Advanced Flower Capital Inc. 10-K

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Risk Management To the extent consistent with maintaining our REIT qualification and our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act, we seek to manage risk exposure by closely monitoring our portfolio and actively managing financing, interest rate, credit, prepayment and convexity (a measure of the sensitivity of the duration of a loan to changes in interest rates) risks associated with holding our portfolio. Generally, with the guidance and experience of our Manager: • we manage our portfolio through an interactive process with our Manager and service our self-originated loans through our Manager’s servicer; • we invest in a mix of floating- and fixed-rate loans to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with the financing of our portfolio; • we actively employ portfolio-wide and asset-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations, including utilizing our Manager’s risk management tools such as software and services licensed or purchased from third-parties and proprietary analytical methods developed by our Manager; and • we seek to manage credit risk through our due diligence process prior to origination or acquisition and through the use of non-recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate. In addition, with respect to any particular target investment, prior to origination or acquisition our Manager’s investment team evaluates, among other things, relative valuation, comparable company analysis, supply and demand trends, shape-of-yield curves, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. Changes in Fair Value of Our Assets We generally hold our target investments as long-term loans; however, we may occasionally classify some of our loans as held for sale. We may carry our loans at fair value or carrying value in our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, our portfolio included three loans and one loan held for investment at fair value within loans held at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets, respectively, with changes in fair value recorded through earnings. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we evaluated our loans on a quarterly basis and fair value was determined by our Board through its independent Audit and Valuation Committee. We used an independent third-party valuation firm to provide input in the valuation of all of our unquoted investments, which we consider along with other various subjective and objective factors in making our evaluations. Our loans are typically valued using a yield analysis, which is typically performed for non-credit impaired loans to borrowers. Alternative valuation methodologies may be used as appropriate, and can include a market analysis, income analysis, or recovery analysis. To determine fair value using a yield analysis, a current price is imputed for the loan based upon an assessment of the expected market yield for a similarly structured loan with a similar level of risk. In the yield analysis, we consider the current contractual interest rate, the maturity and other terms of the loan relative to risk of the borrower and the specific loan. A key determinant of risk, among other things, is the leverage through the loan relative to the enterprise value of the borrower. As loans held by us are substantially illiquid with no active transaction market, we depend on primary market data, including newly funded loans, as well as secondary market data with respect to high-yield debt instruments and syndicated loans, as inputs in determining the appropriate market yield, as applicable. Changes in market yields, recovery rates, and revenue multiples may change the fair value of certain of our loans. Generally, an increase in market yields may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans, while a decrease in revenue 108 Table of Contents multiples and recovery rates may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans ; however, this is mitigated to the extent our loans bear interest at a floating rate. We have invested, and plan to continue to invest, primarily in illiquid debt and equity securities of private and public middle-market companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and, following the Conversion, the fair value of such investments will be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Adviser, in its capacity as “valuation designee” under, and in accordance with, Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, based on, among other things, the input of independent third-party valuation firms retained by the Company, and in accordance with the Adviser’s valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we may realize amounts that are different from the amounts presented and such differences could be material. Changes in Market Interest Rates and Effect on Net Interest Income Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and our related financing obligations. Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing. The cost of our borrowings generally will be based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase (a) while the yields earned on our leveraged fixed-rate loan assets will remain static, and (b) at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged floating-rate loan assets, which could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target investments. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. We intend to fund portions of our investments with borrowings, and at such time, our net investment income will be affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. Accordingly, we cannot assure shareholders that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily relate to fluctuations in interest rates. Our loans are typically valued using a yield analysis, which is typically performed for non-credit impaired loans to borrowers. Alternative valuation methodologies may be used as appropriate, and can include a market analysis, income analysis, or recovery analysis. Changes in market yields, revenue multiples, and recovery rates may change the fair value of certain of our loans. Generally, an increase in market yields may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans, while a decrease in revenue multiples and recovery rates may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans; however, this is mitigated to the extent our loans bear interest at a floating rate. As of December 31, 2025, a decrease of 50 bps or increase of 50 bps of the market yield would have resulted in a change in unrealized gain (loss) of approximately $0.3 million and $(0.3) million, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, we had seven floating-rate loans, representing approximately 38% of our portfolio based on aggregate outstanding principal balances. These floating benchmark rates included one-month SOFR quoted at 3.7% and subject to a weighted average floor of 4.3% based on outstanding principal. We estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis points increase in the floating benchmark rate would result in an increase in annual interest income of approximately $0.3 million and a hypothetical 100 basis points decrease in the floating benchmark rate would result in a decrease in annual interest income of approximately $(0.1) million. Interest Rate Cap Risk Through our Manager, we originate both fixed and floating rate loans. These are assets in which the loans may be subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which limit the amount by which the asset’s interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements may not be subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation by caps, while the interest-rate yields on our floating-rate assets would effectively be limited. In addition, floating-rate assets may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. This could result in our receipt of cash income from such assets in an amount that is less 109 Table of Contents than the amount that we would need to pay the interest cost on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Interest Rate Mismatch Risk We may fund a portion of our origination of loans, or of loans that we may in the future acquire, with borrowings that are based on various benchmarks, while the interest rates on these assets may be fixed or indexed to SOFR, or another index rate. Accordingly, any increase in an index rate will generally result in an increase in our borrowing costs that would not be matched by fixed-rate interest earnings and may not be matched by a corresponding increase in floating-rate interest earnings. Any such interest rate mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our shareholders. Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager’s experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager and our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results. Credit Risk We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our loans and interest receivable. Our Manager seeks to mitigate this risk by seeking to originate loans, and may in the future acquire loans, of higher quality at appropriate prices given anticipated and unanticipated losses, by employing a comprehensive review and selection process and by proactively monitoring originated and acquired loans. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur that could adversely impact our operating results. We expect to be subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with holding our portfolio of loans. We will have exposure to credit risk on our commercial real estate loans and other targeted types of loans. Our Manager will seek to manage credit risk by performing deep credit fundamental analysis of potential assets and through the use of non-recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate. Credit risk will also be addressed through our Manager’s ongoing review, and loans will be monitored for variance from expected prepayments, defaults, severities, losses and cash flow on a quarterly basis. Other than the acquisition of our initial portfolio of loans and certain loan commitments relating to Private Company A, we, through our Manager, have originated substantially all of our loans and intend to continue to originate our loans, but we have previously and may in the future acquire loans from time to time. Our Investment Guidelines are not subject to any limits or proportions with respect to the mix of target investments that we make or that we may in the future acquire other than as necessary to maintain our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act and our qualification as a REIT. Our investment decisions will depend on prevailing market conditions and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different interest rate, economic and credit environments. As a result, we cannot predict the percentage of our capital that will be invested in any individual target investment at any given time. Our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 was concentrated with the top three borrowers representing approximately 51.1% of the aggregate outstanding principal balances and approximately 44.4% of the total loan commitments. Additionally, the industry is experiencing significant consolidation, which we expect to increase, among cannabis operations and certain of our borrowers may combine, increasing the concentration of our borrower portfolio with those consolidated operators. Our largest credit facility represented approximately 24.8% of the aggregate outstanding principal balances of our portfolio and approximately 22.0% of our total loan commitments as of December 31, 2025. The borrower under this credit facility is a Subsidiary of Private Company G, a multi-state operator with real estate assets in several states, certain of which have been included as collateral in connection with the senior term loan. This senior term loan accrues interest at a fixed rate of 12.5%, a minimum portion of which is payable in cash pursuant to the excess cash flow sweep, and the remainder of which, if any, is paid in kind. We placed Subsidiary of Private Company G on nonaccrual status effective December 1, 2023 and previously during various periods in 2023. As of December 31, 2025, the loan with Subsidiary of Private Company G had an outstanding principal amount of approximately $78.8 million and an amortized cost of approximately $77.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized interest income of $0.7 million related to this loan, which was received in cash. As full recovery of principal and accrued interest is doubtful, future cash receipts received in accordance with terms of the forbearance agreement are accounted for under the cost recovery method. 110 Table of Contents During the year ended December 31, 2025, $0.4 million of contractual interest payments were received and applied as a reduction to this loan’s amortized cost. We primarily provide loans to companies operating in the cannabis industry which involves significant risks, including the risk of strict enforcement against our borrowers of the federal illegality of cannabis, our borrowers’ inability to renew or otherwise maintain their licenses or other requisite authorizations for their cannabis operations, and such loans lack of liquidity, and we could lose all or part of any of our loans. Our ability to grow or maintain our core business depends on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry. New laws that are adverse to our borrowers may be enacted, and current favorable state or national laws or enforcement guidelines relating to cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis may be modified or eliminated in the future, which would impede our ability to grow and could materially adversely affect our business. Management’s plan to mitigate risks include monitoring the legal landscape as deemed appropriate. Also, should a loan default or otherwise be seized, we may be prohibited from owning cannabis assets and thus could not take possession of collateral, in which case we would look to sell the loan, which could result in us realizing a loss on the transaction. We may in the future hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using hedging instruments such as interest rate swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. While hedging activities may mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, certain hedging transactions that we may enter into in the future, such as interest rate swap agreements, may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of changes in interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments. Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data See our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto together with the report thereon of CohnReznick LLP dated March 4, 2026, beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report included in Item 15, which are incorporated herein by reference in this Item 8. Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None.