROSPECTUS

 

    

Page

Prospectus Summary

   1

The Offering

   12

Fees and Expenses

   16

Selected Financial and Other Data

   19

Risk Factors

   21

Use of Proceeds

   42

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   42

Notice About Forward-Looking Statements

   43

Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions

   44

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

   48

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

   50

Senior Securities

   76

Business

   77

Our Portfolio Companies

   89

Management Agreements

   94

Management

   101

Portfolio Management

   109

Certain Relationships and Transactions

   110

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

   110

Regulation

   112

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

   118

Determination of Net Asset Value

   123

Sales of Common Stock Below NAV

   126

Description of Our Securities

  

Description of Our Capital Stock

   131

Description of Our Subscription Rights

   137

Description of Our Debt Securities

   139

Description of Our Warrants

   153

Plan of Distribution

   155

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

   157

Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar

   157

Legal Matters

   157

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   157

Available Information

   157

Privacy Notice

   158

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-1


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock 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 or is additional to the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings “Available Information” and “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, respectively, before investing in our common stock.

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the dates on their respective covers. Our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to reflect any material changes subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prior to the completion of any offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-1


SUMMARY

The following summary contains basic information about the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents to which we have referred in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Together, these documents describe the specific terms of the shares we are offering. You should carefully read the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus.

Except where the context requires otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Saratoga” refer to Saratoga Investment Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries; Saratoga Investment Funding LLC and Saratoga Investment Corp. SBIC LP, and does not refer to Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1 Ltd. In addition, the terms “Saratoga Investment Advisors” and “investment adviser” refer to Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, our external investment adviser. Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

Overview

We are a specialty finance company that invests primarily in leveraged loans and mezzanine debt issued by private U.S. middle-market companies, which we define as companies having annual EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of between $5 million and $50 million, both through direct lending and through participation in loan syndicates. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation from our investments. We are externally managed and advised by Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, a New York-based investment firm affiliated with Saratoga Partners, a middle market private equity investment firm.

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in leveraged loans (both first and second lien term loans) issued by middle market companies. Term loans are loans that do not allow the borrowers to repay all or a portion of the loans prior to maturity and then re-borrow such repaid amounts under the loan again. Leveraged loans are generally senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of the portfolio company. Leveraged loans also have the benefit of security interests on the assets of the portfolio company, which may rank ahead of, or be junior to, other security interests. We also purchase mezzanine debt and make equity investments in middle market companies. Mezzanine debt is typically unsecured and subordinated to senior debt of the portfolio company.

While our primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation from our debt and equity investments in middle market companies, we may invest up to 30% of the portfolio in opportunistic investments in order to seek to enhance returns to stockholders. Such investments may include investments in distressed debt, including securities of companies in bankruptcy, foreign debt, private equity, securities of public companies that are not thinly traded and structured finance vehicles such as collateralized loan obligation funds.

As of                     , we had total assets of                     and investments in                     portfolio companies and an additional investment in the subordinated notes of one collateralized loan obligation fund, Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. (“Saratoga CLO”), which investment had a fair value of                     as of                     . The overall portfolio composition as of                     consisted of     % of middle market loans,     % of first lien term loans,     % of second lien term loans,     % of senior secured notes,     % of unsecured notes,     % of subordinated notes of Saratoga CLO and     % of common equity. As of                     , the weighted average yield on all of our debt investments, including our investment in the subordinated notes of Saratoga CLO, was approximately     %. As of                     , approximately     % of our first lien debt investments were fully collateralized in the sense that the portfolio companies in which we held such investments had an enterprise value or our investment had an asset coverage equal to or greater than the principal amount of the related debt investment. Our investment in the subordinated notes of Saratoga CLO represents a first loss position in a portfolio that, at

 

 

S-2


                    , was composed of $             in aggregate principal amount of predominantly senior secured first lien term loans. A first loss position means that we will suffer the first economic losses if losses are incurred on loans held by the Saratoga CLO. As a result, this investment is subject to unique risks. See “Risk Factors—Our investment in Saratoga CLO constitutes a leveraged investment in a portfolio of predominantly senior secured first lien term loans and is subject to additional risks and volatility.”

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with various regulatory requirements, including limitations on our use of debt. We finance our investments through borrowings. However, as a BDC, we are only generally allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing.

We have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders if we meet certain source-of-income, distribution and asset diversification requirements.

In addition, we have a wholly-owned subsidiary that is licensed as a small business investment company (“SBIC”) and regulated by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). See “Regulation—Small Business Investment Company Regulations.” The SBIC license allows us, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures. We received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission to permit us to exclude the debt of our SBIC subsidiary guaranteed by the SBA from the definition of senior securities in the 200% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. This allows us increased flexibility under the 200% asset coverage test by permitting us to borrow up to $150 million more than we would otherwise be able to absent the receipt of this exemptive relief.

The Investment Adviser

Our investment adviser was formed in 2010 as a Delaware limited liability company and became our investment adviser in July 2010. Our investment adviser is led by four principals, Christian L. Oberbeck, Michael J. Grisius, Thomas V. Inglesby, and Charles G. Phillips, with             ,             ,             and     years of experience in leveraged finance, respectively. Our investment adviser is affiliated with Saratoga Partners, a middle market private equity investment firm. Saratoga Partners was established in 1984 to be the middle market private investment arm of Dillon Read & Co. Inc. and has been independent of Dillon Read since 1998. Saratoga Partners has a                     -year history of private investments in middle market companies and focuses on public and private equity, preferred stock, and senior and mezzanine debt investments.

We utilize the personnel, infrastructure, relationships and experience of Saratoga Investment Advisors to enhance the growth of our business. We currently have no employees and each of our executive officers is also an officer of Saratoga Investment Advisors.

We have entered into an investment advisory and management agreement with Saratoga Investment Advisors. Pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement, Saratoga Investment Advisors implements our business strategy on a day-to-day basis and performs certain services for us under the direction of our board of directors. Saratoga Investment Advisors is responsible for, among other duties, performing all of our day-to-day investment-related functions, determining investment criteria, sourcing, analyzing and executing investments, asset sales, financings and performing asset management duties.

Saratoga Investment Advisors has formed an investment committee to advise and consult with its senior management team with respect to our investment policies, investment portfolio holdings, financing and leveraging strategies and investment guidelines. We believe that the collective experience of the investment committee members across a variety of fixed income asset classes will benefit us. The investment committee must unanimously approve all investments in excess of $1 million made by us. In addition, all sales of our investments must be approved by three out of four investment committee members. The current members of the investment committee are Messrs. Oberbeck, Grisius, Inglesby, and Phillips.

 

 

S-3


Investments

Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in leveraged loans issued by middle market companies. Investments in middle market companies are generally less liquid than equivalent investments in companies with larger capitalizations. These investments are sourced in both the primary and secondary markets through a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and financial sponsors. The leveraged loans that we purchase are generally used to finance buyouts, acquisitions, growth, recapitalizations and other types of transactions. Leveraged loans are generally senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of the portfolio company. Leveraged loans also have the benefit of security interests on the assets of the portfolio company, which may rank ahead of, or be junior to, other security interests. For a discussion risks pertaining to our secured investments, see “Risk Factors—Our investments may be risky, and you could lose all or part of our investment.”

As part of our long-term strategy, we also purchase mezzanine debt and make equity investments in middle market companies. Mezzanine debt is typically unsecured and subordinated to senior debt of the portfolio company. See “Risk Factors—If we make unsecured debt investments, we may lack adequate protection in the event our portfolio companies become distressed or insolvent and will likely experience a lower recovery than more senior debtholders in the event our portfolio companies defaults on their indebtedness.”

Substantially all of the debt investments held in our portfolio hold a non-investment grade rating by one or more rating agencies (which non-investment grade debt is commonly referred to as “high yield” and “junk” debt) or, if not rated, would be rated below investment grade or “junk” if rated. As of                     ,     % of our debt portfolio at fair value consisted of debt securities for which issuers were not required to make principal payments until the maturity of such debt securities, which could result in a substantial loss to us if such issuers are unable to refinance or repay their debt at maturity. In addition,     % of our debt investments at                     had variable interest rates that reset periodically based on benchmarks such as LIBOR and the prime rate. As a result, significant increases in such benchmarks in the future may make it more difficult for these borrowers to service their obligations under the debt investments that we hold.

While our primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation from our debt and equity investments in middle market companies, we may invest up to 30% of the portfolio in opportunistic investments in order to seek to enhance returns to stockholders. Such investments may include investments in distressed debt, private equity, securities of public companies that are not thinly traded and structured finance vehicles such as collateralized loan obligation funds.

Prospective portfolio company characteristics

Our investment adviser generally selects portfolio companies with one or more of the following characteristics:

 

    a history of generating stable earnings and strong free cash flow;

 

    well-constructed balance sheets, including an established tangible liquidation value;

 

    reasonable debt-to-cash flow multiples;

 

    industry leadership with competitive advantages and sustainable market shares in attractive sectors; and

 

    capital structures that provide appropriate terms and reasonable covenants.

 

 

S-4


Investment selection

In managing us, Saratoga Investment Advisors employs the same investment philosophy and portfolio management methodologies used by Saratoga Partners. Through this investment selection process, based on quantitative and qualitative analysis, Saratoga Investment Advisors seeks to identify portfolio companies with superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong, defensible business franchises with the goal of minimizing principal losses while maximizing risk-adjusted returns. Saratoga Investment Advisors’ investment process emphasizes the following:

 

    bottoms-up, company-specific research and analysis;

 

    capital preservation, low volatility and minimization of downside risk; and

 

    investing with experienced management teams that hold meaningful equity ownership in their businesses.

Our investment adviser’s investment process generally includes the following steps:

 

    Initial screening. A brief analysis identifies the investment opportunity and reviews the merits of the transaction. The initial screening memorandum provides a brief description of the company, its industry, competitive position, capital structure, financials, equity sponsor and deal economics. If the deal is determined to be attractive by the senior members of the deal team, the opportunity is fully analyzed

 

    Comprehensive analysis. A comprehensive analysis includes:

 

    Business and Industry analysis—a review of the company’s business position, competitive dynamics within its industry, cost and growth drivers and technological and geographic factors. Business and industry research often includes meetings with industry experts, consultants, other investors, customers and competitors.

 

    Company analysis—a review of the company’s historical financial performance, future projections, cash flow characteristics, balance sheet strength, liquidation value, legal, financial and accounting risks, contingent liabilities, market share analysis and growth prospects.

 

    Structural/security analysis—a thorough legal document analysis including but not limited to an assessment of financial and negative covenants, events of default, enforceability of liens and voting rights.

 

    Approval of the investment committee. The investment is then presented to the investment committee for approval. The investment committee must unanimously approve all investments in excess of $1 million made by us. In addition, all sales of our investments must be approved by four out of five investment committee members.

Investment structure

In general, our investment adviser intends to select investments with financial covenants and terms that reduce leverage over time, thereby enhancing credit quality. These methods include:

 

    maintenance leverage covenants requiring a decreasing ratio of debt to cash flow;

 

    maintenance cash flow covenants requiring an increasing ratio of cash flow to the sum of interest expense and capital expenditures; and

 

    debt incurrence prohibitions, limiting a company’s ability to re-lever.

 

 

S-5


In addition, limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures should prevent a company from changing the nature of its business or capitalization without our consent.

Our investment adviser seeks, where appropriate, 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;

 

    requiring companies to use a portion of their excess cash flow to repay debt;

 

    selecting investments with covenants that incorporate call protection as part of the investment structure; and

 

    selecting investments with affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or participation rights.

Valuation process

We carry our investments at fair value, as approved in good faith using written policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are recorded in our financial statements at such market quotations subject to any decision by our board of directors to approve a fair value determination to reflect significant events affecting the value of these investments. We value investments for which market quotations are not readily available at fair value as approved in good faith by our board of directors based on input from Saratoga Investment Advisors, our audit committee and, on a selected basis, a third party independent valuation firm. Determinations of fair value may involve subjective judgments and estimates. The types of factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, market yield trend analysis, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors.

Our investment in the subordinated notes of Saratoga CLO is carried at fair value, which is based on a discounted cash flow model that utilizes prepayment, re-investment and loss assumptions based on historical experience and projected performance, economic factors, the characteristics of the underlying cash flow, and comparable yields for similar collateralized loan obligation fund subordinated notes or equity, when available. Specifically, we use Intex cash flow models, or an appropriate substitute, to form the basis for Saratoga CLO’s valuation. The models use a set of assumptions including projected default rates, recovery rates, reinvestment rate and prepayment rates in order to arrive at estimated cash flows. The assumptions are based on available market data and projections provided by third parties as well as management estimates. We use the output from the Intex models (i.e., the estimated cash flows from our investment in Saratoga CLO) to perform a discounted cash flows analysis on expected future cash flows from our investment in Saratoga CLO to determine a valuation for the subordinated notes of Saratoga CLO held by us.

We undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter when valuing investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as described below:

 

    each investment is initially valued by the responsible investment professionals of Saratoga Investment Advisors and preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with our senior management; and

 

    an independent valuation firm engaged by our board of directors independently values at least one quarter of our investments each quarter so that the valuation of each investment for which market quotes are not readily available is independently valued by an independent valuation firm at least annually.

 

 

S-6


In addition, all our investments are subject to the following valuation process:

 

    the audit committee of our board of directors reviews each preliminary valuation and our investment adviser and independent valuation firm (if applicable) will supplement the preliminary valuation to reflect any comments provided by the audit committee; and

 

    our board of directors discusses the valuations and approves the fair value of each investment in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, independent valuation firm (if applicable) and audit committee.

Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

Ongoing relationships with and monitoring of portfolio companies

Saratoga Investment Advisors closely monitors each investment we make and, when appropriate, conducts a regular dialogue with both the management team and other debtholders and seeks specifically tailored financial reporting. In addition, in certain circumstances, senior investment professionals of Saratoga Investment Advisors may take board seats or board observation seats.

Recent Developments

Our Corporate Information

Our headquarters are located at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022 and our telephone number is (212) 906-7800.

Summary Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our common stock, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investing in our common stock involves other risks, including those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contains a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. Some of these risks include:

 

    The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.

 

    Saratoga Investment Advisors has a limited history of managing a BDC or a RIC.

 

    We may be obligated to pay Saratoga Investment Advisors incentive fees even if we incur a net loss or there is a decline in the value of our portfolio.

 

    Under the terms of the investment advisory and management agreement, we may have to pay incentive fees to Saratoga Investment Advisors in connection with the sale of an investment that is sold at a price higher than the fair value of such investment on May 31, 2010, even if we incur a loss on the sale of such investment.

 

 

S-7


    The way in which the base management and incentive fees under the investment advisory and management agreement is determined may encourage Saratoga Investment Advisors to take actions that may not be in the best interests of the holders of the Notes.

 

    The base management fee we pay to Saratoga Investment Advisors may cause it to increase our leverage contrary to our interest.

 

    We employ leverage, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in the Notes.

 

    Saratoga Investment Advisors’ liability is limited under the investment advisory and management agreement and we will indemnify Saratoga Investments Advisors against certain liabilities, which may lead it to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

 

    Substantially all of our assets are subject to security interests under the Credit Facility, or claims of the SBA with respect to SBA-guaranteed debentures we may issue and if we default on our obligations thereunder, we may suffer adverse consequences, including Madison Capital Funding and/or the SBA foreclosing on our assets.

 

    We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including potential effects on our cost of capital and net investment income.

 

    There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could adversely impact our investment returns.

 

    Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations, or changes in the interpretation thereof, and any failure by us to comply with laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.

 

    Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

 

    Pending legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.

 

    The agreement governing the Credit Facility contains various covenants that, among other things, limits our discretion in operating our business and provides for certain minimum financial covenants.

 

    A failure on our part to maintain our qualification as a BDC would significantly reduce our operating flexibility.

 

    We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we fail to continue to qualify as a RIC.

 

    Because we intend to distribute between 90% and 100% of our income to our stockholders in connection with our election to be treated as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired.

 

    We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash in respect of such income.

 

    Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

 

 

S-8


    We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

 

    Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

    We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.

 

    Our financial condition and results of operation depend on our ability to manage future investments effectively.

 

    We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

    Substantially all of our portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as approved in good faith by our board of directors; such valuations are inherently uncertain and may be materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

 

    If we make unsecured debt investments, we may lack adequate protection in the event our portfolio companies become distressed or insolvent and will likely experience a lower recovery than more senior debtholders in the event our portfolio companies defaults on their indebtedness.

 

    If we invest in the securities and other obligations of distressed or bankrupt companies, such investments may be subject to significant risks, including lack of income, extraordinary expenses, uncertainty with respect to satisfaction of debt, lower-than expected investment values or income potentials and resale restrictions.

 

    Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our 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.

 

    The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

 

    The debt securities in which we invest are subject to credit risk and prepayment risk.

 

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

 

    Our investment in Saratoga CLO constitutes a leveraged investment in a portfolio of predominantly senior secured first lien term loans and is subject to additional risks and volatility.

 

    Available information about privately held companies is limited.

 

    When we are a debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we may not be in a position to control the entity, and its management may make decisions that could decrease the value of our investment.

 

    Our portfolio companies may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

 

    There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

 

    Investments in equity securities involve a substantial degree of risk.

 

    Our investments in foreign debt, including that of emerging market issuers, may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

 

 

S-9


    We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

 

    Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

 

    We have no prior experience managing an SBIC and any failure to comply with SBA regulations, resulting from our lack of experience or otherwise, could have an adverse effect on our operations.

 

    Our investments may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

    Our independent auditors have not assessed our internal control over financial reporting. If our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, it could have a material adverse effect on our stock price and our ability to raise capital.

 

    Investing in our common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.

 

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

 

    The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

 

    There is a risk that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time.

 

    Provisions of our governing documents and the Maryland General Corporation Law could deter future takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

 

    Our common stock may trade at a discount to our net asset value per share.

 

    Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock.

 

    We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds from this offering, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.

[Insert other Risk Factors specific to common stock]

 

 

S-10


THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us

   shares (excluding shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option)

Common stock outstanding prior to this offering

   shares

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

   shares (excluding shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option)

Use of proceeds

   If we sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $             million, we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting sales agent commissions and estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately $             million. We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock to make investments in middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement, and for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to reduce any of our outstanding borrowings. Pending such use, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in high quality, short-term debt securities consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Distributions

   Our distributions, if any, will be determined by our board of directors and paid out of assets legally available for distribution. Any such distributions generally will be taxable to our stockholders, including to those stockholders who receive additional shares of our common stock pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan. Prior to January 2009, we paid quarterly dividends to our stockholders. However, in January 2009, we suspended the practice of paying quarterly dividends to our stockholders and only paid five dividend distributions (December 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009) to our stockholders through December 2013, which distributions were made with a combination of cash and the issuance of shares of our common stock. On September 24, 2014, our board of directors adopted a new dividend policy pursuant to which we will begin to again pay a regular quarterly cash dividend to our shareholders. In this regard, our board of directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.18 per share for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2014, and a dividend in the amount of $0.22 per share for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2014. The dividend for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2014 will be payable on November 28, 2014 to all stockholders of record at the close of business on November 3, 2014, and the dividend for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2014 will be payable on February 27, 2015 to all stockholders of record at the close of business on February 2, 2015.

Taxation

   We elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, we generally will not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or realized net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of- income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such taxable income. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

 

S-11


New York Stock Exchange symbol

   “SAR”

Dividend reinvestment plan

   We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends.

Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

   Saratoga Investment Advisors serves as our investment adviser. Our investment adviser was formed in 2010 as a Delaware limited liability company and became our investment advisor in July 2010. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, Saratoga Investment Advisors manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory and management services to us. Under the terms of an investment advisory and management agreement, Saratoga Investment Advisors:
  

•    determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

  

•    identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies);

  

•    closes and monitors the investments we make; and

  

•    determines the securities and other assets that we purchase, retain or sell.

  

Pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement with Saratoga Investment Advisors, we pay Saratoga Investment Advisors a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee.

  

The base management fee is paid quarterly in arrears, and equals 1.75% per annum of our gross assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) and calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter based on the average value of our gross assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the end of the immediate prior fiscal quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro-rated.

 

 

S-12


  

The incentive fee has the following two parts:

  

The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence, managerial and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the fiscal quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the administration agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock or debt security, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as market discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest, preferred stock with payment-in-kind dividends and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets (defined as total assets less liabilities) at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.875% per quarter (7.5% annualized), subject to a “catch up” provision. The base management fee is calculated prior to giving effect to the payment of any incentive fees.

  

We pay Saratoga Investment Advisors an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each fiscal quarter as follows: (A) no incentive fee in any fiscal quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (B) 100.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.344% in any fiscal quarter (9.376% annualized) is payable to Saratoga Investment Advisors; and (C) 20.0% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.344% in any fiscal quarter (9.376% annualized). We refer to the amount specified in clause (B) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide Saratoga Investment Advisors with an incentive fee of 20.0% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a

 

 

S-13


  

hurdle rate did not apply when our pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.344% in any fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any period ending on or prior to December 31, 2010, Saratoga Investment Advisors was only entitled to 20.0% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeded 1.875% in any fiscal quarter (7.5% annualized) without any catch-up provision. These calculations are appropriately pro-rated when such calculations are applicable for any period of less than three months. See “Management Agreements”.

Administration Agreement

   Pursuant to a separate administration agreement, Saratoga Investment Advisors, who also serves as our administrator, furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, book-keeping and record keeping services. Under the administration agreement, our administrator also performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain, preparing reports for our stockholders and reports required to be filed with the SEC. In addition, our administrator assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the administration agreement equal an amount based upon our allocable portion of our administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our officers and their respective staffs relating to the performance of services under this agreement (including travel expenses). Our allocable portion is based on the proportion that our total assets bears to the total assets administered or managed by our administrator. Under the administration agreement, our administrator also provides managerial assistance, on our behalf, to those portfolio companies who accept our offer of assistance. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days written notice to the other party. The amount payable by us under the administration agreement is currently capped at $1.0 million for each annual term of the agreement. On July 15, 2013, our board of directors approved the renewal of the administration agreement for an additional one-year term and determined to maintain the cap on the payment or reimbursement of expenses by us thereunder to $1.0 million for the additional one-year term. See “Management Agreements”.

 

 

S-14


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. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “Saratoga,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in Saratoga.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):

  

Sales load paid

          %(1) 

Offering expenses borne by us

          %(2) 

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None (3) 
  

 

 

 

Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

         

Annual expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common stock):

  

Management fees

          %(4) 

Incentive fees payable under the investment advisory and management agreement

          %(5) 

Interest payments on borrowed funds

          %(6) 

Other expenses (estimated)

          %(7) 

Total annual expenses (estimated)

          %(8) 
  

 

 

 

EXAMPLE

The following example, required by the SEC, demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in us. In calculating the following expense amounts, we assumed we would maintain the current amount of leverage, that our operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above, that we pay the transaction expenses set forth in the table above, including a sales load of % paid by you (the commission to be paid by us with respect to common stock sold by us in this offering).

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $         $         $         $     

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have a de minimis effect, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may receive shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(1) Represents the commission with respect to the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering.
(2) The offering expenses of this offering are estimated to be approximately $            .
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses.” The participants in the dividend reinvestment plan will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to open market purchases, if any, made by the administrator under the plan. For more details about the plan, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4) Assumes gross assets of $             million and $             million of leverage, and assumes net assets of $             million. Our base management fee under the investment advisory and management agreement with Saratoga Investment Advisors is based on our gross assets, which is defined as all of our assets, including those acquired using borrowings for investment purposes, but excluding cash and cash equivalents. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

 

S-15


(5) Assumes that annual incentive fees earned by Saratoga Investment Advisors remain consistent with the incentive fees earned by Saratoga Investment Advisors during the period ended             . Incentive fees would increase if, and to the extent that, we earn greater interest income through our investments in portfolio companies and realize additional capital gains upon the sale of warrants or other equity investments in such companies. The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, subject to a preferred return, or “hurdle,” and a “catch up” feature. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees, such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence, managerial and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued by us during the fiscal quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the administration agreement described below, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee).

The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the investment advisory and management agreement) and equals 20% of our “incentive fee capital gains,” which equals our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from May 31, 2010 through the end of the year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fee. Under the investment advisory and management agreement, the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is based on realized gains and realized and unrealized losses from May 31, 2010. Therefore, realized and unrealized losses incurred prior to such time will not be taken into account when calculating the capital gains portion of the incentive fee, and Saratoga Investment Advisors will be entitled to 20% of incentive fee capital gains that arise after May 31, 2010. In addition, the cost basis for computing realized gains and losses on investments held by us as of May 31, 2010 will equal the fair value of such investments as of such date. We estimate this as zero for purposes of this table as these fees are hard to predict, as they are based on capital gains and losses. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

(6) Assumes that we maintain our current level of $ million of outstanding borrowings as of             . Interest payments on borrowed funds represents our annualized interest expense based on the             months ended             . For the             months ended             , the effective annualized average interest rate, which includes all interest and related costs, was     %. We may also issue preferred stock, which may be considered a form of leverage. While we have no present intent to do so, in the event we were to issue preferred stock, our borrowing costs, and correspondingly our total annual expenses, including our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets, would increase.
(7) Assumes that the amount of our operating expenses remains consistent with the operating expenses incurred by us during the months ended             . In addition, our “other expenses” include any fees and expenses, including underwriting discounts, associated with debt securities we expect to offer during the twelve months following the date of this prospectus supplement. These expenses are presented based on net assets attributable to common shares given that such expenses are borne directly or indirectly by our common shareholders.
(8) The holders of shares of our common stock (and not the holders of our debt securities, if any) indirectly bear the cost associated with our annual expenses.

 

S-16


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

 

    our future operating results;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

    the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

    our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

    the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

    the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

    our expected financings and investments;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and

 

    the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.

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;

 

    a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

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

 

    risks associated with possible disruption in our operations or the economy generally due to terrorism or natural disasters; and

 

    the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in our filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new loans and investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the respective dates of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. However, we will update this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to reflect any material changes to the information contained herein. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act.”

 

S-17


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    the actual capitalization of Saratoga at                     , 20     ; and

 

    the pro forma capitalization of Saratoga to reflect the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $             per share (the last reported closing price of our common stock on                     , 20 ) after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $             and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             payable by us.

This table should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” included in this prospectus supplement and our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and financial statements and notes thereto included in the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of                 , 20      
     Actual      Pro Forma (1)  
     (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $         $     

Investments at fair value

   $         $     

Other assets

   $         $     

Total assets

   $         $     

Liabilities:

     

Notes payable

   $         $     

Other Liabilities

   $         $     

Total Liabilities

   $         $     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted, respectively

      $     

Capital in excess of par value

      $     

Total stockholders’ equity

      $     
     

 

 

 

 

(1) We may change the size of this offering based on demand and market conditions. A $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed offering price per share would increase (decrease) net proceeds to us from this offering by $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement remains the same, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses payable by us. Any additional proceeds to us resulting from an increase in the public offering price or the number of shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will increase our cash and cash equivalents on an as adjusted basis and will be used as described in “Use of Proceeds.”

 

S-18


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial and Other Data and our Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert from most recent periodic filing]

 

S-19


USE OF PROCEEDS

If we sell                 shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $             million (based on a public offering price of $            , the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE on                     ), we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately $             million.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock to make investments in middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement, and for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to reduce any of our outstanding borrowings.

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering will be used as described above within six to twelve months, depending on the availability of attractive opportunities and market conditions. However, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to achieve this goal.

Pending these uses, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in high quality, short-term debt securities consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See “Regulation—Business Development Company Regulations—Temporary Investments.” Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure— We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds from this offering, which could harm our financial condition and operating results” for additional information regarding this matter.

 

S-20


UNDERWRITING

                    is acting as representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter

   Shares
  
  
  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the overallotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

The underwriters propose to offer some of the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $             per share. The underwriting discount of $             per share is equal to     % of the initial offering price. If all of the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representative may change the public offering price and other selling terms. The representative has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

The underwriters hold an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional             shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering overallotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

We, along with each of our directors and officers, have agreed that we will not, without the prior written consent of             , on behalf of the underwriters, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly or hedge shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares for a period of                     days from the date of this prospectus supplement (the “Lock-up Period”), provided, however, that we may issue and sell shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.                     in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

The Lock-up Period in the preceding paragraph will be extended if (i) during the last 17 days of the Lock-up Period we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to Saratoga occurs or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-up Period, in which case the restrictions described in the preceding sentence will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event.

Our shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SAR.”

The following table shows the underwriting discounts to be paid to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2310. The sum of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this offering of shares, including the underwriting discount, will not exceed 10% of the total public offering price of the shares sold in this offering.

 

     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per Common Share

   $                    $                

Total

   $         $     

 

S-21


Saratoga and our investment adviser have each agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Certain underwriters may make a market in the shares. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the shares as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus supplement is to be used by any underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus supplement must be delivered, with offers and sales of the shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

In connection with the offering,                     , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ overallotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the overallotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when                     repurchases shares originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of shares. They may also cause the price of shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering, excluding the underwriting discounts, will be approximately $            .

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representative may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representative will allocate shares to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.

 

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Certain underwriters may perform investment banking and advisory services for us, our investment adviser and our affiliates from time to time, for which they receive customary fees and expenses. Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our investment adviser and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

[Additional Underwriter Compensation

[to be provided as applicable]]

The principal business address of                     is                     .

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, DC. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by             .

 

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The financial statements as of                     and                     and for each of the two years in the period ended included in the accompanying prospectus and this prospectus supplement have been so included in reliance on the report of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 together with all amendments and related exhibits under the Securities Act. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can inspect any materials we file with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The information we file with the SEC is available free of charge by contacting us at Saratoga Investment Corp., 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by telephone at (212) 906-7800, or on our website at http://www.saratogainvestmentcorp.com. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including us, that file such information electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s web site is http://www.sec.gov. Information contained on our website or on the SEC’s web site about us is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website or on the SEC’s website to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert financial statements.]

 

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Saratoga Investment Corp.

             Shares

Common Stock

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

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