0001391609-11-000254.txt : 20110516 0001391609-11-000254.hdr.sgml : 20110516 20110516170620 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001391609-11-000254 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20110331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110516 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110516 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000878932 IRS NUMBER: 760345915 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0604 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 814-00098 FILM NUMBER: 11848265 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: EIGHT GREENWAY PLAZA STREET 2: SUITE 930 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77046 BUSINESS PHONE: 7135290900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: EIGHT GREENWAY PLAZA STREET 2: SUITE 930 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77046 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EQUUS II INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970422 10-Q 1 f10qequus_1.htm EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC. FORM 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period                      to                      

Commission File Number 814-00098

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

   
Delaware 76-0345915

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

   
Eight Greenway Plaza, Suite 930 Houston, Texas 77046
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 529-0900

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

       
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer x Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company.    Yes  ¨    No   x

There were 10,561,646 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.001 par value, outstanding, as of May 16, 2011.  

1

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

(A Delaware Corporation)

INDEX

 

   
 

PAGE

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item  1. Financial Statements  
Balance Sheets             3             
Statements of Operations             4             
Statements of Changes in Net Assets             5             
Statements of Cash Flows             6             
Supplemental Information—Selected Per Share Data and Ratios             7             
Schedule of Investments             8             
Notes to Financial Statements           14             
Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations           22             
Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk           28             
Item  4. Controls and Procedures           29             
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings           29             
Item 1A. Risk Factors           29             
Item  6. Exhibits           30             
SIGNATURE           31             

 

2

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

     
   

 

    March 31, 
2011
  December 31, 2010
    (Unaudited)    
(in thousands, except per share amounts)        
Assets                
Investments in portfolio securities at fair value:                
    Control investments (cost at $34,186 and $34,231 respectively)   $ 16,654     $ 17,576  
    Affiliate investments (cost at $350 and $923 respectively)     50       762  
    Non-affiliate investments (cost at $9,795 and $19,808 respectively)     150       9,324  
       Total investments in portfolio securities at fair value     16,854       27,662  
Cash and cash equivalents     17,165       7,382  
Restricted cash and temporary cash investments     6,060       15,150  
Accounts receivable and other     43       273  
Accrued interest receivable     2,422       2,724  
Deferred offering costs     415       263  
         Total assets     42,959       53,454  
Liabilities and net assets                
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     591       345  
    Accounts payable - related parties     35       58  
    Borrowing under margin account     6,000       15,000  
         Total liabilities     6,626       15,403  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)                
Net assets   $ 36,333     $ 38,051  
Net assets consist of:                
    Common stock, par value   $ 9     $ 9  
    Capital in excess of par value     69,742       70,597  
    Undistributed net investment losses     (5,941 )     (5,255 )
    Unrealized depreciation of portfolio securities, net     (27,477 )     (27,300 )
         Total net assets   $ 36,333     $ 38,051  
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding, $.001 par value,
50,000 shares authorized
    8,862       8,862  
Shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding, $.001 par value,  5,000 shares authorized     —         —    
Net asset value per share   $ 4.10     $ 4.29  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

3

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2011   2010
Investment income:                
    Interest and dividend income:                
       Control investments   $ 316     $ 304  
       Affiliate investments     4       13  
       Non-affiliate investments     112       530  
          Total interest and dividend income     432       847  
    Interest from temporary cash investments     7       4  
        Total investment income     439       851  
Expenses:                
    Compensation expense     492       348  
    Professional fees     339       344  
    Settlement expense     120       —    
    Director fees and expenses     82       100  
    Mailing, printing and other expenses     41       29  
    General and administrative expense     51       44  
    Interest expense     —         9  
    Taxes     —         24  
         Total expenses     1,125       898  
Net investment loss     (686 )     (47 )
Net realized gain (loss):                
    Affiliate investments     138       —    
    Non-affiliate investments     (992 )     —    
    Temporary cash investments     (1 )     (4 )
       Net realized loss     (855 )     (4 )
Net unrealized depreciation of portfolio securities:                
    End of period     (27,477 )     (15,926 )
    Beginning of period     (27,300 )     (15,227 )
Net change in unrealized depreciation of portfolio securities     (177 )     (699 )
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   $ (1,718 )   $ (750 )
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations per share:                
     Basic and diluted   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.08 )
Weighted average shares outstanding                
     Basic and diluted     8,862       8,862  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(Unaudited)

     

 

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(in thousands)   2011   2010
 Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   $ (1,718 )   $ (750 )
 Net assets at beginning of period     38,051       50,901  
 Net assets at end of period   $ 36,333     $ 50,151  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

5

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(in thousands)   2011   2010
Reconciliation of decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   $ (1,718 )   $ (750 )
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities                
    Net realized loss     855       4  
    Net change in unrealized depreciation of portfolio securities     177       699  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
    Purchase of portfolio securities     (35 )     (200 )
    Net proceeds from dispositions of portfolio securities     9,731       —    
    Principal payments received from portfolio securities     80       122  
    Sales of temporary cash investments     9,090       9,086  
    (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable and other     230       (5 )
    (Increase) decrease  in accrued interest receivable     302       (461 )
    Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities     246       154  
    Decrease in accounts payable-related parties     (23     —    
       Net cash provided by operating activities     18,935       8,649  
Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Borrowings under margin account     6,000       20,999  
    Repayments under margin account     (15,000 )     (29,999 )
    Cash paid for deferred offering costs     (152 )     —    
       Net cash used in financing activities     (9,152 )     (9,000 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     9,783       (351 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     7,382       6,045  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 17,165     $ 5,694  
Non-cash operating and financing activities:                
    Accrued interest or dividends exchanged for portfolio
    securities
  $ —       $ 165  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
    Interest paid   $ 4     $ 7  
    Income taxes paid   $ —       $ 24  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

6

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION—SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS

(Unaudited)

 

    Three months ended
    March 31,
    2011   2010
Investment income   $ 0.05     $ 0.10  
Expenses     0.13       0.10  
Net investment loss     (0.08 )     —    
Net realized loss     (0.09 )     —    
Net change in unrealized depreciation     (0.02 )     (0.08 )
Net decrease in net assets     (0.19 )     (0.08 )
Net assets at beginning of period     4.29       5.74  
Net assets at end of period, basic and diluted   $ 4.10     $ 5.66  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during period,                
     in thousands     8,862       8,862  
Market price per share                
     Beginning of period   $ 2.50     $ 3.20  
     End of period   $ 2.60     $ 2.81  
Total Return(1)     4.00 %     (12.19 )%
Selected ratios:                
     Ratio of expenses to average net assets     3.02 %     1.78 %
     Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets     (1.84 )%     (0.09 )%
     Ratio of net decrease in net assets resulting from operations      to average net assets     (4.62 )%     (1.48 )%

 

 

(1)  Total return = [(ending market price per share - beginning price per share) / beginning market price per share]. 

 

 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

7

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 Name and Location of     Date of Initial       Cost of   Fair 
 Portfolio Company   Industry   Investment   Investment   Principal   Investment   Value(1) 
         
 Control investments:  Majority-owned (6):           
 Equus Media Development Company, LLC   Media   January 2007  Member interest (100%)                  $4,000                 $1,162
 Houston, TX             
 Riptide Entertainment, LLC
 Miami, FL  
 Entertainment and leisure   December 2005 Member interest (64.67%)                         65                      - 
      8% promissory notes due 9/14(5)                 $10,009              10,009                           - 
                       10,074                           - 
             
 Sovereign Business Forms, Inc.
 Houston, TX  
 Business products and services   August 1996  1,214,630 shares of common stock (64.66% / 55.00% Fully Diluted)                   5,080                3,928
      12% subordinated promissory notes due 5/13(2)                    2,662                2,662                2,662
                         7,742                6,590
             
 Spectrum Management, LLC
 Carrollton, TX  
 Business products and services   December 1999  285,000 units of Class A member interest (81% Fully Diluted)                   2,850                           - 
      16% subordinated promissory notes due 5/11(2)(3)                     2,150                 2,150                 1,867
                       5,000               1,867
 Total Control investments: Majority-owned (represents 42.1% of total investments at fair value)          $26,816         $9,619
 Control Investments: Non-majority owned(7):       
 ConGlobal Industries Holding, Inc. 
 San Ramon, CA 
 Shipping products and services   February 1997  24,397,303 shares of common stock (34.2%)                   $1,370               $1,035
      7% subordinated promissory note due 12/12(3)                   $6,000                6,000                6,000
                         7,370                7,035
 Total Control Investments: Non-majority Owned (represents 30.8% of total investments at fair value)         $7,370       $7,035
 Total Control Investments: (represents 72.9% of total investments at fair value)        $34,186      $16,654
 Affiliate Investments(8):             
 PalletOne, Inc. 
 Bartow, FL 
 Shipping products and services   October 2001  350,000 shares of common stock (20% / 18.70% Fully Diluted)                    $350                     $50
 Total Affiliate Investments (represents 0.2% of total investments at fair value)             $350            $50

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

8

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (Continued)

March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Name and Location of   Date of Initial     Cost of Fair
Portfolio Company Industry Investment Investment Principal Investment Value(1)
         
Non-Affiliate Investments (less than 5% owned):      
Infinia Corporation
Kennewick, WA
Alternative energy June 2007 115,180 shares common stock (0.63%)   $8,000                  $-  
      Option to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at $6.50 per share through 12/12                       -                            - 
          8,000                    - 
The Bradshaw Group
Richardson, TX
Business products and services May 2000 576,828 Class B Shares 12.25% preferred stock   1,795                           - 
      38,750 Class C shares preferred stock                        -                            - 
      788,649 Class D shares 15% preferred stock                        -                            - 
      2,218,109 Class E shares 8% preferred stock                        -                            - 
      Warrant to buy 2,229,450 shares of common stock through 5/16                        -                            - 
          1,795                           - 
Trulite, Inc.
Columbia, SC
Alternative energy August 2008 Warrants to buy 8,934,211 shares of common stock through at $0.01 - $0.38 per share through 11/15                            -  150
Total Non-Affiliate Investments (represents 0.7% of total investments at fair value)   $9,795 $150
Total Portfolio Securities         $44,331 $16,854
Temporary Cash Investments            
U.S. Treasury Bill (9) Government April 2011 UST 0% due 4/11 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000
Total Temporary Cash Investments (represents 26.2% of total investments at fair value)   $6,000 $6,000
Total Investments         $50,331 $22,854

 

 

 

 

(1)   See Note 3 to the financial statements, Valuation of Investments.
(2)   Income-producing.
(3)   Income on these securities is accrued to maturity.
(4)   Income on these securities is paid-in-kind by the issuance of additional securities, or through accretion of original issue discount.
(5)   Non-income producing.
(6)   Majority owned investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.
(7)   Non-majority owned control investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own more than 25% but not more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.
(8)   Affiliate investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own at least 5% but not more than 25% voting securities of the company.
(9)   The Fund has included U.S. Treasury Bills in “Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments” on the balance sheet.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

9

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (Continued)

March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

Substantially all of our portfolio securities are restricted from public sale without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933. We negotiate certain aspects of the method and timing of the disposition of our investment in each portfolio company, including registration rights and related costs.

As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as of March 31, 2011 all of our investments were in eligible portfolio companies. We provide significant managerial assistance to portfolio companies that comprise 100% of the total value of the investments in portfolio securities as of March 31, 2011.

Our investments in portfolio securities consist of the following types of securities as of March 31, 2011 (in thousands):

 

 

Type of Securities    Cost    Fair Value   Fair Value as Percentage of Net Assets
Secured and subordinated debt   $ 20,821     $ 10,529       29.0 %
Common stock     14,800       5,013       13.8 %
Limited liability company investments     6,915       1,162       3.2 %
Options and warrants     —         150       0.4 %
Preferred stock     1,795       —         0.0 %
Total   $ 44,331     $ 16,854       46.4 %

 

Cash payments of interest are currently being received and/or accrued on secured and subordinated debt, aggregating $10.5 million in fair value while notes with a cost basis of $10 million and a fair value of $0 are non-income producing.

The following is a summary by industry of the Fund’s investments in portfolio securities as of March 31, 2011 (in thousands):

 

 

        Fair Value as
        Percentage of
Industry   Fair Value   Net Assets
Business products and services   $ 8,457       23.3 %
Shipping products and services     7,085       19.5 %
Media     1,162       3.2 %
Alternative energy     150       0.4 %
Entertainment and leisure     -       -  
Total   $ 16,854       46.4 %

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

10

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2010

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Name and Location of   Date of Initial     Cost of Fair
Portfolio Company Industry Investment Investment Principal Investment Value(1)
         
Control investments:  Majority-owned (6):          
Equus Media Development Company, LLC Media January 2007 Member interest (100%)   $4,000 $1,163
Houston, TX            
Riptide Entertainment, LLC
Miami, FL
Entertainment and leisure December 2005 Member interest (64.67%)   65                   - 
    8% promissory notes due 9/14(5) 10,009 10,009                  - 
Sovereign Business Forms, Inc.
Houston, TX
Business products and services August 1996 1,214,630 shares of common stock (64.66% / 55.00% Fully Diluted)   5,080 3,894
      12% subordinated promissory notes due 5/13(2) 2,742 2,742 2,742
          7,822 6,636
Spectrum Management, LLC
Carrollton, TX
Business products and services December 1999 285,000 units of Class A member interest (81% Fully Diluted)   2,850                         - 
      16% subordinated promissory notes due 5/11(2)(3) 2,115 2,115 1,422
          4,965 1,422
Total Control investments: Majority-owned (represents 21.6% of total investments at fair value)   $26,861 $9,221
Control Investments: Non-majority owned(7):      
ConGlobal Industries Holding, Inc.
San Romon, CA
Shipping products and services February 1997 24,397,303 shares of common stock (34.2%)   $1,370 $2,355
      7% subordinated promissory note due 12/12(3) 6,000 6,000 6,000
          7,370 8,355
Total Control Investments: Non-majority Owned (represents 19.6% of total investments at fair value)   $7,370 $8,355
Total Control Investments: (represents 41.2% of total investments at fair value)   $34,231 $17,576
Affiliate Investments(8):            
PalletOne, Inc.
Bartow, FL
Shipping products and services October 2001 350,000 shares of common stock (20% / 18.70% Fully Diluted)   $350 $50
RP&C International Investments LLC Healthcare September 2006 Member interest (17.24%)   573 712
New York, NY             
Total Affiliate Investments (represents 1.8% of total investments at fair value)   $923 $762

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

11

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2010

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Name and Location of   Date of Initial     Cost of Fair
Portfolio Company Industry Investment Investment Principal Investment Value(1)
         
Non-Affiliate Investments (less than 5% owned):      
1848 Capital Partners LLC
Miami, FL
Entertainment and leisure January 2008 18% promissory note due1/11(4) $3,883 $3,883 $3,883
Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC
New York
Entertainment and leisure October 2007 18% promissory note due 10/10(4) 3,275 3,275 3,275
Infinia Corporation
Kennewick, WA
Alternative energy June 2007 115,180 shares common stock (0.63%)   8,000                    -  
      Option to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at $6.50 per share through 12/12                          -                           - 
          8,000                          - 
London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd
London UK
Entertainment and leisure August 2008 18% promissory notes due 8/11(4) 2,855 2,855 2,026
The Bradshaw Group
Richardson, TX
Business products and services May 2000 576,828 Class B Shares 12.25% preferred stock   1,795                         -  
      38,750 Class C shares preferred stock                           -                          -  
      788,649 Class D shares 15% preferred stock                           -                          -  
      2,218,109 Class E shares 8% preferred stock                           -                          -  
      Warrant to buy 2,229,450 shares of common stock through 5/16                           -                          - 
          1,795                         -  
Trulite, Inc.
Columbia, SC
Alternative energy August 2008 Warrants to buy 8,934,211 shares of common stock through at $0.01 - $0.38 per share through 11/15                            -                           -                      140
Total Non-Affiliate Investments (represents 21.9% of total investments at fair value)   $19,808 $9,324
Total Portfolio Securities         $54,962 $27,662
Temporary Cash Investments            
U.S. Treasury Bill Government December 2010 UST 0% due 1/11 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000
Total Temporary Cash Investments (represents 35.1% of total investments at fair value)   $15,000 $15,000
Total Investments         $69,962 $42,662

 

 

(1)   See Note 3 to the financial statements, Valuation of Investments.
(2)   Income-producing.
(3)   Income on these securities is accrued to maturity.
(4)   Income on these securities is paid-in-kind by the issuance of additional securities, or through accretion of original issue discount.
(5)   Non-income producing.
(6)   Majority owned investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.
(7)   Non-majority owned control investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own more than 25% but not more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.
(8)   Affiliate investments are generally defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which we own at least 5% but not more than 25% voting securities of the company.
(9)   The Fund has included U.S. Treasury Bills in “Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments” on the balance sheet.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2010

(in thousands, except share data)

 

Substantially all of our portfolio securities are restricted from public sale without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933. We negotiate certain aspects of the method and timing of the disposition of our investment in each portfolio company, including registration rights and related costs.

As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as of December 31, 2010 all of our investments were in eligible portfolio companies. We provide significant managerial assistance to portfolio companies that comprise 78.5% of the total value of the investments in portfolio securities as of December 31, 2010.

Our investments in portfolio securities consist of the following types of securities as of December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

Type of Securities    Cost    Fair Value   Fair Value as Percentage of Net Assets
Secured and subordinated debt   $ 30,879     $ 19,348       50.8 %
Common stock     14,800       6,299       16.6 %
Limited liability company investments     7,488       1,875       4.9 %
Options and warrants     —         140       0.4 %
Preferred stock     1,795       —         0.0 %
Total   $ 54,962     $ 27,662       72.7 %

Three notes receivable included in secured and subordinated debt with an estimated fair value of $9.2 million provide that all or a portion of interest is paid-in-kind, by adding such amount to the principal of the notes. For the remainder of secured and subordinated debt, cash payments of interest are currently being received and/or accrued on notes aggregating $10.1 million in fair value, while notes with a cost basis of $10 million and a fair value of $0 are non-income producing.

The following is a summary by industry of our investments in portfolio securities as of December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

        Fair Value as
        Percentage of
Industry   Fair Value   Net Assets
Entertainment and leisure   $ 9,184       24.1 %
Shipping products and services     8,405       22.1 %
Business products and services     8,058       21.2 %
Media     1,163       3.1 %
Healthcare     712       1.8 %
Alternative energy     140       0.4 %
Total   $ 27,662       72.7 %

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

13

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2011 AND 2010

(Unaudited)

(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business—Equus Total Return, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Equus” the “Company” and the “Fund”), a Delaware corporation, was formed by Equus Investments II, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on August 16, 1991. On July 1, 1992, the Partnership was reorganized and all of the assets and liabilities of the Partnership were transferred to the Fund in exchange for shares of common stock of the Fund. Our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EQS. On August 11, 2006, our shareholders approved the change of the Fund’s investment strategy to a total return investment objective. This new strategy seeks to provide the highest total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. In connection with this strategic investment change, the shareholders also approved the change of name from Equus II Incorporated to Equus Total Return, Inc.

 

We seek to achieve capital appreciation by making investments in equity and equity-oriented securities issued by privately-owned companies in transactions negotiated directly with such companies. We seek to invest primarily in companies which intend to grow either by acquiring other businesses, including leveraged buyouts, or organically. We may also invest in recapitalizations of existing businesses or special situations from time to time. Our investments in portfolio companies consist of equity securities such as common and preferred stock, but also include other equity-oriented securities such as debt convertible into common or preferred stock or debt combined with warrants, options or other rights to acquire common or preferred stock. We elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). For tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”). With shareholder approval on June 30, 2005, we entered into a new investment advisory agreement with Moore Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”). Prior to this agreement, our adviser was Equus Capital Management Corporation. On June 12, 2009, our board of directors announced plans to “internalize” Fund management. Our investment advisory agreement with the Adviser terminated on June 30, 2009. The Fund now directly employs its management team and incurs the costs and expenses associated with Fund operations. There is no outside investment advisory organization providing services to the Fund under a fee-based advisory agreement, or an administrative organization charging the Fund for services rendered.

 

Effective August 11, 2006, we began to employ a total return investment style. The total return style combines both growth and income investments and is intended to strike a balance between the potential for gain and the risk of loss. In the growth category, we are a “growth-at- reasonable-price” investor. We invest primarily in privately owned companies and are open to virtually any potential growth investment in the privately owned arena. However, our primary aim is to identify and acquire only those equity securities that meet our criteria for selling at reasonable prices. The income investments made consist principally of purchasing debt financing with the objective of generating regular interest income as well as long-term capital appreciation through the exercise and sale of warrants received in connection with the financing.

 

Basis of Presentation—In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we do not consolidate portfolio company investments, including those in which we have a controlling interest. Our interim consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial information and in accordance with the requirements of reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they are unaudited and exclude some disclosures required for annual financial statements. Management believes it has made all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for the fair presentation of these interim financial statements.

 

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the year. The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Security and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

(2) Liquidity and Financing Arrangements

Liquidity—There are several factors that may materially affect the Fund’s liquidity during the reasonably foreseeable

14

future. The Fund views this period as the twelve month period from the date of the financial statements in this Form 10-Q, i.e., the period through March 31, 2011.

We are evaluating the impact of current market conditions on our portfolio company valuations and their ability to provide current income. We have followed valuation techniques in a consistent manner; however, we are cognizant of current market conditions that might affect future valuations of portfolio securities. We believe that our operating cash flow and cash on hand will be sufficient to meet operating requirements and to finance routine capital expenditures through the next twelve months.  

Cash and Temporary Investments—As of March 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $17.2 million. We had $16.9 million of our net assets of $36.3 million invested in portfolio securities. Temporary cash investments of $6.0 million were invested in U.S. Treasury Bills for the purpose of satisfying the diversification requirement to maintain our pass-through tax treatment. Restricted cash amounted to $0.06 million for the required 1% brokerage deposit. These securities are held by a securities brokerage firm and are pledged along with cash to secure the payment of the margin account balance. The U.S. Treasury bills were sold and the margin loan was repaid to the brokerage firm on April 1, 2011.

As of December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $7.4 million. We had $27.7 million of our net assets of $38.1 million invested in portfolio securities. Temporary cash investments of $15.0 million were invested in U.S. Treasury Bills for the purpose of satisfying the diversification requirement to maintain our pass-through tax treatment. Restricted cash amounted to $0.2 million for the required 1% brokerage deposit. These securities are held by a securities brokerage firm and are pledged along with cash to secure the payment of the margin account balance. The U.S. Treasury bills were sold and the margin loan was repaid to the brokerage firm on January 3, 2011.

Dividends— On March 24, 2009, we announced that we suspended our managed distribution policy and payment of quarterly distributions for an indefinite period, following the distribution of the first quarter dividend, paid on March 30, 2009. We will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Revolving Line of Credit Agreement—Effective September 8, 2010, the Fund terminated its revolving line of credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with Amegy Bank of Texas. The Credit Facility was secured by substantially all of the Fund’s portfolio assets and securities. The Fund did not borrow any amounts under the Credit Facility.

Investment Commitments—As of March 31, 2011, we had total commitments of $0.3 million committed to Spectrum Management, LLC, which is in the business products and services industry.

Under certain circumstances, we may be called on to make follow-on investments in certain portfolio companies. If we do not have sufficient funds to make follow-on investments, the portfolio company in need of the investment may be negatively impacted. Also, our equity interest in the estimated fair value of the portfolio company could be reduced.

RIC Borrowings, Restricted Cash and Temporary Investments—As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we borrowed sufficient funds to maintain the Fund’s RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. There is no assurance that such arrangement will be available in the future. If we are unable to borrow funds to make qualifying investments, we may no longer qualify as a RIC. We would then be subject to corporate income tax on the Fund’s net investment income and realized capital gains, and distributions to stockholders would be subject to income tax as ordinary dividends. Failure to continue to qualify as a RIC could be material to us and our stockholders.

As of March 31, 2011, we borrowed $6.0 million to make qualifying investments to maintain our RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We collateralized such borrowings with restricted cash and temporary investments in U.S. Treasury bills of $6.1 million. The U.S. Treasury bills were sold and the total amount borrowed was repaid on April 1, 2011.

As of December 31, 2010, we borrowed $15.0 million to make qualifying investments to maintain our RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We collateralized such borrowings with restricted cash and temporary cash investments in U.S. Treasury bills of $15.2 million. The U.S Treasury bills were sold on January 3, 2011 and the total amount borrowed was repaid at that time.

Certain Risks and Uncertainties— Economic conditions during 2010 and 2009 and market dislocations resulted in the availability of debt and equity capital declining significantly. Generally, the limited amount of available debt financing has

15

shorter maturities, higher interest rates and fees, and more restrictive terms than debt facilities available in the past. In

addition, the price of our common stock continues to trade below our net asset value, limiting our ability to raise equity capital. Because of these challenges, our near-term strategies shifted from originating debt and equity investments to preserving liquidity and seeking liquidity events to meet our operational needs. Key initiatives we are pursuing to improve liquidity include monetizations and the suspension of dividends. Although there can be no assurances that such initiatives will be sufficient, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our 2011operating requirements.

(3) Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements:

 

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these financial statements and related notes are reasonable in light of known facts and circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Valuation of Investments—Portfolio investments are carried at fair value with the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation included in the determination of net assets. Valuations of portfolio securities are performed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the financial reporting policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The applicable methods prescribed by such principles and policies are described below:

 

Publicly-traded portfolio securities—Investments in companies whose securities are publicly traded are generally valued at their quoted market price at the close of business on the valuation date.

Privately-held portfolio securities—The fair value of investments for which no market exists is determined on the basis of procedures established in good faith by our Board of Directors. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of an investment would be the amount we might reasonably expect to receive for it upon its current sale, in an orderly manner. Appraisal valuations are necessarily subjective and the estimated values arrived at by the Fund may differ materially from amounts actually received upon the disposition of portfolio securities.

During the first twelve months after an investment is made, the original investment value is utilized to determine the fair value unless significant developments have occurred during this twelve month period which would indicate a material effect on the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in general market conditions). After the twelve month period, or if material events have occurred within the twelve month period, Fund management considers a two step process when appraising investments of privately held companies. The first step involves determining the enterprise value of the portfolio company. During this step, Fund management considers three different valuation approaches: a market approach, an income approach, and an asset approach. The particular facts and circumstances of each portfolio company determine which approach, or combination of approaches, will be utilized. The second step when appraising equity investments of privately held companies involves allocating value to the various debt and equity securities of the company. Fund management allocates value to these securities based on their relative priorities. For equity securities such as warrants, the Fund may also incorporate alternative methodologies including the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

Market approach – The market approach typically employed by Fund management calculates the enterprise value of a company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) generated by the company for the trailing twelve month period.  Adjustments to the company’s EBITDA, including those for non-recurring items, may be considered. Multiples are estimated based on current market conditions and past experience in the private company marketplace and are subjective in nature. The Fund will apply liquidity and other discounts it deems appropriate to equity valuations where applicable. The Fund may also use, when available, third-party transactions in a portfolio company’s securities as the basis of valuation (the “private market method”). The private market method will be used only with respect to completed transactions or firm offers made by sophisticated, independent investors.

 Income approach – The income approach typically utilized by Fund management calculates the enterprise value ofa company utilizing a discounted cash flow model incorporating projected future cash flows of the company.  Projected future

16

cash flows consider the historical performance of the company as well as current and projected market participant performance. Discount rates are estimated based on current market conditions and past experience in the private company marketplace and are subjective in nature. The Fund will apply liquidity and other discounts it deems appropriate to equity valuations where applicable.

Asset approach – The Fund considers the asset approach during the first twelve months after and investment is made, the Fund considers the asset approach to determine the fair value of significantly deteriorated investments demonstrating circumstances indicative of a liquidation analysis. This situation may arise when a portfolio company: 1) cannot generate adequate cash flow to meet the principal and interest payments on its indebtedness; 2) is not successful in refinancing the its debt upon maturity; 3) Fund management believes the credit quality of a loan has deteriorated due to changes in the business and underlying asset or market conditions may result in the company’s inability to meet future obligations; or 4) the portfolio company’s reorganization or bankruptcy. Consideration is also given as to whether a liquidation event would be orderly or forced.

Fund management considers that the Fund’s general intent is to hold its loans to maturity when appraising its privately held debt investments. As such, Fund management believes that the fair value will not exceed the cost of the investment. However, in addition to the previously described analysis involving allocation of value to the debt instrument, the Fund performs a yield analysis to determine if a debt security has been impaired.

Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund generally will be valued at their face value, plus interest accrued to the date of valuation.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors may engage independent, third-party valuation firms to conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations of each privately-held investment in order to make their own independent assessment. Any third-party valuation data would be considered as one of many factors in a fair value determination. The Audit Committee then would recommend the fair values for all privately-held securities based on all relevant factors to the Board of Directors for final approval.

Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, amounting to $16.9 million and $27.7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, our fair value determinations may materially differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the securities. There were no publicly traded securities as of March 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

On a daily basis, we adjust our net asset value for the changes in the value of our publicly held securities, if applicable, and material changes in the value of private securities, generally determined on a quarterly basis or as announced in a press release, and reports those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Weekly and daily net asset values appear in various publications, including Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal.

Deferred Offering Costs—Accumulation of costs related to the offering whereby we will sell additional shares or rights to acquire shares at a market price that may have been below net asset value. The main components of the costs are legal fees and consultant’s fees specifically related to the offering.

Investment Transactions—Investment transactions are recorded on the accrual method. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are computed on a specific identification basis where possible.

We classify our investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which EQS owns more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as those non-control investments in companies in which EQS owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. Under the 1940 Act, “Non-affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

 

Interest Income Recognition—We record interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We accrete or amortizes discounts and premiums on securities purchased over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost

17

of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discount and/or amortization of premium on debt securities. We stop accruing interest on investments when we determine that interest is no longer collectible. If the Fund receives any cash after determining that interest is no longer collectible, it treats such cash as payment on the principal balance until the entire principal balance has been repaid, before it recognizes any additional interest income.

Payment in Kind Interest (PIK)—We have loans in our portfolio that may pay PIK interest. We add PIK interest, if any, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must pay out to stockholders this non-cash source of income in the form of dividends even if we have not yet collected any cash in respect of such investments.

Cash Flows—For purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, we consider all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We include our investing activities within cash flows from operations. We exclude “Restricted Cash & Temporary Cash Investments” used for purposes of complying with RIC requirements from cash equivalents.

Income Taxes—We intend to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gains) which is distributed to stockholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. We borrow money from time to time to maintain our tax status under the Internal Revenue Code as a RIC. See Note 2 for further discussion of the Fund’s RIC borrowings.

Texas margin tax applies to legal entities conducting business in Texas. The margin tax is based on our Texas sourced taxable margin. The tax is calculated by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenue and expenses and therefore has the characteristics of an income tax.

Fair Value Measurement—In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding Fair Value Measurements which defined fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, outlined a fair value hierarchy based on inputs used to measure fair value and enhanced disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance did not change existing guidance as to whether an instrument is carried at fair value. We adopted changes issued by the FASB to fair value disclosures of financial instruments which define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

We have categorized all investments recorded at fair value based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are equities listed in active markets.

Level 2—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset in connection with market data at the measurement date and for the extent of the instrument’s anticipated life. Fair valued assets that are generally included in this category are warrants held in a public company.

Level 3—Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset at the measurement date. It includes prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Generally, assets carried at fair value and included in this category are debt, warrants and/or other equity investments held in a private company. As previously described, Fund management considers a two step process when appraising investments of privately held companies. The first step involves determining the enterprise value of the portfolio company. During this step, Fund management considers three different valuation approaches: a market approach, an income approach, an asset approach. The particular facts and circumstances of each portfolio company determine which approach, or combination of approaches, will be utilized. The second step when appraising equity investments of privately held companies involves allocating value to the various debt and equity securities of the company. Fund management allocates value to these securities based on their relative priorities. For equity securities such as warrants, the Fund may also incorporate alternative methodologies including the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. Yield analysis is also employed to determine if a debt security has been impaired. 

18

We will record unrealized depreciation on investments when we determine that the fair value of a security is less than its cost basis, and will record unrealized appreciation when we determine that the fair value is greater than its cost basis.

As of March 31, 2011, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations:

        Fair Value Measurements As of March 31, 2011
(in thousands)   Total   Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)   Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)   Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets                                
 Investments:                                
       Control investments   $ 16,654     $ —       $ —       $ 16,654  
      Affiliate investments     50       —         —         50  
       Non-Affiliate investments     150       —         —         150  
Total Investments     16,854       —         —         16,854  
       Temporary Cash Investments     6,000       6,000       —         —    
Total Investments and Temporary Cash Investments   $ 22,854     $ 6,000     $ —       $ 16,854  

 

As of December 31, 2010, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations: 

         

 

        Fair Value Measurements As of December 31, 2010
(in thousands)   Total   Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)   Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)   Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets                                
 Investments:                                
       Control investments   $ 17,576     $ —       $ —       $ 17,576  
      Affiliate investments     762       —         —         762  
       Non-Affiliate investments     9,324       —         —         9,324  
Total Investments     27,662       —         —         27,662  
       Temporary Cash Investments     15,000       15,000       —         —    
Total Investments and Temporary Cash Investments   $ 42,662     $ 15,000     $ —       $ 27,662  

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ending March 31, 2011 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors: 

 

    Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
(in thousands)   Control Investments   Affiliate Investments   Non-affiliate Investments   Total
Fair value as of December 31, 2010   $ 17,576     $ 762     $ 9,324     $ 27,662  
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (877 )     (139 )     839       (177 )
Issuances     35       —         —         35  
Settlements     (80 )     (573 )     (10,013 )     (10,666 )
Fair value as of March 31, 2011   $ 16,654     $ 50     $ 150     $ 16,854  

 

19

The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ending March 31, 2010 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:

 

    Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
      Control Investments       Affiliate Investments        Non-affiliate Investments        Total   
Fair value as of December 31, 2009   $ 28,729     $ 2,128     $ 11,554     $ 42,411  
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     119       (818 )     —         (699 )
Purchases, issuances and settlements, net     (122 )     —         365       243  
Fair value as of March 31, 2010   $ 28,726     $ 1,310     $ 11,919     $ 41,955  

(4) Related Party Transactions and Agreements

We entered into an investment advisory agreement dated June 30, 2005 with Moore Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc., pursuant to which Moore Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCCA”), provided investment advisory services in exchange for an advisory fee. We also entered into an administration agreement dated June 30, 2005 with Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. (“ECAC”), pursuant to which ECAC provided administrative services in exchange for an administrative fee. The Fund’s Board of Directors terminated the advisory agreement and the administrative agreement effective June 30, 2009. Since that date, the Fund has been “internally” managed, which means that the Fund directly employs its management team and incurs the costs and expenses associated with Fund operations.

As compensation for services to the Fund, each Independent Director receives an annual fee of $20,000 paid quarterly in arrears, a fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, a fee of $1,000 for participation in each telephonic meeting of the Board and a fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. A quarterly fee of $2,500 is paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a quarterly fee of $3,750 is paid to the Chairman of the Independent Directors. The Fund incurred $0.08 million and $0.1 million as of March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 respectively.

In respect of services provided to the Fund by members of the Board not in connection with their roles and duties as directors, the Fund shall pay a rate of $250 per hour for services rendered. The Fund incurred $0.05 million which is included in compensation expense as of March 31, 2011 in the statement of operations and $0.03 million which is included in deferred offering costs on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2011 for services provided by Kenneth I. Denos, Secretary of the Fund.

On December 17, 2010, the Fund entered into a consulting (“Consulting Agreement”) with John A. Hardy, the Fund’s Executive Chairman.  The Consulting Agreement provides for base compensation to Mr. Hardy of $200,000 per annum, commencing June 1, 2010, and a bonus based upon achievement of certain criteria.  The bonus is subject to a payout cap of $150,000 for each fiscal year that the Consulting Agreement is in effect, and any bonus earned that exceeds the payout cap will be carried over into subsequent fiscal years.  If the Consulting Agreement is terminated without cause, as defined therein, Mr. Hardy will be entitled to receive one year’s base consulting fee, together with all bonuses earned and unpaid up until the date of termination.  Mr. Hardy is not entitled to participate in any employee-related benefits, including health, life and disability plans, of the Fund.  In January 2011, the Fund disposed of certain investments and received $10.0 million in cash. Mr. Hardy received a cash bonus of $150,000 for fiscal 2011 as a result of the completion of this transaction and, pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, is not entitled to be paid any additional bonus for the remainder of fiscal 2011.  As of March 31, 2011, the Fund incurred compensation expense of $200,000 relating to Mr. Hardy’s Consulting Agreement which included the$150,000 cash bonus for fiscal 2011 described above.  Mr. Hardy has waived his right to $561,662 of earned but unpaid bonus under the Consulting Agreement for fiscal 2010 and has further permanently waived his right to $620,604 of earned but unpaid bonus in connection with activities of the Fund during the first quarter of 2011.

In June 2010, the Fund ratified and approved the use of A+ Filings, LLC (“A+ Filings”) to file its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Kenneth I. Denos, Secretary of the Fund, holds a majority of the voting shares of A+ Filings. The Fund incurred $7,000 in services rendered by A+ Filings for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

(5) Dividends

On March 24, 2009, the Fund announced that it suspended its managed distribution policy and payment of quarterly

20

distributions for an indefinite period. We will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940. 

(6) Portfolio Securities

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we made a follow-on investment of $0.03 million in Spectrum Management, LLC.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we realized net capital losses of $0.9 million, including the following significant transactions (in thousands):

Portfolio Company Industry Type Realized Gain (Loss)
London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd Entertainment and leisure Secured and subordinated debt (992)
RP&C International Investments LLC Healthcare Membership Interest 138
Various others     (1)
       $          (855)

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we sold our promissory notes in 1848 Capital Partners, LLC (“1848”), Big Apple Entertainment Partners, LLC (“Big Apple”), and London Bridge Entertainment Partners, Ltd (“London Bridge”) and certain assets of Riptide Entertainment Partners, LLC (“Riptide”) in which we hold a 64.67% membership interest.  All of these assets were sold to Capital Markets Acquisition Partners, LLC for a combined price of $10 million, with $9.8 million allocated to the promissory notes held by the Fund and $0.2 million to Riptide.  The Fund allocated the proceeds to the promissory notes resulting in a realized loss of approximately $0.9 million at London Bridge.  In addition, the monies provided to Riptide were sufficient to satisfy its outstanding liabilities, resulting in a value of $0. We also received $0.8 million in connection with the sale and redemption of our membership interest in RP&C International Investments LLC.

Net unrealized depreciation on investments increased by $0.2 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2011, to a net unrealized depreciation of $27.5 million.  Such increase in depreciation resulted from the following changes:

 

(i)   Decline in fair market value of ConGlobal Industries Holding, Inc. (“ConGlobal”) of $1.3 million due to lower storage revenues for containers.
(ii)   Transfer of unrealized depreciation to realized depreciation for London Bridge Entertainment Partners, Ltd. (London Bridge) of $0.8 million due to the sale of the promissory note.
(iii)   Transfer of unrealized appreciation to realized appreciation for RP&C International Investments, LLC (RP&C) of $0.1 million due to the maturity of the investment.
(iv)   Increase in fair market value of Spectrum Management, Inc. (“Spectrum) of $0.4 million due to the extension of the maturity of outstanding debt and the increase in market comparables.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Fund had investment activity of $0.4 million in several follow-on investments, including $0.2 million in the form of accrued interest and dividends received in the form of paid-in-kind (PIK).

The following table includes significant investment activity during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

    New Investments       Existing Investments        
    Cash       PIK        Follow-On        PIK      Total  
Trulite, Inc.   $ —       $ —       $ 200     $ —       $ 200  
1848 Capital Partners LLC     —         —         —         71       71  
London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd.     —         —         —         54       54  
Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC     —         —         —         40       40  
                                         
    $ —       $ —       $ 200     $ 165     $ 365  

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we realized no significant gains or losses on sales of portfolio securities.

21

Net unrealized depreciation on investments increased by $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010, to a net unrealized depreciation of $15.9 million. Such increase in depreciation resulted primarily from decrease in estimated fair market value of Infinia Corporation of ($0.8) million, Riptide Entertainment LLC of ($0.1) million and Spectrum Management, LLC of ($0.2) million, resulting from declining sales and trailing operations for the period. These decreases in estimated fair market value were partially offset by the increase in fair market value of Sovereign Business Forms, Inc. of $0.4 million, resulting from an increase in operations.

 

(9) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued changes to disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Specifically, the changes require a reporting entity to disclose, in the reconciliation of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), separate information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). These changes become effective for the Fund beginning January 1, 2011. Other than the additional disclosure requirements, the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

(10) Subsequent Events

Management performed an evaluation of the Fund’s activity through the date the financial statements were issued, noting the following subsequent events:

On April 1, 2011, the Fund sold U.S. Treasury bills for $6.0 million and repaid the margin loan.

On April 25, 2011, the Fund received $0.08 million from Sovereign Business Forms, Inc. in the form of a principal payment.

On April 27, 2011, the Fund announced that it had entered into two separate transactions involving the purchase of an aggregate of 11,408 bonds (“Bonds”) issued by Orco Germany S.A., a commercial and multi-family residential real estate holding company and developer based in Berlin. The consideration provided to the selling bondholders consists of an aggregate of 1,700,000 newly issued shares of common stock of the Fund. The Fund received 8,890 of the Bonds on April 27, 2011. On May 9, 2011, one of these agreements was amended and restated to provide for an additional 45 days to deliver 2,518 of the Bonds in exchange for providing to the Fund approximately $1.7 million in cash as security for such delivery.

On March 10, 2010, American General Life Insurance Company (“American General”) filed a complaint against the Fund in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, in connection with an office lease entered into by our former administrator with American General. The complaint by American General seeks to hold the Fund liable for unpaid rent, improvements, and attorneys fees totaling approximately $450,000. On May 11, 2011, we agreed to a settlement with American General in exchange for a one-time settlement fee of $120,000.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

Equus is a Business Development Corporation (“BDC”) that provides financing solutions for privately held middle

market and small capitalization companies. We began operations in 1983 and have been a publicly traded closed-end fund since 1991. Our investment objective is to seek the highest total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

 

The valuation of the Fund’s investments is the most significant area of judgment impacting the financial statements. The Fund’s portfolio investments are valued at estimates of fair value, with the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation included in the determination of net assets. Almost all of the long-term investments are in privately-held or restricted securities, the valuation of which is necessarily subjective. Actual values may differ materially from the Fund’s estimated fair value.

Most of the Fund’s portfolio companies utilize leverage, and the leverage magnifies the return on its investments. For example, if a portfolio company has a total enterprise value of $10.0 million and $7.5 million in funded indebtedness, its equity is valued at $2.5 million. If the enterprise value increases or decreases by 20%, to $12.0 million or $8.0 million, respectively, the value of the equity increases or decreases by 80%, to $4.5 million or $0.5 million, respectively. This disproportionate increase or decrease adds a level of volatility to the Fund’s equity-oriented portfolio securities.

22

In June 2005, we retained Moore Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCCA”) as our registered investment adviser to manage our portfolio and provide access to investment opportunities. Our investment advisory agreement with MCCA terminated on June 30, 2009 and we have since internalized the management of the Fund. We now directly employ our management team and incur the costs and expenses associated with Fund operations. There is no outside investment advisory organization providing services to us under a fee-based advisory agreement, or an administrative organization charging us for services rendered. We expect that, because of management internalization, certain expenses of the Fund will not increase commensurate with an increase in the size of the Fund and, therefore, we can achieve efficiencies in our cost structure if we are able to grow the Fund.

 Effective August 11, 2006, we began to employ a total return investment style. The total return style combines both growth and income investments and is intended to strike a balance between the potential for gain and the risk of loss. In the growth category, we are a “growth-at- reasonable-price” investor. We invest primarily in privately owned companies and are open to virtually any potential growth investment in the privately owned arena. However, our primary aim is to identify and acquire only those equity securities that meet our criteria for selling at reasonable prices. The income investments made consist principally of purchasing debt financing with the objective of generating regular interest income as well as long-term capital appreciation through the exercise and sale of warrants received in connection with the financing.

 

Since the Fund is a closed-end BDC, stockholders have no right to present their shares to the Fund for redemption. Because the shares continue to trade at a discount, the Board of Directors has determined that it would be in the best interest of the Fund’s stockholders for the Fund to be authorized to attempt to reduce or eliminate the market value discount from net asset value. Accordingly, from time to time the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase its shares (including by means of tender offers) to attempt to reduce or eliminate the discount or to increase the net asset value of those shares.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements:

 

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these financial statements and related notes are reasonable in light of known facts and circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Valuation of Investments Portfolio investments are carried at fair value with the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation included in the determination of net assets. Valuations of portfolio securities are performed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the financial reporting policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The applicable methods prescribed by such principles and policies are described below:

 

Publicly-traded portfolio securities—Investments in companies whose securities are publicly traded are generally valued at their quoted market price at the close of business on the valuation date.  

 

Privately-held portfolio securities—The fair value of investments for which no market exists is determined on the basis of procedures established in good faith by our Board of Directors. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of an investment would be the amount we might reasonably expect to receive for it upon its current sale, in an orderly manner. Appraisal valuations are necessarily subjective and the estimated values arrived at by the Fund may differ materially from amounts actually received upon the disposition of portfolio securities.

During the first twelve months after an investment is made, the Fund utilizes the original investment amount to determine the fair value unless significant developments have occurred during this twelve month period which would indicate a material effect on the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in general market conditions). After the twelve month period, or if material events have occurred within the twelve month period, Fund management considers a two step process when appraising investments of privately held companies. The first step involves determining the enterprise value of the portfolio company. During this step, Fund management considers three different valuation approaches: a market approach, an income approach, and an asset approach. The particular facts and circumstances of each portfolio company determine which approach, or combination of approaches, will be utilized. The second step when appraising equity

23

investments of privately held companies involves allocating value to the various debt and equity securities of the company. Fund management allocates value to these securities based on their relative priorities. For equity securities such as warrants, the Fund may also incorporate alternative methodologies including the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

Market approach – The market approach typically employed by Fund management calculates the enterprise value of a company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) generated by the company for the trailing twelve month period.  Adjustments to the company’s EBITDA, including those for non-recurring items, may be considered. Multiples are estimated based on current market conditions and past experience in the private company marketplace and are subjective in nature. The Fund will apply liquidity and other discounts it deems appropriate to equity valuations where applicable. The Fund may also use, when available, third-party transactions in a portfolio company’s securities as the basis of valuation (the “private market method”). The private market method will be used only with respect to completed transactions or firm offers made by sophisticated, independent investors.

Income approach – The income approach typically utilized by Fund management calculates the enterprise value of a company utilizing a discounted cash flow model incorporating projected future cash flows of the company.  Projected future cash flows consider the historical performance of the company as well as current and projected market participant performance. Discount rates are estimated based on current market conditions and past experience in the private company marketplace and are subjective in nature. The Fund will apply liquidity and other discounts it deems appropriate to equity valuations where applicable.

Asset approach – The Fund considers the asset approach to determine the fair value of significantly deteriorated investments demonstrating circumstances indicative of a liquidation analysis. This situation may arise when a portfolio company: 1) cannot generate adequate cash flow to meet the principal and interest payments on its indebtedness; 2) is not successful in refinancing its debt upon maturity; 3) Fund management believes the credit quality of a loan has deteriorated due to changes in the business and underlying asset or market conditions may result in the company’s inability to meet future obligations; or 4) the portfolio company’s reorganization or bankruptcy. Consideration is also given as to whether a liquidation event would be orderly or forced.

Fund management considers that the Fund’s general intent is to hold its loans to maturity when appraising its privately held debt investments. As such, Fund management believes that the fair value will not exceed the cost of the investment. However, in addition to the previously described analysis involving allocation of value to the debt instrument, the Fund performs a yield analysis to determine if a debt security has been impaired. 

Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund generally will be valued at their face value, plus interest accrued to the date of valuation. 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors may engage independent, third-party valuation firms to conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations of each privately-held investment that the Fund (a) has held for more than one year and (b) holds on its books at a fair value of at least $2.0 million in order to make their own independent assessment. Any third-party valuation data would be considered as one of many factors in a fair value determination. The Audit Committee then would recommend the fair values for all privately-held securities based on all relevant factors to the Board of Directors for final approval.

 

Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, amounting to $16.9 million and $27.7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, our fair value determinations may materially differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the securities. There were no publicly traded securities as of March 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

 

On a daily basis, we adjust our net asset value for the changes in the value of our publicly held securities, if applicable, and material changes in the value of private securities, generally determined on a quarterly basis or as announced in a press release, and reports those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Weekly and daily net asset values appear in various publications, including Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal.

24

Deferred Offering Costs—Accumulation of costs related to the offering whereby we will sell additional shares or rights to acquire shares at a market price that may have been below net asset value. The main components of the costs are legal fees and consultant’s fees specifically related to the offering.  

Investment Transactions—Investment transactions are recorded on the accrual method. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are computed on a specific identification basis.

We classify our investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which we own more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as those non-control investments in companies in which we own between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. Under the 1940 Act, “Non-affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

Federal Income Taxes—We intend to comply with the requirements of the Code necessary for us to qualify as a RIC. So long as it complies with these requirements, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gains) distributed to stockholders. Therefore, the Fund did not record a provision for federal income taxes in its financial statements. The Fund may borrow money from time to time to maintain its status as a RIC under the Code.

 

Interest Income Recognition—We record interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We stop accruing interest on investments when we determine that interest is no longer collectible. If we receive any cash after determining that interest is no longer collectible, we treat such cash as payment on the principal balance until the entire principal balance has been repaid, before we recognize any additional interest income. We accrete or amortize discounts and premiums on securities purchased over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discount and/or amortization of premium on debt securities.

  

Payment in Kind Interest (PIK)—We have loans in our portfolio that may pay PIK interest. We add PIK interest, if any, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must pay out to stockholders this non-cash source of income in the form of dividends even if we have not yet collected any cash in respect of such investments. 

Current Market Conditions

Overall economic conditions have improved slightly through 2010 and continued in the first quarter of 2011 as the US economy has expanded at a modest rate.  However, the economic recovery has been hampered by persistent high unemployment levels and lingering problems in the housing market.  Further, the banking industry continues to experience additional bank failures as regulators continue to impose strict capital requirements.  Additionally, future economic expansion and business investment is threatened by perceptions of higher taxes and healthcare costs, as well as the high levels of government deficit spending.

 

Market conditions for business transactions including mergers and acquisitions and private equity investments improved throughout 2010 and continuing in 2011as low interest rates have reduced capital costs, some banks are lending more aggressively, valuations have increased and buyer and seller expectations have converged.  These conditions were contributors to an upturn in transaction volume during 2010 and the first quarter 2011 since declining significantly in 2009.  In addition, corporations have been deleveraging and are holding significant amounts of cash and many have begun to focus on acquisitions as part of future growth plans.  Private equity firms have access to historically large amounts of committed capital as private equity activity has been lower than anticipated for nearly two years and fund raising was robust heading into the economic downturn.

 

Consistent with other companies in the financial services sector, our performance has been adversely affected. Between December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2011 our net asset value declined from $9.16 per share to $4.10 per share.  This further impacted the closing price of our common stock, as it declined approximately 25.6% during 2009 and a further 21.9% during 2010 and, as of March 31, 2011, is trading at a 36.6% discount to our net asset value.

25

We have continued to execute certain initiatives to enhance liquidity, achieve a lower operational cost structure, provide more assistance to portfolio companies and enhance communication with shareholders.  Specifically, we changed the composition of our Board of Directors and Management, terminated certain of our follow-on investments, internalized the management of the Fund, suspended our managed distribution policy, sold certain of our portfolio investments for cash, and modified our investment strategy to pursue shorter term liquidation opportunities.  We believe these actions continue to be necessary to protect capital and liquidity during this turbulent economic period in order to preserve and enhance shareholder value.  We also expect that, because of management internalization, certain expenses of the Fund will not increase commensurate with an increase in the size of the Fund and, therefore, we can achieve efficiencies in our cost structure if we are able to grow the Fund.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We generate cash primarily from maturities, sales of securities and borrowings, as well as capital gains realized upon the sale of portfolio investments. We use cash primarily to make additional investments, either in new companies or as follow-on investments in the existing portfolio companies and to pay the dividends to our stockholders.

 

Because of the nature and size of the portfolio investments, we may periodically borrow funds to make qualifying investments to maintain its tax status as a RIC. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we borrowed such funds by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. There is no assurance that such arrangement will be available in the future. If the Fund is unable to borrow funds to make qualifying investments, it may no longer qualify as a RIC. The Fund would then be subject to corporate income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains, and distributions to stockholders would be subject to income tax as ordinary dividends. 

 

The Fund has the ability to borrow funds and issue forms of senior securities representing indebtedness or stock, such as preferred stock, subject to certain restrictions. Net taxable investment income and net taxable realized gains from the sales of portfolio investments are intended to be distributed at least annually, to the extent such amounts are not reserved for payment of expenses and contingencies or to make follow-on or new investments. Pursuant to the restrictions in the existing line of credit, the Fund is not allowed to incur additional indebtedness unless approved by the lender.

 

The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxable to the Fund as long-term capital gains and stockholders will be able to claim their proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders will also be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit.

 

The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxable to the Fund as long-term capital gains and stockholders will be able to claim their proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders will also be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit.

 

We are evaluating the impact of current market conditions on our portfolio company valuations and their ability to provide current income. We have followed valuation techniques in a consistent manner; however, we are cognizant of current market conditions that might affect future valuations of portfolio securities. We believe that our operating cash flow and cash on hand will be sufficient to meet operating requirements and to finance routine capital expenditures through the next twelve months.  

 

Results of Operations

Investment Income and Expense

Net investment loss after all expenses was $0.7 million and $0.05 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively. The increase in net investment loss generated at March 31, 2011 compared to March 31, 2010 is due primarily to the decrease in total investment income along with the increase in total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Total income from portfolio securities was $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The $0.4 decrease was primarily due to the decline in income producing investments for the three months

26

ended March 31, 2011, resulting from the monetizations of 1848 Capital Partners LLC, Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC and London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd.

 

Total expenses increased from $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This $0.2 million increase was largely due to the increase in compensation expense as a result of accrued bonuses and the litigation settlement in the amount of $0.1million for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.

Realized Gains and Losses on Sales of Portfolio Securities

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we realized net capital losses of $0.9 million, including the following significant transactions (in thousands):

 

Portfolio Company Industry Type Realized Gain (Loss)
London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd Entertainment and leisure Secured and subordinated debt (992)
RP&C International Investments LLC Healthcare Membership Interest 138
Various others     (1)
       $          (855)

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Fund realized net capital loss of $0.004 million from the sale of U.S. Treasury Bills.

 

Changes in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation of Portfolio Securities

Net unrealized depreciation on investments increased by $0.2 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2011, to a net unrealized depreciation of $27.5 million. Such increase in depreciation resulted from the following changes:

 

(i)   Decline in fair market value of ConGlobal Industries Holding, Inc. (“ConGlobal”) of $1.3 million due to lower storage revenues for containers.
(ii)   Transfer of unrealized depreciation to realized depreciation for London Bridge Entertainment Partners, Ltd. (London Bridge) of $0.8 million due to the sale of the promissory note.
(iii)   Transfer of unrealized appreciation to realized appreciation for RP&C International Investments, LLC (RP&C) of $0.1 million due to the maturity of the investment.
(iv)   Increase in fair market value of Spectrum Management, Inc. (“Spectrum) of $0.4 million due to the extension of maturity of outstanding debt and the increase in market comparables.

Net unrealized depreciation on investments increased by $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010, to a net unrealized depreciation of $15.9 million. Such increase in depreciation resulted primarily from decrease in estimated fair market value of Infinia Corporation, Riptide Entertainment LLC and Spectrum Management, LLC, resulting from declining sales and trailing operations for the period. These decreases in estimated fair market value were partially offset by the increase in fair market value of Sovereign Business Forms, Inc., resulting from an increase in operations.

Dividends

On March 24, 2009, we announced that we suspended our managed distribution policy and payment of quarterly distributions for an indefinite period, following the distribution of the first quarter dividend, paid on March 30, 2009. We will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Portfolio Investments

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we made a follow-on investment of $0.03 million in Spectrum Management, LLC.

27

The following table includes significant investment activity during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

    New Investments       Existing Investments
      Cash       PIK       Follow-on       PIK       Total  
TruLite, Inc.   $ —       $ —       $ 200     $ —       $ 200  
1848 Capital Partners LLC     —         —         —         71       71  
London Bridge Entertainment Partners Ltd.     —         —         —         54       54  
Big Apple Entertainment Partners LLC     —         —         —         40       40  
    $ —       $ —       $ 200     $ 165     $ 365  

 

Subsequent Events

Management performed an evaluation of the Fund’s activity through the date the financial statements were issued, noting the following subsequent events:

 

On April 1, 2011, the Fund sold U.S. Treasury bills for $6.0 million and repaid the margin loan.

On April 25, 2011, the Fund received $0.08 million from Sovereign Business Forms, Inc. in the form of a principal payment.

 

On April 27, 2011, the Fund announced that it had entered into two separate transactions involving the purchase of an aggregate of 11,408 bonds (“Bonds”) issued by Orco Germany S.A., a commercial and multi-family residential real estate holding company and developer based in Berlin. The consideration provided to the selling bondholders consists of an aggregate of 1,700,000 newly issued shares of common stock of the Fund. The Fund received 8,890 of the Bonds on April 27, 2011. On May 9, 2011, one of these agreements was amended and restated to provide for an additional 45 days to deliver 2,518 of the Bonds in exchange for providing to the Fund approximately $1.7 million in cash as security for such delivery.

 

On May 2, 2011, the Fund announced that it will hold its annual meeting of shareholders on June 10, 2011. The purpose of the meeting is to elect 9 directors, each for a term of one year; ratify the appointment of UHY LLP as the Fund’s independent auditor for fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Fund’s named executive officers in 2010; approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency of shareholder advisory votes concerning the Fund’s executive compensation; and transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

 

On March 10, 2010, American General Life Insurance Company (“American General”) filed a complaint against the Fund in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, in connection with an office lease entered into by our former administrator with American General. The complaint by American General seeks to hold the Fund liable for unpaid rent, improvements, and attorneys fees totaling approximately $450,000. On May 11, 2011, we agreed to a settlement with American General in exchange for a one-time settlement fee of $120,000. 

 

Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates with respect to investments in debt securities and outstanding debt payable, as well as changes in marketable equity security prices. In the future, the Fund may invest in companies outside the United States, including in Europe and Asia, which would give rise to exposure to foreign currency value fluctuations. We do not use derivative financial instruments to mitigate any of these risks. The return on investments is generally not affected by foreign currency fluctuations.

 

Our investments in portfolio securities consist of some fixed-rate debt securities. Since the debt securities are generally priced at a fixed rate, changes in interest rates do not directly affect interest income. In addition, changes in market interest rates are not typically a significant factor in the determination of fair value of these debt securities, since the securities are generally held to maturity. We determine their fair values based on the terms of the relevant debt security and the financial condition of the issuer.

 

A major portion of our investment portfolio consists of debt and equity investments in private companies. Modest changes in public market equity prices generally do not significantly impact the estimated fair value of these investments.

28

However, significant changes in market equity prices can have a longer-term effect on valuations of private companies, which could affect the carrying value and the amount and timing of gains or losses realized on these investments. A small portion of the investment portfolio also consists of common stocks in publicly traded companies. These investments are directly exposed to equity price risk, in that a hypothetical ten percent change in these equity prices would result in a similar percentage change in the fair value of these securities.

 

We are classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act, which means we are not limited in the proportion of our assets that may be invested in the securities of a single user. The value of one segment called Business Products and Services include three portfolio companies and was 23.3% of the net asset value and 50.2% of our investments in portfolio company securities (at fair value) as of March 31, 2011. Changes in business or industry trends or in the financial condition, results of operations, or the market’s assessment of any single portfolio company will affect the net asset value and the market price of our common stock to a greater extent than would be the case if we were a “diversified” company holding numerous investments.

 

Item  4. Controls and Procedures

The Fund maintains disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Fund’s management, including its Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

The Fund’s management, with the participation of the Fund’s Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operations of the Fund’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2011. Based on their evaluation, the Fund’s Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level. There has been no change in the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

Item  1. Legal Proceedings

On June 30, 2009, the Fund received a “Wells” notice from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Based on discussions with the SEC staff, the Fund believes that the issues the staff intends to pursue relate to a one-time administrative fee that the Fund paid in 2005 and the compensation of a certain Fund officer during approximately the same time period. The Wells notice notified the Fund that the staff intends to recommend that the SEC bring a civil action against the Fund for possible violations of the securities laws. The Fund has been cooperating with the SEC in this inquiry. In accordance with SEC procedures, the Fund has presented its perspective on these issues to the staff. The SEC has not made a formal decision regarding an enforcement proceeding in respect of the Fund.

On March 10, 2010, American General Life Insurance Company (“American General”) filed a complaint against the Fund in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, in connection with an office lease entered into by our former administrator with American General. The complaint by American General seeks to hold the Fund liable for unpaid rent, improvements, and attorneys fees totaling approximately $450,000. We agreed to a settlement with American General in exchange for a one-time payment of $120,000.

 

On April 26, 2010, the SEC also subpoenaed records of the Fund in connection with certain trades in the Fund’s shares by SPQR Capital LLP, SAE Capital Ltd., Versatile Systems Inc., Mobiquity Investments Limited, and anyone associated with those entities. The Fund has fully cooperated with the SEC’s request.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Fund’s risk factors from the disclosure set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

29

Readers should carefully consider these risks and all other information contained in the annual report on Form 10-K, including the Fund’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Fund. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Fund, or not presently deemed material by the Fund, may also impair its operations and performance. 

Readers should carefully consider these risks and all other information contained in the annual report on Form 10-K, including the Fund’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Fund. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Fund, or not presently deemed material by the Fund, may also impair its operations and performance. 

Item  6. Exhibits

3. Articles of Incorporation and by-laws

 

(a)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007]
(b)   Certificate of Merger dated June 30, 1993, between the Fund and Equus Investments Incorporated [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007]
(c)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Fund. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2010.]

10. Material Contracts.

(a)   Safekeeping Agreement between the Fund and Amegy Bank dated August 16, 2008. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.]
(b)   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Fund and its directors and certain officers. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.]
(c)   Form of Release Agreement between the Fund and certain of its officers and former officers. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.]
(d)   Code of Ethics of the Fund (Rule 17j-1) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.]
(e)   Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Fund and Kekovia Enterprises Company Limited, dated April 21, 2011. [Filed herewith.]
(f)   Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Fund and Khan Investments Ltd., dated April 20, 2011. [Filed herewith]
(g)   Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Fund and Khan Investments Ltd., dated May 9, 2011.* [Filed herewith.]

31. Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

1.   Certification by Principal Executive Officer
2.   Certification by Chief Financial Officer

32. Section 1350 Certifications

 

1.   Certification by Principal Executive Officer
2.   Certification by Chief Financial Officer

 

 

30

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

     
       EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.
     
Date: May 16, 2011  

/s/ John A. Hardy

 

    John A. Hardy
    Executive Chairman

 

 

31

EX-10.E 2 exhibit10ekekovia.htm EXHIBIT 10(E) EQUUS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH KEKOVIA ENTERPRISES

Exhibit 10(e)  

 

 

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

April 21, 2011

 

between

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

AND

 

KEKOVIA ENTERPRISES COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 21, 2011 by and between Equus Total Return, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”) and Kekovia Enterprises Company Limited a Cyprus corporation (“Seller”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of certain 4% five-year bonds with redeemable warrants attached, due May 30, 2012, issued by Orco Germany pursuant to that certain Prospectus of Orco Germany, dated as of May 24, 2007, that are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange under ISIN XS0302623953 (the “Bonds”); and

 

WHEREAS, Buyer desires to acquire a certain number of the Bonds from Seller and Seller has agreed to exchange such Bonds for Eight-Hundred Fifty Thousand shares of Equus Restricted Common Stock (the “Equus Acquired Stock”) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.01. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

 

Action” means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Agent” means, with respect to any Person, any officer, director, employee, stockholder, controlling person (within the meaning of the Securities Act), affiliate or authorized agent of such Person.

 

Bonds” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Bond Value” means an amount equal to 446.16 Euro.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.

Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

Closing Date” means the date of the Closing.

 

 

1
 

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Equus Restricted Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Buyer.

Exchange” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

Conversion Rate” means the spot exchange rate applicable for converting one (1) U.S. Dollar into Euros which is 1 Euro= $1.433.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local government or any court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, restriction or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Buyer.

 

Orco Purchased Bonds” means 5,704 Bonds which is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product obtained by multiplying (x) 850,000 times (y) the Per Share Value ($4.29), by (ii) the Bond Value (€)446.16; provided, however, fractions of a Bond shall not be exchanged but shall instead be rounded up to the nearest whole Bond and any such fraction (the “Bond Fraction Amount”) shall be paid in cash by Buyer to Seller as contemplated by Section 2.02 hereof, all of which is summarized in Schedule A attached.

Orco Germany” means Orco Germany S.A., a public limited liability company (société anonyme), incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 48, boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, L-1330 Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg companies and trade register under number B 102254.

Per Share Value” means an amount equal to the product of (i) $4.29 U.S. Dollars, times (ii) the Conversion Rate.

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2
 

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.01. Purchase and Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the parties hereto, Buyer hereby agrees to purchase on the Closing Date from Seller, and Seller, hereby agrees to sell, transfer and assign to Buyer the Orco Purchased Bonds, including all interest accrued and unpaid or deferred thereon, free and clear of any and all Liens, in exchange for Buyer issuing to Seller on the Closing Date the Equus Acquired Shares (the “Exchange”).

 

2.02. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Exchange shall take place on the date hereof at the offices of Goodwin|Procter LLP in New York, New York, or at such other place as Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree. On or prior to the Closing:

 

(a) Buyer shall deliver to Seller a certificate or electronic deposit for the Equus Acquired Shares, registered in the name of Seller.

 

(b) Buyer shall pay to Seller, by check delivered pursuant to the notice provisions set forth in Section 6.01 hereof, an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the Bond Fraction Amount, times (y) the Bond Value.

 

(c) Seller shall cause the broker who holds Bonds for the benefit of Seller to transfer the Orco Purchased Bonds, without any restrictions on transfer or resale thereof, to a broker designated in writing by Buyer not later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

 

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as of the Closing Date that:

 

3.01. Corporate Existence and Power. Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to (i) carry on its business as now being conducted and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Buyer is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions wherein such qualification is necessary and where failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.02. Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer. This

 

3
 

 

Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

3.03. Concerning the Restricted Common Stock. The Equus Acquired Shares have been duly authorized and on the Closing Date will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

RELATING SELLER

 

Seller hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, Buyer as of the Closing Date as follows:

 

4.01. Corporate Power and Authorization. Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Seller. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

4.02. Investment Representation. (a) Seller represents and warrants that:

 

(i) it is acquiring the Equus Restricted Common Stock solely for its account and not with a view to or for resale in connection with a distribution thereof;

 

(ii) it has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive complete answers from Agents of Buyer concerning the business, management and financial condition of Buyer and the terms and conditions of the Equus Restricted Common Stock;

 

(iii) it is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock for an indefinite period of time;

 

(iv) it can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock;

 

4
 

 

(v) Seller has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock; and

 

(viii) Seller is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.

 

(b) Seller acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) the Equus Acquired Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and are being issued in reliance upon certain exemptions under such statutes;

 

(ii) the Equus Acquired Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to a valid exemption from such registration requirements, and Buyer shall have no obligation to record any proposed transfer of such shares on its stock tranfer records unless the shares to be transferred have been registered under the Securities Act or the request for transfer is accompanied by an opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer that no such registration is required;

 

(iii) Buyer shall have no obligation to register the Equus Acquired Shares pursuant to the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or to supply the information which may be necessary to sell such securities; and

 

(iv) the certificate representing the Equus Acquired Shares will bear the following restrictive legend:

 

“The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms thereof and unless registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States and the securities regulatory authorities of certain states or unless an exception from such registration is available.”

 

Buyer shall have no obligation to remove such legend unless it is provided with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Buyer that no such legend is required.

 

4.03. Ownership. Seller is the beneficial owner of the aggregate principal amount or accreted value, as the case may be, of the Purchased Orco Bonds. There are no outstanding agreements, arrangements or understandings under which Seller or its nominee may be obligated to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Orco Bonds, other than this Agreement.

 

5
 

 

4.04. Liens. The Purchased Orco Bonds are not subject to any Lien. The execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Seller of its obligations under, this Agreement, will not result in the creation of any Lien upon the Purchased Orco Bonds.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

5.01. Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, the execution and delivery of such instruments, and the taking of such other actions as the other party hereto may reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of the Agreement.

 

5.02. Publicity. Except as expressly contemplated by this Article V, neither Buyer nor Seller shall, nor shall they permit their respective Agents to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or make any other public statement, filing or announcement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior approval of the other party; provided, however, that either party shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the other party, to make any press release or public disclosure with respect to such transactions as is required by applicable law or the New York Stock Exchange. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in issuing press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, which cooperation shall include first consulting the other party hereto concerning the requirement for, and timing and content of, such public announcement.

 

5.03. Buyer 8-K Filing. Not more than four (4) Business Days following the Closing Date, Buyer shall file with the Commission on Form 8-K a current report describing the Exchange and certain transactions undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.04. Seller Schedule 13D Filing. Not more than ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Date, Seller shall file with the Commission a statement on Schedule 13D describing the nature of its shareholdings in Buyer and any other items as may be required in connection with such filing.

 

6
 

ARTICLE VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.01. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) on the date of delivery, if personally delivered by hand, (ii) upon the third day after such notice is deposited in the United States mail, if mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) upon the date scheduled for delivery after such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight express courier or (iv) by fax upon written confirmation (including the automatic confirmation that is received from the recipient’s fax machine) of receipt by the recipient of such notice:

 

if to Buyer, to:

 

Goodwin|Procter LLP

The New York Times Building

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Attn: Martin Glass

Facsimile: (212) 355-3333

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

if to Seller to:

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

Such information may be changed, from time to time, by means of a notice given in the manner provided in this Section 6.01.

 

6.02. Waivers; Remedies. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege of such party under this Agreement, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege under this Agreement.

 

6.02. Amendment. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement of the parties to this Agreement.

 

6.04. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. All costs and expenses, including any taxes, incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense.

7
 

 

6.05. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

6.06. Survival of Representations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Buyer and Seller contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

 

6.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state. All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York. The parties hereto hereby: (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in The City of New York for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (b) irrevocably waive, and agree not assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that is property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts.

 

6.08. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other parties hereto. A facsimile transmission of this Agreement bearing a signature on behalf of a party hereto shall be legal and binding on such party.

 

6.09. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or relied upon by either party hereto. None of the provisions of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

6.10. Captions. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

 

8
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

BUYER:

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

By: /s/ John A. Hardy

Name: John A. Hardy

Title: Executive Chairman

 

 

 

SELLER:

 

KEKOVIA ENTERPRISES COMPANY LIMITED.

C/O Gabriel Lahyani

Via Valadier 33

0193 – Rome / Italy

 

 

By: /s/ Gabriel Lahyani

Name: Gabriel Lahyani

Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

9
 

 

 

EX-10.F 3 exhibit10_fkhanagreement.htm EXHIBIT 10(F) KHAN PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10(f)

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

April 20, 2011

 

between

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

AND

 

KHAN INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of, April 20, 2011 by and between Equus Total Return, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”) and Khan Investments Ltd., a Dubai corporation (“Seller”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of certain 4% five-year bonds with redeemable warrants attached, due May 30, 2012, issued by Orco Germany pursuant to that certain Prospectus of Orco Germany, dated as of May 24, 2007, that are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange under ISIN XS0302623953 (the “Bonds”); and

 

WHEREAS, Buyer desires to acquire a certain number of the Bonds from Seller and Seller has agreed to exchange such Bonds for Eight-Hundred Fifty Thousand shares of Equus Restricted Common Stock (the “Equus Acquired Stock”) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.01. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

 

Action” means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Agent” means, with respect to any Person, any officer, director, employee, stockholder, controlling person (within the meaning of the Securities Act), affiliate or authorized agent of such Person.

 

Bonds” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Bond Value” means an amount equal to 446.16 Euro.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.

Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

1
 

Closing Date” means the date of the Closing.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Equus Restricted Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Buyer.

Exchange” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

Conversion Rate” means the spot exchange rate applicable for converting one (1) U.S. Dollar into Euros which is 1 Euro= $1.433.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local government or any court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, restriction or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Buyer.

 

Orco Purchased Bonds” means 5,704 Bonds which is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product obtained by multiplying (x) 850,000 times (y) the Per Share Value ($4.29), by (ii) the Bond Value (€)446.16; provided, however, fractions of a Bond shall not be exchanged but shall instead be rounded up to the nearest whole Bond and any such fraction (the “Bond Fraction Amount”) shall be paid in cash by Buyer to Seller as contemplated by Section 2.02 hereof, all of which is summarized in Schedule A attached.

Orco Germany” means Orco Germany S.A., a public limited liability company (société anonyme), incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 48, boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, L-1330 Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg companies and trade register under number B 102254.

Per Share Value” means an amount equal to the product of (i) $4.29 U.S. Dollars, times (ii) the Conversion Rate.

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2
 

ARTICLE II

 

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.01. Purchase and Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the parties hereto, Buyer hereby agrees to purchase on the Closing Date from Seller, and Seller, hereby agrees to sell, transfer and assign to Buyer the Orco Purchased Bonds, including all interest accrued and unpaid or deferred thereon, free and clear of any and all Liens, in exchange for Buyer issuing to Seller on the Closing Date the Equus Acquired Shares (the “Exchange”).

 

2.02. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Exchange shall take place on the date hereof at the offices of Goodwin|Procter LLP in New York, New York, or at such other place as Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree. On or prior to the Closing:

 

(a) Buyer shall deliver to Seller a certificate or electronic deposit for the Equus Acquired Shares, registered in the name of Seller.

 

(b) Buyer shall pay to Seller, by check delivered pursuant to the notice provisions set forth in Section 6.01 hereof, an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the Bond Fraction Amount, times (y) the Bond Value.

 

(c) Seller shall cause the broker who holds Bonds for the benefit of Seller to transfer the Orco Purchased Bonds, without any restrictions on transfer or resale thereof, to a broker designated in writing by Buyer not later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

 

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as of the Closing Date that:

 

3.01. Corporate Existence and Power. Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to (i) carry on its business as now being conducted and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Buyer is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions wherein such qualification is necessary and where failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

3
 

3.02. Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

3.03. Concerning the Restricted Common Stock. The Equus Acquired Shares have been duly authorized and on the Closing Date will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

RELATING SELLER

 

Seller hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, Buyer as of the Closing Date as follows:

 

4.01. Corporate Power and Authorization. Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Seller. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

4.02. Investment Representation. (a) Seller represents and warrants that:

 

(i) it is acquiring the Equus Restricted Common Stock solely for its account and not with a view to or for resale in connection with a distribution thereof;

 

(ii) it has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive complete answers from Agents of Buyer concerning the business, management and financial condition of Buyer and the terms and conditions of the Equus Restricted Common Stock;

 

(iii) it is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock for an indefinite period of time;

4
 

 

(iv) it can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock;

 

(v) Seller has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Equus Restricted Common Stock; and

 

(viii) Seller is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.

 

(b) Seller acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) the Equus Acquired Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and are being issued in reliance upon certain exemptions under such statutes;

 

(ii) the Equus Acquired Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to a valid exemption from such registration requirements, and Buyer shall have no obligation to record any proposed transfer of such shares on its stock tranfer records unless the shares to be transferred have been registered under the Securities Act or the request for transfer is accompanied by an opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer that no such registration is required;

 

(iii) Buyer shall have no obligation to register the Equus Acquired Shares pursuant to the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or to supply the information which may be necessary to sell such securities; and

 

(iv) the certificate representing the Equus Acquired Shares will bear the following restrictive legend:

 

“The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms thereof and unless registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States and the securities regulatory authorities of certain states or unless an exception from such registration is available.”

 

Buyer shall have no obligation to remove such legend unless it is provided with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Buyer that no such legend is required.

 

4.03. Ownership. Seller is the beneficial owner of the aggregate principal amount or accreted value, as the case may be, of the Purchased Orco Bonds. There are no outstanding agreements, arrangements or understandings under which Seller or its nominee may be obligated

5
 

to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Orco Bonds, other than this Agreement.

 

4.04. Liens. The Purchased Orco Bonds are not subject to any Lien. The execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Seller of its obligations under, this Agreement, will not result in the creation of any Lien upon the Purchased Orco Bonds.

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

5.01 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, the execution and delivery of such instruments, and the taking of such other actions as the other party hereto may reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of the Agreement.

 

5.02 Publicity. Except as expressly contemplated by this Article V, neither Buyer nor Seller shall, nor shall they permit their respective Agents to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or make any other public statement, filing or announcement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior approval of the other party; provided, however, that either party shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the other party, to make any press release or public disclosure with respect to such transactions as is required by applicable law or the New York Stock Exchange. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in issuing press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, which cooperation shall include first consulting the other party hereto concerning the requirement for, and timing and content of, such public announcement.

 

5.03 Buyer 8-K Filing. Not more than four (4) Business Days following the Closing Date, Buyer shall file with the Commission on Form 8-K a current report describing the Exchange and certain transactions undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.04 Seller Schedule 13D Filing. Not more than ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Date, Seller shall file with the Commission a statement on Schedule 13D describing the nature of its shareholdings in Buyer and any other items as may be required in connection with such filing.

 

6
 

ARTICLE VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.01. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) on the date of delivery, if personally delivered by hand, (ii) upon the third day after such notice is deposited in the United States mail, if mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) upon the date scheduled for delivery after such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight express courier or (iv) by fax upon written confirmation (including the automatic confirmation that is received from the recipient’s fax machine) of receipt by the recipient of such notice:

 

if to Buyer, to:

 

Goodwin|Procter LLP

The New York Times Building

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Attn: Martin Glass

Facsimile: (212) 355-3333

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

if to Seller to:

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

Such information may be changed, from time to time, by means of a notice given in the manner provided in this Section 6.01.

 

6.02. Waivers; Remedies. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege of such party under this Agreement, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege under this Agreement.

 

6.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement of the parties to this Agreement.

7
 

 

6.04. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. All costs and expenses, including any taxes, incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense.

 

6.05. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

6.06. Survival of Representations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Buyer and Seller contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

 

6.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state. All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York. The parties hereto hereby: (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in The City of New York for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (b) irrevocably waive, and agree not assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that is property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts.

 

6.08. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other parties hereto. A facsimile transmission of this Agreement bearing a signature on behalf of a party hereto shall be legal and binding on such party.

 

6.09. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or relied upon by either party hereto. None of the provisions of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

6.10. Captions. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.

8
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

BUYER:

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

By: /s/ John A. Hardy

Name: John A. Hardy

Title: Executive Chairman

 

 

 

SELLER:

 

KHAN INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

By: /s/ Christian Kruppa

Name: Christian Kruppa

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

9
 

EX-10.G 4 exhibit10g_amendedkhanagmnt.htm EXHIBIT 10(G) AMENDED KHAN PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10(g) 

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

May 9, 2011

 

between

 

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

AND

 

KHAN INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 9, 2011, is by and between Equus Total Return, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”) and Khan Investments Ltd., a Dubai corporation (“Seller”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of certain 4% five-year bonds with redeemable warrants attached, due May 30, 2012, issued by Orco Germany pursuant to that certain Prospectus of Orco Germany, dated as of May 24, 2007, that are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange under ISIN XS0302623953 (the “Bonds”); and

 

WHEREAS, Buyer desires to acquire a certain number of the Bonds from Seller and Seller has agreed to exchange such Bonds for Eight-Hundred Fifty Thousand shares of Equus Restricted Common Stock (the “Equus Acquired Shares”) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.01. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

 

Action” means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Agent” means, with respect to any Person, any officer, director, employee, stockholder, controlling person (within the meaning of the Securities Act), affiliate or authorized agent of such Person.

 

Bonds” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Bond Value” means an amount equal to 446.16 Euro.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.

Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

1
 

Closing Date” means the date of the Closing.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Collateral” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.

 

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Delivery Date” shall mean Forty-Five (45) calendar days from the Closing Date.

Equus Restricted Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Buyer.

Exchange” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

Conversion Rate” means the spot exchange rate applicable for converting one (1) U.S. Dollar into Euros which is 1 Euro= $1.433.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local government or any court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.

 

Interest” means any interest paid by a depository institution with respect to the Collateral when delivered pursuant to Section 2.04.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, restriction or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Buyer.

 

Orco Purchased Bonds” means 5,704 Bonds which is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product obtained by multiplying (x) 850,000 times (y) the Per Share Value ($4.29), by (ii) the Bond Value (€)446.16; provided, however, fractions of a Bond shall not be exchanged but shall instead be rounded up to the nearest whole Bond and any such fraction (the “Bond Fraction Amount”) shall be paid in cash by Buyer to Seller as contemplated by Section 2.02 hereof, all of which is summarized in Schedule A attached.

Orco Germany” means Orco Germany S.A., a public limited liability company (société anonyme), incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 48, boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, L-1330 Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg companies and trade register under number B 102254.

Per Share Value” means an amount equal to the product of (i) $4.29 U.S. Dollars, times (ii) the Conversion Rate.

2
 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Post-Closing Delivered Bonds” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.01. Purchase and Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the parties hereto, Buyer hereby agrees to purchase on the Closing Date from Seller, and Seller, hereby agrees, on or before the Delivery Date, to sell, transfer and assign to Buyer the Orco Purchased Bonds, including all interest accrued and unpaid or deferred thereon, free and clear of any and all Liens, in exchange for Buyer issuing to Seller, on the Closing Date, the Equus Acquired Shares (the “Exchange”).

 

2.02. Closing. The closing (the “Closing”) of the Exchange shall take place on the date hereof at the offices of Goodwin|Procter LLP in New York, New York, or at such other place as Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree.

 

2.03. Delivery of Equus Acquired Shares. On or prior to the Closing:

 

(a) Buyer shall deliver to Seller a certificate or electronic deposit for the Equus Acquired Shares, registered in the name of Seller.

 

(b) Buyer shall pay to Seller, by check delivered pursuant to the notice provisions set forth in Section 6.01 hereof, an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the Bond Fraction Amount, times (y) the Bond Value.

 

2.04 Delivery of Orco Purchased Bonds; Security. On or prior to the Delivery Date:

 

(a) Seller shall cause the broker who holds Bonds for the benefit of Seller to transfer the Orco Purchased Bonds, without any restrictions on transfer or resale thereof, to a broker designated in writing by Buyer not later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(b) As security for delivery of the Orco Purchased Bonds, with respect to any Orco Purchased Bonds not delivered to Seller on or before the Closing Date (the “Post-Closing Delivered Bonds”), Seller shall deliver cash, in United States currency, to an account designated in writing by the Buyer, in an amount equal to aggregate Bond Value of the Post-Closing Delivered Bonds, multiplied by the Conversion Rate (hereafter, the “Collateral”).

3
 

 

(c) Should Seller deliver the Post-Closing Delivered Bonds on or prior to the Delivery Date, Buyer shall return that portion of the Collateral equal to the Bond Value of the Post-Closing Bonds so delivered, multiplied by the Conversion Rate, but excluding any and all Interest, which shall remain the sole and separate property of the Buyer.

 

(d) Should Seller fail to deliver any or all of the Post-Closing Delivered Bonds by the Delivery Date, Buyer shall have the right to possess, as Buyer’s sole and separate property, that portion of the Collateral equal to the Post-Closing Delivered Bonds not so delivered, multiplied by the Conversion Rate, and including any and all Interest, free and clear from any claims, Liens, security interests, encumbrances, or legal or equitable interests of any kind.

 

(e) The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that, with respect to any Collateral delivered by Seller hereunder, unless and until the Post-Closing Delivered Bonds are delivered to Buyer’s account on or prior to the Delivery Date as specified pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this Section 2.04, Buyer shall be considered the owner of the Collateral, free and clear from any adverse claims, Liens, security interests, or encumbrances save only the contingent obligation to return the Collateral to Seller pursuant to said subsection (c) of this Section 2.04.

 

2.05 Acknowledgement of Full Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing obligations of the parties hereunder, the parties hereto further agree and acknowledge that the delivery by Seller to Buyer of (i) the Orco Purchased Bonds; (ii) the Collateral; or (iii) any combination of the foregoing pursuant to the requirements of this Article II, shall constitute full payment by Seller for the Equus Acquired Shares delivered by Buyer hereunder.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

 

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as of the Closing Date that:

 

3.01. Corporate Existence and Power. Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to (i) carry on its business as now being conducted and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Buyer is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions wherein such qualification is necessary and where failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

4
 

3.02. Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

3.03. Concerning the Restricted Common Stock. The Equus Acquired Shares have been duly authorized and on the Closing Date will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

RELATING SELLER

 

Seller hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, Buyer as of the Closing Date as follows:

 

4.01. Corporate Power and Authorization. Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Seller. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

4.02. Investment Representation. (a) Seller represents and warrants that:

 

(i) it is acquiring the Equus Acquired Shares solely for its account and not with a view to or for resale in connection with a distribution thereof;

 

(ii) it has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive complete answers from Agents of Buyer concerning the business, management and financial condition of Buyer and the terms and conditions of the Equus Acquired Shares;

 

(iii) it is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Equus Acquired Shares for an indefinite period of time;

5
 

 

(iv) it can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Equus Acquired Shares;

 

(v) Seller has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Equus Acquired Shares; and

 

(viii) Seller is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.

 

(b) Seller acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) the Equus Acquired Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and are being issued in reliance upon certain exemptions under such statutes;

 

(ii) the Equus Acquired Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to a valid exemption from such registration requirements, and Buyer shall have no obligation to record any proposed transfer of such shares on its stock tranfer records unless the shares to be transferred have been registered under the Securities Act or the request for transfer is accompanied by an opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer that no such registration is required;

 

(iii) Buyer shall have no obligation to register the Equus Acquired Shares pursuant to the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or to supply the information which may be necessary to sell such securities; and

 

(iv) the certificate representing the Equus Acquired Shares will bear the following restrictive legend:

 

“The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms thereof and unless registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States and the securities regulatory authorities of certain states or unless an exception from such registration is available.”

 

Buyer shall have no obligation to remove such legend unless it is provided with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Buyer that no such legend is required.

 

4.03. Ownership. Seller is the beneficial owner of the aggregate principal amount or accreted value, as the case may be, of the Purchased Orco Bonds. There are no outstanding agreements, arrangements or understandings under which Seller or its nominee may be obligated

6
 

to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Orco Bonds, other than this Agreement.

 

4.04. Liens. The Purchased Orco Bonds are not subject to any Lien. The execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Seller of its obligations under, this Agreement, will not result in the creation of any Lien upon the Purchased Orco Bonds.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

5.01 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, the execution and delivery of such instruments, and the taking of such other actions as the other party hereto may reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of the Agreement.

 

5.02 Publicity. Except as expressly contemplated by this Article V, neither Buyer nor Seller shall, nor shall they permit their respective Agents to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or make any other public statement, filing or announcement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior approval of the other party; provided, however, that either party shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the other party, to make any press release or public disclosure with respect to such transactions as is required by applicable law or the New York Stock Exchange. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in issuing press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, which cooperation shall include first consulting the other party hereto concerning the requirement for, and timing and content of, such public announcement.

 

5.03 Buyer 8-K Filing. Not more than four (4) Business Days following the Closing Date, Buyer shall file with the Commission on Form 8-K a current report describing the Exchange and certain transactions undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.04 Seller Schedule 13D Filing. Not more than ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Date, Seller shall file with the Commission a statement on Schedule 13D describing the nature of its shareholdings in Buyer and any other items as may be required in connection with such filing.

 

7
 

ARTICLE VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.01. Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) on the date of delivery, if personally delivered by hand, (ii) upon the third day after such notice is deposited in the United States mail, if mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) upon the date scheduled for delivery after such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight express courier or (iv) by fax upon written confirmation (including the automatic confirmation that is received from the recipient’s fax machine) of receipt by the recipient of such notice:

 

if to Buyer, to:

 

Goodwin|Procter LLP

The New York Times Building

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Attn: Martin Glass

Facsimile: (212) 355-3333

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

if to Seller to:

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

Such information may be changed, from time to time, by means of a notice given in the manner provided in this Section 6.01.

 

6.02. Waivers; Remedies. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege of such party under this Agreement, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege under this Agreement.

 

6.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement of the parties to this Agreement.

8
 

6.04. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. All costs and expenses, including any taxes, incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense.

 

6.05. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

6.06. Survival of Representations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Buyer and Seller contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

 

6.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state. All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York. The parties hereto hereby: (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in The City of New York for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (b) irrevocably waive, and agree not assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that is property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts.

 

6.08. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other parties hereto. A facsimile transmission of this Agreement bearing a signature on behalf of a party hereto shall be legal and binding on such party.

 

6.09. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or relied upon by either party hereto. None of the provisions of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

6.10. Captions. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.

9
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

BUYER:

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

 

By: /s/ John A. Hardy

Name: John A. Hardy

Title: Executive Chairman

 

 

 

SELLER:

 

KHAN INVESTMENTS LTD.

 

By: /s/ Christian Kruppa

Name: Christian Kruppa

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10
 

 

 

EX-31.1 5 exhibit31_1302hardy.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 SARBANES OXLEY 302 JOHN HARDY

EXHIBIT 31.1

Form of Quarterly Certification Required

by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, John A. Hardy, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Equus Total Return, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and we have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures. or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s first fiscal quarter in the case of a quarterly report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and;
5.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls.

Date: May 16, 2011

 

 

/s/ John A. Hardy

 

John A. Hardy
Executive Chairman

EX-31.2 6 exhibit31_2302hudson.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 SARBANES OXLEY 302 L'SHERYL HUDSON

EXHIBIT 31.2

Form of Quarterly Certification Required

by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, L’Sheryl D. Hudson, certify that;

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Equus Total Return, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and we have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures. or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s first fiscal quarter in the case of a quarterly report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and;
5.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls.

Date: May 16, 2011

 

 

/s/ L’Sheryl D. Hudson

 

L’Sheryl D. Hudson
Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1 7 exhibit32_1906hardy.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 SARBANES OXLEY 906 JOHN HARDY

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 (the “Report”), I, John A Hardy, Executive Chairman of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)To my knowledge, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.

 

     
Dated: May 16, 2011  

/s/ John A. Hardy

 

   

John A. Hardy

Executive Chairman

EX-32.2 8 exhibit32_2906hudson.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 SARBANES OXLEY 906 L'SHERYL HUDSON

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 (the “Report”), I, L’Sheryl D. Hudson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)To my knowledge, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.

 

     
Dated: May 16, 2011  

/s/ L’Sheryl D. Hudson

 

   

L’Sheryl D. Hudson

Chief Financial Officer