PROSPECTUS
$750,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Units
PennantPark Investment Corporation is a closed-end, externally managed, non-diversified investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Our investment objectives are to generate both current income and capital appreciation while seeking to preserve capital through debt and equity investments primarily made to U.S. middle-market companies in the form of first lien secured debt, second lien secured debt, subordinated debt and equity investments. We can offer no assurances that we will achieve our investment objectives.
We are managed by PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC. PennantPark Investment Administration, LLC provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate.
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $750,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, subscription rights, debt securities, or units, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders and approval of our board of directors, or (3) under such circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, may permit. See “Risk Factors” on page 9 and “Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value” on page 15 of this prospectus for more information.
Our common stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PNNT.” Prior to April 14, 2022, our common stock was traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the same symbol. The last reported closing price for our common stock on April 19, 2022 was $7.95 per share, and our net asset value on December 31, 2021 was $10.11 per share.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contain important information you should know before investing in our securities. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with offerings. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. Please read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in our securities and keep them for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may also obtain such information free of charge or make stockholder inquiries by contacting us in writing at 1691 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, by calling us collect at (212) 905-1000 or by visiting our website at www.pennantpark.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information free of charge.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of the use of leverage. Before buying any of our securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in us in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Prospectus dated April 28, 2022
SALES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE
Our stockholders have in the past and may again approve our ability to sell shares of our common stock below our then current NAV per share in one or more public offerings of our common stock. In making a determination that an offering below NAV per share is in our and our stockholders’ best interests, our board of directors, a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the sale and a majority of our independent directors considered a variety of factors, including:
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The effect that an offering below NAV per share would have on our stockholders, including the potential dilution they would experience as a result of the offering; |
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The amount per share by which the offering price per share and the net proceeds per share are less than the most recently determined NAV per share; |
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The relationship of recent market prices of our common stock to NAV per share and the potential impact of the offering on the market price per share of our common stock; |
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Whether the estimated offering price would closely approximate the market value of our shares, less distributing commissions or discounts, and would not be below current market price; |
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The potential market impact of being able to raise capital in the current financial market; |
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The nature of any new investors anticipated to acquire shares in the offering; |
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The anticipated rate of return on and quality, type and availability of investments; |
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The leverage available to us and our SBIC Fund, both before and after the offering and other borrowing terms; and |
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The potential investment opportunities available relative to the potential dilutive effect of additional capital at the time of the offering. |
Our board of directors will also consider the fact that a sale of shares of common stock at a discount will benefit our Investment Adviser, as the Investment Adviser will earn additional investment management fees on the proceeds of such offerings, as it would from the offering of any other securities of PennantPark Investment or from the offering of common stock at premium to NAV per share.
Sales by us of our common stock at a discount from NAV pose potential risks for our existing stockholders whether or not they participate in the offering, as well as for new investors who participate in the offering.
We will not seek to sell shares under a prospectus supplement to the registration statement, or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part (the “current registration statement”) if the cumulative dilution to our NAV per share arising from offerings from the effective date of the current registration statement through and including any follow-on offering would exceed 15% based on the anticipated pricing of such follow-on offering. This limit would be measured separately for each offering pursuant to the current registration statement by calculating the percentage dilution or accretion to aggregate NAV from that offering and then summing the anticipated percentage dilution from each subsequent offering. For example, if our most recently determined NAV per share at the time of the first offering is $10.00, and we have 100 million shares outstanding, the sale of an additional 25 million shares at net proceeds to us of $5.00 per share (a 50% discount) would produce dilution of 10.0%. If we subsequently determined that our NAV per share increased to $11.00 on the then outstanding 125 million shares and contemplated an additional offering, we could, for example, propose to sell approximately 31.25 million additional shares at a price that would be expected to yield net proceeds to us of $8.25 per share, resulting in incremental dilution of 5.0%, before we would reach the aggregate 15% limit. If we file a new post-effective amendment, the threshold would reset.
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The following three headings and accompanying tables explain and provide hypothetical examples assuming proceeds are temporarily invested in cash equivalents on the impact of an offering at a price less than NAV per share on three different sets of investors:
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existing stockholders who do not purchase any shares in the offering; |
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existing stockholders who purchase a relatively small amount of shares in the offering or a relatively large amount of shares in the offering; and |
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new investors who become stockholders by purchasing shares in the offering. |
Impact on Existing Stockholders who do not Participate in the Offering
Our existing stockholders who do not participate, or who are not given the opportunity to participate, in an offering below NAV per share or who do not buy additional shares in the secondary market at the same or lower price we obtain in the offering (after any underwriting discounts and commissions) face the greatest potential risks. All stockholders will experience an immediate decrease (often called dilution) in the NAV of the shares they hold. Stockholders who do not participate in the offering will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than stockholders who do participate in the offering. All stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects, to some degree, announced or potential increases and decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increase.
The following examples illustrate the level of NAV dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different hypothetical common stock offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.
The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $15.0 million in total assets and $5.0 million in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $10.0 million and $10.00, respectively. The table below illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Stockholder A of (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after any underwriting discounts and commissions (a 5% discount from NAV); (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after any underwriting discounts and commissions (a 10% discount from NAV); and (3) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $7.50 per share after any underwriting discounts and commissions (a 25% discount from NAV).
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Example 1
5% Offering
at 5% Discount |
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Example 2
10% Offering
at 10% Discount |
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Example 3
25% Offering
at 25% Discount |
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Prior to Sale
Below NAV |
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Following
Sale |
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%
Change |
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Following
Sale |
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%
Change |
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Following
Sale |
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%
Change |
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| Offering Price |
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| Price per share to public |
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$ |
10.00 |
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$ |
9.47 |
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$ |
7.89 |
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| Net offering proceeds per share to issuer |
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— |
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$ |
9.50 |
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$ |
9.00 |
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— |
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$ |
7.50 |
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| Decrease to NAV |
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| Total shares outstanding |
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1,000,000 |
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1,050,000 |
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5.00 |
% |
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1,100,000 |
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10.00 |
% |
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1,250,000 |
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25.00 |
% |
| NAV per share |
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$ |
10.00 |
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$ |
9.98 |
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(0.20 |
)% |
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$ |
9.91 |
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(0.90 |
)% |
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$ |
9.50 |
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(5.00 |
)% |
| Dilution to Stockholder A |
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| Shares held by stockholder A |
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10,000 |
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10,000 |
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10,000 |
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10,000 |
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| Percentage held by stockholder A |
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1.00 |
% |
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0.95 |
% |
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(5.00 |
)% |
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0.91 |
% |
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(9.00 |
)% |
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0.80 |
% |
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(20.00 |
)% |
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DISTRIBUTIONS
We intend to continue making quarterly distributions to our stockholders. The timing and amount of our quarterly distributions, if any, is determined by our board of directors. Any distributions to our stockholders are declared out of assets legally available for distribution. We monitor available net investment income to determine if a tax return of capital may occur for the fiscal year. To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for any given fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed to be a tax return of capital to our common stockholders.
Each year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to stockholders subject to information reporting that will state the amount and composition of distributions, and provided information with respect to appropriate tax treatment of our distributions.
The tax characteristics of distributions declared, in accordance with Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act, during the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 from ordinary income (including short-term gains), if any, totaled $32.2 million and $40.2 million, or $0.48 and $0.60 per share, respectively, based on the weighted average shares outstanding for the respective years.
We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend or other distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions.
We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions due to the asset coverage ratio for borrowings when applicable to us as a BDC under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in future credit facilities. If we do not distribute a certain minimum percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions or distributions at a particular level.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our Investment Adviser, which manages our day-to-day investment activities under the supervision of our board of directors, has seven experienced senior investment professionals. These senior investment professionals of the Investment Adviser have worked together for many years and average over 25 years of experience in the senior lending, mezzanine lending, leveraged finance, distressed debt and private equity businesses. In addition, our senior investment professionals have been involved in originating, structuring, negotiating, managing and monitoring investments in each of these businesses across changing economic and market cycles. We believe this experience and history has resulted in a strong reputation with financial sponsors, management teams, investment bankers, attorneys and accountants, which provides us with access to substantial investment opportunities across the capital markets. Below is a summary of their biographical information. Our senior investment professionals receive no compensation from us. The compensation of these individuals is paid by our Investment Adviser and compensation includes a base salary and a bonus contingent upon past and future performance.
Arthur H. Penn became the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of PennantPark Investment at its inception in 2007. Mr. Penn is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Managing Member of the Adviser and the Administrator. Mr. Penn co-founded Apollo Investment Management in 2004, where he was a Managing Partner from 2004 to 2006. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of Apollo Investment Corporation from its inception in 2004 to 2006, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of that company in 2006. Mr. Penn was formerly a Managing Partner of Apollo Value Fund L.P. (formerly Apollo Distressed Investment Fund, L.P.) from 2003 to 2006. From 2002 to 2003, prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Penn was a Managing Director of CDC-IXIS Capital Markets. Mr. Penn previously served as Global Head of Leveraged Finance at UBS Warburg LLC (now UBS Investment Bank) from 1999 through 2001. Prior to joining UBS Warburg, Mr. Penn was Global Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets for BT Securities and BT Alex Brown Incorporated from 1994 to 1999. In these capacities, Mr. Penn oversaw groups responsible for more than 200 high-yield and leveraged bank financings aggregating over $34 billion in capital raised. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Penn served as Head of High Yield Capital Markets at Lehman Brothers.
José A. Briones joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in December 2009. Previously, Mr. Briones was a Partner of Apollo Investment Management, L.P. and a member of its investment committee since 2006. He was a Managing Director with UBS Securities LLC in the Financial Sponsors and Leveraged Finance Group from 2001 to 2006. Prior to joining UBS he was a Vice President with JP Morgan in the Global Leveraged Finance Group from 1999 to 2001. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Briones was a Vice President at BT Securities and BT Alex Brown Inc. in the Corporate Finance Department.
Salvatore Giannetti III joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in February 2007. Previously, Mr. Giannetti was a Partner in the private equity firm Wilton Ivy Partners since 2004. He was a Managing Director at UBS Securities LLC in its Financial Sponsors and Leveraged Finance Group from 2000 to 2001. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Giannetti was a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Division at Deutsche Bank (joining BT Securities and BT Alex Brown Inc.). From 1986 to 1997, Mr. Giannetti worked in the Investment Banking, Syndicated Loan & Private Equity groups at Chase Securities Inc. and its predecessor firms, Chemical Securities and Manufacturers Hanover.
Ryan Raskopf joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in August 2007. Previously, Mr. Raskopf was an Analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC from 2005 to 2007.
Dan Horn joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in June 2015. Previously, Mr. Horn spent two and a half years at Loop Capital Markets in the Corporate Investment Banking Division based in Chicago from 2013 to 2015, two years in a similar role at boutique firm TTK Partners from 2011 to 2013, and 12 years at Deutsche Bank Securities and its predecessor firm, Bankers Trust, from 1991 to 2003. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of Unicous Marketing from 2005 to 2008, and served as Vice President of Finance at GDX Automotive in 2004.
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James Stone joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in July 2015. Previously, Mr. Stone was a Managing Director and Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage at Cowen and Company, which he joined in 2012. He has over 20 years of leveraged finance experience, including Managing Director positions at Gleacher & Company, Macquarie Capital, Imperial Capital, and Credit Suisse. Before joining Credit Suisse, he served as a Vice President in the Financial Sponsor Coverage Group at DLJ, as an Associate in the Corporate Finance Department at BT Securities, and was an Associate at BT Alex. Brown.
Steve Winograd joined PennantPark Investment Advisers in September 2015. Previously, Mr. Winograd spent 33 years in Investment Banking, Restructuring Advisory and Private Equity Investing. His Investment Banking experience includes 25 years originating and executing leveraged finance, M&A, and public and private equity transactions for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. During this period he held senior positions in the Financial Sponsors Groups of BMO Capital Markets from 2011 to 2015, Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2004 to 2011, Deutsche Bank from 2000 to 2004, Bear Stearns from 1994 to 2000, and Drexel Burnham Lambert from 1984 to 1989. He was also an associate for two years in the Corporate Finance Group of Shearson/American Express from 1982 to 1984. His Restructuring Advisory experience includes four years originating, negotiating and consummating restructuring advisory assignments at The Argosy Group from 1992 to 1994 and the Mercury Financial Group from 1990 to 1992. His Private Equity experience includes two years originating and closing control private equity investments as a General Partner of The Blackstone Group from 1989 to 1990. He is also currently a Director of Mspark, LLC and previously served as an Independent Director of Shopko Stores, Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, The Gymboree Corporation, and Linn Acquisition Company, LLC.
In addition to managing our investments, as of December 31, 2021, our portfolio managers also managed investments on behalf of the following entities:
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Entity |
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Investment Focus |
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Gross Assets
($ in millions) |
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| PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. |
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Business development company |
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Primarily floating rate loans, with an emphasis on senior secured loans, in middle-market leveraged companies. |
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$1,265 |
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| PennantPark Senior Secured Loan Fund I LLC |
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Joint Venture |
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Primarily floating rate loans, with an emphasis on senior secured loans, in middle-market leveraged companies. |
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$683 |
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| PennantPark Senior Loan Fund, LLC |
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Joint Venture |
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Primarily invests in middle-market and other corporate debt consistent with the Company’s strategy. |
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$445 |
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| Other Managed Funds |
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Direct Lending Funds |
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Other credit opportunities |
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$1,568 |
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The following table sets forth the dollar range of our common stock beneficially owned by each of our senior investment professionals as of December 31, 2021. Information as to the beneficial ownerships is based on information furnished to us by such persons. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
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Dollar Range of the
Common Stock of
PennantPark Investment
Corporation(1) |
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| Arthur H. Penn(2) |
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Over $1,000,000 |
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| José A. Briones |
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$500,001 - $1,000,000 |
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| Salvatore Giannetti III |
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$500,001 - $1,000,000 |
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| Ryan Raskopf |
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$500,001 - $1,000,000 |
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| Dan Horn |
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$100,001 - $ 500,000 |
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| James Stone |
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$ 1 - $ 10,000 |
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| Steve Winograd |
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$ 50,001 - $ 100,000 |
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Dollar ranges are as follows: None; $1-$10,000; $10,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000; $100,001-$500,000; $500,001-$1,000,000; or over $1,000,000. Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act. |
| (2) |
Also reflects holdings of PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC. |
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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.
As a BDC, we generally invest in illiquid securities including debt and equity investments of middle-market companies.
We expect that there may not be readily available market values for many of the investments, which are or will be in our portfolio, and we value such investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process, as described herein. With respect to investments for which there is no readily available market value, the factors that the board of directors may take into account in pricing our investments at fair value include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate or revise our valuation. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the price used in an actual transaction may be different than our valuation and the differences may be material. Our investments are generally structured as debt and equity investments in the form of first lien secured debt, second lien secured debt, subordinated debt and equity investments. The transaction price, excluding transaction costs, is typically the best estimate of fair value at inception. Ongoing reviews by our Investment Adviser and independent valuation firms are based on an assessment of each underlying investment, incorporating valuations that consider the evaluation of financing and sale transactions with third parties, expected cash flows and market-based information including comparable transactions, performance multiples and yields, among other factors. These non-public investments using unobservable inputs are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as described below. Our portfolio generally consists of illiquid securities, including debt and equity investments. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which market quotations are deemed not reflective of the fair value, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
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Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of our Investment Adviser responsible for the portfolio investment; |
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Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the management of our Investment Adviser; |
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Our board of directors also engages independent valuation firms to conduct independent appraisals of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of the investment. The independent valuation firms review management’s preliminary valuations in light of their own independent assessment and also in light of any market quotations obtained from an independent pricing service, broker, dealer or market maker; |
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The audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuations of our Investment Adviser and those of the independent valuation firms on a quarterly basis, periodically assesses the valuation methodologies of the independent valuation firms, and responds to and supplements the valuation recommendations of the independent valuation firms to reflect any comments; and |
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Our board of directors discusses these valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of our Investment Adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee. |
Our board of directors generally uses market quotations to assess the value of our investments for which market quotations are readily available. We obtain these market values from independent pricing services or at
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the bid prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers, if available, or otherwise from a principal market maker or a primary market dealer. The Investment Adviser assesses the source and reliability of bids from brokers or dealers. If the board of directors has a bona fide reason to believe any such market quote does not reflect the fair value of an investment, it may independently value such investments by using the valuation procedure that it uses with respect to assets for which market quotations are not readily available.
To the extent we invest in derivative instruments in the future, such instruments would be valued in accordance with our valuation policy.
Fair value, as defined under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820, is the price that we would receive upon selling an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction to a market participant in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 emphasizes that valuation techniques maximize the use of observable market inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available to us on the reporting period date.
ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure these fair values into the following hierarchies:
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Inputs that are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, accessible by us at the measurement date. |
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| Level 2: |
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Inputs that are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or that are quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term, if applicable, of the financial instrument. |
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| Level 3: |
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Inputs that are unobservable for an asset or liability because they are based on our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability. |
A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Generally, most of our investments, our Truist Credit Facility and our SBA debentures are classified as Level 3. Our 2026 Notes and our 2026 Notes-2 are classified as Level 2 as they are financial instruments with readily observable market inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the price used in an actual transaction may be different than our valuation and those differences may be material.
The SEC recently adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act which established requirements for determining fair value in good faith purposes of the 1940 Act. We will comply with the requirement of the rule before the required compliance date in 2022.
Determinations In Connection With Offerings
In connection with each offering of shares of our common stock, our board of directors or a committee thereof is required to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made or otherwise in violation of the 1940 Act unless we receive the consent of the majority of our common stockholders to do so, and the board of directors decides that such an offering is in the best interests of our common stockholders. Our board of directors will consider the following factors, among others, in making such determination:
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the NAV of our common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC; |
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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not ‘opted out’ of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.
No action is required on the part of registered stockholders to have their cash dividend or other distribution reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends or other distributions in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received in writing not less than 10 days prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share.
Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends and other distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.
Generally, we intend to issue new shares to implement the plan, when our shares are trading at a premium to our NAV per share. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on The New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date for such distribution. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on The New York Stock Exchange or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the dividend or other distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.
Except as described below, the plan administrator’s fees will be paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 per share brokerage commissions from the proceeds. Additionally, there are brokerage commissions, currently $0.03 per share, incurred in connection with open market purchases.
Stockholders who receive dividends and other distributions in the form of stock are generally subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a dividend or other distribution from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend or other distribution will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.
Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator via its website at www.amstock.com or by filling out the transaction request form located at bottom of their statement and sending it to the plan administrator.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.
Capital Stock
As of March 31, 2022, our authorized capital stock consisted of 100,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which is classified as common stock. Our common stock is quoted on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PNNT.” There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.
The last reported closing market price of our common stock on April 19, 2022 was $7.95 per share. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6 stockholders of record.
The following are our outstanding classes of securities as of March 31, 2022:
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| Title of Class |
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Amount
Authorized |
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Amount
Outstanding |
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| Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share |
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100,000,000 |
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— |
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66,131,651 |
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Under our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that the board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.
Common Stock
All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of PennantPark Investment, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate
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dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to obligate us to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust employee benefit plan, or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
In addition to the indemnification provided for in our charter and bylaws, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and certain of our officers that provide for the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
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Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our Charter and Bylaws
The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.
Classified board of directors
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, and in each case, those directors will serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their current terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and each year one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.
Election of directors
Our charter and bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors will be required to elect a director. Pursuant to the charter, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.
Number of directors; vacancies; removal
Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than four nor more than eight. We have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Action by stockholders
Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting (unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous consent, which our charter does not). These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.
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Advance notice provisions for stockholder nominations and stockholder proposals
Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purposes of electing directors by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.
Calling of special meetings of stockholders
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
Approval of extraordinary corporate action; amendment of charter and bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter also provides that certain charter amendments and any proposal for our conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company or any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The “continuing directors” are defined in our charter as our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on the board of directors.
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Our charter and bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.
No appraisal rights
Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Control Share Acquisition Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
Control share acquisitions
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
The Control Share Acquisition Act provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may repurchase for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to repurchase control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the 1940 Act. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved or, if no such meeting is held, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
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The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Business combinations
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
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any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or |
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an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Conflict with 1940 Act
Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The 1940 Act generally requires that (1) immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 662/3% of our total assets less liabilities not represented by indebtedness, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if distributions on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions.
For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:
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the designation and number of shares of such series; |
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the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and participating or non-participating; |
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any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such series; |
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the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; |
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the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series; |
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any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series; |
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any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such series are outstanding; |
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any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities; |
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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
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any other relative power, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. |
All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which cumulative dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative. If we issue shares of preferred stock, holders of such preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends at an annual rate that will be fixed or will vary for the successive dividend periods for each series. In general, the dividend periods for fixed rate preferred stock can range from quarterly to weekly and are subject to extension. We expect the dividend rate to be variable and determined for each dividend period.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
In October 2021, we issued $165.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Notes-2 at a public offering price per note of 99.436%. Interest on the 2026 Notes is paid semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, at a rate of 4.00% per year, commencing May 1, 2022. The 2026 Notes-2 mature on November 1, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option subject to a make-whole premium if redeemed more than three months prior to maturity. The 2026 Notes-2 are general, unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The 2026 Notes-2 are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities. We do not intend to list the 2026 Notes-2 on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system.
In April 2021, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Notes at a public offering price per note of 99.4%. Interest on the 2026 Notes is paid semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, at a rate of 4.50% per year, commencing November 1, 2021. The 2026 Notes mature on May 1, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option subject to a make-whole premium if redeemed more than three months prior to maturity. The 2026 Notes are general, unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The 2026 Notes are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities. We do not intend to list the 2026 Notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system.
We may issue additional debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each additional series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered in the United States, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, see “Description of our Debt Securities—Events of Default” for more information. Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us, such as sending interest and principal payments to holders.
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest, you will need to read the indenture. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.
A prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered by including:
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the designation or title of the series of debt securities; |
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the total principal amount of the series of debt securities and whether or not the offering may be reopened for additional securities of that series and on what terms; |
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the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered; |
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For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
The indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “Description of our Debt Securities—Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.
A prospectus supplement will contain information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
If any debt securities are convertible into shares of our common stock, the exercise price for such conversion will not be less than the NAV per share at the time of issuance of such debt securities (unless the majority of our board of directors determines that a lower exercise price is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, a majority of our stockholders (including stockholders who are not affiliated persons of us) have approved an issuance of common stock below the then current NAV per share in the 12 months preceding the issuance and the exercise price closely approximates the market value of our common stock at the time the debt securities are issued).
Conversion and Exchange
If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.
Issuance of Securities in Registered Form
We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.
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We also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered form as bearer securities if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the prospectus supplement will set forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities for registered securities of the same series, and for receiving notices. The prospectus supplement will also describe the requirements with respect to our maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. federal tax law requirements.
Book-Entry Holders
We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.
Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.
As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
Street Name Holders
In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor holds a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.
For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities, and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.
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For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.
When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:
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how it handles securities payments and notices; |
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whether it imposes fees or charges; |
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how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required; |
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whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities; |
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how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and |
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if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
Global Securities
As noted above, we expect that we will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Description of our Debt Securities—Global Securities—Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
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The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:
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if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security, and we are unable to appoint another institution to act as depositary; |
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if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or |
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if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived; we discuss defaults later under “Description of our Debt Securities—Events of Default.” |
The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
Payments on Global Securities
We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “Description of our Debt Securities—Global Securities.”
Payments on Certificated Securities
We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee in New York, New York and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.
Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in the City of New York, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.
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Payment When Offices Are Closed
If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the attached prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.
Events of Default
You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.
The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:
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we do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date; |
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we do not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date; |
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we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date; |
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we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the series; |
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we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and |
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any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement occurs, including certain defaults by any of our significant subsidiaries. |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs
If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if the default is cured or waived and certain other conditions are satisfied.
Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.
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Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:
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you must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured; |
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the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; |
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the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity; and |
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the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period. |
However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.
Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.
Waiver of Default
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all the relevant series of debt securities. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a holder’s debt security, however, without the holder’s approval.
Merger or Consolidation
Under the terms of the indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:
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where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities; |
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alternatively, we must be the surviving company; |
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immediately after the transaction no event of default will exist; |
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we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and |
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we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities. |
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.
Changes Requiring Your Approval
First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security; |
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for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement; and |
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for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent. |
Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “Description of our Debt Securities—Defeasance—Full Defeasance.” We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.
Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.
Defeasance
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
Covenant Defeasance
Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “Description of our Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
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if the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates; and |
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we may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. |
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
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Full Defeasance
If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
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if the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates; |
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we may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit; and |
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we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate certifying compliance with all conditions precedent to defeasance. |
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Description of our Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination.”
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities
If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:
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only in fully registered certificated form; |
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without interest coupons; and |
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unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are multiples of $1,000. |
Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
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If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.
If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.
Resignation of Trustee
Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
Indenture Provisions—Subordination
Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.
Senior Indebtedness is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:
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our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and |
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renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness. |
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The prospectus supplement will describe:
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the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately; |
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a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
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a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and |
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whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
If a unit includes a share of common stock, the public offering price for the unit will reflect a price per share of common stock that equals or exceeds our then current NAV per share, unless the requirements of Section 63 of the 1940 Act have been satisfied. Section 63 permits us to sell shares of common stock below our then current NAV per share if: (1) the majority of our board of directors approves the offering as being in the best interests of us and our stockholders, (2) a majority of our stockholders (including a majority of our stockholders who are not affiliated persons of us) have approved the issuance of common stock below the then current NAV per share in the 12 months preceding the offering and (3) the offering price closely approximates the market value of the common stock. If the requirements of Section 63 of the 1940 Act are met, the price per share of common stock included in a unit may be below the Company’s then current NAV per share. See “Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value” for more information.
Units may also include warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in the future. We may generally only offer such warrants if (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (2) the exercise price is not less than the market value of our common stock at the date of issuance, (3) the exercise prices is not less than the then current NAV per share of our common stock (unless the Section 63 requirements are met), (4) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our stockholders and (5) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them have been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.
Units may also include subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock. We will not offer transferable subscription rights in a unit providing for subscription at a price below the then current NAV per share of common stock, excluding underwriting commissions, unless we first file a post-effective amendment that is declared effective by the SEC with respect to such issuance and the common stock to be purchased in connection with the rights represents no more than one-third of our outstanding common stock at the time such rights are issued.
Units may also include debt securities. If such debt securities are convertible into shares of our common stock, the exercise price for such conversion will not be less than the NAV per share of our common stock at the time of issuance of the unit (unless the Section 63 requirements are met).
The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depositary arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the applicable agreements, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our common stock. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to an investment in any of our securities. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons that have a functional currency (as such term is defined in the Code) other than the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (as such term is defined in the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the IRS regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.
A “U.S. stockholder” generally is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
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a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or |
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a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
A “Non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is neither a U.S. stockholder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective stockholder that is a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.
Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.
Taxation in Connection with Holding Securities other than our Common Stock
We intend to describe in any prospectus supplement related to the offering of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or rights offerings to purchase our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such securities as will be sold by us pursuant to that supplement, including the taxation of any debt securities that will be sold at an OID or acquired with market discount or amortizable bond premium and the tax treatment of sales, exchanges or retirements of our debt securities. In addition, we may describe in the applicable
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prospectus supplement the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of our debt securities who are not “U.S. persons.”
Election to be Taxed as a RIC
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually to maintain our election to be treated, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our RIC tax election, we must, among other requirements, meet certain annual source-of-income and quarterly asset diversification requirements (as described below). We also must annually distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to our stockholders of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, or investment company taxable income, and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, out of the assets legally available for distribution, or the Annual Distribution Requirement.
In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must:
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maintain an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year; |
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derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain qualified publicly traded partnerships or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities, or the 90% Income Test; and |
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diversify our holdings, or the Diversification Tests, so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
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at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer neither represents more than 5% of the value of our assets nor more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and |
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no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or in certain qualified publicly traded partnerships. |
Although not required for us to maintain our RIC tax status, in order to preclude the imposition of a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax imposed on RICs, we must distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to our stockholders in respect of each calendar year of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (subject to certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income (i.e., the excess, if any, of our capital gains over capital losses), adjusted for certain ordinary losses, generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year plus (3) any net ordinary income or capital gain net income for the preceding years that was not distributed during such years on which we did not incur any corporate income tax, or the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.” In addition, although we may distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions in the manner described above, we have retained and may continue to retain such net capital gains or investment company taxable income, subject to maintaining our ability to be treated as a RIC, in order to provide us with additional liquidity.
While we intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to avoid incurring any material U.S. federal excise tax on our earnings, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we generally will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. Under certain circumstances, however, we may, in our sole discretion, determine that it is in our best interests to retain a portion of our income
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or capital gains rather than distribute such amount as dividends and accordingly cause us to bear the excise tax burden associated therewith.
We may invest in partnerships which may result in our being subject to additional state, local or foreign income, franchise or other tax liabilities. In addition, some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to mitigate the risk that such income and fees would disqualify us as a RIC as a result of a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may recognize such income and fees indirectly through the Taxable Subsidiary, which is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Taxable Subsidiary generally will be subject to corporate income taxes on its earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.
Taxation as a RIC
If we qualify as a RIC, and satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, then we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gains, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, we distribute (or are deemed to have distributed) as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to stockholders. Additionally, upon satisfying these requirements, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any investment company taxable income or net capital gains determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, that is not distributed (or deemed to have been distributed) as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to our stockholders.
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold a debt instrument that is treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each taxable year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the debt instrument, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any OID accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income in the taxable year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.
We invest in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when we may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless debt instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt instruments in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. We will address these and other issues to the extent necessary in order to continue to maintain our qualification to be subject to tax as a RIC.
In order to enable us to make distributions to stockholders that will be sufficient to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement we may need to liquidate or sell some of our assets at times or at prices that are not advantageous, raise additional equity or debt capital, take out loans, forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business). If we borrow money, we may be prevented by loan covenants from declaring and paying dividends in certain circumstances. Even if we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements, under the 1940 Act, we are generally not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests or other financial covenants are met. Limits on our payment of dividends may prevent us from meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement, and may, therefore, jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a RIC, or subject us to the 4% excise tax on undistributed income.
A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulty that requires us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such restructuring could, depending on the
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specific terms of the restructuring, cause us to recognize taxable income without a corresponding receipt of cash, which could affect our ability to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, or result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such restructuring could also result in our receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying gross income for purposes of the 90% Income Test.
Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (a) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (b) convert long-term capital gain (currently taxed at lower rates for non-corporate taxpayers) into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (c) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (d) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (e) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions, (f) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non- qualified dividend income, (g) cause us to recognize income or gain without receipt of a corresponding cash payment, and (h) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effects of these provisions; however, no assurance can be given that we will be eligible for any such tax elections or that any elections we make will fully mitigate the effects of these provisions.
Gain or loss realized by us from equity securities and warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants, generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held the particular equity security or warrant.
We are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy our Annual Distribution Requirement or Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt instruments and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain asset coverage requirements are met. Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
We may distribute our common stock as a dividend of our taxable income and a stockholder could receive a portion of such distributions declared and distributed by us in shares of our common stock with the remaining amount in cash. A stockholder will be considered to have recognized dividend income generally equal to the fair market value of the stock paid by us plus cash received with respect to such dividend. The total dividend declared and distributed by us generally would be taxable income to a stockholder even though only a small portion of the dividend was paid in cash to pay any taxes due on the total dividend. We have not yet elected to distribute stock as a dividend but reserve the right to do so.
Our investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. income, withholding and other taxes. In that case, our yield on those securities would be decreased. Stockholders will generally not be entitled to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to non-U.S. taxes paid by us. If we acquire shares in a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” received on, or gain from the disposition of, such shares, even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by us to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Furthermore, if we shares in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund, or “QEF,” under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to us. Alternatively, we may elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in such PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it does not exceed prior
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increases included in income. Our ability to make either election will depend on factors beyond our control, and we are subject to restrictions that may limit the availability or benefit of these elections. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in any year income in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether we satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.
If we are deemed to own ten percent (10%) or more (by vote or value) of the stock of a non-U.S. corporation that qualifies as a “controlled foreign corporation,” or “CFC,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would be required to include in income the amount of the CFC’s “Subpart F income” to which it would have been entitled had the CFC currently distributed all of its earnings. Additionally, all or any part of any gain resulting from the sale or exchange of stock of the CFC could be treated as a dividend. For this purpose, a non-U.S. corporation is generally considered a CFC if more than 50% of the corporation’s stock (by vote or value) is owned, directly or indirectly or through application of certain constructive ownership rules, by U.S. persons who each own, directly or indirectly or constructively, 10% or more (by vote or value) of the non-U.S. corporation’s voting stock, or a “U.S. Shareholder.” If we are treated as receiving a deemed inclusion of income from a CFC, we would be required to include such distribution in our investment company taxable income regardless of whether we receive any distributions from such CFC, and we would be required to include such deemed inclusion of income in determining our satisfaction of the Annual Distribution Requirement and the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.
The PFIC rules would not apply to us with respect to any investment for any period during which the CFC rules were applicable to such investment. Furthermore, in determining the amount of any deemed inclusion of income from any CFC, we are required to include in gross income each taxable year our share of any “global intangible low-taxed income,” or “GILTI.” Rules relating to GILTI and CFCs are complex. As such, shareholders should consult their own tax advisors about the applicability and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the CFC rules to their investment in our shares, including the potential impact of rules governing the inclusion of Subpart F income and the related GILTI rules.
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such income or pay such expenses or liabilities may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts, the disposition of debt denominated in a foreign currency and other financial transactions denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, may also be treated as ordinary income or loss. Some of the income and fees that we recognize, may not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may be required to recognize such income or fees through one or more entities treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as the Taxable Subsidiary. While we expect that recognizing such income through such corporations will assist us in satisfying the 90% Income Test, no assurance can be given that this structure will be respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in such income not being counted towards satisfying the 90% Income Test. If the amount of such income were too great and we were otherwise unable to mitigate this effect, it could result in our disqualification as a RIC. If, as we expect, the structure is respected, such corporations will be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield on such income and fees.
We are limited in our ability to deduct expenses in excess of our investment company taxable income. If our expenses in a given year exceed our investment company taxable income, we will have a net operating loss for that year. However, we are not permitted to carry forward our net operating losses to subsequent years, so these net operating losses generally will not pass through to our stockholders. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, and may not be used to offset net capital gain. As a RIC, we may not
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use any net capital losses (that is, realized capital losses in excess of realized capital gains) to offset our investment company taxable income, but may carry forward those losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. Further, our deduction of net business interest expense is generally limited to 30% of our “adjusted taxable income” plus “floor plan financing interest expense.”
Failure to Qualify as a RIC
If we fail to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, unless certain cure provisions of the Code apply, we will be subject to tax in that taxable year on all of our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates, regardless of whether we make any dividend distributions to our stockholders. In that case, all of our income will be subject to corporate-level federal income tax, reducing the amount available to be distributed to our stockholders. In contrast, assuming we qualify as a RIC, our corporate-level federal income tax should be substantially reduced or eliminated. See “Election to be Taxed as a RIC” above for more information.
If we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC, we also would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would distributions be required to be made. Distributions would generally be taxable as dividends to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. non-corporate stockholders generally would be eligible to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which generally would be subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax, and dividends paid by us to certain U.S. corporate stockholders would be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis in our common stock, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. Moreover, if we fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, to qualify again to be treated as a RIC for federal income tax purposes in a subsequent taxable year, we would be required to distribute our earnings and profits attributable to any of our non-RIC taxable years as dividends to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two consecutive taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (that is, the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had sold the property at fair market value at the end of the taxable year) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five taxable years.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.
Taxation of U.S. Stockholders
Distributions by us, including distributions pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or where stockholders can elect to receive cash or stock, generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, our ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. We have the ability to declare and pay a large portion of any distribution qualifying as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes in shares of our stock. The IRS has promulgated guidance for publicly offered RICs stating that as long as at least 20% (10% of distributions declared on or before June 30, 2022) of the dividends are paid in cash and if certain other requirements are met, stockholders will be subject to tax on 100% of such dividends in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividends were paid in shares of common stock.
To the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, properly designated
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by us as “qualified dividend income,” such distributions generally will be eligible for a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate, if certain holding period requirements are satisfied. However, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us generally will not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the preferential rates applicable to qualified dividends or the dividends received deduction available to corporations under the Code. A corporate U.S. stockholder may be required to reduce its basis in our common stock with respect to certain “extraordinary dividends,” as defined in Section 1059 of the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors in determining the application of these rules in their particular circumstances.
Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short- term capital losses) properly designated by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains at a reduced rate in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period in such common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder. Distributions out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be eligible for the 20% pass through deduction under Section 199A of the Code.
Although we currently intend to distribute any long-term capital gains as capital gain dividends at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our long-term capital gains, but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will be subject to tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution of net capital gains in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. The amount of the deemed distribution of net capital gains net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for his, her or its common stock. Since we expect to be subject to tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rates, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit generally will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a stockholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. A stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to use the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”
For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain distributions paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any distribution declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.
If an investor purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it represents a return of his, her or its investment.
A stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our common stock. Any gain or loss arising from such sale or disposition generally will
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be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain distributions received or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.
In general, individual U.S. stockholders currently are subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 20% (depending on whether the stockholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum rate of 21%, and this rate also applies to ordinary income. Non-corporate stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carryback such losses for three taxable years or carry forward such losses for five taxable years.
A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from us and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of our shares) of U.S. individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a U.S. Stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to either our preferred stock or common stock of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. Stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. stockholder in any single taxable year, such stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on an IRS Form 8886. Direct U.S. Stockholders of certain “portfolio securities” in many cases are excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, equity owners of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these U.S. Treasury regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. U.S. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
We (or if a U.S. Stockholder holds our shares through an intermediary, such intermediary) will provide information to our U.S. stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for the preferential rate). Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.
The Code requires reporting of adjusted cost basis information for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Stockholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.
A U.S. stockholder (other than an “exempt recipient,” including a “C” corporation and certain other persons who, when required, demonstrate their exempt status) may be subject to federal income tax withholding (“backup
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withholding”) at the applicable rate from all taxable distributions to any U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies a withholding agent that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and distribution income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s federal income tax liability and may entitle such stockholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a Non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in our common stock.
Subject to the discussions below, distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. stockholders (including interest income and net short-term capital gain) are generally expected to be subject to withholding of U.S. federal taxes at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph.
In addition, with respect to certain distributions made by RICs to Non-U.S. Stockholders, no withholding is required and the distributions generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) the distributions are properly designated in a notice timely delivered to our stockholders as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the distributions are derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements are satisfied. Nevertheless, it should be noted that in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we designated the payment as an interest-related dividend or as a short-term capital gain dividend. Moreover, depending on the circumstances, we may designate all, some or none of our potentially eligible dividends as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.
Actual or deemed distributions of our net long-term capital gains to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to federal income tax unless, (i) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual stockholder, the stockholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the distributions or gains and certain other conditions are met.
We are required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Stockholders may be requested to provide additional information to the withholding agents to enable the withholding agents to determine whether withholding is required. A non-U.S. stockholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the non-U.S. stockholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
73
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities in any of three ways (or in any combination): (a) through underwriters or dealers; (b) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (c) through agents. The securities may also be sold “at-the-market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market for the securities, on an exchange or otherwise. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:
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the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; |
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the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
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any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
Any offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may offer our shares of common stock in a public offering at-the-market to a select group of investors, in which case a stockholder may not be able to participate in such offering and a stockholder will experience dilution unless the stockholder purchases additional shares of our common stock in the secondary market at the same or lower price.
If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.
In compliance with the guidelines of FINRA, the maximum compensation to the underwriters or dealers in connection with the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus may not exceed 10% of the aggregate offering price of the securities as set forth on the cover page of the supplement to this prospectus.
We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for soliciting these contracts.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
75
SUB-ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND TRUSTEE
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon, provides administrative and accounting services to us under a sub-administration and accounting services agreement. The Bank of New York Mellon provides custodian services to us pursuant to a custodian services agreement. AST serves as trustee under our 2026 Notes and 2026 Notes-2. The principal business address of The Bank of New York Mellon is 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC acts as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is 6201 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11219, telephone number: (800) 937-5449.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Washington, D.C., and by Venable LLP, as special Maryland counsel. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for underwriters, if any, by the counsel named in the prospectus supplement, if any.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The consolidated financial statements of PennantPark Investment Corporation as of September 30, 2021 and 2020 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2021 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the PennantPark Investment Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The senior securities table of the Company included in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement has been included in reliance upon the report of RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report filed as exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The consolidated financial statements of RAM Energy Holdings LLC as of and for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent auditor, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of PT Network Intermediate Holdings, LLC as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, an independent auditor, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. Pursuant to the Small Business Credit Availability Act, or SBCAA, we are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus from the date we file that document.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until all of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities,
77
N-2
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Jun. 04, 2024
USD ($)
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| Cover [Abstract] |
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| Entity Central Index Key |
0001383414
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| Amendment Flag |
false
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| Document Type |
424B2
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| Entity Registrant Name |
PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT CORPORATION
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| Fee Table [Abstract] |
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| Shareholder Transaction Expenses [Table Text Block] |
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Stockholder transaction expenses |
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Sales load (as a percentage of offering price) |
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2.00 |
% (1) |
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price) Dividend reinvestment plan expenses |
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0.25
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% (2)
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Total stockholder expenses (as a percentage of offering price) |
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2.25 |
% |
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Represents the maximum sales agents’ commission with respect to the shares of our common stock sold by us in this offering. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. |
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The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses payable by us of approximately $250,000 for the estimated duration of this offering. |
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The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other expenses.” |
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| Sales Load [Percent] |
2.00%
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[1] |
| Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Fees |
$ 0
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[2] |
| Other Transaction Expenses [Abstract] |
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| Other Transaction Expenses [Percent] |
0.25%
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[3] |
| Annual Expenses [Table Text Block] |
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Estimated annual expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common shares) (4) |
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Management fees |
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3.30 |
% (5) |
Incentive fees |
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2.41 |
% (6) |
Interest on borrowed funds |
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9.47 |
% (7) |
Acquired fund fees and expenses |
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10.84 |
% (8) |
Other expenses |
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2.16 |
% (9) |
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Total estimated annual expenses |
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28.18 |
% (10) |
| (4) |
Net assets attributable to common shares equals average net assets as of March 31, 2024. |
| (5) |
The contractual management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of our average adjusted gross assets up to 200% of the Company’s total net assets as of the immediately preceding quarter-end and 1.00% for amounts that exceed such amount as of the immediately preceding quarter-end. |
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The portion of incentive fees paid with respect to net investment income and capital gains, if any, is based on actual amounts incurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. Such incentive fees are based on performance, vary from period to period and are not paid unless our performance exceeds specified thresholds. Incentive fees in respect of net investment income do not include incentive fees in respect of net capital gains. The portion of our incentive fee paid in respect of net capital gains is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement, as of the termination date) and equals 17.5 % of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. For purposes of this chart and our Consolidated Financial Statements, our incentive fees on capital gains are calculated in accordance with GAAP. As we cannot predict our future net investment income or capital gains, the incentive fee paid in future periods, if any, may be substantially different than the fee earned during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024. For more detailed information about the incentive fee, please see “Item 1. Business—Investment Management Agreement” and “Item 1. Business—Investment Advisory Fees” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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As of March 31, 2024, we had $78.5 million of unused borrowing capacity, subject to maintenance of the applicable total assets to debt ratio, under the 1940 Act. As of such date, we had $396.5 million in |
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borrowings outstanding under the Truist Credit Facility, $150.0 million in aggregate principal of 2026 Notes and $165.0 million in aggregate principal of 2026 Notes-2. We may use proceeds of this offering, if any, to repay outstanding obligations under our existing financing arrangements or other indebtedness. We intend to re-borrow under our Truist Credit Facility to finance our investment objectives. We have estimated the annual interest expense on borrowed funds and we caution you that our actual interest expense will depend on prevailing interest rates and our rate of borrowing, which may be substantially higher than the estimate provided in this table. |
| (8) |
Our stockholders indirectly bear 60.5% of the expenses of our investment in PSLF. No management fee is charged by PennantPark Investment Advisers in connection with PSLF. PSLF pays the Administrator an annual fee of 0.25% of average gross assets under management. For this chart, PSLF fees and operating expenses are based on our share of the actual fees and operating expenses of PSLF for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. Expenses for PSLF may fluctuate over time and may be substantially higher or lower in the future. | Our stockholders indirectly bear 23.1% of the expenses of our investment in PTSF II. A management fee equal to 0.50% per annum of the gross assets of PTSF II and its subsidiaries is charged by PennantPark Investment Advisers in connection with PTSF II. For this chart, PTSF II fees and operating expenses are based on our share of the actual fees and operating expenses of PTSF II for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. Expenses for PTSF II may fluctuate over time and may be substantially higher or lower in the future.
| (9) |
“Other expenses” includes our general and administrative expenses, professional fees, directors’ fees, insurance costs, taxes, expenses of our dividend reinvestment plan and the expenses of the Investment Adviser reimbursable under our Investment Management Agreement and of the Administrator reimbursable under our Administration Agreement. Such expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year based on actual other expenses for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. |
| (10) |
“Total estimated annual expenses” as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common shares, to the extent we borrow money to make investments, are higher than the total estimated annual expenses percentage would be for a company that is not leveraged. We may borrow money to leverage our net assets and increase our total assets. The SEC requires that the “total estimated annual expenses” percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness) rather than total assets, which include assets that have been funded with borrowed money. If the “Total estimated annual expenses” percentage were calculated instead as a percentage of total assets, our “Total estimated annual expenses” would be 11.1% of average total assets. |
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| Management Fees [Percent] |
3.30%
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[4],[5] |
| Interest Expenses on Borrowings [Percent] |
9.47%
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[4],[6] |
| Incentive Fees [Percent] |
2.41%
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[4],[7] |
| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses [Percent] |
10.84%
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[4],[8] |
| Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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| Other Annual Expenses [Percent] |
2.16%
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[4],[9] |
| Total Annual Expenses [Percent] |
28.18%
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[4],[10] |
| Expense Example [Table Text Block] |
The following example illustrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 hypothetical investment in common shares, assuming (1) a 2.0% sales load (the maximum commission to be paid by us with respect to common stock sold by us in this offering) and offering expenses totaling 0.25%, (2) total net estimated annual expenses of 25.77% of average net assets attributable to common shares as set forth in the table above (other than performance-based incentive fees) and (3) a 5.0% annual return.
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You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes no return from net realized capital gains or net unrealized capital appreciation) |
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248 |
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569 |
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770 |
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$ |
1,003 |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes return only from realized capital gains and thus subject to the capital gains incentive fee) |
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256 |
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581 |
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$ |
780 |
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$ |
1,002 |
| This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. The table above is provided to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. If we were to earn an annual return equal to or less than 5.0% from net investment income, the incentive fee under our Investment Management Agreement would not be earned or payable. If our returns on our investments, including the realized capital gains, result in an incentive fee, then our expenses would be higher. The example assumes that all distributions are reinvested at NAV. See “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Distributions” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
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| Purpose of Fee Table , Note [Text Block] |
The following table will assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. However, we caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary from actual results. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus supplement contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you” or “us” or that “we” will pay, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in us.
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| Basis of Transaction Fees, Note [Text Block] |
as a percentage of offering price
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| Other Expenses, Note [Text Block] |
“Other expenses” includes our general and administrative expenses, professional fees, directors’ fees, insurance costs, taxes, expenses of our dividend reinvestment plan and the expenses of the Investment Adviser reimbursable under our Investment Management Agreement and of the Administrator reimbursable under our Administration Agreement. Such expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year based on actual other expenses for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year.
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| Management Fee not based on Net Assets, Note [Text Block] |
The contractual management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of our average adjusted gross assets up to 200% of the Company’s total net assets as of the immediately preceding quarter-end and 1.00% for amounts that exceed such amount as of the immediately preceding quarter-end.
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| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Note [Text Block] |
| (8) |
Our stockholders indirectly bear 60.5% of the expenses of our investment in PSLF. No management fee is charged by PennantPark Investment Advisers in connection with PSLF. PSLF pays the Administrator an annual fee of 0.25% of average gross assets under management. For this chart, PSLF fees and operating expenses are based on our share of the actual fees and operating expenses of PSLF for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. Expenses for PSLF may fluctuate over time and may be substantially higher or lower in the future. | Our stockholders indirectly bear 23.1% of the expenses of our investment in PTSF II. A management fee equal to 0.50% per annum of the gross assets of PTSF II and its subsidiaries is charged by PennantPark Investment Advisers in connection with PTSF II. For this chart, PTSF II fees and operating expenses are based on our share of the actual fees and operating expenses of PTSF II for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, annualized for a full year. Expenses for PTSF II may fluctuate over time and may be substantially higher or lower in the future.
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| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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| Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] |
Our Investment Adviser and Administrator We utilize the investing experience and contacts of PennantPark Investment Advisers in developing what we believe is an attractive and diversified portfolio. The senior investment professionals of the Investment Adviser have worked together for many years and average over 25 years of experience in the senior lending, mezzanine lending, leveraged finance, distressed debt and private equity businesses. In addition, our senior investment professionals have been involved in originating, structuring, negotiating, managing and monitoring investments in middle-market companies across changing economic and market cycles. We believe this experience and history have resulted in a reputation as a respected partner to financial sponsors, management teams, investment bankers, attorneys and accountants, which provides us with access to substantial investment opportunities across the capital markets. Our Investment Adviser has a rigorous investment approach, which is based upon intensive financial analysis with a focus on capital preservation, diversification and active management. Since our Investment Adviser’s inception in 2007, it has invested through its managed funds $20.3 billion in 674 companies with more than 200 different financial sponsors through its managed funds, which includes investments by the Company totaling $8.0 billion in 351 companies. Our Administrator has experienced professionals with substantial backgrounds in finance and administration of registered investment companies. In addition to furnishing us with clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services, the Administrator also oversees our financial records as well as the preparation of our reports to stockholders and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The Administrator assists in the determination and publication of our net asset value, or NAV, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns, and monitors the payment of our expenses as well as the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Furthermore, our Administrator offers, on our behalf, significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to offer such assistance. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure-There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could impact our investment returns” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. |
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| Risk Factors [Table Text Block] |
Investing in our shares of our common stock may be speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with this offering and under similar headings in the documents that we file with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The risks described in these documents are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
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| Assumes No Return From Net Realized Capital Gains Or Net Unrealized Capital Appreciation [Member] |
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| Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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| Expense Example, Year 01 |
$ 248
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 3 |
569
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 5 |
770
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 10 |
1,003
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| Assumes Return Only From Realized Capital Gains And Thus Subject To The Capital Gains Incentive Fee [Member] |
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| Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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| Expense Example, Year 01 |
256
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 3 |
581
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 5 |
780
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| Expense Example, Years 1 to 10 |
$ 1,002
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| Common Shares [Member] |
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| Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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| Basis of Transaction Fees, Note [Text Block] |
as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common shares
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