EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC. 10-K

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securitie s Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EQS”. We had approximately 1,640 stockholders as of December 31, 2024, 586 of whom were registered holders. Registered holders do not include those stockholders whose stock has been issued in street name. As of December 31, 2024, our net asset value per share was $2.17. The following table reflects the high and low closing sales prices per share of our common stock on the NYSE, and net asset value (“NAV”) per share for each of the three years ended December 31, 2024, by quarter: 2024 2023 2022 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 High $ 1.68 $ 1.53 $ 1.48 $ 1.40 $ 1.75 $ 1.65 $ 1.55 $ 1.51 $ 2.71 $ 2.70 $ 2.63 $ 1.83 Low 1.42 1.25 1.24 1.04 1.44 1.46 1.35 1.38 2.20 2.35 1.49 1.39 NAV 3.38 3.66 2.96 2.17 2.52 2.96 3.49 3.55 2.77 2.75 2.68 2.61 Stock Performance Graph The following graph compares the cumulative total return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the NYSE Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index for the five years ended December 31, 2024. This comparison assumes $100.00 was invested in our common stock at the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2019 and in the comparison groups and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends on the ex-dividend date prior to any tax effect. The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. 26 TableOfContents If we requalify as a RIC, we will be required to distribute to our stockholders, in a timely manner, at least 90% of our taxable net investment income each year. If we do not distribute, in a timely manner, 98.2% of our taxable net capital gains and 90% of our taxable net investment income each year (as well as any portion of the respective 2% balances not distributed in the previous year), we will be subject to a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income of regulated investment companies. Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to pay dividends to stockholders unless we meet certain asset coverage requirements. If taxable net investment income is retained, we will be subject to federal income and excise taxes. We reserve the right to retain net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxable to the Fund as long-term capital gains and our stockholders will be able to claim their proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders will also be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their fund shares by the difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit. We invest in companies that are believed to have a high potential for capital appreciation, and we intend to realize the majority of our profits upon the sale of our investments in portfolio companies. Consequently, most of the companies in which we invest do not have established policies of paying annual dividends. However, a portion of the investments in portfolio securities held by the Fund consists of interest-bearing subordinated debt securities or dividend-paying preferred stock. Item 6. [Reserved] Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations We are incorporating by reference Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Overview Equus is a BDC that provides financing solutions for privately held middle market and small capitalization companies. We began operations in 1983 and have been a publicly traded closed-end fund since 1991. Our investment objective is to seek the highest total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. Consistent with our announced intention to transform Equus into an operating company or a permanent capital vehicle, our shareholders have previously authorized our Board to withdraw our BDC election and, although this authorization has since expired, we expect to receive a further authorization from our stockholders in the future. Nevertheless, we will not withdraw this election unless and until we have entered into a definitive agreement to convert Equus into an operating company or a permanent capital vehicle. Further, we will also require a subsequent affirmative vote from holders of a majority of our outstanding voting shares to enter into any such definitive agreement or change the nature of our business. See Significant Developments – Authorization to Withdraw BDC Election above. 27 TableOfContents As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of the Fund’s total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private U.S. companies, certain public U.S. companies with a total market capitalization not in excess of $250 million, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and short-term high-quality debt investments. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2024, Equus qualified as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and may seek to requalify as a RIC in the future. To qualify as a RIC, we must meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements. If we comply with the provisions of Subchapter M, the Fund generally would not have to pay corporate-level income taxes on any income that is distributed to our stockholders. Investment Income . We generate investment income from interest payable on the debt securities that the Fund holds, dividends received on equity interests in our portfolio companies and capital gains, if any, realized upon sales of equity and, to a lesser extent, debt securities in the investment portfolio. Our equity investments may include shares of common and preferred stock, membership interests in limited liability companies and warrants to purchase additional equity interests. These equity securities may or may not pay dividends, and the exercise prices of warrants that we acquire in connection with debt investments, if any, vary by investment. Our debt investments in portfolio companies may be in the form of senior or subordinated loans and may be unsecured or have a first or second lien on some or all of the assets of the borrower. Our loans typically have a term of three to seven years and bear interest at fixed or floating rates. Interest on these debt securities is generally payable either quarterly or semiannually. Some promissory notes held by the Fund provide that a portfolio company may elect to pay interest in cash or provide that discount interest may accrete in the form of original issue discount or payment-in-kind (PIK) over the life of the notes by adding unpaid interest amounts to the principal balance. Amortization of principal on our debt investments is generally deferred for several years from the date of initial investment. The principal amount of these debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally will become due at maturity. We also earn interest income at market rates on investments in short-term marketable securities. From time to time, we generate income in the form of commitment, origination, structuring, and extension fees in connection with our investments. We recognize all such fees when earned. Expenses. Currently, our primary operating expenses include director fees and expenses, professional fees, compensation expense, and general and administrative fees. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, we did not incur any non- recurring expenses. Non-Operating Subsidiary. We have established Equus Total Return (Canada) Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary to facilitate payments to Canadian personnel and contractors who provide services to the Fund. We consider Equus Total Return (Canada) Inc. a disregarded entity for accounting purposes, inasmuch as it does not have active operations. Operating Activities. We use cash to make new investments and follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies. We record these investments at cost on the applicable trade date. Realized gains or losses are computed using the specific identification method. On an ongoing basis, we carry our investments in our financial statements at fair value, as determined by our board of directors. See “ Critical Accounting Policies – Valuation of Investments ” below. As of December 31, 2024, we had invested 91.9% of our assets in securities of portfolio companies that constituted qualifying investments under the 1940 Act. At that time, we had invested 100% in membership interests in limited liability companies. Commitments. Under certain circumstances, we make follow-on investments in some of our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2024, we had no outstanding commitments in our portfolio companies. Financing Activities. From time to time, we use leverage to finance a portion of our investments. We then repay such debt from the sale of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act, we have the ability to borrow funds and issue debt securities or preferred stock that are referred to as senior securities, subject to certain restrictions, including an overall limitation on the amount of outstanding debt, or leverage, relative to equity of 1.5:1. Because of the nature and size of our portfolio investments, we have periodically borrowed funds to make qualifying investments in order to maintain our qualification as a RIC. During the first three quarters of 2024 and all of 2023, we borrowed such funds by accessing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We invested the proceeds of these margin loans in high-quality securities such as U.S. Treasury securities until they were repaid. We refer to these high-quality investments as “restricted assets” because they are not generally available for investment in portfolio companies under the terms of borrowing. If, in the future, we seek to requalify as a RIC and cannot borrow funds to make such qualifying investments at the end of any future quarter, we would not so requalify and would, as a non-RIC, be subject to corporate-level income tax on our net investment income and realized capital gains, if any. In addition, our distributions to stockholders would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent paid from earnings and profits. See “ Federal Income Tax Considerations .” 28 TableOfContents Distributions . So long as we remain a BDC, save for minor exceptions we will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the 1940 Act. Possible Share Repurchase. As a closed-end BDC, our shares of common stock are not redeemable at the option of stockholders, and our shares currently trade at a discount to their net asset value. Our Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of our stockholders to reduce or eliminate this market value discount. Accordingly, we have been authorized to, and may from time to time, repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock (including by means of tender offers or privately negotiated transactions) in an effort to reduce or eliminate this market discount or to increase the net asset value of our shares. We are not required to undertake, and we have not previously undertaken, any such share repurchases, nor do we further anticipate taking any such action in 2025. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan On June 13, 2016, our shareholders approved the adoption of our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”). On January 10, 2017, the SEC issued an order approving the Incentive Plan and certain awards intended to be made thereunder. The Incentive Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Fund by encouraging officers, employees, and directors of the Fund and its affiliates to acquire or increase their equity interest in the Fund and to provide a means whereby they may develop a proprietary interest in the development and financial success of the Fund, to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Fund, thereby advancing the interests of the Fund and its stockholders. The Incentive Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the Fund and its affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Fund. The Incentive Plan permits the award of restricted stock as well as common stock purchase options. The maximum number of shares of common stock that are subject to awards granted under the Incentive Plan is 2,434,728 shares. The term of the Incentive Plan will expire on June 13, 2026. On March 17, 2017, we granted awards of restricted stock under the Plan to certain of our directors and executive officers in the aggregate amount of 844,500 shares. The awards are each subject to a vesting requirement over a 3-year period unless the recipient thereof is terminated or removed from their position as a director or executive officer without “cause”, or as a result of constructive termination, as such terms are defined in the respective award agreements entered into by each of the recipients and the Fund. We account for share-based compensation using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, we measure the grant date fair value based upon the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant and amortize the fair value of the awards as share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term. Inasmuch as all existing awards under the Incentive Plan became fully-vested prior to 2021, we recorded no compensation expense relating to awards made under the Incentive Plan for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Critical Accounting Estimates We follow the accounting and reporting guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies .” Our financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. We believe that the following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of our accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations. 29 TableOfContents Valuation of Investments For most of our investments, market quotations are not available. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or when such market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, our Board has approved a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below: 1. Each portfolio company or investment is reviewed by our investment professionals; 2. With respect to investments with a fair value exceeding $2.5 million that have been held for more than one year, we engage independent valuation firms to assist our investment professionals. These independent valuation firms conduct independent valuations and make their own independent assessments; 3. Our Management produces a report that summarizes each of our portfolio investments and recommends a fair value of each such investment as of the date of the report; 4. The Audit Committee of our Board reviews and discusses the preliminary valuation of our portfolio investments as recommended by Management in their report and any reports or recommendations of the independent valuation firms, and then approves and recommends the fair values of our investments so determined to our Board for final approval; and 5. The Board discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each portfolio investment in good faith based on the input of our Management, the respective independent valuation firm, as applicable, and the Audit Committee. During the first twelve months after an investment is made, we rely on the original investment amount to determine the fair value unless significant developments have occurred during this twelve-month period which would indicate a material effect on the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in general market conditions). Investments are valued utilizing a yield analysis, enterprise value (“EV”) analysis, net asset value analysis, liquidation analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, or a combination of methods, as appropriate. The yield analysis uses loan spreads and other relevant information implied by market data involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Under the EV analysis, the EV of a portfolio company is first determined and allocated over the portfolio company’s securities in order of their preference relative to one another (i.e., “waterfall” allocation). To determine the EV, we typically use a market multiples approach that considers relevant and applicable market trading data of guideline public companies, transaction metrics from precedent M&A transactions and/or a discounted cash flow analysis. The net asset value analysis is used to derive a value of an underlying investment (such as real estate property) by dividing a relevant earnings stream by an appropriate capitalization rate. For this purpose, we consider capitalization rates for similar enterprises as may be obtained from guideline public companies and/or relevant transactions. The liquidation analysis is intended to approximate the net recovery value of an investment based on, among other things, assumptions regarding liquidation proceeds based on a hypothetical liquidation of a portfolio company’s assets. The discounted cash flow analysis uses valuation techniques to convert future cash flows or earnings to a range of fair values from which a single estimate may be derived utilizing an appropriate discount rate. The measurement is based on the net present value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. In applying these methodologies, additional factors that we consider in fair value pricing our investments may include, as we deem relevant: security covenants, call protection provisions, and information rights; the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the portfolio company’s ability to make payments; the principal markets in which the portfolio company does business; publicly available financial ratios of peer companies; the principal market; and enterprise values, among other factors. Also, any failure by a portfolio company to achieve its business plan or obtain and maintain its financing arrangements could result in increased volatility and result in a significant and rapid change in its value. 30 TableOfContents Our general intent is to hold our loans to maturity when appraising our privately held debt investments. As such, we believe that the fair value will not exceed the cost of the investment. However, in addition to the previously described analysis involving allocation of value to the debt instrument, we perform a yield analysis assuming a hypothetical current sale of the security to determine if a debt security has been impaired. The yield analysis considers changes in interest rates and changes in leverage levels of the portfolio company as compared to the market interest rates and leverage levels. Assuming the credit quality of the portfolio company remains stable, the Fund will use the value determined by the yield analysis as the fair value for that security if less than the cost of the investment. We will record unrealized depreciation on investments when we determine that the fair value of a security is less than its cost basis and will record unrealized appreciation when we determine that the fair value is greater than its cost basis. Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, amounting to $27.5 million and $40.9 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, our fair value determinations may materially differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the securities. See Note 3 to the financial statements included in Item 8. We adjust our net asset value for the changes in the value of our publicly held securities, if applicable, and material changes in the value of private securities, generally determined on a quarterly basis or as announced in a press release, and report those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Our net asset value appears in various publications, including Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal . Current Market Conditions U.S. GDP increased at an annualized rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, which was relatively consistent with consensus estimates for the quarter, but lower than GDP growth for the third quarter of 2024 (3.1%), as well as the fourth quarter of 2023 (3.2%). Overall GDP growth for the full year 2024 was 2.8% compared to 2.9% in 2023. The increase in GDP during the fourth quarter of 2024 was driven principally by consumer spending, offset by a decrease in business investment during the quarter. The Congressional Budget Office is projecting GDP growth of 1.9% for 2025 and 1.8% for 2026. The CBO report was released prior to the inauguration of the new U.S. President and the administration’s imposition of tariffs which has resulted in a downward adjustment to GDP forecasts. Citing tariff concerns, Morgan Stanley revised its GDP growth forecast for 2025 and 2026 from 1.9% and 1.3%, respectively, to 1.5% and 1.2%. (Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis; Morgan Stanley; Congressional Budget Office ). As of February 2025, the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1%, and has remained largely stable for a considerable period, fluctuating between 3.4% and 4.1% for the previous 36 months. With the advent of tariffs, government layoffs, and a more aggressive deportation policy for undocumented immigrants, most economists are projecting the unemployment rate to increase during the remainder of 2025. Moreover, the labor participation rate remains at approximately 62.5%, below the pre-pandemic high of 63.3% of February 2020. Most of the recent employment gains in 2023 and 2024 were due to gains in the leisure and hospitality industry, construction, trade, transportation, and utilities. (Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Trading Economics ). Beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2022, consumer prices increased the most in four decades, reaching a high of 8.3%, before steadily declining, more or less, throughout 2023 and 2024, finishing the year at 2.9%. This trend has continued into January 2025, where the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an annualized rate of 3.0%. Notwithstanding a projected slowing of the U.S. economy for 2025, most economists are projecting similar rates of inflation for 2025 as compared to 2024, principally due to the effect of expected tariffs on imported goods. (Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Morgan Stanley ). Global merger and acquisition activity in 2024 was approximately $2.2 trillion, a slight increase from $2.1 trillion in 2023, but well off the high of $4.1 trillion in 2021. Financial services, materials, industrials, and information technology were the sectors that experienced the most significant dealmaking activity during the year. Most analysts expect consolidation activity in 2025 to increase over 2024, principally due to expected lower costs of capital. (Sources: S&P Global ; Ernst & Young ). 31 TableOfContents Private equity activity increased from $1.9 trillion in 2023 to $2.1 trillion in 2024, reversing a downward trend from 2021 and 2022 and the highs experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, private equity fundraising was lower for the third straight year due to a weak exit environment that has constrained liquidity, with fund flows down 30% in 2024 as compared to 2023. (Source: S&P Global ) During 2024, our net asset value decreased from $3.55 per share as of December 31, 2023 to $2.17 per share as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, our common stock was trading at a 62.9% discount to our net asset value as compared to 59.2% as of December 31, 2023. Over the past several years, we have executed certain initiatives to enhance liquidity, achieve a lower operational cost structure, provide more assistance to portfolio companies and realize certain of our portfolio investments. Specifically, we changed the composition of our Board of Directors and Management, terminated certain of our follow- on investments, internalized the management of the Fund, suspended our managed distribution policy, modified our investment strategy to pursue shorter term liquidation opportunities, pursued non-cash investment opportunities, and sold certain of our legacy and underperforming investment holdings. We believe these actions continue to be necessary to protect capital and liquidity in order to preserve and enhance shareholder value. Because our Management is internalized, certain of our expenses should not increase commensurate with an increase in the size of the Fund and, therefore, if we remain a BDC, we expect to achieve efficiencies in our cost structure if we are able to grow the Fund. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company defines cash equivalents as securities that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only securities with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase would qualify, with limited exceptions. The Company deems that certain money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements and other high-quality, short-term debt securities would qualify as cash equivalents (See Note 2 to the financial statements.) We generate cash primarily from maturities, sales of securities and borrowings, as well as capital gains realized upon the sale of portfolio investments. We use cash primarily to make additional investments, either in new companies or as follow-on investments in the existing portfolio companies and to pay the dividends to our stockholders. Because of the nature and size of the portfolio investments, we have, until the fourth quarter of 2024, periodically borrowed funds to make qualifying investments to maintain our prior tax status as a RIC. As a RIC, we often borrowed such funds by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. If we seek to requalify as a RIC, t here is no assurance that such arrangement will be available in the future. If the Fund is unable to borrow funds to make qualifying investments, it may no longer requalify as a RIC. The Fund would then continue to be subject to corporate income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains, and distributions to stockholders would be subject to income tax as ordinary dividends. The Fund has the ability to borrow funds and issue forms of senior securities representing indebtedness or stock, such as preferred stock, subject to certain restrictions. Net taxable investment income and net taxable realized gains from the sales of portfolio investments are intended to be distributed at least annually, to the extent such amounts are not reserved for payment of expenses and contingencies or to make follow-on or new investments. The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxable to the Fund as long- term capital gains and stockholders will be able to claim their proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders will also be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit. We are evaluating the impact of current market conditions on our portfolio company valuations and their ability to provide current income. We have followed valuation techniques in a consistent manner; however, we are cognizant of current market conditions that might affect future valuations of portfolio securities. Our operating cash flow and cash on hand is not sufficient to meet operating requirements or to finance routine capital expenditures through the next twelve months. We are therefore seeking liquidity from the sale of our portfolio interests, as well as seeking external debt and equity financing from third parties. Should either or both of the foregoing events not occur as contemplated, the Fund will not have the necessary funds to maintain normal operations and, therefore, substantial doubt would exist about the Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further, if we effect a transformation of the Fund into an operating company as described under “ Significant Developments – Authorization to Withdraw BDC Election ” above, we may utilize some or a substantial portion of our current liquidity in connection with a contemplated transaction as payment of the purchase price and to pay associated legal, due diligence, accounting, and other fees. Further, we may borrow funds from financial institutions or other providers of debt capital to provide and pay for a part of the consideration and expenses necessary to effect a conversion of Equus into an operating company. 32 TableOfContents Year Ended December 31, 2024 As of December 31, 2024, we had total assets of $29.9 million, of which $27.5 million were invested in portfolio investments and $0.3 million were invested in cash and cash equivalents. Operating Activities. We generated $38.2 million in cash for operating activities in 2024 principally due to $45.1 million sales in net investments in U.S. Treasury bills, offset by $2.2 million in investments, along with $4.6 million in fees to professional advisors, directors and other fees. Financing Activities . We used $45.0 million in cash from financing activities for 2024, principally in connection with repayments net of borrowings on margin. We did not declare any dividends in 2024. Year Ended December 31, 2023 As of December 31, 2023, we had total assets of $93.5 million, of which $40.9 million were invested in portfolio investments and $6.5 million were invested in cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, we also had $45.4 million of U.S. Treasury bills and restricted cash, including primarily the proceeds of a quarter-end margin loan that we incurred to maintain the diversification requirements applicable to a RIC. Of this amount, $45.0 million was invested in U.S. Treasury bills and $0.4 million represented a required 1% brokerage margin deposit. These securities were held by a securities brokerage firm and pledged along with other assets to secure repayment of the margin loan. The U.S. Treasury bills matured on January 4, 2024 and we subsequently repaid this margin loan. The margin interest was paid on February 4, 2024. Operating Activities. We used $51.4 million in cash for operating activities in 2023 principally due to $8.3 million in investments, $4.3 million in fees to professional advisors, director and other fees, along with $38.9 million increase in net investments in U.S. Treasury bills. Financing Activities . We provided $39.1 million in cash from financing activities for 2023, principally in connection with net borrowings on margin. We did not declare any dividends in 2023. Results of Operations Investment Income and Expense Year Ended December 31, 2024 as compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023 Total income from portfolio securities was $1.3 million for 2024 and $0.3 for 2023. Compensation expense decreased to $1.8 million in 2024 from $1.9 million in 2023. As a result of the factors described above, net investment loss after expenses was $3.3 million for 2024 as compared to a net investment loss of $4.0 million in 2023. 33 TableOfContents Summary of Portfolio Investment Activity Year Ended December 31, 2024 During 2024, we made an $2.2 million investment in Morgan E&P, LLC. The following table includes summarizes investment activity during the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands): Investment Activity New Investments Existing Investments Portfolio Company Cash Non-Cash Follow-On Cash PIK Total Morgan E&P, LLC $ — $ — $ 2,247 $ — $ 2,247 $ — $ — $ 2,247 $ — $ 2,247 Year Ended December 31, 2023 During 2023, we made an $8.3 million investment in Morgan E&P, LLC. The following table includes summarizes investment activity during the year ended December 31, 2023 (in thousands): Investment Activity New Investments Existing Investments Portfolio Company Cash Non-Cash Follow-On Cash PIK Total Morgan E&P, LLC $ 8,253 $ — $ — $ — $ 8,253 $ 8,253 $ — $ — $ — $ 8,253 Year Ended December 31, 2022 During 2022, we made a $0.15 million follow-on investment in Equus Energy, LLC. The following table includes summarizes investment activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 (in thousands): Investment Activity New Investments Existing Investments Portfolio Company Cash Non-Cash Follow-On Cash PIK Total Equus Energy, LLC $ — $ — $ 150 $ — $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 $ — $ 150 34 TableOfContents Realized Gains and Losses Year Ended December 31, 2024 We realized capital gains of $138 thousand as a result of disposition of U.S. Treasury bills. Year Ended December 31, 2023 We realized capital gains of $34 thousand as a result of disposition of U.S. Treasury bills. Year Ended December 31, 2022 We realized capital gains of $1.0 thousand as a result of disposition of U.S. Treasury bills. Changes in Unrealized Appreciation of Portfolio Securities Year Ended December 31, 2024 During 2024, we recorded a decrease of $15.6 million in net unrealized appreciation, from an unrealized appreciation of $24.5 million at December 31, 2023 to a net unrealized appreciation of $8.9 million at December 31, 2024. Such change in unrealized appreciation resulted primarily from the decrease in the fair value of our holdings in Morgan E&P, LLC of $9.6 million, principally due to a lower forward price curve for oil, as well as the reclassification of certain of its proved reserves from producing to non-producing. The change in unrealized appreciation also resulted from the decrease in fair value of our holding in Equus Energy, LLC of $6.0 million, principally due to decreases in the forward curve for oil and natural gas and its effect on the economic prospects of Equus Energy regarding future development of its oil and gas properties. See Subsequent Events below where we sold our interest in Equus Energy in March 2025 for a combination of cash and preferred stock valued at $4.0 million. Year Ended December 31, 2023 During 2023, we recorded an increase of $17.0 million in net unrealized appreciation, from an unrealized appreciation of $7.5 million at December 31, 2022 to a net unrealized appreciation of $24.5 million at December 31, 2023. Such change in unrealized appreciation resulted primarily from the increase in the fair value of our holdings in Morgan E&P, LLC of $22.6 million, principally due to substantial increases in Morgan’s reserves and the reclassification of certain of its proved reserves from undeveloped to producing. The increase in the fair value of Morgan was offset by the decrease in fair value of our holding in Equus Energy, LLC of $5.7 million, principally due to decreases in the forward curve for natural gas and its effect on the economic prospects of Equus Energy regarding future development of its gas properties. Year Ended December 31, 2022 During 2022, we recorded an increase of $2.5 million in net unrealized appreciation, from an unrealized appreciation of $5.0 million at December 31, 2021 to a net unrealized appreciation of $7.5 million at December 31, 2022. Such change in unrealized appreciation resulted primarily from the increase in the fair value of our holdings in Equus Energy, LLC of $2.65 million, principally due to an increase in the cost basis of this investment, as well as increases in oil and gas prices, as well as increases in the short- and long-term forward pricing curves for these commodities during 2022. Portfolio Securities As of December 31, 2024, we had active investments in the following portfolio companies: 35 TableOfContents Morgan E&P, LLC Morgan E&P, LLC (“Morgan”) was organized by the Fund on April 3, 2023 as a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. On May 22, 2023, Morgan completed the acquisition of 4,747.52 net acres, in the Bakken/Three Forks formation in the Williston Basin of North Dakota, and acquired approximately 1,100 additional acres on September 26, 2023. The acreage and associated mineral rights were acquired from Pro Energy I LLC (“Pro Energy”), a company whose principals have decades of oil and gas experience and who have themselves drilled over 1,800 horizontal wells in the Williston Basin over a 10-year period. In May 2023, we entered into an agreement with Morgan to provide it up to $10.0 million in senior debt financing, which amount was subsequently amended to $10.5 million, subject to a schedule of disbursements and draws that we determine. As of December 31, 2024, we advanced Morgan $10.5 million under this facility. During 2023 and 2024, Morgan substantially increased its reserves and completed the drilling of two new wells. However, due to mechanical issues, these two wells were classified as non producing during the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, the fair value of our debt and equity interest in Morgan was $23.5 million at December 31, 2024. Equus Energy, LLC We formed Equus Energy, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, to make investments in companies in the energy sector, with particular emphasis on income-producing oil & gas properties. In December 2011, we contributed $250,000 to the capital of Equus Energy. On December 27, 2012, we invested an additional $6.8 million in Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital and to fund the purchase of $6.6 million in working interests that, as of December 31, 2024, consisted of 136 producing and non-producing oil and gas wells, including associated development rights of approximately 21,520 acres situated on 9 separate properties in Texas and Oklahoma. On September 30, 2020, the Fund provided an additional $0.6 million in capital to Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital. On June 30, 2021, the Fund provided an additional $0.35 million in capital to Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital. On December 31, 2022, the Fund provided an additional $0.15 million in capital to Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital. The working interests held by Equus Energy range from a de minimus amount to 50% of the leasehold production of these wells. The wells are operated by a number of experienced operators such as Burk Royalty, which has operating responsibility for leasehold interests in the Conger Field, representing approximately one-third of the producing well interests. The assets were purchased from Warren American Oil Company, LLC, a Tulsa-based oil and gas firm. The fair value of our holding in Equus Energy decreased from $10.0 million at December 31, 2023 to $4.0 million at December 31, 2024, principally due to decreases in the forward curve for oil and natural gas and its effect on the economic viability of Equus Energy’s gas reserves for future development. See Subsequent Events below where we sold our interest in Equus Energy in March 2025 for a combination of cash and preferred stock valued at $4.0 million. Off Balance Sheet Arrangements Our current office space lease since December 31, 2020 is on a month-to-month basis. Rent expense, inclusive of common area maintenance costs, was $97,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Contractual Obligations As of December 31, 2024, we had no outstanding commitments to our portfolio company investments. Dividends So long as we remain a BDC, we will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the 1940 Act. 36 TableOfContents Subsequent Events Our Management performed an evaluation of the Fund’s activity through the date the financial statements were issued, noting the following subsequent events: Issuance of Convertible Note and Warrants . On February 10, 2025, we issued a 1-year senior convertible promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 10.0% per annum in exchange for $2.0 million in cash (“Equus Note”). The Equus Note is convertible into shares of the Fund’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share. Contemporaneously with the issuance of the Note, the Fund also issued two common stock purchase warrants to acquire an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of the Fund’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. New Portfolio Investment . On February 10, 2025, we purchased from General Enterprise Ventures, Inc., a developer of fire suppression products (“GEVI”), a 1-year senior convertible promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 10% per annum, in exchange for $1.5 million in cash (“GEVI Note”). The GEVI Note is convertible into shares of GEVI’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.40 per share. Contemporaneously with the purchase of the GEVI Note, the Fund also received a common stock purchase warrant to acquire an aggregate of 1,875,000 shares of GEVI common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share. Sale of Equus Energy . On March 3, 2025, we sold Equus Energy to North American Energy Opportunities Corp., a developer of upstream oil and gas assets (“NAEOC”). The consideration provided by NAEOC consisted of $1.25 million in cash and 27,500 shares of preferred stock, redeemable within 6 months of the date of issuance at $100.00 per share based upon fulfillment of certain conditions.