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Related Party Agreements and Transactions
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Agreements and Transactions

Note 3. Related Party Agreements and Transactions

Investment Advisory Agreement with AIM

The Company has an investment advisory management agreement with the Investment Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) under which AIM receives a fee from the Company, consisting of two components — a base management fee and a performance-based incentive fee.

 

Base Management Fee

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% (0.4375% per quarter) of the Company's net asset value as of the final business day of the prior calendar quarter; provided, however, that the base management fee shall not be greater than 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the lesser of (i) the average of the value of the Company's gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including other assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters and (ii) the average monthly value (measured as of the last day of each month) of the Company's gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including other assets purchased with borrowed amounts) during the most recently completed calendar quarter. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The value of the Company's gross assets is calculated in accordance with the Company's valuation procedures.

For the period from April 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022, the base management fee was calculated initially at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the lesser of (i) the average of the value of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including other assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters and (ii) the average monthly value (measured as of the last day of each month) of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including other assets purchased with borrowed amounts) during the most recently completed calendar quarter; provided, however, in each case, the base management fee was calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% (0.250% per quarter) of the average of the value of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including other assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that exceeds the product of (A) 200% and (B) the value of the Company’s net asset value at the end of the prior calendar quarter. The base management fee was payable quarterly in arrears. The value of the Company’s gross assets was calculated in accordance with the Company's valuation procedures.

Performance-based Incentive Fee

The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) consists of two components that are determined 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 income and a portion is based on capital gains, each as described below:

(i) Incentive Fee on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income - effective January 1, 2023

The Incentive Fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears by calculating the amount by which (x) the aggregate amount of the pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect of the current calendar quarter and each of the eleven preceding calendar quarters (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”) exceeds (y) the preferred return amount in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters; provided, however, that the pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the current calendar quarter exceeds the multiple of (A) 1.75% and (B) the Company's net asset value at the beginning of such calendar quarter. For the purposes of the Incentive Fee calculations, each calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters that commenced prior to January 1, 2023 shall be known as a “Legacy Fee Quarter” while a calendar quarter that commenced on or after January 1, 2023 shall be known as a “Current Fee Quarter.”

The preferred return amount is determined on a quarterly basis, and is calculated by summing the amounts obtained by multiplying 1.75% by the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The preferred return amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments to the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter for Company capital issuances and distributions during the applicable calendar quarter.

 

The amount of the Incentive Fee on Income that is paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter equals the excess of the incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income, so calculated less the aggregate incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income that were paid to the Investment Adviser (excluding waivers, if any) in the preceding eleven calendar quarters comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

The Company will pay the Investment Adviser an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

(1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the Trailing Twelve Quarters does not exceed the preferred return amount.

(2) 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the Trailing Twelve Quarters, if any, that exceeds the preferred return amount but is less than or equal to the catch-up amount, which shall be the sum of (i) the product of 2.1875% multiplied by the Company's net asset value at the beginning of each applicable Legacy Fee Quarter included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters and (ii) the product of 2.1212% multiplied by the Company's net asset value at the beginning of each applicable Current Fee Quarter included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

(3) for any quarter in which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds the catch-up amount, the incentive fee shall equal 20.00% for each Legacy Fee Quarter and 17.50% otherwise of the amount of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such Trailing Twelve Quarters, provided, however, that the incentive fee on income for any quarter shall not be greater than 20.00% or 17.50%, as applicable, of the amount of the Company's current quarter’s pre-incentive fee net investment income.

The Incentive Fee on Income as calculated is subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20.00% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Legacy Fee Quarters included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters and 17.50% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the relevant Current Fee Quarters included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters less (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees on Income that were paid to the Investment Adviser (excluding waivers, if any) in the preceding eleven calendar quarters (or portion thereof) comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

(ii) Incentive Fee on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income - (January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022)

For the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022, the incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income was determined and paid quarterly in arrears by calculating the amount by which (x) the aggregate amount of the pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect of the applicable calendar quarter and each of the eleven preceding calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter that commences on or after April 1, 2018 (the “trailing twelve quarters”) exceeds (y) the preferred return amount in respect of the trailing twelve quarters.

The preferred return amount was determined on a quarterly basis, and was calculated by summing the amounts obtained by multiplying 1.75% by the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant trailing twelve quarters. The preferred return amount was calculated after making appropriate adjustments to the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter for Company capital issuances and distributions during the applicable calendar quarter.

 

The amount of the Incentive Fee on Income that was paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter equaled the excess of the incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income, so calculated less the aggregate incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income that were paid to the Investment Adviser (excluding waivers, if any) in the preceding eleven calendar quarters comprising the relevant trailing twelve quarters.

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

(1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the trailing twelve quarters did not exceed the preferred return amount.

(2) 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the trailing twelve quarters, if any, that exceeded the preferred return amount but is less than or equal to an amount (the “catch-up amount”) determined by multiplying 2.1875% by the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant trailing twelve quarters.

(3) for any quarter in which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the trailing twelve quarters exceeded the catch-up amount, the incentive fee should equal 20% of the amount of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such trailing twelve quarters.

The Incentive Fee on Income as calculated was subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter was an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant trailing twelve quarters less (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees on Income that were paid to the Investment Adviser (excluding waivers, if any) in the preceding eleven calendar quarters (or portion thereof) comprising the relevant trailing twelve quarters.

For this purpose, “Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return” during the relevant trailing twelve quarters means (x) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in respect of the trailing twelve quarters less (y) any Net Capital Loss, since April 1, 2018, in respect of the trailing twelve quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap was zero or a negative value, the Company shall pay no Incentive Fee on Income to the Investment Adviser in that quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee on Income calculated in accordance with the calculation described above, the Company shall pay the Investment Adviser the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap was equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee on Income calculated in accordance with the calculation described above, the Company shall pay the Investment Adviser the Incentive Fee on Income for such quarter.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

B. Incentive Fee Based on Cumulative Net Realized Gains

The Incentive Fee on Capital Gains is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the investment advisory management agreement). This fee shall equal 17.50% of the sum of the Company’s realized capital gains on a cumulative basis, calculated as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of investment advisory management agreement), computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any Incentive Fees on Capital Gains previously paid to the Investment Adviser. The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation of the Company shall be calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in the Company’s portfolio as of the applicable calculation date and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

Prior to January 1, 2023, the Incentive Fee on Capital Gains was determined and paid in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the investment advisory management agreement). This fee equaled 20.0% of the sum of the Company’s realized capital gains on a cumulative basis, calculated as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of investment advisory management agreement), computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any Incentive Fees on Capital Gains previously paid to the Investment Adviser. The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation of the Company was calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in the Company’s portfolio as of the applicable calculation date and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

For accounting purposes only, we are required under GAAP to accrue a theoretical capital gains incentive fee based upon net realized capital gains and unrealized capital gain and loss on investments held at the end of each period. The accrual of this theoretical capital gains incentive fee assumes all unrealized capital gain and loss is realized in order to reflect a theoretical capital gains incentive fee that would be payable to the Investment Adviser at each measurement date. There was no accrual for theoretical capital gains incentive fee for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. It should be noted that a fee so calculated and accrued would not be payable under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) or the investment advisory management agreement, and would not be paid based upon such computation of capital gains incentive fees in subsequent periods. Amounts actually paid to the Investment Adviser will be consistent with the Advisers Act and formula reflected in the investment advisory management agreement which specifically excludes consideration of unrealized capital gain.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized $4,334 and $8,598, respectively, of management fees, and $6,120 and $12,316, respectively, of incentive fees before impact of waived fees. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized $8,949 and $17,887, respectively, of management fees, and $1,396 and $2,439, respectively, of incentive fees before impact of waived fees. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, no management fees and no incentive fees were waived.

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, management and performance-based incentive fees payable were $10,454 and $9,060, respectively.

Fee Offset

On January 16, 2019, the Company and AIM entered into a fee offset agreement in connection with revenue realized by AIM and its affiliates for the management of certain aircraft assets. The Company will receive an offsetting credit against total incentive fees otherwise due to AIM under the investment advisory management agreement. The amount offset will initially be 20% of the management fee revenue earned and incentive fee revenue realized by AIM and its affiliates in connection with managing aircraft assets on related insurance balance sheets (“New Balance Sheet Investments”), new aircraft managed account capital (“New Managed Accounts”) and new dedicated aircraft funds (“New Aircraft Funds”). Once the aggregate capital raised by the New Aircraft Funds or New Managed Accounts and capital invested by the New Balance Sheet Investments exceeds $3 billion cumulatively, the fee offset will step down to 10% of the amount of incremental management fee revenue earned and incentive fee revenue realized by AIM and its affiliates. The fee offset will be in place for seven years, however the incentive fees realized by AIM and its affiliates after this seven-year period from applicable investments that were raised or made within the seven-year period will also be used to offset incentive fees payable to AIM by the Company. The offset will be limited to the amount of incentive fee payable by the Company to AIM and any unapplied fee offset which exceeds the incentive fees payable in a given quarter will carry forward to be credited against the incentive fees payable by the Company in subsequent quarters.

Effective February 21, 2023, Merx and Apollo agreed to terminate the fee offset agreement in exchange for a termination fee of $7.5 million.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, management fee offset was $0 and $274, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, management fee offset was $75 and 143, respectively.

Administration Agreement with AIA

The Company has also entered into an administration agreement with the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”) under which AIA provides administrative services for the Company. For providing these services, facilities and personnel, the Company reimburses the Administrator for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator and requested to be reimbursed by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. The expenses include rent and the Company’s allocable portion of compensation and other related expenses for its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized administrative services expense under the Administration Agreement of $1,425 and $2,848, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized administrative services expense under the Administration Agreement of $1,286 and $2,695, respectively. There was no payable to AIA and its affiliates for expenses paid on our behalf as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Administrative Service Expense Reimbursement

Merx Aviation Finance, LLC (“Merx”), a wholly-owned portfolio company of the Company, has entered into an administration agreement with the Administrator (the “Merx Administration Agreement”) under which AIA provides administrative services to Merx and several Merx managed entities. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized administrative service expense reimbursements of $75 and $149, respectively, under the Merx Administration Agreement. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized administrative service expense reimbursements of $75 and $150, respectively.

Debt Expense Reimbursements

The Company has also entered into debt expense reimbursement agreements with Merx and several other portfolio companies, which will reimburse the Company for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred, including any interest, fees or other amounts incurred by the Company in connection with letters of credit issued on their behalf. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized debt expense reimbursements of $276 and $537, respectively, under the debt expense reimbursement agreements. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized debt expense reimbursements of $153 and $192, respectively, under the debt expense reimbursement agreements.

 

Co-Investment Activity

We may co-invest on a concurrent basis with affiliates of ours, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and our allocation procedures. Certain types of negotiated co-investments may be made only in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order we received from the SEC permitting us to do so. On December 29, 2021, we received an exemptive order from the SEC, which was amended on January 10, 2023 (the “Order”) permitting us greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investment transactions with certain of our affiliates, including investment funds managed by AIM or its affiliates and Apollo proprietary accounts, subject to the conditions included therein. Under the terms of the Order, a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors must be able to reach certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the proposed transaction are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned, and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our Board of Directors’ approved criteria. In certain situations where co-investment with one or more funds managed by AIM or its affiliates is not covered by the Order, the personnel of AIM or its affiliates will need to decide which fund will proceed with the investment. Such personnel will make these determinations based on allocation policies and procedures, which are designed to reasonably ensure that investment opportunities are allocated fairly and equitably among affiliated funds over time and in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Order is subject to certain terms and conditions so there can be no assurance that we will be permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates other than in the circumstances currently permitted by regulatory guidance and the Order.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s co-investment holdings were 78% of the portfolio or $1,875,230, measured at fair value. On a cost basis, 72% of the portfolio or $1,886,434 were co-investments. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s co-investment holdings were 74% of the portfolio or $1,783,438, measured at fair value. On a cost basis, 69% of the portfolio or $1,797,140 were co-investments.

Merx Aviation

Effective January 16, 2019, Mr. Gary Rothschild, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merx, became an employee of Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. ("AMH"), an affiliate of the Company’s investment adviser. Mr. Rothschild also retained his role as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Merx.

Effective January 16, 2019, Merx entered into a series of service arrangements with affiliates of AGM. Under a servicing agreement with ACM (the “Servicing Agreement”), Merx serves as technical servicer to aircraft clients of ACM and its affiliates. Under a research support agreement with ACM (the “Research Support Agreement”), Merx employees assist ACM with technical due-diligence and underwriting of new aircraft-related investment opportunities. Under a technical support agreement (the “Technical Support Agreement”), Merx and AMH share the services of Mr. Gary Rothschild, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Merx and an employee of AMH. In addition, on the same date the Company and AIM entered into a fee offset agreement in connection with revenue realized by AIM and its affiliates for the management of certain aircraft assets (the “Fee Offset Agreement”) under which the Company receives an offsetting credit against fees otherwise due to AIM under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

In 2022, we announced our plans to reduce our aviation leasing platform that is operating through Merx. Effective February 21, 2023, as a result of the planned reduction and the pending departure of certain Merx personnel, Merx and Apollo agreed to an Amended Servicing Agreement and to terminate the Research Support Agreement, the Technical Support Agreement and the Fee Offset Agreement in exchange for a termination fee of $7.5 million. Under the Amended Servicing Agreement and the subservicing agreement with an affiliate, as part of the February 21, 2023 termination payment, Merx will continue to service certain legacy Apollo aircraft investments during its reduction.

On September 1, 2022, $110,700 of the Merx first lien secured revolver held by the Company was converted into common equity. The balance of the Merx revolver as of June 30, 2023 was $81,075.