N-CSRS 1 pi_ncsrs-18342.htm BARINGS PARTICIPATION INVESTORS - REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 


 

FORM N-CSR

 


 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number   811-5531

 

 

 

 

 

Barings Participation Investors

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

 

     

 

300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC  28202

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

 

     

 

Janice M. Bishop, Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Independence Wharf, 470 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02210

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 



 


 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 413-226-1000

 

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

 

Date of reporting period: 06/30/19

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles
 
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 110 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.

 

 



 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

Attached hereto is the semi-annual shareholder report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Barings 
Participation Investors 
 
Report for the  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019  
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund's website http://www.barings.com/MPV, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
 
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank).
 
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Adviser
Barings LLC
300 S Tryon St., Suite 2500
Charlotte, NC 28202
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
 
Counsel to the Trust
Ropes & Gray LLP
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
 
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Transfer Agent & Registrar
DST Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 219086
Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9086
1-800-647-7374
 
Internet Website
www.barings.com/mpv
 
Barings Participation Investors
c/o Barings LLC
300 S Tryon St., Suite 2500
Charlotte, NC 28202
(413) 226-1516
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Investment Objective and Policy
Barings Participation Investors (the "Trust") is a closed-end management investment company, first offered to the public in 1988, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "MPV". The Trust's share price can be found in the financial section of most newspapers under either the New York Stock Exchange listings or Closed-End Fund Listings.
 
The Trust's investment objective is to maintain a portfolio of securities providing a current yield and, when available, an opportunity for capital gains. The Trust's principal investments are privately placed, below investment grade, long-term debt obligations including bank loans and mezzanine debt instruments. Such direct placement securities may, in some cases, be accompanied by equity features such as common stock, preferred stock, warrants, conversion rights, or other equity features. The Trust typically purchases these investments, which are not publicly tradable, directly from their issuers in private placement transactions. These investments are typically made to small or middle market companies. In addition, the Trust may invest, subject to certain limitations, in marketable debt securities (including high yield and/or investment grade securities) and marketable common stock. Below investment grade or high yield securities have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay capital.
 
The Trust distributes substantially all of its net income to shareholders each year. Accordingly, the Trust pays dividends to shareholders in January, May, August, and November. All registered shareholders are automatically enrolled in the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan unless cash distributions are requested.
 
Form N-PORT
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT. This information is available (i) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov; and (ii) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (which information on their operation may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330). A complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of each quarter-end is available upon request by calling, toll-free, 866-399-1516.
Proxy Voting Policies & Procedures; Proxy Voting Record
The Trustees of the Trust have delegated proxy voting responsibilities relating to the voting of securities held by the Trust to Barings LLC ("Barings"). A description of Barings' proxy voting policies and procedures is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling, toll-free 866-399-1516; (2) on the Trust's website at www.barings.com/mpv; and (3) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) on the Trust's website at www.barings.com/mpv; and (2) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Legal Matters
The Trust has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, transfer agent and custodian (collectively "service providers") who each provide services to the Trust. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of, these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.
 
Under the Trust's Bylaws, any claims asserted against or on behalf of the Trust, including claims against Trustees and officers must be brought in courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 
The Trust's registration statement and this shareholder report are not contracts between the Trust and its shareholders and do not give rise to any contractual rights or obligations or any shareholder rights other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Barings Participation Investors
 
 
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
July 31, 2019
 
 
We are pleased to present the June 30, 2019 Quarterly Report of Barings Participation Investors (the "Trust").
 
The Board of Trustees declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on August 16, 2019 to shareholders of record on August 5, 2019. The Trust paid a $0.27 per share dividend for the preceding quarter. The Trust earned $0.26 per share of net investment income for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $0.28 per share in the previous quarter.
 
During the second quarter, the net assets of the Trust increased to $146,435,341 or $13.87 per share compared to $143,396,463 or $13.60 per share on March 31, 2019. This translates to a 4.0% total return for the quarter, based on the change in the Trust's net assets assuming the reinvestment of all dividends. Longer term, the Trust returned 9.4%, 9.3%, 8.8%, 11.4%, and 12.2% for the 1, 3, 5, 10, and 25-year periods, respectively, based on the change in the Trust's net assets assuming the reinvestment of all dividends.
 
The Trust's share price increased during the quarter, from $15.36 per share as of March 31, 2019 to $16.31 per share as of June 30, 2019, which resulted in a total return for the quarter of 8.1%. The Trust's market price of $16.31 per share equates to a 17.6% premium over the June 30, 2019 net asset value per share of $13.87. The Trust's average quarter-end premium for the 3, 5 and 10-year periods was 7.2%, 3.9% and 8.7%, respectively. U.S. equity markets, as approximated by the Russell 2000 Index, increased 2.1% for the quarter. U.S. fixed income markets, as approximated by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and the Credit Suisse Leverage Loan Index, increased 2.5% and 1.6% for the quarter, respectively.
 
The Trust closed three new private placement investments and five add-on investments to existing portfolio companies during the first quarter. The total amount invested by the Trust in these transactions was $3,251,610. Of note, all of the new platform investments were floating rate senior secured term loans. Over the past couple of years, the Trust has increasingly invested in term loans with floating interest rates. As interest rates fluctuate, we expect interest income to fluctuate due to the base interest rates on the floating rate loans resetting quarterly. Please note that the Trust's own senior term loan is fixed rate and therefore, fluctuations in base interest rates will not impact the Trust's cost of borrowing.
 
Middle market merger and acquisition activity continues to remain below 2018 levels. The lower M&A activity coupled with continued hyper-competitive market conditions led to aggressive credit terms including increased leverage and lower pricing. As a result of these factors, the Trust's new investment activity was lower than recent quarters. It continues to be difficult to source traditional higher yielding junior debt opportunities as the all-senior structures continue to be more prevalent in the middle market. As always, we continue to be selective in our investment choices and maintain underwriting discipline.
 
The Trust's current portfolio continues to exhibit sound credit quality. Realization activity continued through the second quarter with five private investment exits during the quarter, all of which resulted in favorable results. In addition, two companies fully prepaid their debt held by the Trust. The Trust was also the beneficiary of one of its equity investments paying a dividend during the quarter. We remain cautiously optimistic about realization activity over the next few quarters as there are several companies in which the Trust has outstanding investments that are in the process of being sold.
 
The Trust was able to maintain its $0.27 per share quarterly dividend in the second quarter. While the Trust's expansion of its target investment criteria in 2017 has allowed for increased private debt investment opportunities, and as a result, more stable recurring investment income, recurring investment income fell slightly short of fully funding this quarter's dividend. As has occurred from time to time in the past, the slight shortfall was covered with earnings carry forwards and other non-recurring income. Due to the continued market decline in higher yielding junior debt investment opportunities, over time it may become difficult to maintain the dividend at $0.27 per share. We and the Board of Trustees will continue to evaluate the current and future earnings capacity of the Trust and formulate a dividend strategy that is consistent with the Trust's recurring earnings.
 
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Barings Participation Investors.
 
 
(Continued)

1
 

 
 
Sincerely,
 
Robert M. Shettle
 
President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portfolio Composition as of 6/30/19*
 
 
 
 
 
* Based on market value of total investments
Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this report may be "forward looking" statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of the Trust's trading intent. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the Trust's current or future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
 
 
 
 
 

2
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
     
       
Investments
(See Consolidated Schedule of Investments)
     
Corporate restricted securities at fair value
(Cost - $123,831,423 )
 
$
121,099,996
 
Corporate restricted securities at market value
(Cost - $7,796,797 )
   
7,293,365
 
Corporate public securities at market value
(Cost - $9,297,595 )
   
8,988,176
 
Short-term securities at amortized cost
   
9,478,396
 
         
Total investments (Cost - $150,404,211 )
   
146,859,933
 
         
Cash
   
13,639,157
 
Interest receivable
   
1,064,018
 
Receivable for investments sold
   
386,841
 
Other assets
   
14,104
 
         
Total assets
   
161,964,053
 
 
       
         
Liabilities:
       
Note payable
   
15,000,000
 
Investment advisory fee payable
   
329,480
 
Interest payable
   
27,267
 
Accrued expenses
   
171,965
 
         
Total liabilities
   
15,528,712
 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 8)
       
         
Total net assets
 
$
146,435,341
 
 
       
         
Net Assets:
       
Common shares, par value $.01 per share
 
$
105,583
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
141,926,663
 
Total distributable earnings
   
4,403,095
 
         
Total net assets
 
$
146,435,341
 
         
Common shares issued and outstanding (14,787,750 authorized)
   
10,558,290
 
         
Net asset value per share
 
$
13.87
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Investment Income:
     
Interest
 
$
6,827,955
 
Dividends
   
89,520
 
Other
   
66,534
 
         
Total investment income
   
6,984,009
 
 
       
         
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
   
652,122
 
Interest
   
306,750
 
Professional fees
   
160,130
 
Trustees' fees and expenses
   
120,000
 
Reports to shareholders
   
72,000
 
Custodian fees
   
12,000
 
Other
   
57,597
 
         
Total expenses
   
1,380,599
 
         
Investment income - net
   
5,603,410
 
         
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments:
       
Net realized gain on investments before taxes
   
1,801,122
 
Income tax expense
   
(85,278
)
         
Net realized gain on investments after taxes
   
1,715,844
 
         
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments before taxes
   
2,744,652
 
         
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments after taxes
   
2,744,652
 
         
Net gain on investments
   
4,460,496
 
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
10,063,906
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the six months ended June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Net decrease in cash:
     
Cash flows from operating activities:
     
Purchases/Proceeds/Maturities from short-term portfolio securities, net
 
$
(9,458,031
)
Purchases of portfolio securities
   
(9,501,337
)
Proceeds from disposition of portfolio securities
   
17,607,436
 
Interest, dividends and other income received
   
5,985,680
 
Interest expense paid
   
(306,750
)
Operating expenses paid
   
(972,399
)
Income taxes paid
   
(932,484
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
2,422,115
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
       
Cash dividends paid from net investment income
   
(5,688,875
)
Receipts for shares issued on reinvestment of dividends
   
468,946
 
Net cash used for financing activities
   
(5,219,929
)
Net decrease in cash
   
(2,797,814
)
Cash - beginning of period
   
16,436,971
 
Cash - end of period
 
$
13,639,157
 
 
       
         
Reconciliation of net decrease in net assets to
net cash provided by operating activities:
       
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
10,063,906
 
Increase in investments
   
(5,679,493
)
Decrease in interest receivable
   
120,630
 
Increase in receivable for investments sold
   
(386,841
)
Increase in other assets
   
(11,861
)
Decrease in tax payable
   
(847,206
)
Increase in investment advisory fee payable
   
17,295
 
Increase in accrued expenses
   
84,155
 
Decrease in payable for investments purchased
   
(938,470
)
Total adjustments to net assets from operations
   
(7,641,791
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
2,422,115
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
For the six
months ended
6/30/2019
(Unaudited)
   
For the
year ended
12/31/2018
 
Increase / (decrease) in net assets:
           
Operations:
           
Investment income - net
 
$
5,603,410
   
$
10,797,239
 
Net realized gain on investments after taxes
   
1,715,844
     
2,674,681
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments after taxes
   
2,744,652
     
(9,832,362
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
10,063,906
     
3,639,558
 
                 
Increase from common shares issued on reinvestment of dividends
               
Common shares issued (2019 - 31,391; 2018 - 68,737)
   
468,946
     
971,512
 
                 
Dividends to shareholders from:
               
Distributable earnings to Common Stock Shareholders (2019 - $0.27 per share; 2018 - $1.08 per share)
   
(2,846,612
)
   
(11,342,034
)
Total increase / (decrease) in net assets
   
7,686,240
     
(6,730,964
)
                 
Net assets, beginning of period/year
   
138,749,101
     
145,480,065
 
 
               
 
               
Net assets, end of period/year
 
$
146,435,341
   
$
138,749,101
 
 
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for each share of beneficial interest outstanding:
 
 
 
   
For the six
months ended
6/30/2019
(Unaudited)
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
 
     
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net asset value:
                             
Beginning of period/year
 
$
13.18
   
$
13.91
   
$
13.15
   
$
13.10
   
$
13.35
 
                                         
Net investment income (a)
   
0.53
     
1.03
     
1.09
     
1.00
     
0.95
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
   
0.42
     
(0.68)
 
   
0.75
     
0.13
     
(0.12)
 
                                         
Total from investment operations
   
0.95
     
0.35
     
1.84
     
1.13
     
0.83
 
 
                                       
Dividends from net investment income to common shareholders
   
(0.27)
   
(1.08)
   
(1.08)
   
(1.08)
   
(1.08)
 
Dividends from realized gain on investments to common shareholders
   
     
     
     
     
 
Increase from dividends reinvested
   
0.01 (b)
     
(0.00) (b)
 
   
(0.00)
 
   
(0.00)
 
   
(0.00)
 
                                         
Total dividends
   
(0.26)
 
   
(1.08)
 
   
(1.08)
 
   
(1.08)
 
   
(1.08)
 
                                         
Net asset value:
End of period/year
 
$
13.87
   
$
13.18
   
$
13.91
   
$
13.15
   
$
13.10
 
                                         
Per share market value:
                                       
End of period/year
 
$
16.31
   
$
15.05
   
$
14.10
   
$
14.20
   
$
13.75
 
                                         
Total investment return
                                       
Net asset value (c)
   
7.34%
 
   
2.53%
 
   
14.29%
 
   
8.75%
 
   
6.23%
 
Market value (c)
   
10.30%
 
   
15.02%
 
   
7.21%
 
   
11.45%
 
   
12.66%
 
                                         
Net assets (in millions):
                                       
End of period/year
 
$
146.44
   
$
138.75
   
$
145.48
   
$
136.61
   
$
135.35
 
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets (d)
   
2.06% (e)
 
   
2.76%
 
   
3.23%
 
   
2.26%
 
   
2.17%
 
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets
   
1.51% (e)
 
   
1.56%
 
   
1.49%
 
   
1.35%
 
   
1.49%
 
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets
   
0.43% (e)
 
   
0.42%
 
   
0.43%
 
   
0.44%
 
   
0.44%
 
Ratio of income tax expense to average net assets
   
0.12% (e)
 
   
0.78%
 
   
1.31%
 
   
0.47%
 
   
0.24%
 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
   
7.88% (e)
 
   
7.47%
 
   
7.92%
 
   
7.45%
 
   
6.95%
 
Portfolio turnover
   
6%
 
   
48%
 
   
24%
 
   
31%
 
   
30%
 
 
(a)
Calculated using average shares.
(b)
Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
(c)
Net asset value return represents portfolio returns based on change in the Trust's net asset value assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions which differs from the total investment return based on the Trust's market value due to the difference between the Trust's net asset value and the market value of its shares outstanding; past performance is no guarantee of future results.
(d)
Total expenses include income tax expense.
(e)
Annualized.
 
Senior borrowings:
                             
Total principal amount (in millions)
 
$
15
   
$
15
   
$
15
   
$
15
   
$
15
 
                                         
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness
 
$
10,762
   
$
10,250
   
$
10,699
   
$
10,107
   
$
10,023
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities - 87.68%: (A)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Private Placement Investments - 82.70%: (C)
                       
   
1A Smart Start, Inc.
 
A designer, distributor and lessor of ignition interlock devices ("IIDs"). IIDs are sophisticated breathalyzers wired to a vehicles ignition system.
 
10.65% Second Lien Term Loan due 12/22/2022
(LIBOR + 8.250%)
 
$
1,725,000
   
12/21/17
   
$
1,701,764
   
$
1,688,653
 
   
ABC Industries, Inc.
 
A manufacturer of mine and tunneling ventilation products in the U.S.
 
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 07/31/2019
 
$
109,335
   
08/01/12
     
109,124
     
109,335
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
125,000 shs.
   
08/01/12
     
125,000
     
287,548
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
 
22,414 shs.
   
08/01/12
     
42,446
     
48,699
 
 
                 
276,570
     
445,582
 
 
                           
Accelerate Learning
 
A provider of standards-based, digital science education content of K-12 schools.
 
6.83% Term Loan due 12/31/2024
(LIBOR + 4.500%)
 
$
1,083,664
   
12/19/18
     
1,063,891
     
1,059,175
 
   
Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
 
A designer and manufacturer of large, custom gearing products for a number of critical customer applications.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
1,945 uts.
     
*
     
207,911
     
31,487
 
* 12/07/12, 07/11/13 and 06/30/15.
                               
   
AFC - Dell Holding Corporation
 
A distributor and provider of inventory management services for "C-Parts" used by OEMs in their manufacturing and production facilities.
 
13% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 02/28/2022
 
$
1,555,029
     
*
     
1,543,945
     
1,555,030
 
Preferred Stock (B)
 
1,174 shs.
     
**
   
117,405
     
151,785
 
Common Stock (B)
 
363 shs.
     
**
 
   
363
     
 
* 03/27/15 and 11/16/18.
                   
1,661,713
     
1,706,815
 
** 03/27/15 and 11/15/18.
                               
   
Aftermath, Inc.
 
A provider of crime scene cleanup and biohazard remediation services.
 
8.33% Term Loan due 04/10/2025
(LIBOR + 5.750%)
 
$
1,259,442
   
04/09/19
     
1,232,165
     
1,234,221
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 

8
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
     
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
AM Conservation Holding Corp.
 
A supplier of energy efficiency ("EE") products, including lighting, shower heads and aerators, and weatherization products such as door seals and weather stripping.
 
11.5% (1.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 04/30/2023
 
$
1,568,182
     
10/31/16
   
$
1,552,626
   
$
1,591,705
 
11.5% (1.25% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 04/30/2023
 
$
206,039
     
10/06/17
     
202,935
     
210,159
 
Common Stock (B)
 
156,818 shs.
     
10/31/16
     
156,818
     
229,941
 
 
           
 
     
1,912,379
     
2,031,805
 
   
AMS Holding LLC
 
A leading multi-channel direct marketer of high-value collectible coins and proprietary-branded jewelry and watches.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A
Preferred (B)(F)
 
114 uts.
     
10/04/12
     
113,636
     
161,570
 
 
           
 
                 
ASC Holdings, Inc.
 
A manufacturer of capital equipment used by corrugated box manufacturers.
 
13% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note due 
05/18/2021
 
$
767,613
     
11/19/15
     
761,309
     
614,090
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
111,100 uts.
     
11/18/15
     
111,100
     
 
 
           
 
     
872,409
     
614,090
 
   
Audio Precision
 
A provider of high-end audio test and measurement sensing instrumentation software and accessories.
 
7.83% Term Loan due 07/27/2024
(LIBOR + 5.500%)
 
$
1,795,500
     
10/30/18
     
1,763,753
     
1,721,255
 
   
Aurora Parts & Accessories LLC
 
A distributor of aftermarket over-the-road semi-trailer parts and accessories sold to customers across North America.
 
14% Junior Subordinated Note due 08/17/2022
 
$
11,623
     
08/30/18
     
11,623
     
11,711
 
11% Senior Subordinated Note due 02/17/2022
 
$
1,515,400
     
08/17/15
     
1,500,440
     
1,515,400
 
Preferred Stock (B)
 
210 shs.
     
08/17/15
     
209,390
     
189,916
 
Common Stock (B)
 
210 shs.
     
08/17/15
     
210
     
 
 
           
 
     
1,721,663
     
1,717,027
 
   
Avantech Testing Services LLC
 
A manufacturer of custom Non-Destructive Testing ("NDT") systems and provider of NDT and inspections services primarily to the oil country tubular goods market.
 
15% (3.75% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 03/31/2021 (D)
 
$
6,777
     
07/31/14
     
6,650
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
45,504 uts.
     
*
     
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C
Preferred (B)(F)
 
78,358 uts.
     
09/29/17
     
484,578
     
 
* 07/31/14 and 10/14/15.
           
 
     
491,228
     
 
 
           
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 

9
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
BBB Industries LLC
 
A supplier of re-manufactured parts to the North American automotive aftermarket.
 
10.83% Second Lien Term Loan due 06/26/2026
(LIBOR + 8.500%)
 
$
1,725,000
   
08/02/18
   
$
1,679,128
   
$
1,664,711
 
                               
BCC Software, Inc.
                             
A provider of software and data solutions which enhance mail processing to help direct mail marketers realize discounts from the U.S. Postal Service, avoid penalties associated with mailing errors, and improve the accuracy and efficiency of marketing campaigns.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 04/11/2023
 
$
1,910,735
     
*
     
1,881,092
     
1,921,677
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
27 shs.
     
*
     
272,163
     
272,200
 
Common Stock Class A (B)
 
783 shs.
     
*
     
861
     
297,981
 
* 10/11/17 and 01/28/19.
                   
2,154,116
     
2,491,858
 
                                 
BDP International, Inc.
                               
A provider of transportation and related services to the chemical and life sciences industries.
 
7.58% Term Loan due 12/14/2024
(LIBOR + 5.250%)
 
$
2,458,838
   
12/18/18
     
2,414,023
     
2,403,256
 
                                 
BEI Precision Systems & Space Company, Inc.
                               
A provider of advanced design, manufacturing, and testing for custom optical encoder-based positioning systems, precision accelerometers, and micro scanners.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 04/28/2024
 
$
1,480,774
   
04/28/17
     
1,458,318
     
1,459,227
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
2,893 uts.
     
*
     
289,269
     
244,629
 
* 04/28/17 and 02/07/19.
                   
1,747,587
     
1,703,856
 
                                 
Blue Wave Products, Inc.
                               
A distributor of pool supplies.
                               
13% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 09/30/2019
 
$
168,943
   
10/12/12
     
168,286
     
168,849
 
Common Stock (B)
 
51,064 shs.
   
10/12/12
     
51,064
     
45,635
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
20,216 shs.
   
10/12/12
     
20,216
     
18,067
 
 
                   
239,566
     
232,551
 
                                 
BlueSpire Holding, Inc.
                               
A marketing services firm that integrates strategy, technology, and content to deliver customized marketing solutions for clients in the senior living, financial services and healthcare end markets.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
2,956 shs.
   
06/30/15
     
937,438
     
 
 
                               
 
 
 
 

10
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Brown Machine LLC
                       
A designer and manufacturer of thermoforming equipment used in the production of plastic packaging containers within the food and beverage industry.
 
7.83% Term Loan due 10/04/2024
(LIBOR + 5.250%)
 
$
715,482
   
10/03/18
   
$
707,641
   
$
702,588
 
                               
Cadence, Inc.
                             
A full-service contract manufacturer ("CMO") and supplier of advanced products, technologies, and services to medical device, life science, and industrial companies.
 
6.9% Lien Term Loan due 04/30/2025
(LIBOR + 4.500%)
 
$
904,409
     
*
     
889,134
     
886,435
 
* 05/14/18 and 05/31/19.
                               
                                 
Cadent, LLC
                               
A provider of advertising solutions driven by data and technology.
 
7.63% Term Loan due 09/07/2023
(LIBOR + 5.250%)
 
$
1,020,908
   
09/04/18
     
1,012,312
     
1,015,803
 
                                 
CHG Alternative Education Holding Company
                               
A leading provider of publicly-funded, for profit pre-K-12 education services targeting special needs children at therapeutic day schools and "at risk" youth through alternative education programs.
 
13.5% (1.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/19/2020
 
$
810,002
   
01/19/11
     
807,449
     
810,002
 
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/19/2020
 
$
215,625
   
08/03/12
     
215,015
     
214,570
 
Common Stock (B)
 
375 shs.
   
01/19/11
     
37,500
     
28,888
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2021, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
295 shs.
   
01/19/11
     
29,250
     
22,708
 
 
                   
1,089,214
     
1,076,168
 
                                 
Clarion Brands Holding Corp.
                               
A portfolio of six over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical brands whose products are used to treat tinnitus or ringing of the ear, excessive sweating, urinary tract infections, muscle pain, and skin conditions.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
1,853 uts.
   
07/18/16
     
189,267
     
328,349
 
                                 
Claritas Holdings, Inc.
                               
A market research company that provides market segmentation insights to customers engaged in direct-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing activities.
 
8.33% Term Loan due 12/31/2023 (LIBOR +6.000%)
 
$
1,636,924
   
12/20/18
     
1,600,304
     
1,632,913
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 

11
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Clubessential LLC
                       
A leading SaaS platform for private clubs and resorts.
 
12.09% Senior Subordinated Note due 01/12/2024
(LIBOR +9.500%)
 
$
1,787,305
   
01/16/18
   
$
1,758,737
   
$
1,746,303
 
                               
CORA Health Services, Inc.
                             
A provider of outpatient rehabilitation therapy services.
 
11% (1% PIK) Term Loan due 05/05/2025
 
$
1,679,878
     
*
     
1,181,182
     
1,181,182
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
758 shs.
   
06/30/16
     
2,647
     
100,000
 
Common Stock Class A (B)
 
3,791 shs.
   
06/30/16
     
3,791
     
124,886
 
* 05/01/18 and 06/28/19.
                   
1,187,620
     
1,406,068
 
                                 
Dart Buyer, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of helicopter aftermarket equipment and OEM Replacement parts for rotorcraft operators, providers and OEMs.
 
7.84% Term Loan due 04/01/2025
(LIBOR + 5.250%)
 
$
1,725,000
   
04/01/19
     
828,716
     
832,344
 
                                 
Del Real LLC
                               
A manufacturer and distributor of fully-prepared fresh refrigerated Hispanic entrees as well as side dishes that are typically sold on a heat-and-serve basis at retail grocers.
 
11% Senior Subordinated Note due 04/06/2023
 
$
1,420,588
   
10/07/16
     
1,401,681
     
1,286,164
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
368,799 uts.
     
*
     
368,928
     
196,914
 
* 10/07/16, 07/25/18, 03/13/19 and 06/17/19.
                   
1,770,609
     
1,483,078
 
                                 
Discovery Education, Inc.
                               
A provider of standards-based, digital education content for K-12 schools.
 
6.65% Term Loan due 04/30/2024
(LIBOR + 4.750%)
 
$
1,921,590
   
04/20/18
     
1,890,645
     
1,915,722
 
                                 
DPL Holding Corporation
                               
A distributor and manufacturer of aftermarket undercarriage parts for medium and heavy duty trucks and trailers.
 
Preferred Stock (B)
 
25 shs.
   
05/04/12
     
252,434
     
281,815
 
Common Stock (B)
 
25 shs.
   
05/04/12
     
28,048
     
 
 
                   
280,482
     
281,815
 
                                 
DuBois Chemicals, Inc.
                               
A provider of consumable, value-added specialty cleaning chemical solutions to the industrial, transportation paper and water markets.
 
10.4% Second Lien Term Loan due 08/31/2025
(LIBOR + 8.000%)
 
$
1,725,000
   
09/19/18
     
1,709,722
     
1,677,562
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 

12
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
     
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                           
Dunn Paper
         
 
             
A provider of specialty paper for niche product applications.
 
11.15% Second Lien Term Loan due 08/26/2023
(LIBOR + 8.750%)
 
$
1,725,000
     
09/28/16
   
$
1,704,124
   
$
1,705,594
 
                                 
ECG Consulting Group
           
 
                 
A healthcare management consulting company who provides strategic, financial, operational, and technology related consulting services to healthcare providers.
 
11.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/20/2025
 
$
571,969
     
06/20/18
     
561,728
     
583,408
 
11.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/20/2025
 
$
1,333,569
     
11/21/14
     
1,320,569
     
1,333,569
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (F)
 
230 uts.
     
11/19/14
     
36,199
     
175,064
 
 
           
 
     
1,918,496
     
2,092,041
 
                                 
Electronic Power Systems
           
 
                 
A provider of electrical testing services for apparatus equipment and protection & controls infrastructure.
 
7.33% Term Loan due 12/21/2024
(LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
1,761,536
     
12/21/18
     
1,737,350
     
1,730,143
 
Common Stock (B)
 
52 shs.
     
12/28/18
     
52,176
     
55,944
 
 
           
 
     
1,789,526
     
1,786,087
 
                                 
Elite Sportwear Holding, LLC
           
 
                 
A designer and manufacturer of gymnastics, competitive cheerleading and swimwear apparel in the U.S. and internationally.
 
11.5% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 09/20/2022 (D)
 
$
1,588,640
     
10/14/16
     
1,568,694
     
1,509,208
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
101 uts.
     
10/14/16
     
159,722
     
23,179
 
 
           
 
     
1,728,416
     
1,532,387
 
                                 
English Color & Supply LLC
           
 
                 
A distributor of aftermarket automotive paint and related products to collision repair shops, auto dealerships and fleet customers through a network of stores in the Southern U.S.
 
11.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 12/31/2023
 
$
1,340,636
     
06/30/17
     
1,320,303
     
1,340,636
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
397,695 uts.
     
06/30/17
     
397,695
     
455,075
 
 
           
 
     
1,717,998
     
1,795,711
 
                                 
E.S.P. Associates, P.A.
           
 
                 
A professional services firm providing engineering, surveying and planning services to infrastructure projects.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
229 uts.
     
04/04/18
     
228,955
     
328,300
 
 
           
 
                 
 
           
 
                 
 
 
 

13
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
F G I Equity LLC
                       
A manufacturer of a broad range of filters and related products that are used in commercial, light industrial, healthcare, gas turbine, nuclear, laboratory, clean room, hotel, educational system, and food processing settings.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-1 (B)
 
65,789 uts.
   
12/15/10
   
$
56,457
   
$
626,055
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-2 (B)
 
8,248 uts.
   
12/15/10
     
7,078
     
78,489
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-3 (B)
 
6,522 uts.
   
08/30/12
     
13,844
     
63,757
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C (B)
 
1,575 uts.
   
12/20/10
     
8,832
     
87,493
 
 
               
86,211
     
855,794
 
                             
GD Dental Services LLC
                           
A provider of convenient "onestop" general, specialty, and cosmetic dental services with 21 offices located throughout South and Central Florida.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Preferred (B)
 
76 uts.
   
10/05/12
     
75,920
     
34,029
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Common (B)
 
767 uts.
   
10/05/12
     
767
     
 
 
               
76,687
     
34,029
 
                             
gloProfessional Holdings, Inc.
                           
A marketer and distributor of premium mineral-based cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and professional hair care products to the professional spa and physician's office channels.
 
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 11/30/2021 (D)
 
$
1,339,546
   
03/27/13
     
948,916
     
1,272,569
 
Preferred Stock (B)
 
295 shs.
   
03/29/19
     
295,276
     
295,276
 
Common Stock (B)
 
1,181 shs.
   
03/27/13
     
118,110
     
17,816
 
 
                 
1,362,302
     
1,585,661
 
                               
GraphPad Software, Inc.
                             
A provider of data analysis, statistics and graphing software solution for scientific research applications, with a focus on the life sciences and academic end-markets.
 
8.33% Term Loan due 12/21/2022
(LIBOR + 6.000%)
 
$
2,458,838
     
*
     
2,422,211
     
2,422,274
 
* 12/19/17 and 04/16/19.
                               
                                 
GTI Holding Company
                               
A designer, developer, and marketer of precision specialty hand tools and handheld test instruments.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
1,046 shs.
     
*
     
104,636
     
134,803
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2027, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
397 shs.
   
02/05/14
     
36,816
     
51,164
 
* 02/05/14 and 11/22/17.
                   
141,452
     
185,967
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 
 
 

14
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
Handi Quilter Holding Company (Premier Needle Arts)
 
A designer and manufacturer of long-arm quilting machines and related components for the consumer quilting market.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Preferred (B)
 
372 uts.
     
*
   
$
371,644
   
$
497,021
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Common
Class A (B)
 
3,594 uts.
   
12/19/14
     
     
 
* 12/19/14 and 04/29/16.
                 
371,644
     
497,021
 
 
                             
Happy Floors Acquisition, Inc.
                             
A wholesale importer and value-added distributor of premium European flooring tile to residential and commercial end markets.
 
11.5% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 01/01/2023
 
$
1,001,369
   
07/01/16
     
989,704
     
1,011,383
 
Common Stock (B)
 
150 shs.
   
07/01/16
     
149,500
     
192,907
 
 
                   
1,139,204
     
1,204,290
 
                                 
Hartland Controls Holding Corporation
                               
A manufacturer and distributor of electronic and electromechanical components.
 
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 08/14/2020
 
$
1,162,959
   
02/14/14
     
1,158,371
     
1,162,959
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 08/14/2020
 
$
431,250
   
06/22/15
     
430,195
     
431,250
 
Common Stock (B)
 
821 shs.
   
02/14/14
     
822
     
290,381
 
 
                   
1,589,388
     
1,884,590
 
                                 
Healthline Media, Inc.
                               
A consumer health platform that offers a variety of health-based articles and information for consumers.
 
7.13% Term Loan due 11/20/2023
(LIBOR + 4.750%)
 
$
1,645,637
   
11/20/18
     
1,616,073
     
1,638,334
 
                                 
HHI Group, LLC
                               
A developer, marketer, and distributor of hobby-grade radio control products.
 
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 11/26/2020
 
$
1,701,039
   
01/17/14
     
1,693,617
     
1,701,039
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
102 uts.
   
01/17/14
     
101,563
     
113,061
 
 
                   
1,795,180
     
1,814,100
 
                                 
Hollandia Produce LLC
                               
A hydroponic greenhouse producer of branded root vegetables.
 
11% (3.25% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 03/31/2021
 
$
1,470,027
     
*
     
1,460,166
     
1,470,027
 
10.44% Term Loan due 12/12/2020
(LIBOR + 8.000%)
 
$
109,916
   
04/06/18
     
109,916
     
109,722
 
10.44% Term Loan due 12/11/2020
(LIBOR + 8.000%)
 
$
146,780
   
04/06/18
     
146,780
     
146,522
 
* 12/30/15 and 12/23/16.
                   
1,716,862
     
1,726,271
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 
 

15
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
     
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                           
Holley Performance Products
         
 
             
A provider of automotive aftermarket performance products.
 
7.58% Term Loan due 10/17/2024
(LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
2,452,675
     
10/24/18
   
$
2,419,312
   
$
2,379,095
 
                                 
HOP Entertainment LLC
           
 
                 
A provider of post production equipment and services to producers of television shows and motion pictures.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class F (B)(F)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
     
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class G (B)(F)
 
114 uts.
     
10/14/11
     
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class H (B)(F)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
     
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class I (B)(F)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
     
     
 
 
           
 
     
     
 
                                 
Impact Confections
           
 
                 
An independent manufacturer and marketer of confectionery products including Warheads® brand sour candies, Melster® brand classic candies, and co-manufactured/private label classic candies.
 
15%(15% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 11/10/2020 (D)
 
$
1,092,190
     
11/10/14
     
1,084,388
     
 
Common Stock (B)
 
2,300 shs.
     
11/10/14
     
230,000
     
 
 
           
 
     
1,314,388
     
 
                                 
JMH Investors LLC
           
 
                 
A developer and manufacturer of custom formulations for a wide variety of foods.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
1,038,805 uts.
     
12/05/12
     
232,207
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A-1 (B)(F)
 
159,048 uts.
     
10/31/16
     
159,048
     
426,535
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A-2 (B)(F)
 
1,032,609 uts.
     
10/31/16
     
     
336,579
 
 
           
 
     
391,255
     
763,114
 
                                 
K P I Holdings, Inc.
           
 
                 
The largest player in the U.S. non-automotive, non-ferrous die casting segment.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C Preferred (B)
 
40 uts.
     
06/30/15
     
     
94,881
 
Common Stock (B)
 
353 shs.
     
07/15/08
     
285,619
     
59,318
 
 
           
 
     
285,619
     
154,199
 
                                 
LAC Acquisition LLC
           
 
                 
A provider of center-based applied behavior analysis treatment centers for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
 
8.08% Term Loan due 10/01/2024
(LIBOR + 5.750%)
 
$
1,773,334
     
10/01/18
     
1,107,023
     
1,095,237
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (F)
 
22,222 uts.
     
10/01/18
     
22,222
     
18,667
 
 
           
 
     
1,129,245
     
1,113,904
 
 
           
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 

16
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Manhattan Beachwear Holding Company
                       
A designer and distributor of women's swimwear.
 
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note
due 05/30/2022 (D)
 
$
419,971
   
01/15/10
   
$
404,121
   
$
398,972
 
15% (2.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 05/30/2022 (D)
 
$
115,253
   
10/05/10
     
114,604
     
109,490
 
Common Stock (B)
 
35 shs.
   
10/05/10
     
35,400
     
15,726
 
Common Stock Class B (B)
 
118 shs.
   
01/15/10
     
117,647
     
52,263
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2023, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
104 shs.
   
10/05/10
     
94,579
     
46,252
 
 
                 
766,351
     
622,703
 
                               
Master Cutlery LLC
                             
A designer and marketer of a wide assortment of knives and swords.
 
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 04/17/2020
 
$
896,315
   
04/17/15
     
894,576
     
26,889
 
Limited Liability Company Unit
 
5 uts.
   
04/17/15
     
678,329
     
 
 
                 
1,572,905
     
26,889
 
                               
Merex Holding Corporation
                             
A provider of after-market spare parts and components, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul services for "out of production" or "legacy" aerospace and defense systems that are no longer effectively supported by the original equipment manufacturers.
 
16% Senior Subordinated Note due 03/03/2022 (D)
 
$
454,295
   
09/22/11
     
449,013
     
431,580
 
15% PIK Senior Subordinated Note
due 04/30/2022 (D)
 
$
23,839
   
08/18/15
     
23,839
     
20,263
 
15% PIK Senior Subordinated Note
due 03/03/2022 (D)
 
$
41,306
   
01/03/19
     
41,306
     
41,306
 
14% PIK Senior Subordinated Note due 03/03/2022
 
$
76,188
     
*
     
76,188
     
76,105
 
Common Stock Class A (B)
 
83,080 shs.
     
**
 
   
170,705
     
208,729
 
* 10/21/16, 01/27/17 and 10/13/17.
                   
761,051
     
777,983
 
** 08/18/15, 10/20/16 and 01/27/17.
                               
                                 
MES Partners, Inc.
                               
An industrial service business offering an array of cleaning and environmental services to the Gulf Coast region of the U.S.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 09/30/2021
 
$
1,134,615
   
09/30/14
     
1,125,579
     
1,134,615
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note due
09/30/2021
 
$
304,812
   
02/28/18
     
300,749
     
306,180
 
Common Stock Class B (B)
 
259,252 shs.
     
*
     
244,163
     
12,461
 
* 09/30/14 and 02/28/18.
                   
1,670,491
     
1,453,256
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 

17
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
MeTEOR Education LLC
                       
A leading provider of classroom and common area design services, furnishings, equipment and instructional support to K-12 schools.
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 06/20/2023
 
$
915,819
   
03/09/18
   
$
901,262
   
$
908,564
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
182 uts.
   
03/09/18
     
183,164
     
98,572
 
 
                 
1,084,426
     
1,007,136
 
                               
Midwest Industrial Rubber, Inc.
                             
A supplier of industrial maintenance, repair, and operations ("MRO") products, specializing in the fabrication and distribution of lightweight conveyor belting and related conveyor components and accessories.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 12/02/2022
 
$
1,594,206
   
12/02/16
     
1,573,754
     
1,610,148
 
Preferred Stock (B)
 
1,711 shs.
   
12/02/16
     
171,116
     
213,130
 
Common Stock (B)
 
242 shs.
   
12/02/16
     
242
     
28,298
 
 
                 
1,745,112
     
1,851,576
 
                               
Motion Controls Holdings
                             
A manufacturer of high performance mechanical motion control and linkage products.
 
14.25% (1.75% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 08/15/2020
 
$
291,812
   
11/30/10
     
291,054
     
291,812
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-1 (B)(F)
 
75,000 uts.
   
11/30/10
     
     
59,825
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-2 (B)(F)
 
6,801 uts.
   
11/30/10
     
     
5,425
 
 
                 
291,054
     
357,062
 
                               
New Mountain Learning, LLC
                             
A leading provider of blended learning solutions to the K-12 and post-secondary school market.
 
8.33% Term Loan due 03/16/2024
(LIBOR + 6.000%)
 
$
1,693,422
   
03/15/18
     
1,665,644
     
1,515,641
 
                               
NSi Industries Holdings, Inc.
                             
A manufacturer and distributer of electrical components and accessories to small to mid-sized electrical wholesalers.
 
12.75% (1.75% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 05/17/2023
 
$
1,959,064
     
*
     
1,930,573
     
1,959,064
 
Common Stock (B)
 
207 shs.
   
05/17/16
     
207,000
     
361,419
 
* 06/30/16 and 03/11/19.
                   
2,137,573
     
2,320,483
 
                                 
PANOS Brands LLC
                               
A marketer and distributor of branded consumer foods in the specialty, natural, better-for-you,"free from" healthy and gluten-free categories.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 08/17/2022
 
$
1,775,705
   
02/17/17
     
1,755,959
     
1,784,584
 
Common Stock Class B (B)
 
380,545 shs.
     
*
     
380,545
     
461,408
 
* 01/29/16 and 02/17/17.
                   
2,136,504
     
2,245,992
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 

18
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
PB Holdings LLC
                       
A designer, manufacturer and installer of maintenance and repair parts and equipment for industrial customers.
 
7.33% Term Loan due 02/28/2024
(LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
947,136
   
03/06/19
   
$
799,499
   
$
805,669
 
                               
Pegasus Transtech Corporation
                             
A provider of end-to-end document, driver and logistics management solutions, which enable its customers (carriers, brokers, and drivers) to operate more efficiently, reduce manual overhead, enhance compliance, and shorten cash conversion cycles.
 
11.25% Term Loan due 11/16/2022
 
$
172,413
   
11/14/17
     
169,412
     
167,215
 
8.65% Term Loan due 11/17/2024
(LIBOR + 6.250%)
 
$
1,947,417
   
11/14/17
     
1,909,980
     
1,898,413
 
 
                 
2,079,392
     
2,065,628
 
                               
Petroplex Inv Holdings LLC
                             
A leading provider of acidizing services to E&P customers in the Permian Basin.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit
 
0.40% int.
     
*
     
175,339
     
19,442
 
* 11/29/12 and 12/20/16.
                               
                                 
Polytex Holdings LLC
                               
A manufacturer of water based inks and related products serving primarily the wall covering market.
 
13.9% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 12/31/2020
 
$
1,069,985
   
07/31/14
     
1,064,183
     
534,992
 
Limited Liability Company Unit
 
148,096 uts.
   
07/31/14
     
148,096
     
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class F
 
36,976 uts.
     
*
     
24,802
     
 
* 09/28/17 and 02/15/18.
                   
1,237,081
     
534,992
 
                                 
PPC Event Services
                               
A special event equipment rental business.
                               
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 05/28/2023
 
$
1,226,568
   
11/20/14
     
1,220,469
     
1,226,568
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
3,450 uts.
   
11/20/14
     
172,500
     
415,195
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Series A-1 (B)
 
339 uts.
   
03/16/16
     
42,419
     
36,396
 
 
                   
1,435,388
     
1,678,159
 
                                 
ReelCraft Industries, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty reels for diversified industrial, mobile equipment OEM, auto aftermarket, government/military and other end markets.
 
10.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 02/28/2023
 
$
1,443,252
   
11/13/17
     
1,443,253
     
1,472,117
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B
 
293,617 uts.
   
11/13/17
     
184,688
     
415,640
 
 
                   
1,627,941
     
1,887,757
 
 
                               
 
 
 
 
 

19
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
     
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                           
REVSpring, Inc.
         
 
             
A provider of accounts receivable management and revenue cycle management services to customers in the healthcare, financial and utility industries.
 
10.58% Second Lien Term Loan due 10/11/2026
(LIBOR + 8.250%)
 
$
1,725,000
     
10/11/18
   
$
1,677,908
   
$
1,664,481
 
                                 
Rock-it Cargo
           
 
                 
A provider of specialized international logistics solutions to the music touring, performing arts, live events, fine art and specialty industries.
 
6.7% Term Loan due 06/22/2024
(LIBOR + 4.500%)
 
$
2,446,513
     
07/30/18
     
2,394,697
     
2,420,714
 
                                 
ROI Solutions
           
 
                 
Call center outsourcing and end user engagement services provider.
 
7.59% Term Loan due 07/31/2024
(LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
1,629,605
     
07/31/18
     
637,488
     
626,672
 
                                 
Ruffalo Noel Levitz
           
 
                 
A provider of enrollment management, student retention and career services, and fundraising management for colleges and universities.
 
8.69% Term Loan due 05/29/2022
(LIBOR + 6.000%)
 
$
1,260,698
     
01/08/19
     
1,244,447
     
1,249,058
 
                                 
Sandvine Corporation
           
 
                 
A provider of active network intelligence solutions.
           
 
                 
10.4% Second Lien Term Loan due 11/02/2026
(LIBOR + 8.000%)
 
$
1,725,000
     
11/01/18
     
1,685,432
     
1,673,907
 
                                 
Sara Lee Frozen Foods
           
 
                 
A provider of frozen bakery products, desserts and sweet baked goods.
 
6.9% Lien Term Loan due 07/31/2024
(LIBOR + 4.500%)
 
$
1,525,622
     
07/27/18
     
1,496,554
     
1,482,044
 
 
           
 
                 
Scaled Agile, Inc.
           
 
                 
A provider of training and certifications for IT professionals focused on software development.
 
7.65% Term Loan due 06/28/2025
(LIBOR + 5.250%)
 
$
754,000
     
06/27/19
     
746,470
     
746,460
 
 
           
 
                 
 
           
 
                 
 
 
 
 

20
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
SMB Machinery Holdings, Inc.
                       
A reseller of used, rebuilt and refurbished packaging and processing equipment, primarily serving the bottling and food manufacturing industries.
 
14% (2% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 10/30/2020 (D)
 
$
738,694
   
10/18/13
   
$
726,147
   
$
 
Common Stock (B)
 
841 shs.
   
10/18/13
     
84,100
     
 
 
                 
810,247
     
 
                               
Specified Air Solutions
                             
A manufacturer and distributor of heating, dehumidification and other air quality solutions.
 
10.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/19/2024
 
$
1,227,995
   
12/19/18
     
1,216,491
     
1,252,555
 
Limited Liability Company Unit
 
831,904 uts.
   
02/20/19
     
536,793
     
912,606
 
 
                 
1,753,284
     
2,165,161
 
                               
SR Smith LLC
                             
A manufacturer of mine and tunneling ventilation products in the United States.
 
11% Senior Subordinated Note due 03/27/2022
 
$
1,084,565
     
*
     
1,077,889
     
1,084,565
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Series A
 
1,072 uts.
     
*
     
1,060,968
     
1,686,004
 
* 03/27/17 and 08/07/18.
                   
2,138,857
     
2,770,569
 
                                 
Strahman Holdings Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of industrial valves and wash down equipment for a variety of industries, including chemical, petrochemical, polymer, pharmaceutical, food processing, beverage and mining.
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
158,967 shs.
   
12/13/13
     
158,967
     
304,677
 
Preferred Stock Series A-2 (B)
 
26,543 shs.
   
09/10/15
     
29,994
     
50,872
 
 
                   
188,961
     
355,549
 
                                 
Sunrise Windows Holding Company
                               
A manufacturer and marketer of premium vinyl windows exclusively selling to the residential remodeling and replacement market.
 
16% Senior Subordinated Note due 05/28/2020 (D)
 
$
1,812,109
     
*
     
1,358,229
     
1,359,082
 
Common Stock (B)
 
38 shs.
   
12/14/10
     
38,168
     
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
37 shs.
   
12/14/10
     
37,249
     
 
* 12/14/10, 08/17/12 and 03/31/16.
                   
1,433,646
     
1,359,082
 
                                 
Sunvair Aerospace Group Inc.
                               
An aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider servicing landing gears on narrow body aircraft.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 07/31/2021 (D)
 
$
1,408,931
   
07/31/15
     
1,399,012
     
1,338,484
 
Common Stock (B)
 
68 shs.
     
*
     
104,986
     
42,959
 
* 07/31/15 and 11/08/17.
                   
1,503,998
     
1,381,443
 
 
                               
 
                               
 
 
 
 

21
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Team Drive-Away Holdings LLC
                       
An asset-light provider of over the road driveaway services for class 8 trucks and specialized equipment.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit
 
95,800 uts.
   
10/15/15
   
$
67,186
   
$
353,598
 
                             
Therma-Stor Holdings LLC
                           
A designer and manufacturer of dehumidifiers and water damage restoration equipment for residential and commercial applications.
 
10.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 11/30/2023
 
$
1,376,605
   
11/30/17
     
1,376,605
     
1,397,024
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
19,696 uts.
   
11/30/17
     
3,172
     
7,153
 
 
                 
1,379,777
     
1,404,177
 
                               
Torrent Group Holdings, Inc.
                             
A contractor specializing in the sales and installation of engineered drywells for the retention and filtration of stormwater and nuisance water flow.
 
15% (7.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 12/05/2020
 
$
49,953
   
12/05/13
     
101,414
     
49,953
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2023, to purchase
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
813 shs.
     
*
     
     
26,950
 
* 12/05/13 and 04/11/19.
                   
101,414
     
76,903
 
                                 
Trident Maritime Systems
                               
A leading provider of turnkey marine vessel systems and solutions for government and commercial new ship construction as well as repair, refurbishment, and retrofit markets worldwide.
 
7.83% Term Loan due 04/30/2024
(LIBOR + 5.500%)
 
$
2,345,858
   
05/14/18
     
2,302,669
     
2,285,512
 
                                 
Tristar Global Energy Solutions, Inc.
                               
A hydrocarbon and decontamination services provider serving refineries worldwide.
 
12.5% (1.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 07/31/2020
 
$
1,186,999
   
01/23/15
     
1,181,023
     
1,144,022
 
                                 
Trystar, Inc.
                               
A niche manufacturer of temporary power distribution products for the power rental, industrial, commercial utility and back-up emergency markets.
 
6.95% Term Loan due 10/01/2023
(LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
2,153,836
   
09/28/18
     
2,121,832
     
2,148,474
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
47 uts.
   
09/28/18
     
46,562
     
58,475
 
 
                   
2,168,394
     
2,206,949
 
 
                               
 
 
 
 

22
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
U.S. Legal Support, Inc.
                       
A provider of court reporting, record retrieval and other legal supplemental services.
 
8.08% Term Loan due 11/12/2024
(LIBOR + 5.750%)
 
$
2,142,391
     
*
   
$
1,847,657
   
$
1,833,913
 
* 11/29/18 and 03/25/19.
                               
 
                               
U.S. Oral Surgery Management
                               
An operator of oral surgery practices providing medically necessary treatments.
 
7.4% Term Loan due 12/31/2023 (LIBOR + 5.000%)
 
$
2,462,305
   
01/04/19
     
1,028,566
     
1,040,565
 
                                 
U.S. Retirement and Benefit Partners, Inc.
                               
A leading independent provider of outsourced benefit design and administration and retirement services, primarily to K-12 school districts, employee unions, and governmental agencies.
 
11.08% Second Lien Term Loan due 02/14/2023
(LIBOR + 8.750%)
 
$
1,725,000
   
03/05/18
     
1,580,305
     
1,568,114
 
                                 
UBEO, LLC
                               
A dealer and servicer of printers and copiers to medium sized businesses.
 
11% Term Loan due 10/03/2024
 
$
1,725,000
   
11/05/18
     
1,340,661
     
1,330,078
 
                                 
Velocity Technology Solutions, Inc.
                               
A provider of outsourced hosting services for enterprise resource planning software applications and information technology infrastructure to mid and large-sized enterprises.
 
8.33% Lien Term Loan due 12/07/2023
(LIBOR + 6.000%)
 
$
2,068,500
   
12/07/17
     
2,053,178
     
2,045,521
 
                                 
VP Holding Company
                               
A provider of school transportation services for special-needs and homeless children in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
 
7.83% Lien Term Loan due 05/22/2024
(LIBOR + 5.500%)
 
$
2,448,166
   
05/17/18
     
1,711,937
     
1,617,673
 
                                 
Westminster Acquisition LLC
                               
A manufacturer of premium, all-natural oyster cracker products sold under the Westminster and Olde Cape Cod brands.
 
12% (1% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 08/03/2021
 
$
384,979
   
08/03/15
     
382,449
     
335,595
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)(F)
 
370,241 uts.
   
08/03/15
     
370,241
     
 
 
                   
752,690
     
335,595
 
 
                               
 
 
 

23
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
     
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                           
Whitebridge Pet Brands Holdings, LLC
         
 
             
A manufacturer and marketer of branded, all-natural treats and foods for dogs and cats.
 
11.5% (0.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 08/18/2021
 
$
1,497,568
     
04/18/17
   
$
1,485,283
   
$
1,500,376
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)(F)
 
123 uts.
     
04/18/17
     
148,096
     
150,231
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)(F)
 
123 uts.
     
04/18/17
     
     
14,396
 
 
           
 
     
1,633,379
     
1,665,003
 
                                 
Wolf-Gordon, Inc.
           
 
                 
A designer and specialty distributor of wallcoverings and related building products, including textiles, paint, and writeable surfaces.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
157 shs.
     
01/22/16
     
62,178
     
141,783
 
                                 
WP Supply Holding Corporation
           
 
                 
A distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocery wholesalers and foodservice distributors in the upper Midwest.
 
14.5% (2.5% PIK) Senior Subordinated Note
due 06/12/2020
 
$
1,028,825
     
11/03/11
     
1,028,744
     
1,021,674
 
Common Stock (B)
 
1,500 shs.
     
11/03/11
     
150,000
     
104,368
 
 
           
 
     
1,178,744
     
1,126,042
 
                                 
York Wall Holding Company
           
 
                 
A designer, manufacturer and marketer of wall covering products for both residential and commercial wall coverings.
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
2,936 shs.
     
02/05/19
     
293,616
     
293,600
 
Common Stock (B)
 
2,046 shs.
     
*
     
200,418
     
173,617
 
* 03/04/15 and 02/07/18
           
 
     
494,034
     
467,217
 
 
           
 
                 
                                 
Total Private Placement Investments (E)
           
  
   
$
123,831,423
   
$
121,099,996
 
 
           
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

24
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Interest
Rate
 
Maturity
Date
 
Principal
Amount
   
Cost
   
Market
Value
 
                           
Rule 144A Securities - 4.98%:
     
 
                 
                           
Bonds - 4.98%
     
 
                 
Acrisure, LLC
 
7.000
%
11/15/25
 
$
385,000
   
$
353,743
   
$
347,462
 
Alliance Residential Company
 
7.500
 
05/01/25
   
357,000
     
369,280
     
374,850
 
Altice Financing S.A.
 
7.500
 
05/15/26
   
308,000
     
308,000
     
309,571
 
Amsted Industries
 
5.375
 
09/15/24
   
185,000
     
185,000
     
189,394
 
Avantor Inc.
 
6.000
 
10/01/24
   
313,000
     
313,000
     
333,032
 
Boyne USA, Inc.
 
7.250
 
05/01/25
   
129,000
     
129,000
     
139,642
 
CVR Partners, L.P.
 
9.250
 
06/15/23
   
385,000
     
378,806
     
402,594
 
Enterprise Merger Sub Inc.
 
8.750
 
10/15/26
   
773,000
     
734,200
     
539,167
 
Financial & Risk US Holdings, Inc.
 
6.250
 
05/15/26
   
116,000
     
116,000
     
119,306
 
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
 
7.500
 
04/01/25
   
500,000
     
482,199
     
476,250
 
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
 
7.250
 
04/01/23
   
385,000
     
381,294
     
374,894
 
Intelsat Connect Finance
 
9.500
 
02/15/23
   
385,000
     
377,397
     
340,725
 
Jonah Energy LLC
 
7.250
 
10/15/25
   
385,000
     
333,500
     
183,838
 
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands B.V.
 
6.875
 
05/15/23
   
511,000
     
517,984
     
505,890
 
Mattamy Group Corp.
 
6.500
 
10/01/25
   
385,000
     
378,047
     
405,694
 
New Gold Inc.
 
6.250
 
11/15/22
   
500,000
     
501,569
     
466,250
 
OPE KAG Finance Sub
 
7.875
 
07/31/23
   
385,000
     
395,816
     
346,500
 
Suncoke Energy
 
7.500
 
06/15/25
   
385,000
     
380,229
     
375,856
 
Topaz Marine S.A.
 
9.125
 
07/26/22
   
500,000
     
500,000
     
501,386
 
Vine Oil & Gas, LP
 
8.750
 
04/15/23
   
385,000
     
360,733
     
250,250
 
VRX Escrow Corp.
 
6.125
 
04/15/25
   
140,000
     
140,000
     
142,971
 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.
 
8.000
 
11/01/24
   
161,000
     
161,000
     
167,843
 
                                 
Total Bonds
     
 
           
7,796,797
     
7,293,365
 
                                 
Common Stock - 0.00%
     
 
                       
TherOX, Inc. (B)
     
 
   
2
     
     
 
Touchstone Health Partnership (B)
     
 
   
292
     
     
 
                                 
Total Common Stock
     
 
           
     
 
                                 
Total Rule 144A Securities
     
 
           
7,796,797
     
7,293,365
 
 
     
 
                       
 
     
 
                       
 
 
 
 

25
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Corporate Public Securities - 12.61%: (A)
 
LIBOR
Spread
 
Interest
Rate
 
Maturity
Date
 
Principal
Amount
   
Cost
   
Market
Value
 
                               
Bank Loans - 2.97%
         
 
                 
Argon Medical Devices, Inc.
 
8.000
%
10.402
%
01/23/26
 
$
500,000
   
$
503,750
   
$
491,250
 
BMC Software Finance, Inc.
 
4.250
 
6.580
 
10/02/25
   
497,500
     
493,049
     
470,292
 
Confie Seguros Holding II Co.
 
8.500
 
11.020
 
11/02/25
   
446,131
     
438,028
     
427,617
 
Edelman Financial Services
 
6.750
 
9.144
 
07/20/26
   
128,178
     
127,612
     
128,498
 
Fieldwood Energy LLC
 
7.250
 
9.652
 
04/11/23
   
977,612
     
942,964
     
811,418
 
ION Trading Technologies Sarl
 
4.000
 
6.333
 
11/21/24
   
273,603
     
267,659
     
264,662
 
PowerSchool
 
6.750
 
9.315
 
08/01/26
   
500,000
     
495,564
     
493,125
 
PS Logistics LLC
 
4.750
 
7.152
 
03/01/25
   
496,250
     
500,348
     
490,359
 
Schenectady International Group Inc.
 
4.750
 
7.348
 
10/15/25
   
306,174
     
295,120
     
301,964
 
STS Operating, Inc.
 
8.000
 
10.402
 
04/25/26
   
500,000
     
505,000
     
468,335
 
                                     
Total Bank Loans
         
 
           
4,569,094
     
4,347,520
 
 
         
 
                       
                                     
Bonds - 2.75%
         
 
                       
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.
     
6.125
 
05/15/27
   
385,000
     
375,456
     
342,650
 
Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C.
 
7.250
 
9.847
 
01/15/29
   
500,000
     
517,187
     
499,965
 
Brunswick Corporation
     
7.125
 
08/01/27
   
500,000
     
503,287
     
584,406
 
Dish DBS Corporation
     
7.750
 
07/01/26
   
385,000
     
412,868
     
373,450
 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
     
5.625
 
01/15/22
   
385,000
     
373,798
     
357,088
 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
     
6.250
 
03/15/23
   
385,000
     
385,772
     
358,165
 
M/I Homes, Inc.
     
5.625
 
08/01/25
   
385,000
     
368,159
     
390,775
 
Oasis Petroleum Inc.
     
6.875
 
03/15/22
   
424,000
     
410,852
     
422,940
 
PBF Holding Company LLC
     
7.250
 
06/15/25
   
385,000
     
396,683
     
403,288
 
William Lyon Homes
     
7.000
 
08/15/22
   
284,000
     
284,000
     
285,065
 
 
         
 
                       
Total Bonds
         
 
           
4,028,062
     
4,017,792
 
 
         
 
                       
                                     
Common Stock - 0.07%
         
 
                       
Jupiter Resources Inc.
         
 
   
41,472
     
200,439
     
108,864
 
                                     
Total Common Stock
         
 
           
200,439
     
108,864
 
 
         
 
                       
                                     
Preferred Stock - 0.35%
         
 
                       
B. Riley Financial Inc.
         
 
   
20,000
     
500,000
     
514,000
 
                                     
Total Preferred Stock
         
 
           
500,000
     
514,000
 
 
         
 
                       
                                     
Total Corporate Public Securities
         
 
         
$
9,297,595
   
$
8,988,176
 
 
         
 
                       
 
         
 
                       
 
 
 

26
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Short-Term Security:
 
Interest
Rate/Yield^
 
Maturity
Date
 
Principal
Amount
   
Cost
   
Market
Value
 
                       
Commercial Paper - 6.47%
 
 
                 
Ameren Corporation
 
2.620
%
07/08/19
 
$
1,600,000
   
$
1,599,185
   
$
1,599,185
 
Dowdupont
 
2.650
 
09/05/19
   
1,600,000
     
1,592,226
     
1,592,226
 
Keurig Dr. Pepper
 
2.660
 
07/29/19
   
1,600,000
     
1,596,690
     
1,596,690
 
The Interpublic Group of Companies
 
2.630
 
07/11/19
   
1,600,000
     
1,598,831
     
1,598,831
 
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd
 
2.720
 
09/05/19
   
1,500,000
     
1,492,520
     
1,492,520
 
Walgreens Boots Alliance
 
2.640
 
07/10/19
   
1,600,000
     
1,598,944
     
1,598,944
 
 
                               
Total Short-Term Security
                 
$
9,478,396
   
$
9,478,396
 
 
                               
                                 
Total Investments
 
100.29
%
           
$
150,404,211
   
$
146,859,933
 
                                 
Other Assets
 
10.31
                       
15,104,120
 
Liabilities
 
(10.60
)
                     
(15,528,712
)
                                 
Total Net Assets
 
100.00
%
                   
$
146,435,341
 
 
                               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
In each of the convertible note, warrant, and common stock investments, the issuer has agreed to provide certain registration rights.
(B)
Non-income producing security.
(C)
Security valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.
(D)
Defaulted security; interest not accrued.
(E)
Illiquid security. As of June 30, 2019 the values of these securities amounted to $121,099,996 or 82.70% of net assets.
(F)
Held in PI Subsidiary Trust
PIK - Payment-in-kind
 
 

27
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Industry Classification:
 
Fair Value/
Market Value
 
       
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 4.77%
     
BEI Precision Systems & Space Company, Inc.
 
$
1,703,856
 
Dart Buyer, Inc.
   
832,344
 
Merex Holding Corporation
   
777,983
 
Sunvair Aerospace Group Inc.
   
1,381,443
 
Trident Maritime Systems
   
2,285,512
 
 
   
6,981,138
 
         
AUTOMOTIVE - 5.35%
       
Aurora Parts & Accessories LLC
   
1,717,027
 
BBB Industries LLC
   
1,664,711
 
DPL Holding Corporation
   
281,815
 
English Color & Supply LLC
   
1,795,711
 
Holley Performance Products
   
2,379,095
 
 
   
7,838,359
 
         
BUILDING MATERIALS - 3.48%
       
Happy Floors Acquisition, Inc.
   
1,204,290
 
NSi Industries Holdings, Inc.
   
2,320,483
 
Sunrise Windows Holding Company
   
1,359,082
 
Torrent Group Holdings, Inc.
   
76,903
 
Wolf-Gordon, Inc.
   
141,783
 
 
   
5,102,541
 
         
CABLE & SATELLITE - 0.23%
       
Intelsat Connect Finance
   
340,725
 
         
CHEMICALS - 3.43%
       
CVR Partners, L.P.
   
402,594
 
Dowdupont
   
1,592,226
 
DuBois Chemicals, Inc.
   
1,677,562
 
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands B.V.
   
505,890
 
Polytex Holdings LLC
   
534,992
 
Schenectady International Group Inc.
   
301,964
 
      5,015,228  
         
CONSUMER CYCLICAL SERVICES - 4.05% 
 
Accelerate Learning
   
1,059,175
 
CHG Alternative Education Holding Company
   
1,076,168
 
MeTEOR Education LLC
   
1,007,136
 
PPC Event Services
   
1,678,159
 
PS Logistics LLC
   
490,359
 
ROI Solutions
   
626,672
 
 
   
5,937,669
 
 
       
         
   
Fair Value/
Market Value
 
CONSUMER PRODUCTS - 7.04%
 
AMS Holding LLC
 
$
161,570
 
Blue Wave Products, Inc.
   
232,551
 
Elite Sportwear Holding, LLC
   
1,532,387
 
gloProfessional Holdings, Inc.
   
1,585,661
 
GTI Holding Company
   
185,967
 
Handi Quilter Holding Company
   
497,021
 
HHI Group, LLC
   
1,814,100
 
Manhattan Beachwear Holding Company
   
622,703
 
Master Cutlery LLC
   
26,889
 
New Mountain Learning, LLC
   
1,515,641
 
Whitebridge Pet Brands Holdings, LLC
   
1,665,003
 
York Wall Holding Company
   
467,217
 
 
   
10,306,710
 
         
DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING - 7.28%
 
ABC Industries, Inc.
   
445,582
 
Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
   
31,487
 
Amsted Industries
   
189,394
 
F G I Equity LLC
   
855,794
 
K P I Holdings, Inc.
   
154,199
 
Motion Controls Holdings
   
357,062
 
Reelcraft Industries, Inc.
   
1,887,757
 
SR Smith LLC
   
2,770,569
 
Strahman Holdings Inc.
   
355,549
 
Therma-Stor Holdings LLC
   
1,404,177
 
Trystar, Inc.
   
2,206,949
 
 
   
10,658,519
 
         
ELECTRIC - 3.70%
       
AM Conservation Holding Corp.
   
2,031,805
 
Ameren Corporation
   
1,599,185
 
Electronic Power Systems
   
1,786,087
 
 
   
5,417,077
 
         
FINANCIAL OTHER - 2.46%
       
Acrisure, LLC
   
347,462
 
Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C.
   
499,965
 
B. Riley Financial Inc.
   
514,000
 
Confie Seguros Holding II Co.
   
427,617
 
Edelman Financial Services
   
128,498
 
Financial & Risk US Holdings, Inc.
   
119,306
 
U.S. Retirement and Benefit Partners, Inc.
   
1,568,114
 
 
   
3,604,962
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

28
 
Barings Participation Investors
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Industry Classification: (Continued)
 
Fair Value/
Market Value
 
       
FOOD & BEVERAGE - 7.35%
     
Del Real LLC
 
$
1,483,078
 
Hollandia Produce LLC
   
1,726,271
 
Impact Confections
   
 
JMH Investors LLC
   
763,114
 
Keurig Dr. Pepper
   
1,596,690
 
PANOS Brands LLC
   
2,245,992
 
Sara Lee Frozen Foods
   
1,482,044
 
Westminster Acquisition LLC
   
335,595
 
WP Supply Holding Corporation
   
1,126,042
 
 
   
10,758,826
 
 
       
HEALTHCARE - 6.64%
       
Argon Medical Devices, Inc.
   
491,250
 
Avantor Inc.
   
333,032
 
Cadence, Inc.
   
886,435
 
CORA Health Services, Inc.
   
1,406,068
 
ECG Consulting Group
   
2,092,041
 
Enterprise Merger Sub Inc.
   
539,167
 
GD Dental Services LLC
   
34,029
 
Healthline Media, Inc.
   
1,638,334
 
LAC Acquisition LLC
   
1,113,904
 
TherOX, Inc.
   
 
Touchstone Health Partnership
   
 
U.S. Oral Surgery Management
   
1,040,565
 
VRX Escrow Corp.
   
142,971
 
 
   
9,717,796
 
 
       
HOME CONSTRUCTION - 0.74%
       
Mattamy Group Corp.
   
405,694
 
M/I Homes, Inc.
   
390,775
 
William Lyon Homes
   
285,065
 
 
   
1,081,534
 
         
INDEPENDENT - 1.53%
       
Fieldwood Energy LLC
   
811,418
 
Jonah Energy LLC
   
183,838
 
Jupiter Resources Inc.
   
108,864
 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
   
715,253
 
Oasis Petroleum Inc.
   
422,940
 
 
   
2,242,313
 
 
       
INDUSTRIAL OTHER - 8.44%
       
AFC - Dell Holding Corporation
   
1,706,815
 
    Fair Value/
Market Value
 
Aftermath, Inc.
 
$
1,234,221
 
Brunswick Corporation
   
584,406
 
E.S.P. Associates, P.A.
   
328,300
 
Hartland Controls Holding Corporation
   
1,884,590
 
Midwest Industrial Rubber, Inc.
   
1,851,576
 
PB Holdings LLC
   
805,669
 
SMB Machinery Holdings, Inc.
   
 
Specified Air Solutions
   
2,165,161
 
STS Operating, Inc.
   
468,335
 
UBEO, LLC
   
1,330,078
 
 
   
12,359,151
 
 
       
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT - 3.68% 
 
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.
   
342,650
 
BlueSpire Holding, Inc.
   
 
Boyne USA, Inc.
   
139,642
 
Cadent, LLC
   
1,015,803
 
Discovery Education, Inc.
   
1,915,722
 
Dish DBS Corporation
   
373,450
 
HOP Entertainment LLC
   
 
The Interpublic Group of Companies
   
1,598,831
 
 
   
5,386,098
 
 
       
METALS & MINING - 1.53%
       
Alliance Residential Company
   
374,850
 
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
   
851,144
 
New Gold Inc.
   
466,250
 
Suncoke Energy
   
375,856
 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.
   
167,843
 
 
   
2,235,943
 
 
       
MIDSTREAM - 1.02%
       
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd
   
1,492,520
 
         
OIL FIELD SERVICES - 0.53%
       
Avantech Testing Services LLC
   
 
Petroplex Inv Holdings LLC
   
19,442
 
Topaz Marine S.A.
   
501,386
 
Vine Oil & Gas, LP
   
250,250
 
 
   
771,078
 
         
PACKAGING - 0.90%
       
ASC Holdings, Inc.
   
614,090
 
Brown Machine LLC
   
702,588
 
 
   
1,316,678
 
 
       
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

29
 
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Industry Classification: (Continued)
 
Fair Value/
Market Value
 
       
PAPER - 1.16%
     
Dunn Paper
 
$
1,705,594
 
         
PHARMACEUTICALS - 0.22%
       
Clarion Brands Holding Corp.
   
328,349
 
         
REFINING - 2.05%
       
MES Partners, Inc.
   
1,453,256
 
PBF Holding Company LLC
   
403,288
 
Tristar Global Energy Solutions, Inc.
   
1,144,022
 
 
   
3,000,566
 
         
RETAILERS - 1.09%
       
Walgreens Boots Alliance
   
1,598,944
 
 
       
TECHNOLOGY - 15.12%
       
1A Smart Start, Inc.
   
1,688,653
 
Audio Precision
   
1,721,255
 
BCC Software, Inc.
   
2,491,858
 
BMC Software Finance, Inc.
   
470,292
 
Claritas Holdings, Inc.
   
1,632,913
 
Clubessential LLC
   
1,746,303
 
GraphPad Software, Inc.
   
2,422,274
 
ION Trading Technologies Sarl
   
264,662
 
   
Fair Value/
Market Value
 
PowerSchool
 
$
493,125
 
REVSpring, Inc.
   
1,664,481
 
Ruffalo Noel Levitz
   
1,249,058
 
U.S. Legal Support, Inc.
   
1,833,913
 
Sandvine Corporation
   
1,673,907
 
Scaled Agile, Inc.
   
746,460
 
Velocity Technology Solutions, Inc.
   
2,045,521
 
 
   
22,144,675
 
 
       
TELECOMMUNICATIONS - 0.21%
       
Altice Financing S.A.
   
309,571
 
         
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES - 6.29% 
 
BDP International, Inc.
   
2,403,256
 
OPE KAG Finance Sub
   
346,500
 
Pegasus Transtech Corporation
   
2,065,628
 
Rock-it Cargo
   
2,420,714
 
Team Drive-Away Holdings LLC
   
353,598
 
VP Holding Company
   
1,617,673
 
 
   
9,207,369
 
         
Total Investments - 100.29%
(Cost - $150,404,211)
 
$
146,859,933
 
 
       
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

30
 
Barings Participation Investors
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 
1.
History
Barings Participation Investors (the "Trust") was organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated April 7, 1988.
 
The Trust is a diversified closed-end management investment company. Barings LLC ("Barings"), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual"), acts as its investment adviser. The Trust's investment objective is to maintain a portfolio of securities providing a current yield and, when available, an opportunity for capital gains. The Trust's principal investments are privately placed, below investment grade, long-term debt obligations including bank loans and mezzanine debt instruments. Such direct placement securities may, in some cases, be accompanied by equity features such as common stock, preferred stock, warrants, conversion rights, or other equity features. The Trust typically purchases these investments, which are not publicly tradable, directly from their issuers in private placement transactions. These investments are typically made to small or middle market companies. In addition, the Trust may invest, subject to certain limitations, in marketable debt securities (including high yield and/or investment grade securities) and marketable common stock. Below investment grade or high yield securities have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay capital.
 
On January 27, 1998, the Board of Trustees authorized the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust ("PI Subsidiary Trust") for the purpose of holding certain investments. The results of the PI Subsidiary Trust are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. Footnote 2.D below discusses the Federal tax consequences of the PI Subsidiary Trust.
 
2.
Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed consistently by the Trust in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").
 
The Trustees have determined that the Trust is an investment company in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, for the purpose of financial reporting.
 
A. Fair Value Measurements:
 
Under U.S. GAAP, fair value represents the price that should be received to sell an asset (exit price) in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date.
 
Determination of Fair Value
 
The determination of the fair value of the Trust's investments is the responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the
"Trustees"). The Trustees have adopted procedures for the valuation of the Trust's securities and have delegated responsibility for applying those procedures to Barings. Barings has established a Pricing Committee which is responsible for setting the guidelines used in following the procedures adopted by the Trustees ensuring that those guidelines are being followed. Barings considers all relevant factors that are reasonably available, through either public information or information available to Barings, when determining the fair value of a security. The Trustees meet at least once each quarter to approve the value of the Trust's portfolio securities as of the close of business on the last business day of the preceding quarter. This valuation requires the approval of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of Barings. In approving valuations, the Trustees will consider reports by Barings analyzing each portfolio security in accordance with the procedures and guidelines referred to above, which include the relevant factors referred to below. Barings has agreed to provide such reports to the Trust at least quarterly. The consolidated financial statements include private placement restricted securities valued at $128,393,361 (87.68% of net assets) as of June 30, 2019 the values of which have been estimated by the Trustees based on the process described above in the absence of readily ascertainable market values. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the differences could be material.
 
Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets recorded at fair value.
 
Corporate Public Securities at Market Value – Bank Loans, Corporate Bonds, Preferred Stocks and Common Stocks
 
The Trust uses external independent third-party pricing services to determine the fair values of its Corporate Public Securities. At June 30, 2019, 100% of the carrying value of these investments was from external pricing services. In the event that the primary pricing service does not provide a price, the Trust utilizes the pricing provided by a secondary pricing service.
 
Public debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Trust's pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where significant market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where significant market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal underlying prepayments, collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value.

 
 
 
 
 
 


31
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
The Trust's investments in bank loans are normally valued at the bid quotation obtained from dealers in loans by an independent pricing service in accordance with the Trust's valuation policies and procedures approved by the Trustees.
 
Public equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sales price of that day.
 
At least annually, Barings conducts reviews of the primary pricing vendors to validate that the inputs used in that vendors' pricing process are deemed to be market observable as defined in the standard. While Barings is not provided access to proprietary models of the vendors, the reviews have included on-site walk-throughs of the pricing process, methodologies and control procedures for each asset class and level for which prices are provided. The reviews also include an examination of the underlying inputs and assumptions for a sample of individual securities across asset classes, credit rating levels and various durations. In addition, the pricing vendors have an established challenge process in place for all security valuations, which facilitates identification and resolution of prices that fall outside expected ranges. Barings believes that the prices received from the pricing vendors are representative of prices that would be received to sell the assets at the measurement date (exit prices) and are classified appropriately in the hierarchy.
 
Corporate Restricted Securities at Fair Value – Bank Loans, Corporate Bonds
 
The fair value of certain notes is determined using an internal model that discounts the anticipated cash flows of those notes using a specific discount rate. Changes to that discount rate are driven by changes in general interest rates, probabilities of default and credit adjustments. The discount rate used within the models to discount the future anticipated cash flows is considered a significant unobservable input. Increases/(decreases) in the discount rate would result in a (decrease)/increase to the notes' fair value.
 
The fair value of certain distressed notes is based on an enterprise waterfall methodology which is discussed in the equity security valuation section below.
Corporate Restricted Securities at Fair Value – Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Partnerships & LLC's
 
The fair value of equity securities is determined using an enterprise waterfall methodology. Under this methodology, the enterprise value of the company is first estimated and that value is then allocated to the company's outstanding debt and equity securities based on the documented priority of each class of securities in the capital structure. Generally, the waterfall proceeds from senior debt, to senior and junior subordinated debt, to preferred stock, then finally common stock.
 
To estimate a company's enterprise value, the company's trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is multiplied by a valuation multiple.
 
Both the company's EBITDA and valuation multiple are considered significant unobservable inputs. Increases/(decreases) to the company's EBITDA and/or valuation multiple would result in increases/(decreases) to the equity value.
 
Short-Term Securities
 
Short-term securities with more than sixty days to maturity are valued at fair value, using external independent third-party services. Short-term securities, of sufficient credit quality, having a maturity of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
New Accounting Pronouncement
 
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"), which simplifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurement. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Trust early adopted, and applied, ASU 2018-13 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Trust's financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


32
 
Barings Participation Investors
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
The Trust categorizes its investments measured at fair value in three levels, based on the inputs and assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are as follows:
 
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
 
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
 
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 
 
The following table summarizes the levels in the fair value hierarchy into which the Trust's financial instruments are categorized as of June 30, 2019.
 
The fair values of the Trust's investments disaggregated into the three levels of the fair value hierarchy based upon the lowest level of significant input used in the valuation as of June 30, 2019 are as follows:
 
Assets:
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Restricted Securities
                       
Corporate Bonds
 
$
55,140,213
   
$
   
$
7,293,365
   
$
47,846,848
 
Bank Loans
   
58,968,869
     
     
2,424,023
     
56,544,846
 
Common Stock - U.S.
   
3,295,370
     
     
     
3,295,370
 
Preferred Stock
   
3,032,722
     
     
     
3,032,722
 
Partnerships and LLCs
   
7,956,187
     
     
     
7,956,187
 
Public Securities
                               
Bank Loans
   
4,347,520
     
     
4,045,556
     
301,964
 
Corporate Bonds
   
4,017,792
     
     
4,017,792
     
 
Common Stock - U.S.
   
108,864
     
     
108,864
     
 
Preferred Stock
   
514,000
     
514,000
     
     
 
Short-term Securities
   
9,478,396
     
9,478,396
     
     
 
Total
 
$
146,859,933
   
$
9,992,396
   
$
17,889,600
   
$
118,977,937
 
See information disaggregated by security type and industry classification in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

33
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
The following table represents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements as of June 30, 2019.
 
 
Fair Value
Valuation
Technique
Unobservable
Inputs
Range
Weighted**
Bank Loans
$5,402,456
Broker Quote
Single Broker
97.0% to 99.5%
98.2%
           
 
$51,444,354
Discounted Cash
Flows
Discount Rate
4.9% to 12.5%
7.0%
           
Corporate Bonds
$40,189,921
Discounted Cash
Flows
Discount Rate
7.8% to 19.6%
11.8%
           
 
$7,656,927
Market Approach
Valuation Multiple
5.0x to 9.8x
7.5x
           
     
EBITDA
$0.4 million to
$111.9 million
$14.5 million
           
Equity Securities*
$14,284,279
Market Approach
Valuation Multiple
4.5x to 16.0x
9.5x
           
     
EBITDA
$0.4 million to
$278.1 million
$31.9 million
*
Including partnerships and LLC's
**
The weighted averages disclosed in the table above were weighted by relative fair value
 
 
Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
 
Assets:  
Beginning
balance at
12/31/2018
   
Included in
earnings
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Prepayments
   
Transfers
into
Level 3
   
Transfers
out of
Level 3
   
Ending
balance at
6/30/2019
 
Restricted Securities
                                               
Corporate Bonds
 
$
49,613,537
   
$
1,011,763
   
$
1,347,411
   
$
(3,126,841
)
 
$
(999,022
)
 
$
   
$
   
$
47,846,848
 
Bank Loans
   
56,358,155
     
546,840
     
5,772,498
     
(381,091
)
   
(4,079,556
)
   
493,750
     
(2,165,750
)
   
56,544,846
 
Common Stock - U.S.
   
4,250,108
     
616,475
     
125
     
(1,571,338
)
   
     
     
     
3,295,370
 
Preferred Stock
   
2,197,761
     
309,085
     
628,682
     
(102,806
)
   
     
     
     
3,032,722
 
Partnerships and LLCs
   
7,372,814
     
1,568,914
     
239,192
     
(1,224,733
)
   
     
     
     
7,956,187
 
Public Securities
                                                               
Bank Loans
   
1,648,460
     
19,936
     
     
     
(2,401
)
   
     
(1,364,031
)
   
301,964
 
Common Stock - U.S.
   
141,005
     
     
     
     
     
     
(141,005
)
   
 
   
$
121,581,840
   
$
4,073,013
   
$
7,987,908
   
$
(6,406,809
)
 
$
(5,080,979
)
 
$
493,750
   
$
(3,670,786
)
 
$
118,977,937
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

34
 
Barings Participation Investors
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Income, Gains and Losses on Level 3 assets included in Net Increase in Net Assets resulting from Operations for the year are presented in the following accounts on the Statement of Operations:
 
   
Net Increase in
Net Assets
Resulting from
Operations
   
Change in
Unrealized
Gains &
(Losses) in
Net Assets
from assets
still held
 
Interest (Amortization)
 
$
161,652
   
$
 
Net realized gain on investments before taxes
   
1,892,068
     
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments before taxes
   
2,019,293
     
3,500,137
 
 
B. Accounting for Investments:
 
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis, including the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on bonds held using the yield-to-maturity method. The Trust does not accrue income when payment is delinquent and when management believes payment is questionable.
 
Realized gains and losses on investment transactions and unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments are reported for financial statement and Federal income tax purposes on the identified cost method.
 
C. Use of Estimates:
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.
 
D. Federal Income Taxes:
 
The Trust has elected to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code, and intends to maintain this qualification and to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income to its shareholders. In any year when net long-term capital gains are realized by the Trust, management, after evaluating the prevailing economic conditions, will recommend that Trustees either designate the net realized long-term gains as undistributed and pay the federal capital gains taxes thereon, or distribute all or a portion of such net gains.
 
The Trust is taxed as a regulated investment company and is therefore limited as to the amount of non-qualified income that it may receive as the result of operating a trade or business, e.g. the Trust's pro rata share of income allocable
to the Trust by a partnership operating company. The Trust's violation of this limitation could result in the loss of its status as a regulated investment company, thereby subjecting all of its net income and capital gains to corporate taxes prior to distribution to its shareholders. The Trust, from time-to-time, identifies investment opportunities in the securities of entities that could cause such trade or business income to be allocable to the Trust. The PI Subsidiary Trust (described in Footnote 1, above) was formed in order to allow investment in such securities without adversely affecting the Trust's status as a regulated investment company.
 
The PI Subsidiary Trust is not taxed as a regulated investment company. Accordingly, prior to the Trust receiving any distributions from the PI Subsidiary Trust, all of the PI Subsidiary Trust's taxable income and realized gains, including non-qualified income and realized gains, is subject to taxation at prevailing corporate tax rates. As of June 30, 2019, the PI Subsidiary Trust has incurred income tax expense of $85,278.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of the existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. As of June 30, 2019, the PI Subsidiary Trust has no deferred tax liability.
 
E. Distributions to Shareholders:
 
The Trust records distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, on the ex-dividend date. The Trust's net investment income dividend is declared four times per year, in April, July, October, and December. The Trust's net realized capital gain distribution, if any, is declared in December.
 
3.
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract
A. Services:
 
Under an Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract (the "Contract") with the Trust, Barings has agreed to use its best efforts to present to the Trust a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Trust. Barings represents the Trust in any negotiations with issuers, investment banking firms, securities brokers or dealers and other institutions or investors relating to the Trust's investments. Under the Contract, Barings also provides administration of the day-to-day operations of the Trust and provides the Trust with office space and office equipment, accounting and bookkeeping services, and necessary executive, clerical and secretarial personnel for the performance of the foregoing services.
 
B. Fee:
 
For its services under the Contract, Barings is paid a quarterly investment advisory fee equal to 0.225% of the value of the Trust's net assets as of the last business day of each fiscal
 
 
 
 
 


35
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
quarter, an amount approximately equivalent to 0.90% on an annual basis. A majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of Barings, approve the valuation of the Trust's net assets as of such day.
 
C. Basis for Board Renewal of Contract
 
At a meeting of the Trustees held on April 24, 2019, the Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or Barings) unanimously approved a one year continuance of the Contract.
 
Prior to the meeting, the Trustees requested and received from Ropes & Gray LLP, counsel to the Trust, a memorandum describing the Trustees' legal responsibilities in connection with their review and re-approval of the Contract. The Trustees also requested and received from Barings extensive written and oral information regarding, among other matters: the principal terms of the Contract; the reasons why Barings was proposing the continuance of the Contract; Barings and its personnel; the Trust's investment performance, including comparative performance information; the nature and quality of the services provided by Barings to the Trust; financial results and condition of Barings; the fee arrangements between Barings and the Trust; fee and expense information, including comparative fee and expense information; profitability of the advisory arrangement to Barings; and "fallout" benefits to Barings resulting from the Contract.
 
In connection with their deliberations regarding the continuation of the Contract, the Trustees, including the independent Trustees, considered such information and factors as they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The Trustees' conclusion as to the continuance of the Contract was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees' deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements between Barings and the Trust are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and Barings, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees' conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services to be Provided by Barings to the Trust
 
In evaluating the scope and quality of the services provided by Barings to the Trust, the Trustees considered, among other factors: (i) the scope of services required to be provided by Barings under the Contract; (ii) Barings' ability to find and negotiate private placement securities having equity features that are consistent with the stated investment
objectives of the Trust; (iii) the experience and quality of Barings' staff; (iv) the strength of Barings' financial condition; (v) the nature of the private placement market compared to public markets (including the fact that finding, analyzing, negotiating and servicing private placement securities is more labor-intensive than buying and selling public securities and the administration of private placement securities is more extensive, expensive, and requires greater time and expertise than a portfolio of only public securities); (vi) the potential advantages afforded to the Trust by its ability to co-invest in negotiated private placements with MassMutual and its affiliates; and (vii) the expansion of the scope of services provided by Barings as a result of recent regulatory and legislative initiatives that have required increased legal, compliance and business attention and diligence. Based on such considerations, the Trustees concluded that, overall, they are satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided by Barings, and expected to be provided in the future, under the renewed Contract.
 
Investment Performance
 
The Trustees also examined the Trust's short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term performance as compared against various benchmark indices presented at the meeting, which showed that the Trust had outperformed such indices for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. In addition, the Trustees considered comparisons of the Trust's performance with the performance of (i) selected closed-end investment companies and funds that may invest in private placement securities and/or bank loans; (ii) selected business development companies with comparable types of investments; and (iii) investment companies included in the Broadridge closed-end bond universe. The Trustees considered that, while such comparisons are helpful in judging performance, they are not directly comparable in terms of types of investments, and because business development companies often report returns based on market value, which is affected by factors other than the performance of the underlying portfolio investments. Based on these considerations and the detailed performance information provided to the Trustees at the regular Board meetings each quarter, the Trustees concluded that the Trust's absolute and relative performance over time have been sufficient to warrant renewal of the Contract.
 
Advisory Fee/Costs of Services Provided and Profitability/Manager's "Fallout" Benefits
 
In connection with the Trustees' consideration of the advisory fee paid by the Trust to Barings under the Contract, Barings noted that it was unaware of any registered closed-end investment companies that are directly comparable to the Trust in terms of the types of investments and percentages invested in private placement securities (which require more extensive advisory and administrative services than a portfolio of publicly traded securities, as previously discussed) other than Barings Corporate Investors, which is also advised by Barings. Under the terms of its Investment
 
 
 
 
 


36
 
Barings Participation Investors
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Services Contract, Barings Corporate Investors is charged a quarterly investment advisory fee of 0.3125% of net asset value as of the end of each quarter, which is approximately equal to 1.25% annually. In considering the fee rate provided in the Contract, the Trustees noted the advisory fee charged by Barings to Tower Square Capital Partners, L.P. and Tower Square Capital Partners II, III and IV, L.P., each a private mezzanine fund also managed by Barings, and that the fee Barings Corporate Investors charged compares favorably to the Trust's advisory fee.
 
At the request of the Trustees, Barings provided information concerning the profitability of Barings' advisory relationship with the Trust. The Trustees also considered the non-economic benefits Barings and its affiliates derived from its relationship with the Trust, including the reputational benefits derived from having the Trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the de minimis amount of commissions resulting from the Trust's portfolio transactions used by Barings for third-party soft dollar arrangements. The Trustees recognized that Barings should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profit for services provided to the Trust and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that Barings' historical level of profitability from its relationship with the Trust was not excessive and that the advisory fee structure under the Contract is reasonable.
 
Economies of Scale
 
The Trustees considered the concept of economies of scale and possible advisory fee reductions if the Trust were to grow in assets. Given that the Trust is not continuously offering shares, such growth comes principally from retained net realized gain on investments and dividend reinvestment. The Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the fee schedule under the Contract was currently acceptable given the Trust's current size and closed-end fund structure.
 
4.
Senior Indebtedness
MassMutual holds the Trust's $15,000,000 Senior Fixed Rate Convertible Note (the "Note") issued by the Trust on December 13, 2011. The Note is due December 13, 2023 and accrues interest at 4.09% per annum. MassMutual, at its option, can convert the principal amount of the Note into common shares. The dollar amount of principal would be converted into an equivalent dollar amount of common shares based upon the average price of the common shares for ten business days prior to the notice of conversion. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Trust incurred total interest expense on the Note of $306,750.
 
The Trust may redeem the Note, in whole or in part, at the principal amount proposed to be redeemed together with the accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the redemption date plus the Make Whole Premium. The Make Whole Premium equals the excess of (i) the present value of the scheduled payments of principal and interest which the Trust would have paid but for the proposed redemption, discounted at the rate of interest of U.S. Treasury obligations whose maturity approximates that of the Note plus 0.50% over (ii) the principal of the Note proposed to be redeemed.
5.
Purchases and Sales of Investments

 
 
For the six
months ended
6/30/19
 
 
 
Cost of
Investments
Acquired
   
Proceeds
from
Sales or
Maturities
 
Corporate restricted securities
 
$
8,562,867
   
$
14,688,769
 
Corporate public securities
   
     
2,918,667
 
 
The aggregate cost of investments is substantially the same for financial reporting and Federal income tax purposes as of June 30, 2019. The net unrealized depreciation of investments for financial reporting and Federal tax purposes as of June 30, 2019 is $(3,544,278) and consists of $6,956,106 appreciation and $10,500,384 depreciation.
 
Net unrealized depreciation of investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects the balance net of a deferred tax liability of $nil on net unrealized losses on the PI Subsidiary Trust.
 
6.
Quarterly Results of Investment Operations

 
 
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
Amount
   
Per Share
 
Investment income
 
$
3,600,613
       
Net investment income
   
2,913,357
   
$
0.28
 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments (net of taxes)
   
1,497,043
     
0.14
 
                 
 
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Amount
   
Per Share
 
Investment income
 
$
3,383,396
         
Net investment income
   
2,690,053
   
$
0.25
 
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments (net of taxes)
   
2,963,453
     
0.28
 
 
 
7.
Investment Risks
In the normal course of its business, the Trust trades various financial instruments and enters into certain investment activities with investment risks. These risks include: (i) market risk, (ii) volatility risk and (iii) credit, counterparty and liquidity risk. It is the Trust's policy to identify, measure and monitor risk through various mechanisms including risk management strategies and credit policies. These include monitoring risk guidelines and diversifying exposures across a variety of instruments, markets and counterparties. There can be no assurance that the Trust will be able to implement its credit guidelines or that its risk monitoring strategies will be successful.
 
 
 
 

37
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
 
 
8.
Commitments and Contingencies
During the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties. The exposure, if any, to the Trust under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may or may not be made against the Trust and which have not yet occurred. The Trust has no history of prior claims related to such contracts and agreements. At June 30, 2019, the Trust had the following unfunded commitments:
 
Investment
   
Unfunded Amount
 
US Oral Surgery Management
 
$
1,386,563
 
ROI Solutions LLC
   
961,561
 
Dart Aerospace
   
862,500
 
VP Holding Company
   
693,100
 
Lighthouse Autism Center
   
628,889
 
Cora Health Services, Inc.
   
498,696
 
UBEO, LLC
   
352,841
 
Specified Air Solutions (Roberts Gordon)
   
300,174
 
US Legal Support, Inc.
   
255,288
 
ProcessBarron
   
129,745
 
U.S. Retirement & Benefit Partners
   
117,300
 
Polytex Holdings LLC
   
14,274
 
 
9.
Results of Shareholder Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The shareholders were asked to vote to re-elect as Trustees Robert E. Joyal and Susan B. Sweeney for a two-year and three-year term, respectively. The shareholders approved the proposal. The Trust's other Trustees, Michael H. Brown, Barbara M. Ginader, Edward P. Grace III, Clifford M. Noreen and Maleyne M. Syracuse continued to serve their respective terms following the April 24, 2019 Annual Shareholder Meeting. The results of the voting are set forth below.
 
Shares for
 
Withheld
 
Total
 
% of
Shares
Voted for
Robert E. Joyal
8,782,932
 
417,683
 
9,200,616
 
95.46%
             
Susan B. Sweeney
8,992,240
 
208,375
 
9,200,616
 
97.74%

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

38
 
Barings Participation Investors
 
 
 
 
THIS PRIVACY NOTICE IS BEING PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF BARINGS LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES: BARINGS SECURITIES LLC; BARINGS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD; BARINGS JAPAN LIMITED; BARINGS INVESTMENT ADVISERS (HONG KONG) LIMITED; BARINGS FUNDS TRUST; BARINGS GLOBAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD FUND; BARINGS BDC, INC.; BARINGS CORPORATE INVESTORS AND BARINGS PARTICIPATION INVESTORS (TOGETHER, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PRIVACY NOTICE, "BARINGS").
 
When you use Barings you entrust us not only with your hard-earned assets but also with your personal and financial data. We consider your data to be private and confidential, and protecting its confidentiality is important to us. Our policies and procedures regarding your personal information are summarized below.
We may collect non-public personal information about you from:
 
Applications or other forms, interviews, or by other means;
 
Consumer or other reporting agencies, government agencies, employers or others;
 
Your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; and
 
Our Internet website.
 
We may share the financial information we collect with our financial service affiliates, such as insurance companies, investment companies and securities broker-dealers. Additionally, so that we may continue to offer you products and services that best meet your investment needs and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform administrative or marketing services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, custodian banks, service providers or printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials or that provide operational support to Barings. These companies are required to protect this information and will use this information only for the services for which we hire them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose. Some of these companies may perform such services in jurisdictions other than the United States. We may share some or all of the information we collect with other financial institutions with whom we jointly market products. This may be done only if it is permitted by the state in which you live. Some disclosures may be limited to your name, contact and transaction information with us or our affiliates.
 
Any disclosures will be only to the extent permitted by federal and state law. Certain disclosures may require us to get an "opt-in" or "opt-out" from you. If this is required, we will do so before information is shared. Otherwise, we do not share any personal information about our customers or former customers unless authorized by the customer or as permitted by law.
 
We restrict access to personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products and services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with legal standards to guard your personal information. As an added measure, we do not include personal or account information in non-secure e-mails that we send you via the Internet without your prior consent. We advise you not to send such information to us in non-secure e-mails.
 
This joint notice describes the privacy policies of Barings, the Funds and Barings Securities LLC. It applies to all Barings and the Funds accounts you presently have, or may open in the future, using your social security number or federal taxpayer identification number - whether or not you remain a shareholder of our Funds or as an advisory client of Barings. As mandated by rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we will be sending you this notice annually, as long as you own shares in the Funds or have an account with Barings.
 
Barings Securities LLC is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Investors may obtain information about SIPC including the SIPC brochure by contacting SIPC online at www.sipc.org or calling (202)-371-8300. Investors may obtain information about FINRA including the FINRA Investor Brochure by contacting FINRA online at www.finra.org or by calling (800) 289-9999.
 
April 2019
 
 
 
 

 
 

39
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This page left intentionally blank.

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

40
 
 
Members of the Board of
Trustees
 
Clifford M. Noreen
Chairman
 
Michael H. Brown*
 
Barbara M. Ginader*
 
Edward P. Grace III*
 
Robert E. Joyal
 
Susan B. Sweeney*
 
Maleyne M. Syracuse*
 
 
*Member of the Audit Committee
 
 
Officers
 
Robert M. Shettle
President
 
James M. Roy
Vice President & Chief Financial
Officer
 
Janice M. Bishop
Vice President, Secretary & Chief
Legal Officer
 
Sean Feeley
Vice President
 
Christopher D. Hanscom
Treasurer
 
Melissa M. LaGrant
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Jill Dinerman
Assistant Secretary
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
 
Barings Participation Investors (the "Trust") offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan provides a simple and automatic way for shareholders to add to their holdings in the Trust through the receipt of dividend shares issued by the Trust or through the reinvestment of cash dividends in Trust shares purchased in the open market. The dividends of each shareholder will be automatically reinvested in the Trust by DST Systems, Inc., the Transfer Agent, in accordance with the Plan, unless such shareholder elects not to participate by providing written notice to the Transfer Agent. A shareholder may terminate his or her participation by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing.
 
Participating shareholders may also make additional contributions to the Plan from their own funds. Such contributions may be made by personal check or other means in an amount not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 per quarter. Cash contributions must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five days (but no more then 30 days) before the payment date of a dividend or distribution.
 
Whenever the Trust declares a dividend payable in cash or shares, the Transfer Agent, acting on behalf of each participating shareholder, will take the dividend in shares only if the net asset value is lower than the market price plus an estimated brokerage commission as of the close of business on the valuation day. The valuation day is the last day preceding the day of dividend payment.
 
When the dividend is to be taken in shares, the number of shares to be received is determined by dividing the cash dividend by the net asset value as of the close of business on the valuation date or, if greater than net asset value, 95% of the closing share price. If the net asset value of the shares is higher than the market value plus an estimated commission, the Transfer Agent, consistent with obtaining the best price and execution, will buy shares on the open market at current prices promptly after the dividend payment date.
 
The reinvestment of dividends does not, in any way, relieve participating shareholders of any federal, state or local tax. For federal income tax purposes, the amount reportable in respect of a dividend received in newly-issued shares of the Trust will be the fair market value of the shares received, which will be reportable as ordinary income and/or capital gains.
 
As compensation for its services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee of 5% of any dividend and cash contribution (in no event in excess of $2.50 per distribution per shareholder.)
 
Any questions regarding the Plan should be addressed to DST Systems, Inc., Transfer Agent for Barings Participation Investors' Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan, P.O. Box 219086, Kansas City, MO 64121-9086.
 
 
 
 
Barings
Participation Investors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PI6217
 
 

 
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for this filing
 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 
 
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
 
(a)
A schedule of investments for the Registrant is included as part of this report to shareholders under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b)
Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 7.   DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 
 
ITEM 8.   PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
 
Not applicable for this filing.

 
ITEM 9.   PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
(a)
The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act")) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report and based on that evaluation have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized  and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
 
(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the Registrant's second fiscal half year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
ITEM 12. SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
 
(a)
Not applicable.
 
(b)
Not applicable.
 
 
 


ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.
 
(a)(1)
ANY CODE OF ETHICS, OR AMENDMENTS THERETO, THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY ITEM 2, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE REGISTRANT INTENDS TO SATISFY THE ITEM 2 REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE FILING OF AN EXHIBIT.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 
(a)(2)
A SEPARATE CERTIFICATION FOR EACH PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE REGISTRANT AS REQUIRED BY RULE 30a-2 UNDER THE ACT.
 
Attached hereto as EX-99.31.1
 
Attached hereto as EX-99.31.2
 
(a)(3)
ANY WRITTEN SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE SECURITIES UNDER RULE 23c-1 UNDER THE ACT (17 CFR 270.23c-1) SENT OR GIVEN DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE REPORT BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT TO 10 OR MORE PERSONS.
 
Not applicable for this filing.
 
(b)             CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 302-2(b) UNDER THE ACT.
 
Attached hereto as EX-99.32
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

(Registrant):

Barings Participation Investors

By:

/s/ Robert M. Shettle

Robert M. Shettle, President

Date:

September 6, 2019



 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:

/s/ Robert M. Shettle

Robert M. Shettle, President

Date:

September 6, 2019

By:

/s/ James M. Roy

James M. Roy, Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date:

September 6, 2019