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N-2 - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Feb. 21, 2025
Mar. 31, 2024
Jun. 26, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Sep. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2022
Jun. 30, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Sep. 30, 2021
Jun. 30, 2021
Mar. 31, 2021
Cover [Abstract]                                
Entity Central Index Key 0001655888                              
Amendment Flag false                              
Document Type 424B2                              
Entity Registrant Name Blue Owl Capital Corporation                              
Fee Table [Abstract]                                
Shareholder Transaction Expenses [Table Text Block]
Shareholder transaction expenses:


Sales load— %
(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)— %
(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses— %
(3)
Total shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %

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

Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement3.1 %
(4)
Incentive Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement2.1 %
(5)
Interest payments on borrowed funds7.2 %
(6)
Other expenses0.5 %
(7)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses0.7 %
(9)
Total annual expenses
13.6 %
(8)(10)
__________________
(1)Represents the maximum agent commission with respect to the shares of our common stock sold by us in this offering.
(2)The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $0.9 million for the estimated duration of this offering and assumes we sell all $750,000,000 of common stock available under the equity distribution agreement pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
(3)The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4)The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets).
(5)The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Business —Investment Advisory Agreement” in our 2024 Form 10-K.
(6)The figure in the table represents our interest expenses based on our actual interest and credit facility expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2024, which includes the impact of interest rate swaps. During the year ended December 31, 2024, our average borrowings outstanding were $7.6 billion and our interest expense incurred was $0.5 billion. We had outstanding borrowings of approximately $7.6 billion as of December 31, 2024. Interest payments on borrowed funds represents an estimate of our annualized interest expense based on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, our SPV Asset Facility, the 2024 Notes, the 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the July 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VI Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction. The assumed weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 5.6%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7)Includes our overhead expenses, such as payments under the Administration Agreement for certain expenses incurred by the Adviser. We based these expenses on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(8)Estimated.
(9)Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of Credit SLF, which is our only Acquired Fund as of December 31, 2024.
(10)This table reflects all of the fees and expenses borne by us with respect to the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VI Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction but does not include fees payable to but waived by the Adviser for serving as collateral manager to the CLO Issuers.
Shareholder transaction expenses:
Sales load
— %
(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %
(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses
— %
(3)
Total shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement
3.0 %
(4)
Incentive Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement
2.3 %
(5)
Interest payments on borrowed funds
6.6 %
(6)
Other expenses
0.4 %
(7)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.8 %
(9)
Total annual expenses
13.1 %
(8)(10)
__________________
(1)In the event that the securities are sold to or through underwriters, a related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load (underwriting discount or commission).
(2)A related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the estimated amount of offering expenses borne by the Company as a percentage of the offering price.
(3)The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4)The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets).
(5)The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESSInvestment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(6)The figure in the table represents our interest expenses based on our actual interest and credit facility expenses incurred for the period ended March 31, 2024, which includes the impact of interest rate swaps. During the period ended March 31, 2024, our average borrowings outstanding were $7.5 billion and our interest expense incurred was $119.1 million. We had outstanding borrowings of approximately $7.0 billion as of March 31, 2024. Interest payments on borrowed funds represents an estimate of our annualized interest expense based on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, our SPV Asset Facility, the 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the July 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction. The assumed weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 5.8%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7)Includes our overhead expenses, such as payments under the Administration Agreement for certain expenses incurred by the Adviser. We based these expenses on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(8)Estimated.
(9)Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of OBDC SLF, our joint venture with Nationwide Life Insurance Company, which is our only Acquired Fund as of March 31, 2024.
(10)This table reflects all of the fees and expenses borne by us with respect to the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction but does not include fees payable to but waived by the Adviser for serving as collateral manager to the CLO Issuers.
                           
Sales Load [Percent] 0.00% 0.00%                            
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Fees $ 0 $ 0                            
Other Transaction Expenses [Abstract]                                
Other Transaction Expenses [Percent] 0.00% 0.00%                            
Annual Expenses [Table Text Block]
Shareholder transaction expenses:


Sales load— %
(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)— %
(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses— %
(3)
Total shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %

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

Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement3.1 %
(4)
Incentive Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement2.1 %
(5)
Interest payments on borrowed funds7.2 %
(6)
Other expenses0.5 %
(7)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses0.7 %
(9)
Total annual expenses
13.6 %
(8)(10)
__________________
(1)Represents the maximum agent commission with respect to the shares of our common stock sold by us in this offering.
(2)The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $0.9 million for the estimated duration of this offering and assumes we sell all $750,000,000 of common stock available under the equity distribution agreement pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
(3)The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4)The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets).
(5)The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Business —Investment Advisory Agreement” in our 2024 Form 10-K.
(6)The figure in the table represents our interest expenses based on our actual interest and credit facility expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2024, which includes the impact of interest rate swaps. During the year ended December 31, 2024, our average borrowings outstanding were $7.6 billion and our interest expense incurred was $0.5 billion. We had outstanding borrowings of approximately $7.6 billion as of December 31, 2024. Interest payments on borrowed funds represents an estimate of our annualized interest expense based on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, our SPV Asset Facility, the 2024 Notes, the 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the July 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VI Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction. The assumed weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 5.6%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7)Includes our overhead expenses, such as payments under the Administration Agreement for certain expenses incurred by the Adviser. We based these expenses on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(8)Estimated.
(9)Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of Credit SLF, which is our only Acquired Fund as of December 31, 2024.
(10)This table reflects all of the fees and expenses borne by us with respect to the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VI Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction but does not include fees payable to but waived by the Adviser for serving as collateral manager to the CLO Issuers.
Shareholder transaction expenses:
Sales load
— %
(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %
(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses
— %
(3)
Total shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)
— %
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement
3.0 %
(4)
Incentive Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement
2.3 %
(5)
Interest payments on borrowed funds
6.6 %
(6)
Other expenses
0.4 %
(7)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.8 %
(9)
Total annual expenses
13.1 %
(8)(10)
__________________
(1)In the event that the securities are sold to or through underwriters, a related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load (underwriting discount or commission).
(2)A related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the estimated amount of offering expenses borne by the Company as a percentage of the offering price.
(3)The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4)The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets).
(5)The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESSInvestment Advisory Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(6)The figure in the table represents our interest expenses based on our actual interest and credit facility expenses incurred for the period ended March 31, 2024, which includes the impact of interest rate swaps. During the period ended March 31, 2024, our average borrowings outstanding were $7.5 billion and our interest expense incurred was $119.1 million. We had outstanding borrowings of approximately $7.0 billion as of March 31, 2024. Interest payments on borrowed funds represents an estimate of our annualized interest expense based on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, our SPV Asset Facility, the 2025 Notes, July 2025 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the July 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2028 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction. The assumed weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 5.8%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7)Includes our overhead expenses, such as payments under the Administration Agreement for certain expenses incurred by the Adviser. We based these expenses on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(8)Estimated.
(9)Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of OBDC SLF, our joint venture with Nationwide Life Insurance Company, which is our only Acquired Fund as of March 31, 2024.
(10)This table reflects all of the fees and expenses borne by us with respect to the CLO I Transaction, the CLO II Transaction, the CLO III Transaction, the CLO IV Transaction, the CLO V Transaction, the CLO VII Transaction and the CLO X Transaction but does not include fees payable to but waived by the Adviser for serving as collateral manager to the CLO Issuers.
                           
Management Fees [Percent] 3.10% 3.00%                            
Interest Expenses on Borrowings [Percent] 7.20% 6.60%                            
Incentive Fees [Percent] 2.10% 2.30%                            
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses [Percent] 0.70% 0.80%                            
Other Annual Expenses [Abstract]                                
Other Annual Expenses [Percent] 0.50% 0.40%                            
Net Expense over Assets [Percent] 13.60% 13.10%                            
Expense Example [Table Text Block]
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no additional leverage and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. Transaction expenses are included in the following example.
1 year3 years5 years10 years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return from realized capital gains
$127 $373 $611 $1,169 
The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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%. Because the income portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement is unlikely to be significant assuming a 5% annual return, the example assumes that the 5% annual return will be generated entirely through the realization of capital gains on our assets and, as a result, will trigger the payment of the capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The income portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an immaterial impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, 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, if our Board authorizes and we declare a cash dividend, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.
This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no additional leverage and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. Transaction expenses are included in the following example.
1 year3 years5 years10 years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return from realized capital gains$118 $350 $573 $1,098 
The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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%. Because the income portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement is unlikely to be significant assuming a 5% annual return, the example assumes that the 5% annual return will be generated entirely through the realization of capital gains on our assets and, as a result, will trigger the payment of the capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The income portion of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an immaterial impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, 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, if our Board authorizes and we declare a cash dividend, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.
This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.
                           
Expense Example, Year 01 $ 127 $ 118                            
Expense Example, Years 1 to 3 373 350                            
Expense Example, Years 1 to 5 611 573                            
Expense Example, Years 1 to 10 $ 1,169 $ 1,098                            
Purpose of Fee Table , Note [Text Block] The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “the Company” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear these fees or expenses as an investor in the Company. The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “the Company” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear these fees or expenses as an investor in the Company.                            
Basis of Transaction Fees, Note [Text Block] The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus. The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”                            
Other Transaction Fees, Note [Text Block] The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $0.9 million for the estimated duration of this offering and assumes we sell all $750,000,000 of common stock available under the equity distribution agreement pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. A related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the estimated amount of offering expenses borne by the Company as a percentage of the offering price.                            
Other Expenses, Note [Text Block] The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus. The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”                            
Management Fee not based on Net Assets, Note [Text Block] The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets). The Management Fee is 1.50% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the Management Fee is 1.00% of our average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage of 200% calculated in accordance with Section 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act. The Management Fee reflected in the table is calculated by determining the ratio that the Management Fee bears to our net assets attributable to common stock (rather than our gross assets).                            
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Note [Text Block] Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of Credit SLF Our shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of OBDC SLF, our joint venture with Nationwide Life Insurance Company,                            
Acquired Fund Fees Estimated, Note [Text Block] This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of Credit SLF, which is our only Acquired Fund as of December 31, 2024. This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of OBDC SLF, our joint venture with Nationwide Life Insurance Company, which is our only Acquired Fund as of March 31, 2024.                            
Financial Highlights [Abstract]                                
Senior Securities, Note [Text Block]
SENIOR SECURITIES
Information about our senior securities as of December 31, 2024 and the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is located under the caption “Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities” in our 2024 Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
SENIOR SECURITIES
Information about our senior securities as of the unaudited fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024 and the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is located under the caption “Senior Securities” in Part I, Item 2 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2023 is included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
                           
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]                                
Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] Blue Owl Capital Corporation is a Maryland corporation formed on October 15, 2015. Our investment objective is to generate current income, and to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns. Our investment strategy focuses on primarily originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle-market companies. We invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities including warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. We may hold our investments directly or through special purpose vehicles.
Structure of Investments
Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.
We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans, with a lesser allocation to equity or equity-linked opportunities. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which will not be our primary focus, but will be intended to enhance returns to our shareholders and from time to time, we may evaluate and enter into strategic portfolio transactions which may result in additional portfolio companies which we are considered to control. These investments may include high-yield bonds and broadly-syndicated loans, which are typically originated and structured by banks on behalf of large corporate borrowers with employee counts, revenues, EBITDAs and enterprise values larger than the middle market characteristics described herein, and equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. Our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.
Covenants are contractual restrictions that lenders place on companies to limit the corporate actions a company may pursue. Generally, the loans in which we expect to invest will have financial maintenance covenants, which are used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance. However, to a lesser extent, we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans. See “Investment Process Overview – Inclusion of Covenants.”
Debt Investments. The terms of our debt investments are tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction. The Adviser negotiates the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk. We generally invest in the following types of debt:
First-lien debt. First-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second-lien lenders in those assets. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans, “unitranche” loans (including “last out” portions of such loans), and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. As of March 31, 2024, 62% of our first lien debt was comprised of unitranche loans.
Stand-alone first lien loans. Stand-alone first-lien loans are traditional first-lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest.
Unitranche loans. Unitranche loans (including the “last out” portions of such loans) combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In many cases, we may provide the issuer most, if not all, of the capital structure above their equity. The primary advantages to the issuer are the ability to negotiate the entire debt financing with one lender and the elimination of intercreditor issues. “Last out” first-lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first-lien loan are typically set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first-lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second-lien lenders often are subject. Among the types of first-lien debt in which we may invest, “last out” first-lien loans
generally have higher effective interest rates than other types of first-lien loans, since “last out” first-lien loans rank below standalone first-lien loans.
Second-lien debt. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. Second-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to unsecured liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first-lien debt secured by those assets. First-lien lenders and second-lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first-lien lenders with priority over the second-lien lenders’ liens on the collateral.
Mezzanine debt. Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first-lien and second-lien debt, is often unsecured, and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first-lien and second-lien debt. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments, which could be paid-in-kind, and may provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation, if any, of an issuer through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than first-lien and second-lien debt.
Broadly syndicated loans. Broadly syndicated loans (whose features are similar to those described under “First-lien debt” and “Second-lien debt” above) are typically originated and structured by banks on behalf of large corporate borrowers with employee counts, revenues, EBITDAs, and enterprise values larger than the middle-market characteristics described above. The proceeds of broadly syndicated loans are often used for leveraged buyout transactions, mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancings, and financing capital expenditures. Broadly syndicated loans are typically distributed by the arranging bank to a diverse group of investors primarily consisting of: CLOs; senior secured loan and high yield bond mutual funds; closed-end funds, hedge funds, banks, and insurance companies; and finance companies. A borrower must comply with various covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the broadly syndicated loan. The broadly syndicated loans in which we invest may include loans that are considered “covenant-lite” loans, because of their lack of a full set of financial maintenance covenants
Our debt investments are typically structured with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. The Adviser seeks to limit the downside potential of our investments by:
requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;
negotiating covenants in connection with our investments consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative covenants (including reporting requirements), negative covenants (including financial maintenance covenants), lien protection, limitations on debt incurrence, restrictions on asset sales, downside and liquidation cases, restrictions on dividends and other payments, cash flow sweeps, collateral protection, required debt amortization, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation rights or rights to a seat on the board under some circumstances; and
including debt amortization requirements, where appropriate, to require the timely repayment of principal of the loan, as well as appropriate maturity dates.
Within our portfolio, the Adviser aims to maintain the appropriate proportion among the various types of first-lien loans, as well as second-lien debt and mezzanine debt, to allow us to achieve our target returns while maintaining our targeted amount of credit risk.
Equity Investments. Our investment in a portfolio company could be or may include an equity interest, such as common stock or preferred stock, or equity linked interest, such as a warrant or profit participation right. We may
make direct and indirect equity investments with or without a concurrent investment in a more senior part of the capital structure of the issuer. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments and we may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder.
Specialty Financing Portfolio Companies. We may make equity investments in portfolio companies that make senior secured loans or invest in broadly syndicated loans or structured products, such as life settlements and royalty interests. Our specialty financing companies include the following:
Wingspire Capital Holdings LLC (“Wingspire”) is an independent diversified direct lender focused on providing asset-based commercial finance loans and related senior secured loans to U.S.-based middle market borrowers. Wingspire offers a wide variety of asset-based financing solutions to businesses in an array of industries, including revolving credit facilities, machinery and equipment term loans, real estate term loans, first-in/last-out tranches, cash flow term loans, and opportunistic / bridge financings.
Amergin consists of AAM Series 1.1 Rail and Domestic Intermodal Feeder, LLC and AAM Series 2.1 Aviation Feeder, LLC (collectively, “Amergin AssetCo”) and Amergin Asset Management LLC, which has entered into a Servicing Agreement with Amergin AssetCo. Amergin was created to invest in a leasing platform focused on railcar, aviation and other long-lived transportation assets. Amergin acquires existing on-lease portfolios of new and end-of-life railcars and related equipment and selectively purchases off-lease assets and is building a commercial aircraft portfolio through aircraft financing and engine acquisition on a sale and lease back basis.
Fifth Season Investments LLC is a portfolio company created to invest in life insurance based assets, including secondary and tertiary life settlement and other life insurance exposures using detailed analytics, internal life expectancy review and sophisticated portfolio management techniques.
LSI Financing 1 DAC (“LSI Financing”) is a portfolio company formed to acquire contractual rights to revenue pursuant to earnout agreements in the life sciences space.
                           
Risk Factors [Table Text Block]  
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, Part I, Item IA “RISK FACTORS” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus in its entirety, any document incorporated by reference herein, any subsequent filings we have made with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus we may authorize in connection with a specific offering. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, Part I, Item IA “RISK FACTORS” in most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any document incorporated by reference herein, any subsequent filings we have made with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus we may authorize in connection with a specific offering are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, you may lose all or part of your investment.
                           
Annual Coverage Return Rate [Percent]   150.00%                            
Share Price [Table Text Block]  
Price Range
Period
Net Asset Value(1)
HighLow
High Sales Price Premium (Discount) to Net Asset Value(2)
Low Sales Price Premium (Discount) to Net Asset Value(2)
Cash Dividend Per Share(3)
Year Ended December 31, 2024
First Quarter$15.47 $15.53 $14.53 0.4 %(6.1)%$0.45 
(9)
Second Quarter (through June 26, 2024)
*$16.86 $15.28 **$0.42 
(10)
Year Ended December 31, 2023
First Quarter$15.15 $13.70 $11.86 (9.6)%(21.7)%$0.37 
(5)
Second Quarter$15.26 $13.78 $12.25 (9.7)%(19.7)%$0.39 
(6)
Third Quarter$15.40 $14.16 $13.34 (8.1)%(13.4)%$0.40 
(7)
Fourth Quarter$15.45 $15.17 $11.55 (1.8)%(25.2)%$0.43 
(8)
Year Ended December 31, 2022
First Quarter$14.88 $15.07 $14.14 1.3 %(5.0)%$0.31 
Second Quarter$14.48 $15.19 $12.24 4.9 %(15.5)%$0.31 
Third Quarter$14.85 $13.77 $10.34 (7.3)%(30.4)%$0.31 
Fourth Quarter$14.99 $13.36 $10.50 (10.9)%(30.0)%$0.36 
(4)
Year Ended December 31, 2021
First Quarter$14.82 $14.29 $12.31 (3.6)%(16.9)%$0.31 
Second Quarter$14.90 $14.85 $13.55 (0.3)%(9.1)%$0.31 
Third Quarter$14.95 $14.77 $14.12 (1.2)%(5.6)%$0.31 
Fourth Quarter$15.08 $14.73 $13.88 (2.3)%(8.0)%$0.31 
__________________
(1)Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2)Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less net asset value, divided by net asset value (in each case, as of the applicable quarter).
(3)Represents the dividend or distribution declared in the relevant quarter.
(4)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share and supplemental third quarter dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on or before January 13, 2023 and December 15, 2022, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(5)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share and supplemental fourth quarter dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on or before April 14, 2023 and March 17, 2023, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(6)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share and supplemental first quarter dividend of $0.06 per share, payable on or before July 14, 2023 and June 15, 2023, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(7)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share and supplemental second quarter dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on or before October 13, 2023 and September 15, 2023, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(8)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share and supplemental third quarter dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on or before January 12, 2024 and December 15, 2023, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(9)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share and supplemental fourth quarter dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on or before April 15, 2024 and March 15, 2024, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
(10)Consists of a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share and supplemental first quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on or before July 15, 2024 and June 14, 2024, respectively, subject to the satisfaction of certain Maryland law requirements.
*Net asset value has not yet been calculated for this period.
                           
Lowest Price or Bid     $ 15.28 $ 14.53 $ 11.55 $ 13.34 $ 12.25 $ 11.86 $ 10.50 $ 10.34 $ 12.24 $ 14.14 $ 13.88 $ 14.12 $ 13.55 $ 12.31
Highest Price or Bid     16.86 $ 15.53 $ 15.17 $ 14.16 $ 13.78 $ 13.70 $ 13.36 $ 13.77 $ 15.19 $ 15.07 $ 14.73 $ 14.77 $ 14.85 $ 14.29
Highest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent]       0.40% (1.80%) (8.10%) (9.70%) (9.60%) (10.90%) (7.30%) 4.90% 1.30% (2.30%) (1.20%) (0.30%) (3.60%)
Lowest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent]       (6.10%) (25.20%) (13.40%) (19.70%) (21.70%) (30.00%) (30.40%) (15.50%) (5.00%) (8.00%) (5.60%) (9.10%) (16.90%)
Share Price     $ 15.70                          
NAV Per Share   $ 15.47   $ 15.47 $ 15.45 $ 15.40 $ 15.26 $ 15.15 $ 14.99 $ 14.85 $ 14.48 $ 14.88 $ 15.08 $ 14.95 $ 14.90 $ 14.82
Latest Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent]   1.50%                            
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Capital Stock [Table Text Block]  
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and on our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the MGCL and our charter (the “Charter”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”) for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.
Capital Stock
Under the terms of our Charter, our authorized stock consists solely of 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As permitted by the MGCL, our Charter provides that a majority of the entire Board, without any action by our shareholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Our Charter also provides that the Board may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into one or more classes or series of common stock or preferred stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, or limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares. Unless the Board determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our stock in uncertificated form.
None of our shares of common stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).
The following presents our outstanding classes of securities as of March 31, 2024:
Title of ClassAmount
Authorized
Amount Held by
Us or for Our
Account
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Amount
Held by Us or for
Our Account
Common Stock
500,000,000 — 389,732,868 
Common Stock
Under the terms of the Charter, all shares of our common stock have equal rights as to dividends, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Dividends and distributions may be paid to our shareholders if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and shareholders generally have no appraisal rights. Other than as described below, shares of our common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” we may require any person proposing to acquire shares of our common stock to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of shares of such stock or redeem any outstanding shares of stock for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including the election of directors, and the shareholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to as many votes as equals the number of votes which such holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and allows a shareholder to cast a portion or all of the shareholder’s votes for one or more candidates for seats on the Board. Without cumulative voting, a minority shareholder may not be able to elect as many directors as the shareholder would be able to elect if cumulative voting were permitted. Subject to the special rights of the
holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director’s election, except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in our Bylaws), in which directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the contested election of directors.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our Charter, the Board may authorize us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, without shareholder approval, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Board has the power to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock. We do not currently anticipate issuing preferred stock in the near future. In the event we issue preferred stock, we will make any required disclosure to shareholders. We will not offer preferred stock to the Adviser or our affiliates except on the same terms as offered to all other shareholders.
Preferred stock could be issued with terms that would adversely affect our shareholders. Preferred stock could also be used as an anti-takeover device through the issuance of shares of a class or series of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control. Every issuance of preferred stock will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that: (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if distributions on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as determined in accordance with the 1940 Act) voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred stock would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.
The issuance of any preferred stock must be approved by a majority of the independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our Charter contains a provision that eliminates directors' and officers' liability, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity against reasonable expenses actually incurred in the proceeding in which the director or officer was successful. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly
received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our Charter obligates us, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify (1) any present or former director or officer; (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and at the Company's request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee; or (3) the Adviser or any of its affiliates acting as an agent for the Company, from and against any claim or liability to which the person or entity may become subject or may incur by reason of such person's service in that capacity, and to pay or reimburse such person's reasonable expenses as incurred in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. These indemnification rights vest immediately upon an individual's election as a director or officer. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Company will not indemnify any person for any liability to the extent that such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his, her or its office.
Maryland Law and Certain Charter and Bylaws Provisions; Anti-Takeover Measures
Maryland law contains, and our Charter and Bylaws also contain, provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of shareholders. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the Board's ability to negotiate such proposals may improve their terms.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless declared advisable by the corporation's board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our Charter provides for approval of these actions by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Subject to certain exceptions provided in our Charter, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, in addition to the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the members of the Board, will be necessary to effect any of the following actions:
any amendment to our Charter to make our common stock a “redeemable security” or to convert us from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act); or
any shareholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to our assets.
However, if the proposal, transaction or business combination is approved by at least 75% of our continuing directors, the proposal, transaction or business combination may be approved only by the Board and, if necessary, the shareholders as otherwise would be required by applicable law, our Charter and Bylaws without regard to the supermajority approval requirements discussed above. A “continuing director” is defined in our Charter as a director who (i) is not an interested party (meaning a person who has or proposes to enter into a business combination with us or owns more than 5% of any class of our stock) or an affiliate or an associate of an interested party and who has been a member of the Board for a period of at least 24 months (or since we commenced operations, if that period is less than 24 months); or (ii) is a successor of a continuing director who is not an interested party or an affiliate or an
associate of an interested party and is recommended to succeed a continuing director by a majority of the continuing directors then in office or is nominated for election by the shareholders by a majority of the continuing directors then in office; or (iii) is elected to the Board to be a continuing director by a majority of the continuing directors then in office and who is not an interested party or an affiliate or associate of an interested party.
Our Charter also provides that the Board is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as practicable, with each class of directors serving for a staggered three-year term. Additionally, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, directors may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as such term is defined in our Charter) and only by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class. Our Charter and Bylaws also provide that, except as provided otherwise by applicable law, including the 1940 Act and subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any vacancy on the Board, except, until such time as we have three independent directors, for vacancies resulting from the removal of a director by the shareholders, and any newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the size of the Board, may only be filled by vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided that, under Maryland law, when the holders of any class, classes or series of stock have the exclusive power under our Charter to elect certain directors, vacancies in directorships elected by such class, classes or series may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors so elected by such class, classes or series of our stock. In addition, our Charter provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock to elect or remove one or more directors, the total number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board.
The classification of the Board and the limitations on removal of directors described above as well as the limitations on shareholders' right to fill vacancies and newly created directorships and to fix the size of the Board could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring or attempting to acquire us. Maryland law and our Charter and Bylaws also provide that:
any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting;
special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Board, the chairman of the Board or the chief executive officer, and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of shareholders who are entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting; and
from and after the Initial Closing, any shareholder nomination or business proposal to be properly brought before a meeting of shareholders must have been made in compliance with certain advance notice and informational requirements.
Our Charter also provides that any tender offer made by any person, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with the provisions of Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act that would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than five percent of the outstanding shares, including the notice and disclosure requirements. Among other things, the offeror must provide us notice of such tender offer at least ten business days before initiating the tender offer. Our Charter prohibits any shareholder from transferring shares of stock to a person who makes a tender offer which does not comply with such provisions unless such shareholder has first offered such shares of stock to us at the tender offer price in the non-compliant tender offer. In addition, the non-complying offeror will be responsible for all of our expenses in connection with that offeror’s noncompliance.
These provisions could delay or hinder shareholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a shareholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called shareholders meeting, and not by written consent. The provisions of our Charter requiring that the directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors will also prevent shareholders from removing
incumbent directors except for cause and upon a substantial affirmative vote. In addition, although the advance notice and information requirements in our Bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or business proposals that are made in compliance with applicable advance notice procedures, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless the amendment is declared advisable by the corporation's board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our Charter provides for approval of charter amendments by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Board, by vote of a majority of the members of the Board, has the exclusive power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal our Bylaws. Our Charter provides that any amendment to the following provisions of our Charter, among others, will require, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law or our Charter, the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, in addition to the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the members of the Board, unless three-quarters of the continuing directors approve the amendment, in which case such amendment must be approved as would otherwise be required by applicable law, our Charter and Bylaws:
the provisions regarding the classification of the Board;
the provisions governing the removal of directors;
the provisions limiting shareholder action by written consent;
the provisions regarding the number of directors on the Board;
the provisions specifying the vote required to approve extraordinary actions and amend the Charter and the Board’s exclusive power to amend our Bylaws;
the limitations of directors’ and officers’ liability for money damages and the requirement that we indemnify its directors and officers as described above; and
the provisions imposing additional voting requirements on certain business combinations and other actions.
Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals
Our Bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of individuals for election as directors and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may be made only (a) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board or (c) by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by our Bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with our Bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by our Bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws.
The purpose of requiring shareholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford the Board a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of
any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board, to inform shareholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of shareholders. Although our Bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, the advance notice and information requirements may have the effect of precluding election contests or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
No Appraisal Rights
For certain extraordinary transactions and charter amendments, the MGCL provides the right to dissenting shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in the statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. As permitted by the MGCL, our Charter provides that shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless the Board determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which shareholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
Control Share Acquisitions
Certain provisions of the MGCL provide that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, which is referred to as the Control Share Acquisition Act. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
one-third or more but less than a majority; or
a majority or more of all voting power.
The requisite shareholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or if a meeting of shareholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholder meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair
value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of stock. The SEC staff previously took the position that, if a BDC failed to opt-out of the Control Share Acquisition Act, its actions would be inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. However, the SEC recently withdrew its previous position, and stated that is would not recommend enforcement action against a closed-end fund, including a BDC, that that opts in to being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act if the closed-end fund acts with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws and the duty to the company and its shareholders generally. As such, we may amend our Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act, but will do so only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if such amendment can be accomplished in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and SEC guidance.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s stock; or
an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A person is not an interested shareholder under this statute if the corporation’s board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition, any such business combination generally must be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if holders of the corporation’s common stock receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares. The statute provides various exemptions from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the corporation’s board of directors before the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. The Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the requirements of the statute any business combination between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by the Board (including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” within the meaning of the 1940 Act). This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the Board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Conflict with the 1940 Act
Our Bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our Bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act or any provision of our Charter or Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.
                           
Long Term Debt [Table Text Block]  
DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series. See Part II, Item 7 “MANAGEMENT’ DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —Debt” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of our outstanding debt securities.
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “- Events of Default - Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. We have filed the indenture with the SEC. We will file a supplemental indenture with the SEC in connection with any debt offering, at which time the supplemental indenture would be publicly available. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the applicable indenture.
The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered, including, among other things:
the designation or title of the series of debt securities;
the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;
the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;
the date or dates on which principal will be payable;
the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;
the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;
whether any interest may be paid by issuing additional securities of the same series in lieu of cash (and the terms upon which any such interest may be paid by issuing additional securities);
the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;
the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;
whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;
the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;
the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued (if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof);
the provision for any sinking fund;
any restrictive covenants;
any Events of Default;
whether the series of debt securities is issuable in certificated form;
any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;
any special U.S. federal income tax implications, including, if applicable, U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;
whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);
any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;
whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;
whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of any security interest;
the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and
any other terms.
The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.
Generally, pursuant to the 1940 Act, a BDC’s total borrowings are limited so that it cannot incur additional borrowings if immediately after such borrowing, the ratio of its total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to its total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, is at least 200%; however, certain provisions of the 1940 Act by allow a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it could incur. This means that generally, a BDC can borrow up to $1 for every $1 of investor equity or, if certain requirements are met and it reduces its asset coverage ratio, it can borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity. See Part I, Item 1 “BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
On March 31, 2020, our Board, including the required majority (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) thereof, approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, with such reduced asset coverage to become effective on March 31, 2021. However, on June 8, 2020, shareholders representing the majority of votes cast approved a proposal to allow us to reduce our minimum asset coverage requirement to 150% effective June 9, 2020. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Business and Operations - We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
General
The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “- Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
Except as described under “- Events of Default” and “- Merger or Consolidation” below, the indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.
We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
Conversion and Exchange
If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.
Issuance of Securities in Registered Form
We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.
Book-Entry Holders
We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.
Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements
they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.
As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
Street Name Holders
In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.
For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.
When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:
how it handles securities payments and notices,
whether it imposes fees or charges,
how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required,
whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities,
how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests, and
if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.
Global Securities
As noted above, we usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated”. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.
If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
An investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below.
An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities, as we describe under “Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.
An investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.
An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.
The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way.
If we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series.
An investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the applicable trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee.
DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book-entry system use immediately available funds. Your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security.
Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
Termination of a Global Security
If a global security is terminated, interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of legal holders and street name investors under “Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.
The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
Payments on Global Securities
We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.
Payments on Certificated Securities
We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date to the holder of debt securities as shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date at our office in New York, NY and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable
trustee in New York, NY and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.
Alternatively, at our option, we may pay any interest that becomes due on the debt security by mailing a check to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date or by transfer to an account at a bank in the United States, in either case, on the due date.
Payment When Offices Are Closed
Except as otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.
Events of Default
You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.
The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following (unless the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities states otherwise):
(1)we default in the payment of any interest upon a debt securities of the series when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
(2)we default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) a debt security of the series when it becomes due and payable at its maturity, including upon any redemption date or required repurchase date, and the default continues for a period of five days;
(3)we fail for 60 consecutive days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding to us and the trustee, as applicable, has been received to comply with any of our other agreements with respect to debt securities of the series;
(4)pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(C)(ii) and Section 61 of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, any class of securities shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) of less than 100%, giving effect to any amendments to such provisions of the 1940 Act or to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC;
(5)we file for bankruptcy or certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization involving us occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days;
(6)we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date, and do not cure this default within five days; and
(7)any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.
Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs
If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series if (1) we have deposited with the trustee all amounts due and owing with respect to the securities (other than principal that has become due solely by reason of such acceleration) and certain other amounts, and (2) any other Events of Default have been cured or waived.
Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity satisfactory to the trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.
Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:
You must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to the relevant series of debt securities has occurred and remains uncured.
The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses, and other liabilities of taking that action.
The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of security or indemnity.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period.
However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than a default
in the payment of principal, any premium, or interest or
in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.
Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities or else specifying any default.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Unless the prospectus supplement relating to certain debt securities states otherwise, the indenture will provide that we will not merge or consolidate with or into any other person (other than a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary into us), or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our property (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the
Company or its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition; and provided further that this covenant shall not apply to any sale, transfer, lease, conveyance, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s property to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) in any one transaction or series of related transactions unless:
we are the surviving person (the “Surviving Person”) or the Surviving Person (if other than us) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof;
the Surviving Person (if other than us) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, executed and delivered to the trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the indenture to be performed by us;
immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
we shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the trustee, an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto, comply with this covenant, that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
For the purposes of this covenant, the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all the property of one or more of our subsidiaries, which property, if held by us instead of such subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of our property on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of our property.
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all”, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether the merger, consolidation or sale of assets covenant would apply to a particular transaction as described above absent a decision by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.
Changes Requiring Your Approval
First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:
change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on the debt securities;
reduce any amounts due on the debt securities;
reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;
adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;
change the place (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement) or currency of payment on a debt security;
impair your right to sue for payment;
adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;
modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is adverse to outstanding holders of the debt securities;
reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;
reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;
modify certain of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and
change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.
Changes Not Requiring Approval
The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications, establishment of the form or terms of new securities of any series as permitted by the indenture, and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect, including adding additional covenants or events of default. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.
Changes Requiring Majority Approval
Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:
If the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series.
If the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of debt securities issued under an indenture, or all series, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “- Changes Requiring Your Approval.”
Further Details Concerning Voting
When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:
For original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default.
For debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.
For debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.
Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “- Defeasance - Full Defeasance.”
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by
persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.
Satisfaction and Discharge
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all debt securities of the series then outstanding or by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay all of the debt securities of the series then outstanding after such debt securities have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year). Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.
Defeasance
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
Covenant Defeasance
If certain conditions are satisfied, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “- Indenture Provisions - Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
If the debt securities of a particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of a particular series a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of the particular series on their various due dates.
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance or to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and repaid the debt securities at maturity.
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.
Covenant defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or result in a default under, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.
No default or Event of Default with respect to such debt securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days.
Satisfy the conditions for covenant defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.
If we accomplished covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and
payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Legal Defeasance
If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law or we obtain an IRS ruling, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “defeasance” or “legal defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
If the debt securities of a particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of a particular series a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of the particular series on their various due dates.
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and repaid the debt securities at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit.
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.
Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or result in a default under, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.
No default or Event of Default with respect to such debt securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days.
Satisfy the conditions for covenant defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.
If we ever accomplished legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of your debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Indenture Provisions - Subordination”.
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities
If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:
only in fully registered certificated form,
without interest coupons, and
unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are multiples of $1,000.
Holders may exchange their certificated securities, if any, for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed and as long as the denomination is greater than the minimum denomination for such securities.
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities, if any, at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, if any, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.
If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.
Resignation of Trustee
Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series and has accepted such appointment. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
Indenture Provisions - Subordination
Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.
“Senior Indebtedness” is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:
our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, and
renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
Secured Indebtedness and Ranking
We may issue two types of unsecured indebtedness obligations: senior and subordinated. Senior unsecured indebtedness obligations refer to those that rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to such indebtedness. Subordinated unsecured indebtedness obligations refer to those that are expressly subordinated in right of payment to other unsecured obligations.
Certain of our indebtedness, including certain series of indenture securities, may be secured. The prospectus supplement for each series of indenture securities will describe the terms of any security interest for such series and will indicate the approximate amount of our secured indebtedness as of a recent date. Any unsecured indenture securities will effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness, including any secured indenture securities, that we incur in the future to the extent of the value of the assets securing such future secured indebtedness. Our debt securities, whether secured or unsecured, will rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities, with respect to claims on the assets of any such subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities.
In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, any of our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on unsecured debt securities only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all unsecured debt securities then outstanding after fulfillment of this obligation. As a result, the holders of unsecured indenture securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of any of our secured indebtedness.
The Trustee under the Indenture
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, will serve as the trustee under the indenture.
Certain Considerations Relating To Foreign Currencies
Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Book-Entry Debt Securities
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in book-entry form, and the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will act as securities depository for the debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered certificate will be issued for the debt securities, in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. If, however, the
aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount, and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such issue.
DTC has advised us that it is:
a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;
a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;
a member of the Federal Reserve System;
a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and
a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants, or Direct Participants, include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.
DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly, or Indirect Participants. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, or Beneficial Owner, is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Redemption proceeds, distributions, and interest payments on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the trustee on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC or its nominee, the trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and interest payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of us or the trustee, but disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or to the trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, certificates are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
                           
Long Term Debt, Principal   $ 95,800,000,000                            
Long Term Debt, Structuring [Text Block]  
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to U.S. middle-market companies. Since its inception in April 2016 through March 31, 2024, our Adviser and its affiliates have originated $99.6 billion aggregate principal amount of investments, of which $95.8 billion of aggregate principal amount of investments prior to any subsequent exits or repayments, was retained by either us or a fund advised by our Adviser or its affiliates. Our capital will be used by our portfolio companies to primarily support growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion, refinancings and/or recapitalizations.
                           
Long Term Debt, Dividends and Covenants [Text Block]  
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “- Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
                           
Other Securities [Table Text Block]  
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES
This prospectus contains a summary of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights, debt securities, warrants and units. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However, this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the material terms and conditions for each security.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and on our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the MGCL and our charter (the “Charter”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”) for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.
Capital Stock
Under the terms of our Charter, our authorized stock consists solely of 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As permitted by the MGCL, our Charter provides that a majority of the entire Board, without any action by our shareholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Our Charter also provides that the Board may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into one or more classes or series of common stock or preferred stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, or limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares. Unless the Board determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our stock in uncertificated form.
None of our shares of common stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).
The following presents our outstanding classes of securities as of March 31, 2024:
Title of ClassAmount
Authorized
Amount Held by
Us or for Our
Account
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Amount
Held by Us or for
Our Account
Common Stock
500,000,000 — 389,732,868 
Common Stock
Under the terms of the Charter, all shares of our common stock have equal rights as to dividends, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Dividends and distributions may be paid to our shareholders if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and shareholders generally have no appraisal rights. Other than as described below, shares of our common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” we may require any person proposing to acquire shares of our common stock to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of shares of such stock or redeem any outstanding shares of stock for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including the election of directors, and the shareholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to as many votes as equals the number of votes which such holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and allows a shareholder to cast a portion or all of the shareholder’s votes for one or more candidates for seats on the Board. Without cumulative voting, a minority shareholder may not be able to elect as many directors as the shareholder would be able to elect if cumulative voting were permitted. Subject to the special rights of the
holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director’s election, except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in our Bylaws), in which directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the contested election of directors.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our Charter, the Board may authorize us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, without shareholder approval, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Board has the power to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock. We do not currently anticipate issuing preferred stock in the near future. In the event we issue preferred stock, we will make any required disclosure to shareholders. We will not offer preferred stock to the Adviser or our affiliates except on the same terms as offered to all other shareholders.
Preferred stock could be issued with terms that would adversely affect our shareholders. Preferred stock could also be used as an anti-takeover device through the issuance of shares of a class or series of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control. Every issuance of preferred stock will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that: (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if distributions on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as determined in accordance with the 1940 Act) voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred stock would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.
The issuance of any preferred stock must be approved by a majority of the independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our Charter contains a provision that eliminates directors' and officers' liability, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity against reasonable expenses actually incurred in the proceeding in which the director or officer was successful. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly
received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our Charter obligates us, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify (1) any present or former director or officer; (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and at the Company's request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee; or (3) the Adviser or any of its affiliates acting as an agent for the Company, from and against any claim or liability to which the person or entity may become subject or may incur by reason of such person's service in that capacity, and to pay or reimburse such person's reasonable expenses as incurred in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. These indemnification rights vest immediately upon an individual's election as a director or officer. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Company will not indemnify any person for any liability to the extent that such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his, her or its office.
Maryland Law and Certain Charter and Bylaws Provisions; Anti-Takeover Measures
Maryland law contains, and our Charter and Bylaws also contain, provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of shareholders. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the Board's ability to negotiate such proposals may improve their terms.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless declared advisable by the corporation's board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our Charter provides for approval of these actions by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Subject to certain exceptions provided in our Charter, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, in addition to the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the members of the Board, will be necessary to effect any of the following actions:
any amendment to our Charter to make our common stock a “redeemable security” or to convert us from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act); or
any shareholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to our assets.
However, if the proposal, transaction or business combination is approved by at least 75% of our continuing directors, the proposal, transaction or business combination may be approved only by the Board and, if necessary, the shareholders as otherwise would be required by applicable law, our Charter and Bylaws without regard to the supermajority approval requirements discussed above. A “continuing director” is defined in our Charter as a director who (i) is not an interested party (meaning a person who has or proposes to enter into a business combination with us or owns more than 5% of any class of our stock) or an affiliate or an associate of an interested party and who has been a member of the Board for a period of at least 24 months (or since we commenced operations, if that period is less than 24 months); or (ii) is a successor of a continuing director who is not an interested party or an affiliate or an
associate of an interested party and is recommended to succeed a continuing director by a majority of the continuing directors then in office or is nominated for election by the shareholders by a majority of the continuing directors then in office; or (iii) is elected to the Board to be a continuing director by a majority of the continuing directors then in office and who is not an interested party or an affiliate or associate of an interested party.
Our Charter also provides that the Board is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as practicable, with each class of directors serving for a staggered three-year term. Additionally, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, directors may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as such term is defined in our Charter) and only by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class. Our Charter and Bylaws also provide that, except as provided otherwise by applicable law, including the 1940 Act and subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any vacancy on the Board, except, until such time as we have three independent directors, for vacancies resulting from the removal of a director by the shareholders, and any newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the size of the Board, may only be filled by vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided that, under Maryland law, when the holders of any class, classes or series of stock have the exclusive power under our Charter to elect certain directors, vacancies in directorships elected by such class, classes or series may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors so elected by such class, classes or series of our stock. In addition, our Charter provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock to elect or remove one or more directors, the total number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board.
The classification of the Board and the limitations on removal of directors described above as well as the limitations on shareholders' right to fill vacancies and newly created directorships and to fix the size of the Board could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring or attempting to acquire us. Maryland law and our Charter and Bylaws also provide that:
any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting;
special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Board, the chairman of the Board or the chief executive officer, and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of shareholders who are entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting; and
from and after the Initial Closing, any shareholder nomination or business proposal to be properly brought before a meeting of shareholders must have been made in compliance with certain advance notice and informational requirements.
Our Charter also provides that any tender offer made by any person, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with the provisions of Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act that would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than five percent of the outstanding shares, including the notice and disclosure requirements. Among other things, the offeror must provide us notice of such tender offer at least ten business days before initiating the tender offer. Our Charter prohibits any shareholder from transferring shares of stock to a person who makes a tender offer which does not comply with such provisions unless such shareholder has first offered such shares of stock to us at the tender offer price in the non-compliant tender offer. In addition, the non-complying offeror will be responsible for all of our expenses in connection with that offeror’s noncompliance.
These provisions could delay or hinder shareholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a shareholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called shareholders meeting, and not by written consent. The provisions of our Charter requiring that the directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors will also prevent shareholders from removing
incumbent directors except for cause and upon a substantial affirmative vote. In addition, although the advance notice and information requirements in our Bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or business proposals that are made in compliance with applicable advance notice procedures, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless the amendment is declared advisable by the corporation's board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our Charter provides for approval of charter amendments by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Board, by vote of a majority of the members of the Board, has the exclusive power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal our Bylaws. Our Charter provides that any amendment to the following provisions of our Charter, among others, will require, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law or our Charter, the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, in addition to the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the members of the Board, unless three-quarters of the continuing directors approve the amendment, in which case such amendment must be approved as would otherwise be required by applicable law, our Charter and Bylaws:
the provisions regarding the classification of the Board;
the provisions governing the removal of directors;
the provisions limiting shareholder action by written consent;
the provisions regarding the number of directors on the Board;
the provisions specifying the vote required to approve extraordinary actions and amend the Charter and the Board’s exclusive power to amend our Bylaws;
the limitations of directors’ and officers’ liability for money damages and the requirement that we indemnify its directors and officers as described above; and
the provisions imposing additional voting requirements on certain business combinations and other actions.
Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals
Our Bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of individuals for election as directors and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may be made only (a) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board or (c) by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by our Bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with our Bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by our Bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws.
The purpose of requiring shareholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford the Board a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of
any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board, to inform shareholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of shareholders. Although our Bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, the advance notice and information requirements may have the effect of precluding election contests or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
No Appraisal Rights
For certain extraordinary transactions and charter amendments, the MGCL provides the right to dissenting shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in the statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. As permitted by the MGCL, our Charter provides that shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless the Board determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which shareholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
Control Share Acquisitions
Certain provisions of the MGCL provide that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, which is referred to as the Control Share Acquisition Act. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
one-third or more but less than a majority; or
a majority or more of all voting power.
The requisite shareholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or if a meeting of shareholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholder meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair
value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of stock. The SEC staff previously took the position that, if a BDC failed to opt-out of the Control Share Acquisition Act, its actions would be inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. However, the SEC recently withdrew its previous position, and stated that is would not recommend enforcement action against a closed-end fund, including a BDC, that that opts in to being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act if the closed-end fund acts with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws and the duty to the company and its shareholders generally. As such, we may amend our Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act, but will do so only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if such amendment can be accomplished in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and SEC guidance.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s stock; or
an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A person is not an interested shareholder under this statute if the corporation’s board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition, any such business combination generally must be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if holders of the corporation’s common stock receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares. The statute provides various exemptions from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the corporation’s board of directors before the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. The Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the requirements of the statute any business combination between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by the Board (including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” within the meaning of the 1940 Act). This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the Board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Conflict with the 1940 Act
Our Bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our Bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act or any provision of our Charter or Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK
In addition to shares of common stock, our Charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without shareholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our Board is required by Maryland law and by our Charter to set, subject to the express terms of any of our then outstanding classes or series of stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such issuance must adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act, Maryland law and any other limitations imposed by law.
The 1940 Act limits our flexibility as to certain rights and preferences of the preferred stock under our certificate of incorporation. In particular, every share of stock issued by a BDC must be voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding class of voting stock, except to the extent that the stock satisfies the requirements for being treated as a senior security, which requires, among other things, that:
immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, we must meet a coverage ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, of at least 150%; and
the holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if and for so long as dividends on the preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years of dividends on the preferred stock.
The features of the preferred stock are further limited by the requirements applicable to RICs under the Code.
For any class or series of preferred stock that we may issue, our Board will determine and the articles supplementary and the prospectus supplement relating to such class or series will describe:
the designation and number of shares of such class or series;
the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such class or series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;
any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such class or series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such class or series;
the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such class or series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such class or series;
any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such class or series;
any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such class or series are outstanding;
any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such class or series or other securities;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such class or series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our Board, and all shares of each class or series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to our shareholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days);
the title of such subscription rights;
the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);
the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);
the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;
the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;
the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);
the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;
any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and
any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.
Exercise of Subscription Rights
Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.
Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dilutive Effects
Any shareholder who chooses not to participate in a rights offering should expect to own a smaller interest in us upon completion of such rights offering. Any rights offering will dilute the ownership interest and voting power of shareholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights. Further, because the net proceeds per share from any rights offering may be lower than our then current net asset value per share, the rights offering may reduce our net asset value per share. The amount of dilution that a shareholder will experience could be substantial, particularly to the extent we engage in multiple rights offerings within a limited time period. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected while a rights offering is ongoing as a result of the possibility that a significant number of additional shares may be issued upon completion of such rights offering. All of our shareholders will also indirectly bear the expenses associated with any rights offering we may conduct, regardless of whether they elect to exercise any rights.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS
The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.
We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:
the title of such warrants;
the aggregate number of such warrants;
the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;
whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.
Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our Board approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our shareholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR UNITS
The following is a general description of the terms of the units we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any units we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such units. For a complete description of the terms of particular units, you should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to those particular units.
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of units we may issue, including the following:
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
We will not offer any units under this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement without first filing a new post-effective amendment to the registration statement.
                           
Outstanding Securities [Table Text Block]  
Title of ClassAmount
Authorized
Amount Held by
Us or for Our
Account
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Amount
Held by Us or for
Our Account
Common Stock
500,000,000 — 389,732,868 
                           
Common Stock [Member]                                
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Security Title [Text Block]   Common Stock                            
Security Dividends [Text Block]   Dividends and distributions may be paid to our shareholders if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared out of funds legally available therefor.                            
Security Voting Rights [Text Block]   Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including the election of directors, and the shareholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to as many votes as equals the number of votes which such holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and allows a shareholder to cast a portion or all of the shareholder’s votes for one or more candidates for seats on the Board. Without cumulative voting, a minority shareholder may not be able to elect as many directors as the shareholder would be able to elect if cumulative voting were permitted. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director’s election, except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in our Bylaws), in which directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the contested election of directors.                            
Security Liquidation Rights [Text Block]   In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time.                            
Security Liabilities [Text Block]   None of our shares of common stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).                            
Security Preemptive and Other Rights [Text Block]   Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and shareholders generally have no appraisal rights. Other than as described below, shares of our common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” we may require any person proposing to acquire shares of our common stock to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of shares of such stock or redeem any outstanding shares of stock for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board.                            
Security Obligations of Ownership [Text Block]   Under the terms of the Charter, all shares of our common stock have equal rights as to dividends, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.                            
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block]  
Common Stock
                           
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares]   500,000,000                            
Outstanding Security, Held [Shares]   0                            
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares]   389,732,868                            
Preferred Stock [Member]                                
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Security Title [Text Block]   Preferred Stock                            
Security Dividends [Text Block]   The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that: (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be                            
Security Voting Rights [Text Block]   the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if distributions on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more.                            
Security Liabilities [Text Block]   None of our shares of common stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).                            
Security Preemptive and Other Rights [Text Block]   In the event we issue preferred stock, we will make any required disclosure to shareholders. We will not offer preferred stock to the Adviser or our affiliates except on the same terms as offered to all other shareholders.                            
Security Obligations of Ownership [Text Block]   Every issuance of preferred stock will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act.                            
Preferred Stock Restrictions, Other [Text Block]   The issuance of any preferred stock must be approved by a majority of the independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.                            
Other Security, Title [Text Block]   PREFERRED STOCK                            
Other Security, Description [Text Block]  
In addition to shares of common stock, our Charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without shareholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our Board is required by Maryland law and by our Charter to set, subject to the express terms of any of our then outstanding classes or series of stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such issuance must adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act, Maryland law and any other limitations imposed by law.
The 1940 Act limits our flexibility as to certain rights and preferences of the preferred stock under our certificate of incorporation. In particular, every share of stock issued by a BDC must be voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding class of voting stock, except to the extent that the stock satisfies the requirements for being treated as a senior security, which requires, among other things, that:
immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, we must meet a coverage ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, of at least 150%; and
the holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if and for so long as dividends on the preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years of dividends on the preferred stock.
The features of the preferred stock are further limited by the requirements applicable to RICs under the Code.
For any class or series of preferred stock that we may issue, our Board will determine and the articles supplementary and the prospectus supplement relating to such class or series will describe:
the designation and number of shares of such class or series;
the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such class or series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;
any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such class or series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such class or series;
the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such class or series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such class or series;
any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such class or series;
any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such class or series are outstanding;
any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such class or series or other securities;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such class or series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our Board, and all shares of each class or series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.
                           
Subscription Rights [Member]                                
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Other Security, Title [Text Block]   SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS                            
Other Security, Description [Text Block]  
We may issue subscription rights to our shareholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days);
the title of such subscription rights;
the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);
the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);
the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;
the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;
the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);
the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;
any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and
any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.
Exercise of Subscription Rights
Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.
Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dilutive Effects
Any shareholder who chooses not to participate in a rights offering should expect to own a smaller interest in us upon completion of such rights offering. Any rights offering will dilute the ownership interest and voting power of shareholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights. Further, because the net proceeds per share from any rights offering may be lower than our then current net asset value per share, the rights offering may reduce our net asset value per share. The amount of dilution that a shareholder will experience could be substantial, particularly to the extent we engage in multiple rights offerings within a limited time period. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected while a rights offering is ongoing as a result of the possibility that a significant number of additional shares may be issued upon completion of such rights offering. All of our shareholders will also indirectly bear the expenses associated with any rights offering we may conduct, regardless of whether they elect to exercise any rights.
                           
Warrant [Member]                                
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Other Security, Title [Text Block]   WARRANTS                            
Other Security, Description [Text Block]  
The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.
We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:
the title of such warrants;
the aggregate number of such warrants;
the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;
whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.
Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our Board approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our shareholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock.
                           
Unit [Member]                                
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]                                
Other Security, Title [Text Block]   UNITS                            
Other Security, Description [Text Block]  
The following is a general description of the terms of the units we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any units we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such units. For a complete description of the terms of particular units, you should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to those particular units.
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of units we may issue, including the following:
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
We will not offer any units under this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement without first filing a new post-effective amendment to the registration statement.