10-Q
1
tm2111694d1_10q.htm
FORM 10-Q
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
or
¨ TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
Commission file number: 814-00967
WHITEHORSE FINANCE,
INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)
Delaware
45-4247759
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor
Miami, Florida
33131
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(305)
381-6999
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including
Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
WHF
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)
6.50% Notes due 2025
WHFBZ
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes
¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
x
Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate
by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial
accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ¨ No
x
As of May 7, 2021 the Registrant had 20,598,344 shares of
common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding.
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Part I.
Financial Information
3
Item 1.
Financial Statements
3
Consolidated Statements of
Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
3
Consolidated Statements of
Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and 2020 (Unaudited)
4
Consolidated Statements of
Changes in Net Assets for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and 2020 (Unaudited)
5
Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and 2020 (Unaudited)
6
Consolidated Schedules of
Investments as of March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
7
Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
20
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
50
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures about Market Risk
65
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
65
Part II.
Other Information
66
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
66
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
66
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity
Securities and Use of Proceeds
68
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
68
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
68
Item 5.
Other Information
68
Item 6.
Exhibits
68
2
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments, at fair value
Non-controlled/non-affiliate company investments
$ 546,264
$ 623,777
Non-controlled affiliate company investments
15,283
15,717
Controlled affiliate company investments
55,440
51,241
Total investments, at fair value (amortized cost $629,210 and $695,429, respectively)
616,987
690,735
Cash and cash equivalents
7,701
8,062
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
16,342
7,549
Restricted foreign currency (cost of $411 and $319,
respectively)
431
333
Interest and dividend receivable
7,347
6,532
Amounts receivable on unsettled investment transactions
18,619
4,717
Escrow receivable
1,939
-
Receivable for common stock sold
8
-
Prepaid expenses and other receivables
1,132
1,061
Total assets
$ 670,506
$ 718,989
Liabilities
Debt
$ 334,507
$ 384,880
Distributions payable
7,307
7,294
Management fees payable
3,344
3,354
Incentive fees payable
6,493
6,117
Amounts payable on unsettled investment transactions
-
497
Interest payable
2,249
1,870
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
1,899
1,708
Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency forward contracts
1
-
Advances received from unfunded credit facilities
357
372
Total liabilities
356,157
406,092
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8)
Net assets
Common stock, 20,583,835 and 20,546,032 shares issued and
outstanding, par value $0.001 per share, respectively, and 100,000,000 shares authorized
21
21
Paid-in capital in excess of par
300,592
300,002
Accumulated earnings
13,736
12,874
Total net assets
314,349
312,897
Total liabilities and total net assets
$ 670,506
$ 718,989
Number of shares outstanding
20,583,835
20,546,032
Net asset value per share
$ 15.27
$ 15.23
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
3
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share
data)
Three months ended March 31,
2021
2020
Investment income
From non-controlled/non-affiliate company investments
Interest income
$ 14,812
$ 13,140
Fee income
771
291
Dividend income
44
49
From non-controlled affiliate company investments
Dividend income
250
275
From controlled affiliate company investments
Interest income
719
625
Dividend income
1,374
153
Total investment income
17,970
14,533
Expenses
Interest expense
3,802
3,668
Base management fees
3,344
3,092
Performance-based incentive fees
2,042
441
Administrative service fees
171
171
General and administrative expenses
821
881
Total expenses
10,180
8,253
Net investment income before excise tax
7,790
6,280
Excise tax
190
178
Net investment income after excise tax
7,600
6,102
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions
Net realized gains (losses)
Non-controlled/non-affiliate company investments
8,160
510
Non-controlled affiliate company investments
-
-
Foreign currency transactions
1
(3 )
Foreign currency forward contracts
-
6
Net realized gains (losses)
8,161
513
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
Non-controlled/non-affiliate company investments
(6,975 )
(22,196 )
Non-controlled affiliate company investments
(434 )
(2,001 )
Controlled affiliate company investments
(120 )
(3,953 )
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(62 )
580
Foreign currency forward contracts
(1 )
(1 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(7,592 )
(27,571 )
Net realized and unrealized losses on investments
569
(27,058 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ 8,169
$ (20,956 )
Per Common Share Data
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$ 0.40
$ (1.01 )
Dividends and distributions declared per common share
$ 0.36
$ 0.36
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
20,551,565
20,546,032
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
4
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share
data)
Paid-in
Accumulated
Capital in
Undistributed
Common Stock
Excess of
(Overdistributed)
Total Net
Shares
Par amount
Par
Earnings
Assets
Balance at December 31, 2019
20,546,032
$ 21
$ 300,744
$ 12,190
$ 312,955
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations:
Net investment income after excise tax
-
-
-
6,102
6,102
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
-
-
-
513
513
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments
-
-
-
(27,571 )
(27,571 )
Distributions declared
-
-
-
(7,294 )
(7,294 )
Balance at March 31, 2020
20,546,032
$ 21
$ 300,744
$ (16,060 )
$ 284,705
Balance at December 31, 2020
20,546,032
$ 21
$ 300,002
$ 12,874
$ 312,897
Stock issued in connection with at-the-market offering
37,803
-
590
-
590
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations:
Net investment income after excise tax
-
-
-
7,600
7,600
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
-
-
-
8,161
8,161
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
-
-
-
(7,592 )
(7,592 )
Distributions declared
-
-
-
(7,307 )
(7,307 )
Balance at March 31, 2021
20,583,835
$ 21
$ 300,592
$ 13,736
$ 314,349
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
5
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three months ended
March 31,
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ 8,169
$ (20,956 )
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Paid-in-kind income
(494 )
(308 )
Net realized gains on investments
(8,160 )
(510 )
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
7,529
28,150
Net unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
62
(580 )
Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency forward contracts
1
1
Accretion of discount
(2,561 )
(684 )
Amortization of deferred financing costs
329
256
Acquisition of investments
(72,388 )
(27,640 )
Proceeds from principal payments and sales of portfolio investments
125,200
17,847
Proceeds for sales of portfolio investments to STRS JV
24,623
15,717
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest and dividend receivable
(815 )
(330 )
Escrow receivable
(1,939 )
-
Prepaid expenses and other receivables
(71 )
7,266
Amounts receivable on unsettled investment transactions
(13,902 )
286
Amounts payable on unsettled investment transactions
(497 )
28
Management fees payable
(9 )
32
Incentive fees payable
375
(2,131 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
191
(417 )
Interest payable
379
(547 )
Advances received from unfunded credit facilities
(15 )
(10 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
66,007
15,470
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sales of common stock, net of offering costs
582
-
Borrowings
35,049
44,395
Repayments of debt
(85,801 )
(52,045 )
Deferred financing costs
(20 )
-
Distributions paid to common stockholders, net of distributions reinvested
(7,294 )
(7,294 )
Net cash used in financing activities
(57,484 )
(14,944 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
5
(7 )
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
8,528
519
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
15,946
27,546
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$ 24,474
$ 28,065
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid
$ 2,651
$ 3,995
Non-cash exchanges of investments
4,320
12,741
The following table provides a reconciliation
of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities that sum to the total
of the same amounts presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows:
March 31,
2021
2020
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 7,701
$ 16,452
Restricted cash and restricted foreign currency
16,773
11,613
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash presented in consolidated statements of cash flows
$ 24,474
$ 28,065
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
6
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Investment Type (1)
Spread
Above
Index (2)
Interest
Rate (3)
Acquisition Date (10)
Maturity
Date
Principal/
Share
Amount
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value (11)
Fair Value
As A
Percentage
of Net
Assets
North America
Debt Investments
Advertising
SmartSign Holdings LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
08/21/20
10/11/24
7,724
$
7,593
$
7,724
2.46
%
(1.00% Floor)
Air Freight & Logistics
Access USA Shipping, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.50%
02/08/19
02/08/24
5,286
5,241
5,286
1.68
(1.50% Floor)
Application Software
Connexity, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.50%
10.00%
05/21/20
05/21/25
10,794
10,486
10,794
3.43
(1.50% Floor)
Newscycle Solutions, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
06/14/19
12/29/22
3,237
3,205
3,185
1.01
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan(7)
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
06/14/19
12/29/22
145
143
141
0.04
(1.00% Floor)
TaxSlayer LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
12/31/20
12/31/26
6,796
6,666
6,666
2.12
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan(7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
12/31/20
12/31/26
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
20,972
20,500
20,786
6.60
Automotive Retail
Team Car Care Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (12)
Base rate+ 7.99%
9.01%
02/26/18
02/23/23
16,007
15,870
15,650
4.98
(1.00% Floor)
Building Products
Drew Foam Companies Inc
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
12/15/20
11/05/25
7,261
7,124
7,127
2.27
(1.00% Floor)
LHS Borrower, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
09/30/20
09/30/25
9,689
9,493
9,550
3.04
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
09/30/20
09/30/25
131
128
131
0.04
(1.00% Floor)
17,081
16,745
16,808
5.35
Cable & Satellite
Bulk Midco, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (15)
L+ 7.34%
8.34%
06/08/18
06/08/23
15,000
14,902
14,250
4.53
(1.00% Floor)
Construction & Engineering
SFP Holding, Inc.
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.25%
7.25%
01/25/21
01/24/25
1,054
1,039
1,050
0.33
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.25%
7.25%
02/22/21
09/01/23
-
-
1
-
(1.00% Floor)
Tensar Corp.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
11/20/20
08/20/25
6,983
6,821
6,918
2.20
(1.00% Floor)
8,037
7,860
7,969
2.53
Construction Materials
Claridge Products and Equipment, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
12/30/20
12/29/25
7,980
7,828
7,828
2.49
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
12/30/20
12/29/25
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
7,980
7,828
7,828
2.49
Consumer Finance
Maxitransfers Blocker Corp
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 9.00%
10.00%
10/07/20
10/07/25
8,813
8,624
8,725
2.78
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (4)(7)
L+ 9.00%
10.00%
10/07/20
10/07/25
-
-
12
-
(1.00% Floor)
8,813
8,624
8,737
2.78
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
Escalon Services Inc
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+13.50%
14.50%
12/04/20
12/04/25
8,014
7,346
7,379
2.35
(1.00% Floor)
(1.50%PIK)
FPT Operating Company, LLC/
TLabs Operating Company, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.25%
9.25%
12/23/16
06/07/24
24,467
24,238
24,224
7.71
(1.00% Floor)
Geo Logic Systems Ltd. (5)
First Lien Secured Term Loan (13)
C +6.50%
7.50%
12/19/19
12/19/24
6,666
5,009
5,198
1.65
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)(13)
C +6.50%
7.50%
12/19/19
12/19/24
-
-
(2
)
-
(1.00% Floor)
39,147
36,593
36,799
11.71
Department Stores
Mills Fleet Farm Group, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00%
10/24/18
10/24/24
13,543
13,303
13,408
4.27
(1.00% Floor)
Distributors
Crown Brands, LLC
Second Lien Secured Term Loan (19)
L+ 10.50%
12.00%
12/15/20
01/08/26
4,453
4,353
3,562
1.13
(1.50% Floor)
Second Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (19)
L+ 10.50%
12.00%
12/15/20
01/08/26
661
660
528
0.17
(1.50% Floor)
5,114
5,013
4,090
1.30
See
notes to the consolidated financial statements
7
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Diversified Chemicals
Sklar Holdings, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/13/19
05/13/23
7,473
$
7,346
$
7,473
2.38
%
(1.00% Floor)
Diversified Support Services
NNA Services, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.50%
10/16/18
10/16/23
13,263
13,105
13,263
4.22
(1.50% Floor)
Education Services
EducationDynamics, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/26/19
11/26/24
12,796
12,602
12,789
4.07
(1.00% Floor)
Health Care Facilities
Epiphany Dermatology
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
12/04/20
06/22/23
3,491
3,415
3,456
1.10
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
12/04/20
06/22/23
-
-
5
-
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
12/04/20
06/22/23
-
-
36
0.01
(1.00% Floor)
Grupo HIMA San Pablo, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan A (8)
L+ 9.00%
9.22%
05/15/19
04/30/19
3,855
3,855
2,147
0.68
First Lien Secured Term Loan B (8)
L+ 9.00%
10.50%
02/01/13
04/30/19
13,511
13,511
7,526
2.39
(1.50% Floor)
Second Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
N/A
15.75%
02/01/13
07/31/18
1,028
1,024
-
-
(2.00 %PIK)
21,885
21,805
13,170
4.18
Health Care Services
CHS Therapy, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan A
L+ 8.50%
10.00%
06/14/19
06/14/24
7,374
7,284
7,374
2.35
(1.50% Floor)
First Lien Secured Term Loan C
L+ 8.50%
10.00%
10/07/20
06/14/24
906
891
906
0.29
(1.50% Floor)
DCA Investment Holding, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.00%
03/11/21
03/12/27
7,060
6,955
6,955
2.21
(0.75% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.25%
L+ 7.00%
03/11/21
03/12/27
-
-
(13
)
-
(0.75% Floor)
Ivy Rehab Holdings LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/24
8,833
8,671
8,768
2.79
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/24
-
-
6
-
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/24
155
152
170
0.05
(1.00% Floor)
Lab Logistics, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25%
10/16/19
11/19/25
1,164
1,141
1,151
0.37
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25%
10/16/19
09/25/23
5,223
5,198
5,223
1.66
(1.00% Floor)
PG Dental New Jersey Parent, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/25/20
11/25/25
16,130
15,792
15,830
5.04
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/25/20
11/25/25
-
-
3
-
(1.00% Floor)
46,845
46,084
46,373
14.76
Home Furnishings
Sure Fit Home Products, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
L+ 9.75%
10.75%
10/26/18
07/13/22
5,243
5,111
4,672
1.49
(1.00% Floor)
Interactive Media & Services
What If Media Group, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
10/02/19
10/02/24
17,561
17,285
17,461
5.55
(1.00% Floor)
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
BBQ Buyer, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.50%
08/28/20
08/28/25
12,698
12,412
12,753
4.06
(1.50% Floor)
Clarus Commerce, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
03/05/21
07/01/25
1,917
1,879
1,879
0.60
(1.00% Floor)
Luxury Brand Holdings, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
12/04/20
06/04/26
5,985
5,872
5,926
1.89
(1.00% Floor)
Potpourri Group, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.25%
9.75%
07/03/19
07/03/24
18,270
18,003
18,271
5.81
(1.50% Floor)
38,870
38,166
38,829
12.36
Investment Banking & Brokerage
JVMC Holdings Corp. (f/k/a RJO Holdings Corp)
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
02/28/19
02/28/24
13,381
13,303
13,381
4.26
(1.00% Floor)
IT Consulting & Other Services
AST-Applications Software Technology LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.00%
01/10/17
01/10/23
4,004
3,977
4,004
1.27
(1.00% Floor)
(1.00% PIK)
Core BTS, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
8.25%
02/01/21
08/30/25
3,333
3,269
3,269
1.04
(1.50% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.75%
8.25%
02/01/21
08/30/25
-
-
(16
)
-
(1.50% Floor)
7,337
7,246
7,257
2.31
Leisure Facilities
Honors Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (16)
L+ 8.48%
9.48%
09/06/19
09/06/24
9,651
9,502
8,878
2.82
(1.00% Floor)
(1.00% PIK)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (16)
L+ 8.11%
9.11%
09/06/19
09/06/24
4,750
4,704
4,370
1.39
(1.00% Floor)
(1.00% PIK)
Lift Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness Holdings, Inc.)
First Lien Secured Term Loan A
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
06/29/20
06/29/25
5,659
5,585
5,572
1.77
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Term Loan B
N/A
9.50%
06/29/20
06/29/25
1,191
1,167
1,160
0.37
(9.50% PIK)
First Lien Secured Term Loan C (9)
N/A
9.50%
06/29/20
NA
1,268
1,265
1,264
0.40
(9.50% PIK)
22,519
22,223
21,244
6.75
See
notes to the consolidated financial statements
8
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Office Services & Supplies
Empire Office, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
8.25%
04/12/19
04/12/24
10,577
$
10,449
$
10,341
3.29
%
(1.50% Floor)
Packaged Foods & Meats
Lenny & Larry's, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (17)
L+ 8.41%
9.41%
05/15/18
05/15/23
10,997
10,907
10,513
3.34
(1.00% Floor)
(1.72%PIK)
Personal Products
Inspired Beauty Brands, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
12/30/20
12/31/25
12,547
12,308
12,308
3.92
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
12/30/20
12/31/25
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
12,547
12,308
12,308
3.92
Property & Casualty Insurance
Policy Services Company, LLC (5)
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00%
03/06/20
05/31/24
6,224
5,990
6,100
1.94
(1.00% Floor)
Research & Consulting Services
Comniscient Technologies LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
10/13/20
10/13/25
6,945
6,819
6,945
2.21
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
10/13/20
10/13/25
-
-
7
-
(1.00% Floor)
Nelson Worldwide, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 9.25%
10.25%
01/09/18
01/09/23
10,972
10,875
10,862
3.46
(1.00% Floor)
ALM Media, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
11/25/19
11/25/24
14,766
14,550
14,323
4.56
(1.00% Floor)
32,683
32,244
32,137
10.23
Restaurants
LS GFG Holdings Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.00%
11/30/18
11/19/25
10,879
10,147
10,227
3.25
(1.00% Floor)
(2.00%PIK)
Specialized Consumer Services
True Blue Car Wash, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.12%
8.12%
10/17/19
10/17/24
4,321
4,259
4,321
1.37
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 7.12%
8.12%
10/17/19
10/17/24
2,002
1,985
2,017
0.64
(1.00% Floor)
6,323
6,244
6,338
2.01
Specialized Finance
Golden Pear Funding Assetco, LLC (5)
Second Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 10.50%
11.50%
09/20/18
03/20/24
10,938
10,819
10,938
3.48
(1.00% Floor)
WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC
Subordinated Note (4)(5)(7)(9)(14)
L+ 6.50%
6.61%
07/19/19
N/A
44,529
44,529
44,529
14.17
55,467
55,348
55,467
17.65
Specialty Chemicals
Flexitallic Group SAS
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
10/28/19
10/29/26
11,603
11,370
10,802
3.44
(1.00% Floor)
Systems Software
Arcstor Midco, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
03/16/21
03/16/27
19,500
19,113
19,112
6.08
(1.00% Floor)
IDIG Parent LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
02/17/21
12/15/26
8,547
8,466
8,466
2.69
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
02/17/21
12/15/26
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
02/17/21
12/15/26
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
28,047
27,579
27,578
8.77
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Source Code Midco, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.25%
9.25%
05/04/18
05/04/23
22,010
21,745
22,010
7.00
(1.00% Floor)
Telestream Holdings Corporation
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.75%
9.75%
10/15/20
10/15/25
15,193
14,751
14,903
4.74
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 8.75%
9.75%
10/15/20
10/15/25
-
-
14
-
(1.00% Floor)
37,203
36,496
36,927
11.74
Trading Companies & Distributors
LINC Systems, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
02/24/21
02/24/26
8,355
8,191
8,191
2.61
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
02/24/21
02/24/26
-
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
8,355
8,191
8,191
261
Total Debt Investments
602,782
591,621
582,176
185.20
Equity Investments
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
Escalon Services Inc Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
12/04/20
N/A
709
476
475
0.15
Diversified Support Services
Quest Events, LLC Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
12/28/18
12/08/25
317
317
-
-
ImageOne Industries, LLC Common A Units (4)
N/A
N/A
09/20/19
N/A
225
-
164
0.05
317
164
0.05
Health Care Services
Lab Logistics Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
10/29/19
N/A
2
857
857
0.27
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
BBQ Buyer, LLC Shares (4)
N/A
N/A
08/28/20
N/A
1,100
1,100
2,200
0.70
Ross-Simons Topco, LP Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
12/04/20
N/A
600
600
600
0.19
1,700
2,800
0.89
Investment Banking & Brokerage
Arcole Holding Corp.
Shares (4)(5)(6)(18)
N/A
N/A
10/01/20
N/A
-
6,944
5,713
1.82
IT Consulting & Other Services
Keras Holdings, LLC Shares (4)
N/A
N/A
12/31/20
N/A
496
496
496
0.16
Leisure Facilities
Lift Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness Holdings, Inc.) Class A Common Stock (4)
N/A
N/A
06/29/20
N/A
2
1,955
237
0.08
Lift Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness Holdings, Inc.) Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/29/20
06/28/28
1
793
96
0.03
2,748
333
0.11
Other Diversified Financial Services
SFS Global Holding Company Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/28/18
12/28/25
-
-
-
-
Sigue Corporation Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/28/18
12/28/25
22
2,890
3,492
1.11
2,890
3,492
1.11
Specialized Finance
NMFC Senior Loan Program I LLC Units (4)(5)(6)
N/A
N/A
06/10/14
08/31/22
10,000
10,029
9,570
3.04
WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC Interests (4)(5)(7)(14)
N/A
N/A
07/19/19
N/A
11,132
11,132
10,911
3.47
21,161
20,481
6.51
Total Equity Investments
37,589
34,811
11.07
Total Investments
$
629,210
$
616,987
196.27
%
See
notes to the consolidated financial statements
9
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Forward Currency Contracts
Currency to be
Currency to be
Unrealized
Unrealized
Counterparty
sold
purchased
Settlement date
appreciation
($)
depreciation
($)
Morgan Stanley
C$
105 CAD
$ 83 USD
04/28/2021
$ -
$ (1 )
$ -
$ (1 )
(1) Except as otherwise noted, all investments are non-controlled/non-affiliate investments as defined
by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and provide collateral for the Company’s credit
facility.
(2) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to the London Interbank
Offered Rate (“LIBOR” or “L”), which resets monthly, quarterly or semiannually, the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate
(“CDOR” or “C”) or the U.S. Prime Rate as published by the Wall Street Journal (“Prime” or “P”).
The one, three and six-month LIBOR were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2%, respectively,
as of March 31, 2021. The Prime was 3.25% as of March 31, 2021. The CDOR was 0.4 %
as of March 31, 2021.
(3) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including the current index and spread, the fixed
rate, and the payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest rate, as the case may be.
(4) The investment or a portion of the investment does not provide collateral for the Company’s credit
facility.
(5) Not a qualifying asset under Section
55(a) of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying
asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70%
of total assets. Qualifying assets represented 86% of total assets as of the date of the
consolidated schedule of investments.
(6) Investment is a non-controlled/affiliate investment as defined by the 1940 Act.
(7) The investment has an unfunded commitment in addition to any amounts presented in the consolidated
schedule of investments as of March 31, 2021. See Note 8.
(8) The investment is on non-accrual status.
(9) Security is perpetual with no defined maturity date.
(10) Except as otherwise noted, all of the Company’s portfolio company investments,
which as of the date of the consolidated schedule of investments represented 196% of the
Company’s net assets or 92% of the Company’s total assets, are subject to legal
restrictions on sales.
(11) The fair value of each investment was determined using significant unobservable
inputs. See Note 5.
(12) The investment was comprised of two contracts, which were indexed to different
base rates, L and P, respectively. The Spread Above Index and Interest Rate presented represent the weighted average of both contracts.
(13) Principal amount is denominated in Canadian dollars.
10
(14) Investment is a controlled affiliate investment as defined by the 1940 Act. On January 14, 2019, the
Company entered into an agreement (as described in Note 4 hereto) with State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, a public pension fund
established under Ohio law (“STRS Ohio”), to create WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund, LLC (“STRS JV”), a joint venture,
which invests primarily in senior secured first and second lien term loans.
(15) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.75% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(16) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.50% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(17) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.00% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(18) On October 1, 2020, as part of a restructuring agreement between the Company and Arcole Acquisition
Corp, the Company’s investments in first lien secured term loans to Arcole Acquisition Corp were converted into common shares of
Arcole Holding Corp.
(19) At the option of the issuer, interest can be paid in cash or cash and PIK. The issuer may elect to
pay up to 2.00% PIK.
See
notes to the consolidated financial statements
11
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair Value
As A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of Net
Investment Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
North America
Debt Investments
Advertising
Fluent, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
7.50
%
03/26/18
03/27/23
7,453
$
7,453
$
7,453
2.38
%
(0.50% Floor)
SmartSign Holdings LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50
%
08/21/20
10/11/24
7,744
7,603
7,706
2.46
(1.00% Floor)
15,197
15,056
15,159
4.84
Agricultural & Farm Machinery
Bad Boy Mowers Acquisition, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 5.75%
6.75
%
12/19/19
12/06/25
9,294
9,062
9,201
2.94
(1.00% Floor)
Air Freight & Logistics
Access USA Shipping, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.50
%
02/08/19
02/08/24
5,359
5,309
5,359
1.71
(1.50% Floor)
Application Software
Connexity, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.50%
10.00
%
05/21/20
05/21/25
10,863
10,577
10,863
3.47
(1.50% Floor)
Newscycle Solutions, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00
%
06/14/19
12/29/22
3,245
3,209
3,194
1.02
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.00%
8.00
%
06/14/19
12/29/22
181
179
177
0.06
(1.00% Floor)
TaxSlayer LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/31/20
12/31/26
14,452
14,163
14,163
4.53
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/31/20
12/31/26
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
28,741
28,128
28,397
9.08
Automotive Retail
Team Car Care Holdings, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (12)
Base rate+ 8.00%
9.00
%
02/26/18
02/23/23
16,168
16,011
15,820
5.06
(1.00% Floor)
BW Gas & Convenience Holdings, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
6.40
%
11/15/19
11/18/24
6,319
6,121
6,319
2.02
(0.00% Floor)
22,487
22,132
22,139
7.08
Broadcasting
Alpha Media, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
P+7.50%
10.75
%
08/14/18
02/25/22
5,075
5,022
4,844
1.55
(2.00% Floor)
Building Products
Drew Foam Companies Inc
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/15/20
11/24/25
10,078
9,878
9,879
3.16
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/15/20
11/05/25
332
325
325
0.10
(1.00% Floor)
LHS Borrower, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75
%
09/30/20
09/30/25
9,689
9,483
9,543
3.05
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
(7)
L+ 6.75%
7.75
%
09/30/20
09/30/25
—
—
4
—
(1.00%
Floor)
20,099
19,686
19,751
6.31
See notes to consolidated financial statements
12
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair Value
As A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of Net
Investment Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
Cable & Satellite
Bulk Midco, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (15)
L+ 7.19%
8.19
%
06/08/18
06/08/23
15,000
$
14,890
$
14,250
4.55
%
(1.00% Floor)
Communications Equipment
Ribbon Communications Operating
Company, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (5)
L+ 7.50%
7.65
%
08/14/20
03/03/26
12,438
12,002
12,313
3.94
%
(0.00% Floor)
Sorenson Communications, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
6.75
%
03/15/19
04/29/24
3,462
3,393
3,457
1.10
(0.00% Floor)
15,900
15,395
15,770
5.04
Construction & Engineering
Atlas Intermediate Holdings LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25
%
05/26/20
02/13/26
15,073
14,259
14,922
4.77
(1.00% Floor)
Road Safety Services, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00
%
12/31/20
09/18/23
4,550
4,459
4,461
1.43
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.00%
7.00
%
12/31/20
09/18/23
—
—
17
0.01
(1.00% Floor)
Tensar Corp.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75
%
11/20/20
08/20/25
7,000
6,829
6,829
2.18
(1.00% Floor)
26,623
25,547
26,229
8.39
Construction Materials
Claridge Products and Equipment, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/30/20
12/29/25
8,000
7,840
7,840
2.51
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50
%
12/30/20
12/29/25
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
8,000
7,840
7,840
2.51
Consumer Finance
Maxitransfers Blocker Corp
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 9.00%
10.00
%
10/07/20
10/07/25
8,869
8,668
8,668
2.77
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (4)
L+ 9.00%
10.00
%
10/07/20
10/07/25
1,038
1,014
1,014
0.32
(1.00% Floor)
9,907
9,682
9,682
3.09
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
Escalon Services Inc
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
P+12.50%
15.75
%
12/04/20
12/04/25
8,000
7,295
7,763
2.48
(0.75% Floor)
(1.50
%PIK)
FPT Operating Company, LLC/
TLabs Operating Company, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.25%
9.25
%
12/23/16
06/07/24
24,467
24,225
23,460
7.50
(1.00% Floor)
(0.50
%PIK)
Geo Logic Systems Ltd. (5)
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (13)
C +6.25%
7.25
%
12/19/19
12/19/24
6,709
5,035
5,164
1.65
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7) (13)
C +6.25%
7.25
%
12/19/19
12/19/24
—
—
(2
)
—
(1.00% Floor)
39,176
36,555
36,385
11.63
See notes to consolidated financial statements
13
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair Value
As A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of Net
Investment Type(1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
Department Stores
Mills Fleet Farm Group, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00
%
10/24/18
10/24/24
13,543
$
13,292
$
13,272
4.24
%
(1.00% Floor)
Distributors
Crown Brands, LLC
Second Lien Secured Term Loan (20)
L+ 10.50%
12.00
%
12/15/20
01/08/26
4,526
4,420
3,621
1.16
(1.50% Floor)
Second Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (20)
L+ 10.50%
12.00
%
12/15/20
01/08/26
671
671
537
0.17
(1.50% Floor)
5,197
5,091
4,158
1.33
Diversified Chemicals
Sklar Holdings, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00
%
11/13/19
05/13/23
8,882
8,718
8,834
2.82
(1.00% Floor)
Diversified Support Services
ImageOne Industries, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 10.00%
11.00
(4.00
%
%PIK)
01/11/18
01/11/23
6,564
6,422
6,564
2.10
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (4)(7)
L+ 10.00%
11.00
(4.00
%
%PIK)
07/22/19
12/12/22
379
379
379
0.12
(1.00% Floor)
NNA Services, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.50
%
10/16/18
10/16/23
13,353
13,178
13,284
4.25
(1.50% Floor)
20,296
19,979
20,227
6.47
Education Services
EducationDynamics, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75
%
11/26/19
11/26/24
13,649
13,428
13,612
4.35
(1.00% Floor)
Food Retail
AG Kings Holdings, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan (4)(8)
P+ 11.00%
16.25
(2.00
%
%PIK)
8/10/16
08/10/21
21,755
8,612
7,600
2.43
(0.75% Floor)
Superpriority Secured Debtor-In- Possession Term Loan (4)(18)
L+ 10.00%
11.00
%
08/26/20
02/08/21
14,222
5,663
14,222
4.55
(1.00% Floor)
35,977
14,275
21,822
6.98
Health Care Facilities
Epiphany Dermatology
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50
%
12/04/20
12/01/25
3,500
3,414
3,414
1.09
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.50%
8.50
%
12/04/20
12/01/25
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 7.50%
8.50
%
12/04/20
12/01/25
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
Grupo HIMA San Pablo, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan A
L+ 9.00%
9.22
%
05/15/19
04/30/19
3,855
3,855
2,613
0.84
First Lien Secured Term Loan B
L+ 9.00%
10.50
%
02/01/13
04/30/19
13,511
13,511
9,161
2.93
(1.50% Floor)
Second Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
N/A
15.75
(2.00
%
%PIK)
02/01/13
07/31/18
1,028
1,024
—
—
21,894
21,804
15,188
4.86
Health Care Services
CHS Therapy, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan A
L+ 7.75%
9.25
%
06/14/19
06/14/24
7,422
7,325
7,422
2.37
(1.50% Floor)
First Lien Secured Term Loan C
L+ 7.75%
9.25
%
10/07/20
06/14/24
912
895
895
0.29
(1.50% Floor)
See notes to consolidated financial statements
14
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair Value
As A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of Net
Investment Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
Ivy Rehab Holdings LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/24
8,855
$ 8,682
$ 8,682
2.77 %
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/25
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw
L+ 6.75%
7.75%
12/04/20
12/04/25
—
—
—
—
Loan (7)
(1.00% Floor)
Lab Logistics, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25%
10/16/19
11/19/25
709
693
694
0.22
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw
Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25%
10/16/19
09/25/23
5,236
5,209
5,236
1.67
(1.00% Floor)
PG Dental New Jersey Parent, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/25/20
11/25/25
16,170
15,813
15,814
5.05
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 7.75%
8.75%
11/25/20
11/25/25
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
39,304
38,617
38,743
12.37
Home Furnishings
Sure Fit Home Products, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
L+ 9.75%
10.75%
10/26/18
07/13/22
5,229
5,111
4,019
1.28
(1.00% Floor)
Interactive Media & Services
What If Media Group, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
10/02/19
10/02/24
12,594
12,405
12,594
4.02
(1.00% Floor)
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
BBQ Buyer, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.50%
08/28/20
08/28/25
10,669
10,421
10,563
3.38
(1.50% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 8.00%
9.50%
08/28/20
02/28/21
—
—
8
—
(1.50% Floor)
Luxury Brand Holdings, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
12/04/20
06/04/26
6,000
5,882
5,882
1.88
(1.00% Floor)
Potpourri Group, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.25%
9.75%
07/03/19
07/03/24
18,390
18,099
18,238
5.83
(1.50% Floor)
35,059
34,402
34,691
11.09
Investment Banking & brokerage
JVMC Holdings Corp. (f/k/a RJO
Holdings Corp)
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25%
02/28/19
02/28/24
13,598
13,512
13,598
4.35
(1.00% Floor)
IT Consulting & Other Services
AST-Applications Software Technology
LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 8.00%
9.00% (1.00% PIK)
01/10/17
01/10/23
4,019
3,988
4,019
1.28
(1.00% Floor)
RCKC Acquisitions LLC
(dba KSM Consulting LLC)
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25%
12/31/20
12/31/26
11,378
11,150
11,150
3.56
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.25%
7.25%
12/31/20
12/31/26
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (7)
L+ 6.25%
7.25%
12/31/20
12/31/22
—
—
—
—
(1.00% Floor)
15,397
15,138
15,169
4.84
See notes to consolidated financial statements
15
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair Value
As A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of Net
Investment Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date(10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
Leisure Facilities
Honors Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (16)
L+ 7.97%
8.97%
09/06/19
09/06/24
9,427
$ 9,278
$ 8,296
2.65 %
(1.00% Floor)
(0.50 %PIK)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw
L+ 7.61%
8.61%
09/06/19
09/06/24
4,643
4,597
4,086
1.31
Loan (16)
(1.00% Floor)
(0.50 %PIK)
Lift Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness
Holdings, Inc)
First Lien Secured Term Loan A
L+ 3.25%
4.25%
06/29/20
06/29/25
5,659
5,580
5,569
1.78
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Term Loan B
N/A
9.50%
06/29/20
06/29/25
1,164
1,138
1,133
0.36
(9.50 %PIK)
First Lien Secured Term Loan C (9)
N/A
9.50%
06/29/20
NA
1,268
1,265
1,265
0.40
(9.50 %PIK)
22,161
21,858
20,349
6.50
Office Services & Supplies
Empire Office, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
8.25%
04/12/19
04/12/24
10,736
10,595
10,489
3.35
(1.50% Floor)
Packaged Foods & Meats
Lenny & Larry's, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (17)
L+ 7.94%
8.94%
05/15/18
05/15/23
11,304
11,200
10,811
3.46
(1.00% Floor)
(1.17 %PIK)
Personal Products
Inspired Beauty Brands, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
12/30/20
12/31/25
11,500
11,270
11,270
3.60
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving
L+ 7.00%
Loan (7)
(1.00% Floor)
8.00%
12/30/20
12/31/25
—
—
—
—
11,500
11,270
11,270
3.60
Property & Casualty Insurance
Policy Services Company, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (5)
L+ 6.00%
7.00%
03/06/20
05/31/24
6,240
5,987
6,115
1.95
(1.00% Floor)
Research & Consulting Services
Comniscient Technologies LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.50%
8.50%
10/13/20
10/13/25
6,962
6,830
6,830
2.18
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving
L+ 7.50%
Loan (7)
(1.00% Floor)
8.50%
10/13/20
10/13/25
—
—
—
—
Nelson Worldwide, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 9.25%
10.25%
01/09/18
01/09/23
11,593
11,477
11,362
3.63
(1.00% Floor)
ALM Media, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50%
11/25/19
11/25/24
14,962
14,728
14,439
4.61
(1.00% Floor)
33,517
33,035
32,631
10.42
Restaurants
LS GFG Holdings Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.00%
8.00%
11/30/18
11/19/25
11,240
10,442
9,779
3.13
(1.00% Floor)
(1.00 %PIK)
Specialized Consumer Services
True Blue Car Wash, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.12%
8.12%
10/17/19
10/17/24
4,349
4,283
4,349
1.39
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw
L+ 7.12%
8.12%
10/17/19
10/17/24
2,014
1,997
2,014
0.64
Loan
(1.00% Floor)
6,363
6,280
6,363
2.03
See
notes to consolidated financial statements
16
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair
Value
As
A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of
Net
Investment
Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
Specialized
Finance
Golden
Pear Funding Assetco, LLC (5)
Second
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
10.50%
11.50%
09/20/18
03/20/24
10,938
$ 10,810
$ 10,938
3.50 %
(1.00% Floor)
Oasis
Legal Finance, LLC (5)
Second
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
10.75%
11.75%
09/09/16
03/09/22
12,500
12,446
12,500
3.99
(1.00% Floor)
WHF
STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC
Subordinated
Note (4)(5)(7)(9)(14)
L+
6.50%
6.65%
07/19/19
N/A
41,073
41,073
41,073
13.13
64,511
64,329
64,511
20.62
Specialty
Chemicals
Flexitallic
Group SAS
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50%
10/28/19
10/29/26
11,632
11,389
10,818
3.46
(1.00% Floor)
Systems
Software
Vero
Parent, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00%
11/06/19
08/16/24
7,074
6,613
7,074
2.26
(1.00% Floor)
Technology
Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Source
Code Midco, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
8.25%
9.25%
05/04/18
05/04/23
22,322
22,022
22,322
7.13
(1.00% Floor)
Telestream
Holdings Corporation
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
8.75%
9.75%
10/15/20
10/15/25
14,037
13,608
13,769
4.40
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+
8.75%
9.75%
10/15/20
10/15/25
—
—
15
—
(1.00% Floor)
36,359
35,630
36,106
11.54
Total
Debt Investments
694,114
658,704
657,249
210.03
Equity
Investments
Data
Processing & Outsourced Services
Escalon
Services Inc Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
12/04/20
N/A
709
476
476
0.15
Diversified
Support Services
Quest
Events, LLC Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
12/28/18
12/08/25
317
317
—
—
ImageOne
Industries, LLC Common A Units (4)
N/A
N/A
09/20/19
N/A
225
—
—
542
317
14
—
Health
Care Services
Lab
Logistics Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
10/29/19
N/A
2
857
857
0.27
Internet
& Direct Marketing Retail
BBQ
Buyer, LLC Shares (4)
N/A
N/A
08/28/20
N/A
1,100
1,100
1,265
0.40
Ross-Simons
Topco, LP Preferred Units (4)
N/A
N/A
12/04/20
N/A
600
600
600
0.19
1,700
1,700
1,865
0.59
Investment
Banking & Brokerage
N/A
N/A
10/01/20
N/A
—
6,944
6,448
2.06
Arcole
Holding Corp. Shares (4)(5)(6)(19)
IT
Consulting & Other Services
Keras
Holdings, LLC Shares(dba KSM Consulting LLC) (4)
N/A
N/A
12/31/20
N/A
496
496
496
0.16
Leisure
Facilities
Lift
Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness Holdings, Inc.) Class A Common Stock (4)
N/A
N/A
06/29/20
N/A
2
1,955
282
0.09
Lift
Brands, Inc. (aka Snap Fitness Holdings, Inc.) Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/29/20
06/28/28
1
793
114
0.04
See notes to consolidated financial statements
17
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Fair
Value
As
A
Spread
Principal/
Percentage
Investment Type (1)
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
of
Net
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (10)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (11)
Assets
3
2,748
396
0.13
Other Diversified Financial Services
RCS Creditor Trust Class B Units (4)(6)
N/A
N/A
10/01/17
N/A
143
$
—
$
—
—
%
SFS Global Holding Company
Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/28/18
12/28/25
—
—
—
—
Sigue Corporation Warrants (4)
N/A
N/A
06/28/18
12/28/25
22
2,890
3,498
1.12
165
2,890
3,498
1.12
Specialized Finance
NMFC Senior Loan Program I LLC Units (4)(5)(6)
N/A
N/A
06/10/14
08/31/22
10,000
10,029
9,269
2.96
WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund
LLC Interests (4)(5)(7)(14)
N/A
N/A
07/19/19
N/A
10,268
10,268
10,167
3.25
20,268
20,297
19,436
6.21
Total Equity
Investments
23,885
36,725
33,486
10.69
Total Investments
717,999
$
695,429
$
690,735
220.72
%
(1) Except as otherwise noted, all investments are non-controlled/non-affiliate investments as defined
by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and provide collateral for the Company’s credit
facility.
(2) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to the London Interbank
Offered Rate (“LIBOR” or “L”), which resets monthly, quarterly or semiannually, the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate
(“CDOR” or “C”) or the U.S. Prime Rate as published by the Wall Street Journal (“Prime” or “P”).
The one, three and six-month LIBOR were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The Prime was 3.25% as of December
31, 2020. The CDOR was 0.5% as of December 31, 2020.
(3) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including the current index and spread, the fixed
rate, and the payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest rate, as the case may be.
(4) The investment or a portion of the investment does not provide collateral for the Company’s credit
facility.
(5) Not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the Company may not
acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of total assets.
Qualifying assets represented 84% of total assets as of the date of the consolidated schedule of investments.
(6) Investment is a non-controlled/affiliate investment as defined by the 1940 Act.
(7) The investment has an unfunded commitment in addition to any amounts presented in the consolidated
schedule of investments as of December 31, 2020. See Note 8.
(8) The investment is on non-accrual status.
(9) Security is perpetual with no defined maturity date.
(10) Except as otherwise noted, all of the Company’s portfolio company investments,
which as of the date of the consolidated schedule of investments represented 221% of the Company’s net assets or 96% of the Company’s
total assets, are subject to legal restrictions on sales.
(11) The fair value of each investment was determined
using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 5.
See
notes to consolidated financial statements
18
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
(12) The investment was comprised of two contracts, which were indexed to different
base rates, L and P, respectively. The Spread Above Index and Interest Rate presented represent the weighted average of both contracts.
(13) Principal amount is denominated in Canadian dollars.
(14) Investment is a controlled affiliate investment as defined by the 1940 Act. On January 14, 2019, the
Company entered into an agreement (as described in Note 4 hereto) with State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, a public pension fund
established under Ohio law (“STRS Ohio”), to create WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund, LLC (“STRS JV”), a joint venture,
which invests primarily in senior secured first and second lien term loans.
(15) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.75% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(16) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.50% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(17) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company
is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.00% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior
term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first
out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any
other amounts due thereunder.
(18) In August 2020, in conjunction with the AG Kings Holdings, Inc. bankruptcy, the Company converted approximately
$14.2 million of its existing first lien secured term loan into a new superpriority secured debtor-in-possession term loan.
(19) On October 1, 2020, as part of a restructuring agreement between the Company and Arcole Acquisition
Corp, the Company’s investments in first lien secured term loans to Arcole Acquisition Corp were converted into common shares of
Arcole Holding Corp.
(20) At the option of the issuer, interest can be paid in cash or cash and PIK. The issuer may elect to
pay up to 2.00% PIK.
19
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share
data)
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (“WhiteHorse
Finance” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the “1940 Act”). In addition, for tax purposes, WhiteHorse Finance elected to be treated as a regulated investment company
(“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). WhiteHorse Finance’s
common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “WHF.”
The Company’s investment objective
is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and
second lien facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating
interest rate based on a risk-free index rate such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and have a term of three
to six years. While the Company focuses principally on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies, it may also
opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests
and may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with its debt investments.
WhiteHorse Finance’s
investment activities are managed by H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC (“WhiteHorse Advisers” or the “Investment Adviser”).
H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC (“WhiteHorse Administration” or the “Administrator”) provides
administrative services necessary for the Company to operate.
Engaging in
commodity interest transactions such as swap transactions or futures contracts for the Company may cause WhiteHorse Advisers to
fall within the definition of “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), and
related regulations promulgated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC”). On January 23, 2020, WhiteHorse
Advisers claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the CEA and the CFTC
regulations in connection with its management of the Company (the “Exclusion”) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC
registration or regulation under the CEA as a commodity pool operator with respect to its management of the Company. WhiteHorse
Advisers has affirmed the Exclusion on February 24, 2021, and intends to continue to affirm the Exclusion on an annual basis.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation : The accompanying
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of WhiteHorse Finance and its wholly owned subsidiaries, WhiteHorse Finance Credit
I, LLC (“WhiteHorse Credit”), and its subsidiary WhiteHorse Finance (CA), LLC (“WhiteHorse California”), and WhiteHorse
Finance Warehouse, LLC (“WhiteHorse Warehouse”). The Company meets the definition of an investment company under Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies , and therefore applies the accounting
and reporting guidance discussed therein to its consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated.
Additionally, the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and related financial information have been prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and
Articles 6, 10 and 12 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying the annual financial statements prepared in accordance
with GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial results included herein contain all adjustments,
consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim
periods included herein. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The current period’s results of operations will not necessarily be indicative of results
that ultimately may be achieved for the year ending December 31, 2021.
Principles of Consolidation : Under the
investment company rules and regulations pursuant to ASC Topic 946, WhiteHorse Finance is precluded from consolidating any entity other
than another investment company. As provided under ASC Topic 946, WhiteHorse Finance generally consolidates any investment company when
it owns 100% of its partners’ or members’ capital or equity units. The Company does not consolidate its investment in STRS
JV. See further description in Note 4.
Use of Estimates : The preparation
of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the financial statements.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments :
The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value and requires disclosures for fair value measurements.
In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments carried at fair value, based on the priority of
the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective
of the market participant who holds the financial instrument. Therefore, when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s
own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument at
the measurement date.
20
Investments are measured at fair value as
determined in good faith by the Investment Adviser’s investment committee (the “Investment Committee”), generally
on a quarterly basis, and such valuations are reviewed by the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors and
ultimately approved by the Company’s board of directors, based on, among other factors, consistently applied valuation procedures on each
measurement date. Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management and the Company’s board of directors to
confirm that the changes are justified. The Company continues to review and refine its valuation procedures in response to market
changes.
The Company engages independent
external valuation firms to periodically review material investments. These external reviews are used by the Company’s board
of directors to review the Company’s internal valuation of each investment over the year.
Investment Transactions : The Company records
investment transactions on a trade date basis. These transactions may settle subsequent to the trade date depending on the transaction
type. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral
appraisals may arise when the Company makes certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations
as they are incurred.
Foreign currency translation: The Company’s books and
records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(1) cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, fair value of investments, interest receivable,
and other assets and liabilities — at the spot exchange rate on the last business day of the period; and
(2) purchases and sales of investments, income and expenses — at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
Although net assets and fair values are
presented based on the applicable foreign exchange rates described above, the Company does not isolate that portion of the results of
operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair values of
investments held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. Fluctuations arising
from the translation of assets other than investments and liabilities are included with the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the consolidated statements of operations.
Foreign security and currency transactions
may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include, but are not
limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations and future adverse political, social and economic developments, which could cause investments
in foreign markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or U.S. government securities.
Revenue Recognition : The Company’s revenue recognition
policies are as follows:
Sales : Realized gains or losses on the sales of investments
are calculated by using the specific identification method.
Investment Income : Interest income,
adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. The Company may also receive closing,
commitment, prepayment, amendment and other fees from portfolio companies in the ordinary course of business.
Dividend income is recorded on the record date for private
portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
Closing fees associated with investments
in portfolio companies are deferred and recognized as interest income over the respective terms of the applicable loans. Upon the prepayment
of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan closing fees are recorded as part of interest income. Commitment fees are based upon
the undrawn portion committed by the Company and are recorded as interest income on an accrual basis. Prepayment, amendment and other
fees are recognized when earned, generally when such fees are receivable, and are included in fee income on the consolidated statements
of operations.
The Company may invest in loans that
contain a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest rate provision. PIK interest is accrued at the contractual rates and added to loan
principal on the reset dates to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected.
Non-accrual loans : Loans are placed
on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal
or interest will be collected. The Company may conclude that non-accrual status is not required if the loan has sufficient collateral
value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest
payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment.
Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are
likely to remain current.
21
Cash and Cash Equivalents : Cash
and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with financial institutions, and short-term liquid investments in money market funds with
original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents :
Restricted cash and cash equivalents include amounts that are collected and held by the trustee appointed as custodian of the assets securing
the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6). Restricted cash is held by the trustee for the payment of interest expense and principal on
the outstanding borrowings or reinvestment into new assets. Restricted cash that represents interest or fee income is transferred to unrestricted
cash accounts by the trustee generally once a quarter after the payment of operating expenses and amounts due under the Credit Facility
(as defined in Note 6).
Offering Costs : The Company may
incur legal, accounting, regulatory, investment banking and other costs in relation to equity offerings. Offering costs are deferred and
charged against paid-in capital in excess of par on completion of the related offering.
Deferred Financing Costs : Deferred
financing costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with the Company’s borrowings. These amounts
are amortized and are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the estimated life of the borrowings.
Deferred financing costs are presented in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as a direct reduction from the carrying
amount of the related debt liability.
Income Taxes : The Company elected
to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to maintain its status as a RIC, among other requirements, the Company
is required to distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to its stockholders each taxable year generally of an amount
at least equal to 90% of the sum of ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital
losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In addition, the Company will incur a nondeductible excise tax
equal to 4% of the amount by which (1) 98% of ordinary income for the calendar year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections),
(2) 98.2% of capital gains in excess of capital losses, adjusted for certain ordinary losses, for the one-year period ending on October
31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain income for preceding years that were not distributed during such
years and on which the Company incurred no U.S. federal income tax exceed distributions for the year. The Company accrues estimated excise
tax on the amount, if any, that estimated taxable income is expected to exceed the level of stockholder distributions described above.
The Company recognizes the financial statement
benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following
an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statement is the largest
benefit or expense that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
Any tax positions not deemed to satisfy the more likely than not threshold are reversed and recorded as tax benefit or tax expense, as
appropriate, in the current year. Management has analyzed the Company’s tax positions, and the Company has concluded that the Company
did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or unrecognized tax liabilities related to uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2020.
Penalties or interest that may be assessed
related to any income taxes would be classified as general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. The
Company had no amounts accrued for interest or penalties as of March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The Company does not expect the total
amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months. The Company’s tax returns are subject to
examination by federal, state and local taxing authorities. Because many types of transactions are susceptible to varying interpretations
under U.S. federal and state income tax laws and regulations, the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
may be subject to change at a later date by the respective taxing authorities. Tax returns for each of the federal tax years since 2017
remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31,
2020, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $633,014 and $701,493 resulting in net unrealized depreciation of $16,027
and $10,758, respectively. This is comprised of gross unrealized appreciation of $8,305 and $16,954, and gross unrealized depreciation
of $24,332 and $27,712, on a tax basis, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Dividends and Distributions :
Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Quarterly distribution payments are
determined by the Company’s board of directors and are paid from taxable earnings estimated by management and may include a
return of capital and/or capital gains. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually, although the Company
may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.
The Company maintains an “opt out”
distribution reinvestment plan for common stockholders. As a result, if the Company declares a distribution or other dividend, stockholders’
cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, unless they specifically “opt out”
of the distribution reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions.
22
Earnings per Share : The Company
calculates earnings per share as earnings available to stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
the period.
Risks and Uncertainties : In the
normal course of business, the Company encounters primarily two significant types of economic risks: credit and market. Credit risk is
the risk of default on the Company’s investments that result from an issuer’s, borrower’s or derivative counterparty’s
inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes
in interest rates, spreads or other market factors, including the value of the collateral underlying investments held by the Company.
Refer to “COVID-19 Developments” section in Note 8. Management believes that the carrying value of the Company’s investments
are fairly stated, taking into consideration these risks along with estimated collateral values, payment histories and other market information.
Reclassifications :
Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 have been reclassified.
These reclassifications had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows as previously reported.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements :
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform
on Financial Reporting , which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and
other transactions to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting
if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2021, the guidance
did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 - FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Company may enter into foreign
currency forward contracts from time to time to facilitate settlement of purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign
currencies and to hedge economically the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of the
Company’s investments denominated in foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward contract is a commitment to purchase or
sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. These contracts are marked-to-market by recognizing the
difference between the contract forward exchange rate and the forward market exchange rate on the last day of the period presented
as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Realized gains or losses are recognized when forward contracts are settled. Risks arise
as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Company attempts to limit
counterparty risk by only dealing with well-known counterparties.
The Company utilizes forward foreign currency
exchange contracts to protect itself against fluctuations in exchange rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the
Company recognized a realized gain of $0 and $6 and an unrealized loss of $1 and $1, respectively in the statement of operations relating
to forward currency exchange contracts held during the year. The Company may choose to renew contracts quarterly unless otherwise settled
by the Company or the counterparty.
The value associated with unrealized
loss on open contracts is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward currency contracts within the statement of assets
and liabilities. Open contracts at March 31, 2021 are as follows:
Currency to be
Currency to be
Unrealized
Unrealized
Counterparty
sold
purchased
Settlement date
appreciation ($)
depreciation ($)
Morgan Stanley
C$
105 CAD
$
83 USD
04/28/2021
$ -
$ (1 )
$ -
$ (1 )
23
The foreign currency forward contracts open at the end of
the period are generally indicative of the volume of activity during the period.
Offsetting of Derivative Instruments
The Company has derivative instruments
that are subject to master netting agreements. These agreements include provisions to offset positions with the same counterparty in the
event of default by one of the parties. The Company’s unrealized appreciation and depreciation on derivative instruments are reported
as gross assets and liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. The following tables present
the Company’s assets and liabilities related to derivatives by counterparty, net of amounts available for offset under a master
netting arrangement and net of any collateral received or pledged by the Company for such assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021.
As of March 31, 2021
Derivative
Assets Subject
Net
to Master
Derivatives
Non-cash
Cash
Amount of
Netting
Available
Collateral
Collateral
Derivative
Counterparty
Agreement
for Offset
Received (1)
Received (1)
Assets (2)
Morgan Stanley
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Total
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Derivative
Liabilities Subject
Net
to Master
Derivatives
Non-cash
Cash
Amount of
Netting
Available
Collateral
Collateral
Derivative
Counterparty
Agreement
for Offset
Pledged (1)
Pledged (1)
Liabilities (3)
Morgan Stanley
$ 1
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 1
Total
$ 1
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 1
(1) In
some instances, the actual amount of the collateral received and/or pledged may be more than
the amount shown due to overcollateralization.
(2) Net amount of derivative assets represents the net amount due from the counterparty to the Company in the event of default.
(3) Net amount of derivative liabilities represents the net amount due from the Company to the counterparty in the event of default.
NOTE 4 - INVESTMENTS
Investments consisted of the following:
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
First lien secured loans
$ 530,236
$ 522,620
$ 588,260
$ 588,580
Second lien secured loans
16,856
15,028
29,371
27,596
Subordinated Note to STRS JV
44,529
44,529
41,073
41,073
Equity (excluding STRS JV)
26,457
23,899
26,457
23,319
Equity in STRS JV
11,132
10,911
10,268
10,167
Total
$ 629,210
$ 616,987
$ 695,429
$ 690,735
24
The following
table shows the portfolio composition by industry (1) grouping at fair value:
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Advertising
$ 7,724
1.38
$ 15,159
2.37 %
Agricultural & Farm Machinery
-
-
9,201
1.44
Air Freight & Logistics
5,286
0.94
5,359
0.84
Application Software
20,786
3.70
28,397
4.43
Automotive Retail
15,650
2.79
22,139
3.46
Broadcasting
-
-
4,844
0.76
Building Products
16,808
2.99
19,751
3.09
Cable & Satellite
14,250
2.54
14,250
2.23
Communications Equipment
-
-
15,770
2.47
Construction & Engineering
7,969
1.42
26,229
4.09
Construction Material
7,828
1.39
7,840
1.23
Consumer Finance
8,737
1.56
9,682
1.51
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
37,274
6.64
36,861
5.76
Department Stores
13,408
2.39
13,272
2.08
Distributors
4,090
0.73
4,158
0.65
Diversified Chemicals
7,473
1.33
8,834
1.38
Diversified Support Services
13,427
2.39
20,241
3.17
Education Services
12,789
2.28
13,612
2.13
Food Retail
-
-
21,822
3.41
Health Care Facilities
13,170
2.35
15,188
2.37
Health Care Services
47,230
8.41
39,600
6.19
Home Furnishings
4,672
0.83
4,019
0.63
Interactive Media & Services
17,461
3.11
12,594
1.97
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
41,629
7.41
36,556
5.72
Investment Banking & Brokerage
19,094
3.40
20,046
3.14
IT Consulting & Other Services
7,753
1.38
15,665
2.45
Leisure Facilities
21,577
3.84
20,745
3.24
Office Services & Supplies
10,341
1.84
10,489
1.64
Other Diversified Financial Services
3,492
0.62
3,498
0.55
Packaged Foods & Meats
10,513
1.87
10,811
1.69
Personal Products
12,308
2.19
11,270
1.76
Property & Casualty Insurance
6,100
1.09
6,115
0.96
Research & Consulting Services
32,137
5.72
32,631
5.10
Restaurants
10,227
1.82
9,779
1.53
Specialized Consumer Services
6,338
1.13
6,363
1.00
Specialized Finance
20,508
3.65
32,707
5.11
Specialty Chemicals
10,802
1.92
10,818
1.69
Systems Software
27,578
4.91
7,074
1.11
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
36,927
6.58
36,106
5.65
Trading Companies & Distributors
8,191
1.46
-
-
Total
$ 561,547
100.00 %
$ 639,495
100.00 %
(1) Excludes investments in STRS JV.
25
As of March 31, 2021, the portfolio companies
underlying the investments are all located in the United States and its territories, except for Arcole Acquisition Corp and Geo Logic
Systems Ltd. (which are located in Canada). As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining term of the Company’s
debt investments were approximately 3.7 years and 3.6 years, respectively.
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the total fair
value of non-accrual loans were $14,345 and $11,620, respectively.
An affiliated company is generally a portfolio
company in which the Company owns 5% or more of its voting securities. A controlled affiliated company is generally a portfolio company
in which the Company owns more than 25% of its voting securities or has the power to exercise control over its management or policies
(including through a management agreement). The following table presents the schedule of investments in and advances to affiliated and
controlled persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Amount of
dividends
and
Beginning
Net
Change in
Ending
Fair
interest
Fair
Value at
Net
Unrealized
Value at
Type of
included in
December
31,
Realized
Appreciation
March 31,
Affiliated
Person (1)
Asset
income
2020
Purchases
Sales
Gain
(Loss)
(Depreciation)
2021
Non-controlled affiliates
Arcole Holdings Corp Shares
Equity
$ —
$ 6,448
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ (735 )
$ 5,713
NMFC Senior Loan
Program
I LLC Units
Equity
250
9,269
—
—
—
301
9,570
Total Non-controlled
affiliates
$ 250
$ 15,717
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ (434 )
$ 15,283
Amount
of
dividends
and
Beginning
Net
Change in
Ending
Fair
interest
Fair
Value at
Net
Unrealized
Value
at
Type
of
included
in
December
31,
Realized
Appreciation
March
31,
Affiliated
Person (1)
Asset
income
2020
Purchases
Sales
Gain
(Loss)
(Depreciation)
2021
Controlled
affiliates
WHF
STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC *
Subordinated
Note
$ 719
$ 41,073
$ 3,456
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 44,529
WHF
STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC *
Equity
1,374
10,167
864
—
—
(120 )
10,911
Total
Controlled affiliates
$ 2,093
$ 51,240
$ 4,320
$ —
$ —
$ (120 )
$ 55,440
26
The following table presents the schedule
of investments in and advances to affiliated and controlled affiliated persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2020:
Amount of
dividends
and
Beginning
Net
Change in
Ending
Fair
interest
Fair
Value at
Net
Unrealized
Value at
Type of
included
in
December
31,
Realized
Appreciation
December
31,
Affiliated
Person (1)
Asset
income
2019
Purchases
Sales
Gain
(Loss)
(Depreciation)
2020
Non-controlled affiliates
Arcole Holding Corp Shares
Equity
$
114
$
—
$
6,944
$
—
$
—
$
(496
)
$
6,448
NMFC Senior Loan
Program
I LLC Units
Equity
1,069
9,651
—
—
—
(382
)
9,269
Total Non-controlled
affiliates
$
1,183
$
9,651
$
6,944
$
—
$
—
$
(878
)
$
15,717
Amount
of
dividends
and
Beginning
Net
Change in
Ending
Fair
interest
Fair
Value at
Net
Unrealized
Value
at
Type
of
included
in
December
31,
Realized
Appreciation
December
31,
Affiliated
Person (1)
Asset
income
2019
Purchases
Sales
Gain
(Loss)
(Depreciation)
2020
Controlled
affiliates
WHF
STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC *
Subordinated
Note
$ 2,595
$ 26,344
$ 14,729
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 41,073
WHF
STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC *
Equity
1,761
6,949
3,682
—
—
(464 )
10,167
Total
Controlled affiliates
$ 4,356
33,293
$ 18,411
$ —
$ —
$ (464 )
$ 51,240
* The
Company and STRS Ohio are the members of STRS JV, a joint venture formed as a Delaware limited
liability company that is not consolidated by either member for financial reporting purposes.
The members make investments in STRS JV in the form of limited liability company (“LLC”)
equity interests and interest-bearing subordinated notes as STRS JV makes investments, and
all portfolio and other material decisions regarding STRS JV must be submitted to STRS JV’s
board of managers which is comprised of an equal number of members appointed by each of the
Company and STRS Ohio. Because management of STRS JV is shared equally between the Company
and STRS Ohio, the Company does not believe it controls STRS JV for purposes of the 1940
Act or otherwise.
(1) Refer
to the consolidated schedule of investments for the principal amount, industry classification
and other security detail of each portfolio company.
27
WHF STRS Ohio Senior Loan Fund LLC
On January 14, 2019, the Company entered
into a limited liability company operating agreement with STRS Ohio to co-manage a newly formed joint venture investment company, STRS
JV, a Delaware limited liability company. STRS Ohio and the Company have committed to provide up to $125,000 of subordinated notes and
equity to STRS JV, with STRS Ohio providing up to $50,000 and the Company providing up to $75,000, respectively. STRS JV will invest primarily
in lower middle market, senior secured debt facilities, to performing lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries
that typically carry a floating interest rate based on a risk-free index rate such as LIBOR and have a term of three to six years.
In July 2019, STRS JV formally
launched operations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, STRS JV had total assets of $193,686 and $181,382 respectively.
STRS JV’s portfolio consisted of debt investments in 22 and 20 portfolio companies as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020,
respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the largest investment by aggregate principal amount (including any
unfunded commitments) in a single portfolio company in STRS JV’s portfolio was $15,972 and $14,593, respectively. The five
largest investments in portfolio companies by fair value in STRS JV totaled $60,953 and $60,252 as of March 31, 2021 and December
31, 2020, respectively. STRS JV invests in portfolio companies in the same industries in which the Company may directly invest.
The Company provides capital to STRS JV in the
form of LLC equity interests and through interest-bearing subordinated notes. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company
and STRS Ohio owned 60% and 40%, respectively, of the LLC equity interests of STRS JV. The Company’s investment in STRS JV consisted
of equity contributions of $11,132 and $10,268 and advances of the subordinated notes of $44,529 and $41,073 as of March 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had commitments to fund equity interests and subordinated notes in
STRS JV of $15,000 and $60,000, of which $3,868 and $15,471 were unfunded, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had commitments
to fund equity interests and subordinated notes in STRS JV of $15,000 and $60,000, of which $4,732 and $18,927 were unfunded, respectively.
The Company and STRS Ohio each appoint two members
to STRS JV’s four-person board of managers. All material decisions with respect to STRS JV, including those involving its investment
portfolio, require unanimous approval of a quorum of the board of managers. Quorum is defined as (i) the presence of two members of the
board of managers; provided that at least one individual is present that was elected, designated or appointed by each member; (ii) the
presence of three members of the board of managers; provided that the individual that was elected, designated or appointed by the member
with only one individual present shall be entitled to cast two votes on each matter; or (iii) the presence of four members of the board
of managers; provided that two individuals are present that were elected, designated or appointed by each member.
On July 19, 2019, STRS JV entered
into a $125,000 credit and security agreement (the “STRS JV Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National
Association (“JPMorgan”). On January 27, 2021, the terms of the STRS JV Credit Facility were amended to, among other
things, increase the size of the STRS JV Credit Facility from $125,000 to $175,000. As of March 31, 2021, the STRS JV Credit
Facility had $175,000 of commitments subject to leverage and borrowing base restrictions with an interest rate based on a risk-free
index rate such as LIBOR plus 2.55%. The final maturity date of the STRS JV Credit Facility is July 19, 2024. As of March 31, 2021,
STRS JV had $99,359 of outstanding borrowings under the STRS JV Credit Facility. At March 31, 2021, the effective interest rate on
the STRS JV Credit Facility was 2.78% per annum.
28
Below is a listing of STRS JV’s individual investments
as of March 31, 2021:
Investment
Type (1)
Spread
Above
Index (2)
Interest
Rate (3)
Acquisition
Date (4)
Maturity
Date
Principal/
Share
Amount
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value (5)
North America
Debt Investments
Advertising
SmartSign Holdings LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
10/21/19
10/11/24
8,731
$ 8,607
$ 8,731
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
10/21/19
10/11/24
545
538
551
(1.00% Floor)
9,276
9,145
9,282
Application Software
TaxSlayer, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
01/21/21
12/31/26
6,796
6,664
6,666
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
01/21/21
12/31/26
-
-
-
(1.00% Floor)
6,796
6,664
6,666
Automotive Retail
BW Gas & Convenience Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
6.36 %
02/18/21
11/18/24
6,319
6,319
6,319
(0.00% Floor)
Building Products
Drew Foam Companies Inc
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
11/09/20
11/05/25
7,260
7,127
7,127
(1.00% Floor)
LHS Borrower, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75 %
10/09/20
09/30/25
9,689
9,488
9,550
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75 %
10/09/20
09/30/25
131
128
131
(1.00% Floor)
17,080
16,743
16,808
Construction & Engineering
Road Safety Services, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
12/31/19
09/18/23
4,538
4,454
4,539
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
12/31/19
09/18/23
-
-
16
(1.00% Floor)
SFP Holding, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
12/13/19
09/01/22
6,470
6,468
6,408
(1.00% Floor)
First
Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
12/13/19
09/01/22
6,735
6,733
6,668
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
12/31/19
09/01/23
-
-
(8 )
(1.00% Floor)
Tensar Corp.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
7.75 %
11/24/20
08/20/25
6,983
6,821
6,918
(1.00% Floor)
24,726
24,476
24,541
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
Geo Logic Systems Ltd.
First Lien Secured Term Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
01/22/20
12/19/24
14,373
10,837
11,207
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
01/22/20
12/19/24
-
-
(4 )
(1.00% Floor)
14,373
10,837
11,203
Diversified Support Services
Quest Events, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (9)
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
12/28/24
11,893
11,744
9,669
(1.00% Floor)
(7.00 %PIK)
First Lien Secured
Revolving Loan (9)
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
12/28/24
935
922
760
(1.00% Floor)
(7.00 %PIK)
12,828
12,666
10,429
Environmental & Facilities Services
WH Lessor Corp.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
01/22/20
11/24/25
6,244
6,146
6,225
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
01/22/20
12/26/24
-
-
8
(1.00% Floor)
6,244
6,146
6,233
Human Resource & Employment Services
Pluto Acquisition Topco, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
L+ 6.31%
7.81 %
05/19/20
01/31/24
11,434
11,303
11,434
(1.50% Floor)
11,434
11,303
11,434
29
Industrial Machinery
FR Flow Control CB LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan B
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
06/28/26
7,000
$ 6,894
$ 6,930
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Term Loan C
L+ 6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
06/28/26
2,870
2,827
2,841
(1.00% Floor)
9,870
9,721
9,771
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
Marlin DTC-LS Midco 2, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
07/19/19
07/01/25
13,543
13,350
13,542
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
07/19/19
07/01/25
-
-
14
(1.00% Floor)
13,543
13,350
13,556
Investment Banking & Brokerage
TOUR Intermediate Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
05/19/20
05/15/25
8,089
7,963
8,089
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
05/19/20
05/15/25
2,845
2,824
2,845
(1.00% Floor)
10,934
10,787
10,934
IT Consulting & Other Services
KSM Consulting LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
01/27/21
12/31/26
11,349
11,129
11,131
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (6)
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
01/27/21
12/31/22
-
-
(32 )
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured
Revolving Loan (6)
L+ 6.25%
7.25 %
01/27/21
12/31/26
604
593
593
(1.00% Floor)
11,953
11,722
11,692
Packaged Foods & Meats
Mikawaya Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 5.50%
6.75 %
02/18/20
01/29/25
3,049
3,002
3,049
(1.25% Floor)
Poultry Holdings, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 7.25%
8.25 %
10/21/19
06/28/25
7,798
7,683
7,018
(1.00% Floor)
(1.50 %PIK)
Stella & Chewy's
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
12/29/20
12/16/25
5,313
5,212
5,212
(1.00% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (6)
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
12/29/20
12/16/25
879
871
841
(1.00% Floor)
Westrock Coffee Company, LLC
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 9.00%
10.50 %
03/20/20
02/28/25
9,232
9,141
9,047
(1.50% Floor)
(0.75 %PIK)
26,271
25,909
25,167
Personal Products
Sunless, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
10/21/19
08/13/24
4,822
4,728
4,436
(1.00% Floor)
(0.50 %PIK)
First Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+ 6.50%
7.50 %
10/21/19
08/13/24
-
-
(88 )
(1.00% Floor)
4,822
4,728
4,348
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
PS Lightwave, Inc.
First Lien Secured Term Loan
L+ 6.75%
8.25 %
05/19/20
03/10/25
7,415
7,294
7,341
(1.50% Floor)
First Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+ 6.75%
8.25 %
05/19/20
03/10/25
-
-
10
(1.50% Floor)
7,415
7,294
7,351
Total Investments
193,884
$ 187,810
$ 185,734
(1)
Except as noted, all investments provide collateral for the STRS JV Credit Facility.
(2)
The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR, which resets monthly, quarterly or semiannually, or CDOR. The one, three and six-month LIBOR were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2%, respectively, as of March 31,2021. The CDOR was 0.4% as of March 31, 2021.
(3)
The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including the current index and spread, the fixed rate, and the PIK interest rate, as the case may be.
(4)
Except as otherwise noted, all of the STRS JV’s portfolio company investments, which as of the date of the portfolio represented 1,021% of STRS JV’s net assets or 96% of STRS JV’s total assets, are subject to legal restrictions on sales.
(5)
The fair value of each investment was determined using significant unobservable inputs.
(6)
The investment or a portion of the investment does not provide collateral for the STRS JV Credit Facility.
(7)
Principal is denominated in Canadian dollars.
(8)
In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, STRS JV is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.00% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(9)
At the option of the issuer, interest can be paid in cash or cash and PIK. The issuer
may elect to pay up to 7.00% PIK.
30
Below is a listing of STRS JV’s individual investments
as of December 31, 2020:
Spread
Principal/
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
Investment
Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (4)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (5)
North
America
Debt
Investments
Advertising
SmartSign
Holdings LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
10/21/19
10/11/24
8,753
$ 8,620
$ 8,710
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
10/21/19
10/11/24
545
537
546
(1.00%
Floor)
9,298
9,157
9,256
Building
Products
Drew
Foam Companies Inc
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
11/09/20
11/24/25
10,079
9,883
9,882
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
11/09/20
11/05/25
332
325
325
(1.00%
Floor)
LHS
Borrower, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.75%
7.75 %
10/09/20
09/30/25
9,689
9,478
9,543
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.75%
7.75 %
10/09/20
09/30/25
—
—
4
(1.00%
Floor)
20,100
19,686
19,754
Construction
& Engineering
SFP
Holding, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.25%
7.25 %
12/13/19
09/01/22
6,483
6,482
6,389
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+
6.25%
7.25 %
12/13/19
09/01/22
6,713
6,711
6,610
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.25%
7.25 %
12/31/19
09/01/22
—
—
(13 )
(1.00%
Floor)
Tensar
Corp.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.75%
7.75 %
11/24/20
08/20/25
7,000
6,829
6,829
(1.00%
Floor)
20,196
20,022
19,815
Data
Processing & Outsourced Services
Geo
Logic Systems Ltd.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (7)
L+
6.24%
7.25 %
01/22/20
12/19/24
14,466
10,894
11,133
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan (7)
L+
6.24%
7.25 %
01/22/20
12/19/24
—
—
(3 )
(1.00%
Floor)
14,466
10,894
11,130
Diversified
Support Services
Quest
Events, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
12/28/24
11,649
11,490
9,470
(1.00%
Floor)
(3.50 %PIK)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
12/28/24
935
922
760
(1.00%
Floor)
(3.50 %PIK)
12,584
12,412
10,230
31
Spread
Principal/
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
Investment Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (4)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (5 )
Environmental & Facilities
Services
WH Lessor Corp.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
01/22/20
11/24/25
6,259
$ 6,155
$ 6,239
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
01/22/20
12/26/24
—
—
9
(1.00%
Floor)
6,259
6,155
6,248
Human Resource & Employment
Services
Pluto Acquisition Topco, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan (8)
L+
6.31%
7.81 %
05/19/20
01/31/24
11,549
11,405
11,549
(1.50%
Floor)
11,549
11,405
11,549
Industrial
Machinery
FR Flow Control CB LLC
First Lien
Secured Term Loan B
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
06/28/26
7,269
7,154
7,088
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Term Loan C
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
06/28/26
2,870
2,825
2,798
(1.00%
Floor)
10,139
9,979
9,886
Insurance
Brokers
SelectQuote, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
11/05/19
11/05/24
7,838
7,718
7,838
(1.00%
Floor)
7,838
7,718
7,838
Internet
& Direct Marketing Retail
Marlin DTC-LS Midco 2, LLC
First Lien
Secured Term Loan
L+
5.50%
6.50 %
07/19/19
07/01/25
13,577
13,373
13,501
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
5.50%
6.50 %
07/19/19
07/01/25
—
—
10
(1.00%
Floor)
13,577
13,373
13,511
Investment
Banking & Brokerage
TOUR Intermediate Holdings, LLC
First Lien
Secured Term Loan
L+
7.00%
8.00 %
05/19/20
05/15/25
8,194
8,059
8,194
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+
7.00%
8.00 %
05/19/20
05/15/25
2,882
2,859
2,882
(1.00%
Floor)
11,076
10,918
11,076
Packaged
Foods & Meats
Mikawaya Holdings, LLC
First Lien
Secured Term Loan
L+
5.75%
7.00 %
02/18/20
01/29/25
3,057
3,007
3,057
(1.25%
Floor)
Poultry Holdings, LLC
First Lien
Secured Term Loan
L+
5.75%
6.75 %
10/21/19
06/28/25
7,728
7,606
7,265
(1.00%
Floor)
10,785
10,613
10,322
32
Spread
Principal/
Above
Interest
Acquisition
Maturity
Share
Amortized
Fair
Investment
Type (1)
Index (2)
Rate (3)
Date (4)
Date
Amount
Cost
Value (5)
Stella
& Chewy's
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
12/29/20
12/16/25
5,312
$ 5,206
$ 5,206
(1.00%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan (6)
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
12/29/20
12/16/25
—
—
—
(1.00%
Floor)
Westrock
Coffee Company, LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
8.25%
9.75 %
03/20/20
02/28/25
9,234
9,137
9,049
(1.50%
Floor)
(1.00 %PIK)
25,331
24,956
24,577
Personal
Products
Sunless,
Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
10/21/19
08/13/24
4,828
4,734
4,345
(1.00%
Floor)
(0.50 %PIK)
First
Lien Secured Revolving Loan
L+
6.50%
7.50 %
10/21/19
08/13/24
—
—
(113 )
(1.00%
Floor)
4,828
4,734
4,232
Systems
Software
arcserve
(USA) LLC
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.00%
7.00 %
07/19/19
05/01/24
8,110
8,001
8,110
(1.00%
Floor)
8,110
8,001
8,110
Technology
Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
PS
Lightwave, Inc.
First
Lien Secured Term Loan
L+
6.75%
8.25 %
05/19/20
03/10/25
7,435
7,306
7,334
(1.50%
Floor)
First
Lien Secured Delayed Draw Loan
L+
6.75%
8.25 %
05/19/20
03/10/25
—
—
6
(1.50%
Floor)
7,435
7,306
7,340
Total
Investments
182,786
$ 176,716
$ 174,552
(1) Except as noted, all investments provide collateral for the STRS JV Credit Facility.
(2) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR,
which resets monthly, quarterly or semiannually, or CDOR. The one, three and six-month LIBOR were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively,
as of December 31, 2020. The CDOR was 0.5% as of December 31, 2020.
(3) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including the current index and spread, the fixed
rate, and the PIK interest rate, as the case may be.
(4) Except as otherwise noted, all of the STRS JV’s portfolio company investments,
which as of the date of the portfolio represented 1,030% of STRS JV’s net assets or 96% of STRS JV’s total assets, are subject
to legal restrictions on sales.
(5) The fair value of each investment was determined using significant unobservable inputs.
(6) The investment or a portion of the investment does not provide collateral for the STRS JV Credit Facility.
(7) Principal is denominated in Canadian dollars.
(8) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, STRS JV is entitled
to receive an additional interest amount of 3.00% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt,
which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out”
tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts
due thereunder.
33
As of March 31, 2021 and 2020, STRS JV
had no investments on non-accrual status. STRS JV had outstanding commitments to fund investments totaling $14,940, and $4,645 under undrawn
revolver as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively.
Below is certain summarized
financial information for STRS JV as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021
and March 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):
Selected Balance Sheet Information
March 31, 2021
December
31, 2020
Assets:
Investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $187,810 and $176,716, respectively)
$ 185,734
$ 174,552
Cash and cash equivalents
7,185
5,947
Other assets
767
883
Total assets
$ 193,686
$ 181,382
Liabilities:
Credit facility
99,359
94,260
Note payable to members
74,216
68,456
Interest payable on credit facility
242
189
Interest payable on notes to members
1,197
1,136
Other liabilities
487
396
Total liabilities
$ 175,501
$ 164,437
Members’ equity
18,185
16,945
Total liabilities and members’ equity
$ 193,686
$ 181,382
Selected Statement of Operations Information
Three months ended March
31, 2021
Three months
ended March
31, 2020
Interest income
$ 4,602
$ 2,377
Total investment income
$ 4,602
$ 2,377
Interest expense on credit facility
987
764
Interest expense on notes to members
1,198
1,042
Administrative fee
92
59
Other expenses
117
112
Total expenses
$ 2,394
$ 1,977
Net investment income
2,208
400
Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions
(67 )
(44 )
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency translation
(50 )
(6,691 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations
$ 2,091
$ (6,335 )
34
NOTE 5 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Accounting standards establish a fair
value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring
fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical
assets or liabilities in active public markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other
than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs
that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect
a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
In certain cases, the inputs used to
measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s categorization
within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s
assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors
specific to the financial instrument.
A review of the fair value hierarchy classifications
is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial
assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or out of the Level
3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and year
ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in the observability of valuation inputs that would have resulted in a reclassification
of assets between any levels.
Fair value for each investment is derived
using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the Investment Committee are most relevant
to such investment, including, without limitation, being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market
makers for which the Investment Committee has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) to be indicative
of fair value, (ii) the price paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s-length transaction,
(iii) a discounted cash flow analysis, (iv) the guideline public company method, (v) the similar transaction method or (vi) the option
pricing method.
The following table presents investments
(as shown on the consolidated schedule of investments) that were measured at fair value as of March 31, 2021:
Level
1
Level
2
Level
3
Total
First
lien secured loans
$ —
$ —
$ 522,620
522,620
Second
lien secured loans
—
—
15,028
15,028
Subordinated
Note to STRS JV
—
—
44,529
44,529
Equity
(excluding STRS JV)
—
—
23,899
23,899
Equity
in STRS JV (1)
—
—
—
10,911
Total
investments
$ —
$ —
$ 606,076
616,987
The Company’s investments in forward
currency contracts, which were valued at $(1) as of March 31, 2021, are characterized in Level 2 of the hierarchy.
The following table presents investments
(as shown on the consolidated schedule of investments) that were measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020:
Level
1
Level
2
Level
3
Total
First
lien secured loans
$ —
$ —
$ 589,717
$ 589,717
Second
lien secured loans
—
—
27,059
27,059
Subordinated
Note to STRS JV
—
—
41,073
41,073
Equity
(excluding STRS JV)
—
—
22,719
22,719
Equity
in STRS JV (1)
—
—
—
10,167
Total
investments
$ —
$ —
$ 680,568
690,735
(1) The Company’s equity investment in STRS JV is measured using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient for fair
value, and thus has not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit
reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
35
The following table presents the changes in investments measured
at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
First Lien
Second Lien
Subordinated
Secured
Secured
Subordinated
Notes to STRS
Total
Loans
Loans
Notes
JV
Equity
Investments
Fair value, beginning of period
$
588,580
$
27,596
$
—
$
41,073
$
23,319
$
680,568
Funding of investments
72,057
—
331
3,456
—
75,844
Non-cash interest income
493
1
—
—
—
494
Accretion of discount
2,490
71
—
—
—
2,561
Proceeds from paydowns and sales
(139,382
)
(12,585
)
(331
)
—
—
(152,088
)
Realized gains
6,316
—
—
—
—
6,316
Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation
(7,943
)
(55
)
—
—
580
(7,418
)
Fair value, end of period
$
522,620
$
15,028
$
—
$
44,529
$
23,899
$
606,076
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held as of March 31, 2021
$
1,433
$
1
$
—
$
—
$
580
$
2,014
The following table presents the changes in investments measured
at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2020:
First Lien
Second Lien
Subordinated
Secured
Secured
Notes to STRS
Total
Loans
Loans
JV
Equity
Investments
Fair value, beginning of period
$ 477,875
$ 62,155
$ 26,344
$ 15,898
$ 582,272
Funding of investments
27,640
—
10,193
—
37,833
Non-cash interest income
308
—
—
—
308
Accretion of discount
579
87
—
18
684
Proceeds from paydowns and sales
(37,961 )
(7,610 )
—
(18 )
(45,589 )
Realized gains
354
—
—
—
354
Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation
(20,804 )
(846 )
—
(2.641 )
(24,291 )
Fair value, end of period
$ 447,991
$ 53,786
$ 36,537
$ 13,257
$ 551,571
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held as of March 31, 2020
$ (20,808 )
$ (844 )
$ —
$ (2,641 )
$ (24,293 )
The
significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s investments are the discount rate, market
quotes and exit multiples. An increase or decrease in the discount rate in isolation would result in significantly lower or higher
fair value measurement, respectively. An increase or decrease in the market quote for an investment would in isolation result in
significantly higher or lower fair value measurement, respectively. An increase or decrease in the exit multiple would in isolation
result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurement, respectively. As the fair value of a debt investment diverges from
par, which would generally be the case for non-accrual loans, the fair value measurement of that investment is more susceptible to
volatility from changes in exit multiples as a significant unobservable input.
36
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements
is as follows:
Fair Value at
March 31,
Valuation
Unobservable
Range (Weighted
Investment Type
2021
Techniques
Inputs
Average)
First lien secured loans
$
338,682
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
6.2% – 17.3% (9.4)%
Exit EBITDA
3.0x – 15.0x (7.6x)
multiple
9,673
Guideline public companies
LTM EBITDA
4.0x
multiple
90,328
Recent transaction
Transaction price
97.0 – 99.1 (98.2)
83,937
Discounted cash flows,
Discount rate
6.9% – 10.4% (8.8)%
recent transaction, guideline
public companies and
consensus market pricing
Market pricing
100.5
Transaction price
97.3 – 98.3 (97.9)
Exit EBITDA
5.5x – 11.0x (8.8x)
multiple
LTM EBITDA
7.0x
multiple
$
522,620
Second lien secured loans
$
15,028
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
10.6% – 21.3% (14.0)%
Exit EBITDA
6.5x
multiple
Subordinated Note to STRS JV
$
44,529
Enterprise value
—
—
Preferred Equity
$
857
Similar transactions
LTM EBITDA
8.0x
multiple
600
Recent transaction
Transaction price
$1.0/s
$
1,457
Common Equity
$
12,006
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
11.7% – 18.0% (13.0)%
Exit EBITDA
8.2x – 8.6x (8.2x)
Multiple
Discount for lack
2.0% – 15.0% (4.6)%
of marketability
5,713
Discounted cash flows and
Discount rate
20.2%
Guideline public companies
Exit EBITDA
8.0x
Multiple
LTM EBITDA
7.3x
multiple
Discount for lack
10.0%
of marketability
164
Similar transactions
Exit EBITDA
6.0x
Multiple
Discount for lack
15.0%
of marketability
496
Recent transaction
Transaction price
$1.0/s
$
18,379
Warrant
$
3,588
Discounted cash flows and
Discount rate
17.0% – 24.7% (24.5)%
Option-pricing method
Exit EBITDA
5.5x – 8.6x (5.6x)
multiple
Volatility
3.3% – 8.5% (3.4)%
Discount for lack
10.0% – 12.5% (10.1)%
of marketability
475
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
44.6%
Exit EBITDA
7.0x
multiple
Discount for lack
15.0%
of marketability
$
4,063
Total Level 3 Investments
$
606,076
37
Investment Type
Fair Value at
December 31,
2020
Valuation
Techniques
Unobservable
Inputs
Range (Weighted Average)
First lien secured loans
$
391,704
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
7.2% – 16.6% (9.7)%
Exit EBITDA
multiple
3.0x – 15.0x (7.5x)
11,774
Guideline public companies
LTM EBITDA
multiple
6.3 x
142,031
Recent transaction
Transaction price
97.0 – 99.0 (97.9)
20,870
Discounted cash flows,
recent transaction, guideline
public companies and
consensus market pricing
Discount rate
7.1% – 16.5% (9.6)%
Market pricing
100.2 – 100.6 (100.4)
Transaction price
100.0
Exit EBITDA
multiple
7.0x – 12.0x (9.3x)
22,201
Other (asset coverage and
expected repayment)
—
—
$
588,580
Second lien secured loans
$
15,096
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
12.1% – 20.9% (14.9)%
Exit EBITDA
multiple
6.5 x
12,500
Other (expected repayment)
—
—
$
27,596
Subordinated Note to STRS JV
$
41,073
Enterprise value
—
—
$
41,073
Preferred Equity
$
857
Similar transactions
LTM EBITDA
multiple
8.0 x
600
Recent transaction
Transaction price
$1.0 /s
$
1,457
Common Equity
$
10,816
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
12.5% – 19.8% (13.5)%
Exit EBITDA
Multiple
6.7x – 8.6x (7.1x)
Discount for lack of marketability
2.0% – 15.0% (3.8)%
6,448
Discounted cash flows
and
Guideline public companies
Discount rate
15.5 %
Exit EBITDA
Multiple
8.0 x
Discount for lack
of marketability
10.0 %
14
Similar transactions
Exit EBITDA
Multiple
6.0 x
Discount for lack
of marketability
15.0 %
496
Recent transaction
Transaction price
$1.0 /s
$
17,774
Warrant
$
3,612
Discounted cash flows and
Discount rate
19.1% – 24.7% (24.5)%
Option-pricing method
Exit EBITDA
multiple
5.5x – 8.6x (5.6x)
Volatility
3.0% – 7.8% (3.2)%
Discount for lack
of marketability
10.0% – 15.0% (10.2)%
476
Recent transaction
Transaction price
$1.0 /s
$
4,088
Total Level 3 Investments
$
680,568
Valuation of investments may be determined by
weighting various valuation techniques. Significant judgment is required in selecting the assumptions used to determine the fair values
of these investments. The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the sufficiency
of data available to measure fair value. If more than one valuation method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and
weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value measurement is the point
within that range that is most representative of fair value in the circumstances.
The availability of observable inputs
can vary depending on the financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the nature of the
instrument, whether the instrument is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market and the current market conditions. To the
extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair
value requires a greater degree of judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is
greatest for financial instruments classified as Level 3.
38
The determination of fair value using
the selected methodologies takes into consideration a range of factors including the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature
of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public and private exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected
operating performance and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment, compliance with agreed upon terms and
covenants, and assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment
to be exercised.
As it relates to
investments which do not have an active public market, there is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value. Valuations
of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, and they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates.
The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments
existed.
In some cases, fair value for such investments
is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.
Consequently, fair value for each investment may be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the
investment professionals, are most relevant to such investment. The selected valuation methodologies for a particular investment are consistently
applied on each measurement date. However, a change in a valuation methodology or its application from one measurement date to another
is possible if the change results in a measurement that is equally or more representative of fair value in the circumstances.
The
following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s borrowings as of March 31, 2021 and December 31,
2020. The amortized cost disclosed below excludes debt issuance costs. The fair value of the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6)
was estimated by discounting remaining payments using applicable market rates or market quotes for similar instruments at the
measurement date, if available. The fair value of the Company’s 6.0% private notes due 2023 (the “2023 Private
Notes”), the 5.375% private notes due 2025 (the “2025 Private Notes”) the 5.375% private notes due 2026 (the
“2026 Private Notes”) and the 5.625% private notes due 2027 (the “2027 Private Notes”) were estimated using
discounted future cash flows to the valuation date . The fair value
of the 6.5% notes due 2025, (the “2025 Public Notes”) was estimated using the trailing 10-day volume weighted average
quoted price as of the valuation date.
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Fair
Value Level
Par
Fair Value
Par
Fair Value
JPM Credit Facility
3
$ 214,563
$ 222,284
$ 265,246
$ 272,570
2023 Private Notes
3
30,000
31,830
30,000
32,389
2025 Private Notes
3
40,000
41,327
40,000
41,110
2026 Private Notes
3
10,000
10,249
10,000
10,260
2027 Private Notes
3
10,000
10,256
10,000
10,324
2025 Public Notes
2
35,000
36,357
35,000
36,000
​
​
$ 339,563
$ 352,303
$ 390,246
$ 402,653
NOTE 6 - BORROWINGS
Historically, the 1940 Act has
permitted the Company to issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial
institutions, only in amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence
or issuance. In March 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”) was enacted into law. The SBCAA,
among other things, amended the 1940 Act to reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to business development companies from
200% to 150% so long as the business development company meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. At the
Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the reduced asset
coverage ratio from 200% to 150%, such that the Company’s maximum debt-to-equity ratio increased from a prior maximum of 1.0x
(equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each $1
of equity). As a result, the Company’s asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities decreased from 200% to
150%, effective August 2, 2018. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company’s asset coverage for borrowed amounts
was 192.6% and 180.2%, respectively.
Total borrowings outstanding and available as of March 31,
2021, were as follows:
Maturity
Rate
Face Amount
Available
JPM Credit Facility
2024
L+2.50%
$ 214,563
$ 70,437
2023 Private Notes
2023
6.0%
30,000
—
2025 Private Notes
2025
5.375%
40,000
—
2026 Private Notes
2026
5.375%
10,000
—
2027 Private Notes
2027
5.625%
10,000
—
2025 Public Notes
2025
6.5%
35,000
—
Total debt
339,563
$ 70,437
Debt issuance cost
(5,056 )
Total debt net issuance cost
$ 334,507
39
Total borrowings outstanding and available as of December
31, 2020, were as follows:
Maturity
Rate
Face
Amount
Available
JPM
Credit Facility
2024
L+2.50 %
$ 265,246
$ 19,754
2023
Private Notes
2023
6.0 %
30,000
—
2025
Private Notes
2025
5.375 %
40,000
—
2026
Private Notes
2026
5.375 %
10,000
—
2027
Private Notes
2027
5.625 %
10,000
—
2025
Public Notes
2025
6.5 %
35,000
—
Total
debt
390,246
$ 19,754
Debt
issuance cost
(5,366 )
Total
debt net issuance cost
$ 384,880
Credit Facility : On December 23,
2015, WhiteHorse Credit entered into a $200,000 revolving credit and security agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
(“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent and lender (the “Credit Facility”). On June 27, 2016, the Credit Facility
was amended and restated to clarify certain terms. On June 29, 2017, WhiteHorse Credit and JPMorgan again amended and restated the terms
of the Credit Facility to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date to December 29, 2021, (ii) increase the amount contained
within the accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit from $220,000 to $235,000 and (iii) reduce the interest
rate spread applicable on outstanding borrowings to 2.75%. On May 15, 2018, the terms of the Credit Facility were again amended and restated
to, among other things, permit the financing of certain assets to be held by WhiteHorse California, a wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse
Credit. In November 2018, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility, which, among other things, allows for a temporary
reduction in the required minimum outstanding borrowings. On November 22, 2019, the terms of the Credit Facility were again amended and
restated to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date from December 29, 2021 to November 22, 2024; (ii) increase the size
of the facility from $200,000 to $250,000 with an additional $100,000 accordion feature, which allows for the expansion of the borrowing
limit, exercisable in increments of at least $35,000 (the “Commitment”); (iii) reduce the interest rate spread applicable
on outstanding borrowings from 2.75% to 2.50%; (iv) change the minimum borrowing amount from 77.5% to 70.0% of the Commitment; (v) increase
the advance rate from 57% to 60%; and (vi) extend the non-call period from October 29, 2019 to November 22, 2021.
On December 21, 2020, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended
to, among other things, (i) increase the minimum funding amount from $175,000 to $200,000, (ii) increase the size of the facility
from $250,000 to $285,000 and retain an accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit up to $350,000
and (iii) provide for the implementation of certain changes relating to the transition away from LIBOR in the market.
On April 28, 2021, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended
to, among other things, enable WhiteHorse Credit to borrow in British Pounds or Euros.
The Credit Facility bears interest
at LIBOR (or another applicable interest rate benchmark for loans denominated in foreign currencies) plus 2.50% on outstanding
borrowings. The Company is required to pay a non-usage fee which accrues at 0.75% per annum on the average daily unused amount of
the financing commitments to the extent the aggregate principal amount available under the Credit Facility has not been borrowed.
The minimum borrowing requirement is $200,000. In connection with the Credit Facility, WhiteHorse Credit pledged securities with a
fair value of approximately $537,634 as of March 31, 2021 as collateral. The Credit Facility has a final maturity date of November
22, 2024.
40
Under the Credit Facility, the Company
has made certain customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various covenants, including leverage restrictions,
reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $214,563
in outstanding borrowings and $70,437 undrawn under the Credit Facility. Weighted average outstanding borrowings were $224,326 at a weighted
average interest rate of 2.72%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, the interest rate in effect
on outstanding borrowings was 2.69%. The Company’s ability to draw down undrawn funds under the Credit Facility is determined by
collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the credit and security agreement. At March 31, 2021, approximately $70,437
was available to be drawn by the Company based on these requirements.
2023 Private Notes : On July 13,
2018, the Company entered into an agreement (the “2023 Note Purchase Agreement”) to sell in a private offering $30,000 aggregate
principal amount of senior unsecured notes to qualified institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. Interest on the 2023 Private Notes is payable semiannually on February 7 and August 7, at a fixed,
annual rate of 6.00%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.50%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2023
Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 2023 Private Notes mature on August 7, 2023, unless redeemed, purchased
or prepaid prior to such date by the Company or its affiliates in accordance with their terms. The 2023 Private Notes are general unsecured
obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the
Company. The closing of the transaction occurred on August 7, 2018. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering, together
with cash on hand, to redeem existing debt.
2025 Private Notes : On October 20,
2020, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “2025 Note Purchase Agreement”) governing the issuance of $40,000
in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes (the “2025 Private Notes”) to qualified institutional investors in a private
placement. The 2025 Private Notes have a fixed interest rate of 5.375% and are due on October 20, 2025, unless redeemed, purchased
or prepaid prior to such date by the Company or its affiliates in accordance with their terms. Interest on the 2025 Private Notes is due
semiannually. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2025 Private
Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. In addition, the Company is obligated to offer to repay the 2025 Private Notes at par
if certain change in control events occur. The 2025 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu
with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company used the net proceeds from this
offering to redeem existing debt.
2026 Private Notes : On December 4,
2020, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “2026 Note Purchase Agreement”) governing the issuance of $10,000
in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes (the “2026 Private Notes”) to qualified institutional investors in a private
placement. The 2026 Private Notes have a fixed interest rate of 5.375% and are due on December 4, 2026, unless redeemed, purchased
or prepaid prior to such date by the Company or its affiliates in accordance with their terms. Interest on the 2026 Private Notes is due
semiannually. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2026 Private
Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. In addition, the Company is obligated to offer to repay the 2026 Private Notes at par
if certain change in control events occur. The 2026 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu
with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company used the net proceeds from this
offering to redeem existing debt.
2027 Private Notes : On December 4,
2020, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “2027 Note Purchase Agreement”) governing the issuance of $10,000
in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes (the “2027 Private Notes”) to qualified institutional investors in a private
placement. The 2027 Private Notes have a fixed interest rate of 5.625% and are due on December 4, 2027, unless redeemed, purchased
or prepaid prior to such date by the Company or its affiliates in accordance with their terms. Interest on the 2027 Private Notes is due
semiannually. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.625%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2027 Private
Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. In addition, the Company is obligated to offer to repay the 2027 Private Notes at par
if certain change in control events occur. The 2027 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu
with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company used the net proceeds from this
offering to redeem existing debt.
2025 Public Notes : On November 13,
2018, the Company completed a public offering of $35,000 of aggregate principal amount of 2025 Public Notes, the net proceeds of which
were used to fund investments in debt and equity securities and repay outstanding indebtedness under its revolving credit facility. Interest
on the 2025 Public Notes is paid quarterly on February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 each year, at an annual
rate of 6.50%. The 2025 Public Notes will mature on November 30, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time, or from
time to time, at the Company’s option on or after November 30, 2021. The 2025 Public Notes are direct unsecured obligations
and are structurally subordinate to borrowings under the Credit Facility and will rank equally in right of payment with the Company’s
other outstanding and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including the 2023 and 2025 Private Notes. The 2025 Public Notes
are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “WHFBZ.”
41
NOTE 7 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Investment Advisory Agreement :
WhiteHorse Advisers serves as the Company’s investment adviser in accordance with the terms of an investment advisory agreement
(the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Company’s board of directors most recently re-approved the Investment Advisory
Agreement on August 5, 2020. On November 1, 2018, at an in-person meeting, the Company’s board of directors approved an amended
and restated Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement was amended and restated to reduce the base management fee
on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (over 1.0x debt to equity) as further discussed below. Subject to the overall
supervision of the Company’s board of directors, WhiteHorse Advisers manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment
management services to, the Company. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers:
• determines the composition of the investment portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the portfolio and the manner of implementing
such changes;
• identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments the Company makes (including performing
due diligence on the Company’s prospective portfolio companies); and
• closes, monitors and administers the investments the Company makes, including the exercise of any voting or consent rights.
In addition, WhiteHorse Advisers provides
the Company with access to personnel and an Investment Committee. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company pays WhiteHorse
Advisers a fee for investment management services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee. The Investment Advisory Agreement
may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
Base Management Fee
Prior to November 1, 2018, the base management
fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of the average carrying value of consolidated gross assets, including cash and cash equivalents
and assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Effective November 1, 2018,
the base management fee is calculated at an annual rate equal to 2.0% based on the Company’s consolidated gross assets (including
cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased with borrowed funds); provided, however, the base management fee will be calculated at
an annual rate equal to 1.25% of the Company’s consolidated gross assets (including cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased
with borrowed funds), that exceed the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the value of the Company’s total net assets, at the end of the
two most recently completed calendar quarters. Base management fees are payable quarterly in arrears and are appropriately pro-rated for
any partial month or quarter.
42
During the three months ended March 31,
2021 and 2020, the Company incurred base management fees of $3,344 and $3,092, respectively. WhiteHorse Advisers has agreed to waive that
portion of the base management fee payable with respect to cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents to which
it would otherwise be entitled under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2018, December 31,
2018, March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019; and for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019 only to the extent that the determination
of base management fees would otherwise include June 30, 2019 cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents for the
purpose of calculating the average carrying value of consolidated gross assets.
Performance-based Incentive Fee
The performance-based incentive fee consists
of two components that are independent of each other, except as provided by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism discussed below.
The calculations of these two components have
been structured to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to the investment adviser for any quarter if, after
such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to the investment adviser for the period that includes the current fiscal quarter and
the 11 full preceding fiscal quarters, referred to as the “Incentive Fee Look-back Period,” would exceed 20.0% of the Cumulative
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined below) during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
Each quarterly incentive fee is subject
to the Incentive Fee Cap (as defined below) and a deferral mechanism through which the investment adviser may recap a portion of such
deferred incentive fees, which is referred to together as the “Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism.”
43
This limitation is accomplished by subjecting
each incentive fee payable to a cap, which is referred to as the “Incentive Fee Cap.” The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter
is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive
fees of any kind paid to the investment adviser during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero
or a negative value in any quarter, the Company will pay no incentive fee to its investment adviser in that quarter. The Company will
only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. To the extent that the payment of incentive
fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid in subsequent quarters
up to three years after their date of deferment, subject to applicable limitations included in the Investment Advisory Agreement. The
deferral component of the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism may cause incentive fees that accrued during one fiscal quarter to
be paid to the investment adviser at any time during the 11 full fiscal quarters following such initial full fiscal quarter.
The “Cumulative
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return” refers to the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (as defined below) for each period
during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative
unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the applicable Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
The first component, which is income-based (the
“Income Incentive Fee”), is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and is determined based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment
Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. For this purpose, “Pre-Incentive
Fee Net Investment Income” means, in each case on a consolidated basis, interest income, distribution income and any other income
(including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence
and consulting fees or other fees received from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating
expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the administration agreement (the “Administration
Agreement”), any interest expense and any dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive
fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital
appreciation or depreciation.
The operation of the first component of the incentive fee
for each quarter is as follows:
• no incentive fee is payable to the Company’s investment adviser in any calendar quarter in which
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the “Hurdle Rate” of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);
• 100% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee
Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable
to the Company’s investment adviser. This portion of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds
the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.1875%) is referred to as the “catch-up.” The effect of the catch-up is that, if such Pre-Incentive
Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter, the investment adviser will receive 20% of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net
Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply; and
• 20% of the amount of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any
calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to the Company’s investment adviser (once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the catch-up
is achieved, 20% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income).
44
The portion of such
incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as PIK interest or original issue discount) will be paid to the investment
adviser, together with interest from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent that the Company actually
receives such interest in cash, and any accrual will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any
write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. Any reversal of such amounts would reduce
net income for the quarter by the net amount of the reversal (after taking into account the reversal of incentive fees payable) and would
result in a reduction and possibly elimination of the incentive fees for such quarter.
There is no accumulation
of amounts on the Hurdle Rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there is no clawback of amounts previously paid if subsequent
quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate and there is no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate. Since
the Hurdle Rate is fixed, as interest rates rise, it will be easier for the investment adviser to surpass the Hurdle Rate and receive
an incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.
Net investment income used to calculate
this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of consolidated gross assets used to calculate the base management
fee. These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or
repurchases during the current quarter.
The second component, the capital gains component
of the incentive fee (the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee”), which is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each
calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commenced on January 1, 2013, and
equals 20% of cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from January 1 through the end of each calendar year, computed net of aggregate
cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of each year (the “Capital
Gains Incentive Fee Base”), less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees and subject to the Incentive
Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee will be payable for the year. Additionally,
if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date will be treated
as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee. The capital gains component
of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders.
In accordance with GAAP, the Company is also required
to include the aggregate unrealized capital appreciation on investments in the calculation and accrue a capital gains incentive fee on
a quarterly basis if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized, even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not permitted
to be considered in calculating the fee actually payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement. If the Capital Gains Incentive Fee Base,
adjusted as required by GAAP to include unrealized capital appreciation, is positive at the end of a reporting period, then GAAP requires
the Company to accrue a Capital Gains Incentive Fee equal to 20% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any Capital Gains Incentive
Fees previously paid and Capital Gains Incentive Fees accrued under GAAP in all prior periods. If such amount is negative, then there
is no accrual for such period. The resulting accrual under GAAP in a given period may result in either additional expense (if such cumulative
amount is greater than in the prior period) or a reversal of previously recorded expense (if such cumulative amount is less than in the
prior period). There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future. For the three months
ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company accrued and reversed previously accrued Capital Gains Incentive Fees of $114 and $626, respectively.
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, included in incentive fees payable on the consolidated statements of assets
and liabilities were $2,246 and $2,132, respectively, for cumulative accruals of Capital Gains Incentive Fees under GAAP, including any amounts
payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement as described above.
45
Because of the structure
of the incentive fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where it incurs a loss subject to the Incentive
Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. For example, if the Company receives Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in excess of the Hurdle Rate,
it will pay the applicable Income Incentive Fee even after incurring a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses.
During the three months ended March 31,
2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company incurred total performance-based incentive fees of $2,042 and $441, respectively.
Administration Agreement : Pursuant to the
Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration furnishes the Company with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping
and record keeping services to enable the Company to operate. Under the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration performs,
or oversees the performance of, the Company’s required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial
records which the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to its stockholders and reports filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission. In addition, WhiteHorse Administration assists the Company in determining and publishing its net asset value,
oversees the preparation and filing of its tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to its stockholders and generally
oversees the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company
by others. Payments under the Administration Agreement equal an amount based upon the Company’s allocable portion of WhiteHorse
Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the Company’s
allocable portion of the cost of its chief financial officer and chief compliance officer along with their respective staffs. Under the
Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration also provides on the Company’s behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio
companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party
without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. To the extent that WhiteHorse Administration outsources any of
its functions, the Company will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any profit to WhiteHorse Administration.
Substantially all the Company’s
payments of operating expenses to third parties were made by a related party, for which such third party received reimbursement from the
Company.
During the three months ended March 31,
2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company incurred allocated administrative service fees of $171 and $171, respectively.
46
Co-investments with Related Parties :
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, certain officers or employees affiliated with or employed by WhiteHorse Advisers and its related
entities maintained co-investments in the Company’s investments of $0 and $0, respectively.
At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020,
certain funds affiliated with WhiteHorse Advisers and its related entities maintained co-investments in the Company’s investments
of $2,960,811 and $3,191,269, respectively.
STRS JV : For the three month period
ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold $28,942 of investments to STRS JV at fair value and recognized $183 of net realized gains. For
the three month period ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold $28,458 of investments to STRS JV at fair value and recognized $35 of net
realized gains.
NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments : In the normal course
of business, the Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its borrowers. These
financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount
recognized in the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. The Company attempts to limit its credit risk by conducting extensive
due diligence and obtaining collateral where appropriate.
The balance of unfunded commitments to
extend credit was approximately $21,411 and $19,554 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Commitments to extend credit
consist principally of the unused portions of commitments that obligate the Company to extend credit, such as revolving credit arrangements
or similar transactions. These commitments are often subject to financial or non-financial milestones and other conditions to borrow that
must be achieved before the commitment can be drawn. In addition, the commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination
clauses. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash
requirements. The following table summarizes the Company’s unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Unfunded Commitment
as of
March
31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Revolving Loan Commitments:
BBQ Buyer, LLC
$ —
$ 823
Claridge Products and Equipment, LLC
702
702
Comniscient Technologies LLC
341
341
Drew Foam Companies Inc
—
534
Epiphany Dermatology
438
438
Geo Logic Systems Ltd.
325
321
IDIG Parent LLC
543
—
ImageOne Industries, LLC
—
408
Inspired Beauty Brands, Inc.
531
531
Ivy Rehab Holdings LLC
545
545
LHS Borrower, LLC
429
560
LINC Systems, LLC
672
—
Lift Brands, Inc.
—
—
Maxitransfers Blocker Corp
1,038
—
Newscycle Solutions, Inc.
156
120
PG Dental New Jersey Parent, LLC
1,167
1,166
RCKC Acquisitions LLC (dba KSM Consulting)
—
1,422
Road Safety Services, Inc.
—
875
SFP Holding, Inc.
125
—
TaxSlayer LLC
774
1,548
Telestream Holdings Corporation
1,323
1,324
9,109
11,658
Delayed Draw Loan Commitments:
Core BTS, Inc.
1,666
—
DCA Investment Holding,LLC
1,740
—
Epiphany Dermatology
3,063
3,063
IDIG Parent LLC
1,410
—
Ivy Rehab Holdings LLC
1,479
1,633
RCKC Acquisitions LLC (dba KSM Consulting)
—
3,200
SFP Holding, Inc.
1,444
—
True Blue Car Wash, LLC
1,500
—
12,302
7,896
Total Unfunded Commitments
$ 21,411
$ 19,554
As
of March 31, 2021, the Company had commitments to fund equity interests and subordinated notes in STRS JV of $15,000 and $60,000, of which
$3,868 and $15,471 was unfunded, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had commitments to fund equity interests
and subordinated notes in STRS JV of $15,000 and $60,000, of which $4,732 and $18,927 was unfunded, respectively. The
capital commitments cannot be drawn without an affirmative vote by both the Company’s and STRS Ohio’s representatives on STRS
JV’s board of managers.
47
Indemnification : In the normal
course of business, the Company enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide
general indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims
that may be made against the Company that have not occurred. The Company expects the risk of any future obligation under these indemnifications
to be remote.
Legal
Proceedings : In the normal course of business, the Company, the investment adviser and the administrator may be subject to legal
and regulatory proceedings that are generally incidental to its ongoing operations. While there can be no assurance of the ultimate
disposition of any such proceedings, the Company does not believe any such disposition will have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
COVID-19
Developments : In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and subsequent to March 31, 2021, the
current pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (commonly known as “COVID-19”) has had a significant impact on the U.S.
economy. Certain of the Company’s portfolio companies have been adversely impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,
which had an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and may continue to have an adverse impact on the
Company’s future net investment income, the fair value of its portfolio investments, its financial condition and the results
of operations and financial condition of the Company’s portfolio companies.
NOTE 9 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The following table summarizes the total
shares issued and proceeds received relating to the issuance of shares of the Company’s common
stock pursuant to at-the-market offerings from time to time (the “ATM Program”) (net offering costs) for the three
months ended March 31, 2021.
Shares
Issued
Net Proceeds
Average Price Per
Share
Public offering
37,803
590
15.61
NOTE 10 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following is a schedule of financial highlights:
Three months ended
March
31,
2021
2020
Per
share data: (1)
Net asset value, beginning of period
$ 15.23
$ 15.23
Net investment income
0.37
0.30
Net realized and unrealized (losses)
gains on investments
0.03
(1.31 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations
0.40
(1.01 )
Issuance of common stock (5)
0.00
-
Distributions declared from net
investment income
(0.36 )
(0.36 )
Net asset value, end of period
$ 15.27
$ 13.86
Total
annualized return based on market value (2)
46.49 %
(194.35 )%
Total annualized return based on net asset value
10.49 %
(27.92 )%
Net assets, end of period
$ 314,349
$ 284,705
Per share market value at end of period
$ 15.17
$ 7.08
Shares outstanding end of period
20,583,835
20,546,032
Ratios/Supplemental data: (3)
Ratio of expenses before incentive
fees to average net assets (4)
13.32 %
10.65 %
Ratio of incentive fees to average
net assets
2.62 %
0.58 %
Ratio of total expenses to average
net assets (4)
10.70 %
11.23 %
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (4)
9.76 %
8.13 %
Portfolio turnover ratio
11.07 %
4.82 %
(1) Calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
(2) Total return is based on the change in market price per share during the period and takes into account
distributions, if any, reinvested in accordance with the distribution reinvestment plan.
(3) With the exception of the portfolio turnover rate, ratios are reported on an annualized basis.
(4) Calculated using total expenses, including income tax provision.
(5) The issuance of common stock on a per share basis reflects the incremental net asset value changes as a result of the issuance
of shares of common stock pursuant to the ATM Program. The issuance of common stock at a
price, net of commissions, that is greater than the net asset value per share results in an increase in net asset value per share.
The per share impact of the Company’s issuance of common stock net asset value of less than $0.01 per share during the three
months ended March 31, 2021.
Financial highlights are calculated for
each securities class taken as a whole. An individual stockholder’s return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions.
48
NOTE 11 - CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS PER COMMON
SHARE
The following information sets forth the computation of the
basic and diluted per share net increase in net assets resulting from operations:
Three months ended
March 31,
2021
2020
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
$ 8,169
$ (20,956 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
20,551,565
20,546,032
Basic and diluted per share net increase in net assets resulting from operations
$ 0.40
$ (1.01 )
NOTE 12 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events that
have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued and has determined that there were
no additional subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The information contained in this section
should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. In
this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the “Company”, "we", "us", "our" and "WhiteHorse Finance"
refer to WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements
in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or
financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including
statements as to:
• our future operating results;
• our ability to consummate new investments and the impact of such investments;
• our ability to continue to effectively manage our business due to the significant disruptions caused by
the current pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (commonly known as “COVID-19”);
• our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective portfolio companies, including as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;
• the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;
• our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;
• changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital
markets, which could result in changes to the value of our assets, including changes from the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic;
• the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;
• the impact of increased competition;
• the ability of our investment adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor our investments;
• our expected financings and investments and the rate at which our investments are refunded by portfolio companies;
• our ability to pay dividends or make distributions;
• the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;
• the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our prospective portfolio companies; and
• the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures.
We use words such as “may,” “might,”
“will,” “intends,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expects,”
“believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “plan”
and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Item 1A-Risk Factors” in our annual report
on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
We have based the forward-looking statements
included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q on information available to us on the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and we
assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures
that we may make directly to you or through reports that we may file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in
the future, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
You should understand that under Sections
27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Sections 21E(b) (2)(B) and (D) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, as amended, do not apply to statements made in connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q or any periodic reports
we file under the Exchange Act.
50
Overview
We are an externally managed, non-diversified,
closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, we elected to be treated as a regulated investment company, or
RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.
We were formed on December 28, 2011 and
commenced operations on January 1, 2012. We were originally capitalized with approximately $176.3 million of contributed assets from H.I.G.
Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., each of which is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital,
L.L.C., or H.I.G. Capital. These assets were contributed as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for 11,752,383 units in WhiteHorse Finance,
LLC. On December 4, 2012, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation and elected to be treated
as a business development company under the 1940 Act.
On December 4, 2012, we priced our initial
public offering, or the IPO, selling 6,666,667 shares. Concurrent with the IPO, certain of our directors and officers, the managers of
H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC, or WhiteHorse Advisers, and their immediate family members or entities owned by, or family trusts for
the benefit of, such persons, purchased an additional 472,673 shares through a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities
Act. Our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “WHF.”
We are a direct lender targeting debt
investments in privately held, lower middle market companies located in the United States. We define the lower middle market as those
companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $350 million. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted
returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing
lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Such loans typically carry a floating interest rate based on a risk-free
index rate such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus a spread and typically have a term of three to six years. While we
focus principally on originating senior secured loans to lower middle market companies, we may also opportunistically make investments
at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests, and in companies outside of the
lower middle market, to the extent we believe the investment presents an opportunity to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return. We
also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through
the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.
Our investment activities are managed
by WhiteHorse Advisers and are supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of us, WhiteHorse Advisers and
its affiliates. Under our investment advisory agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers, or the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed
to pay WhiteHorse Advisers an annual base management fee based on our average consolidated gross assets as well as an incentive fee based
on our investment performance. We have also entered into an administration agreement, or the Administration Agreement, with H.I.G. WhiteHorse
Administration, LLC, or WhiteHorse Administration. Under our Administration Agreement, we have agreed to reimburse WhiteHorse Administration
for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of overhead and other expenses incurred by
WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement.
COVID-19 Developments
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
and its effects on the U.S. and global economy has had adverse consequences on the business operations of some of our portfolio companies
and has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our operations and the operations of our investment adviser. Our investment
adviser is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and the business of our portfolio companies and
has been focused on proactively engaging with our portfolio companies in order to collaborate with the management teams of certain portfolio
companies to evaluate their response to the impacts of COVID-19.
We
cannot predict the full impact of COVID-19, including the length of the global economic recovery and the uncertainty surrounding the
vaccine rollout and more contagious strains of the virus that have emerged in the United States and worldwide. As such, the extent to
which COVID-19 and/or other disease pandemics may continue to negatively affect our business and our portfolio companies’ operating
results and financial condition is uncertain. Due to the ongoing business disruptions caused by COVID-19, some of our portfolio companies
have experienced financial distress and have defaulted on their financial obligations to us and their other capital providers. Some of
our portfolio companies have curtailed their business operations, furloughed or laid off employees, terminated relationships with service
providers and deferred capital expenditures and may continue to do so for the duration of the pandemic. Such developments could permanently
impair the business operations of our portfolio companies and may result in a decrease in the value of our investment in any such portfolio
companies.
In connection with the adverse
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have restructured and may need to restructure additional investments in some of our portfolio companies,
which has resulted in and could result in additional diminished interest payments or in permanent impairments on our investments. The
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic discussed above increase the risk that more of our portfolio investments may be placed on non-accrual
status in the future. Any decreases in our net investment income would increase the portion of our cash flows dedicated to distribution
payments to stockholders and to servicing our existing debt under our revolving credit facility, or the Credit Facility, with JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender, or the Lender.
51
WhiteHorse Advisers’
credit team continues to be in close contact with the owners and management teams of each of our portfolio companies. With the rapid onset
of the crisis, these owners and management teams have been actively assessing the impacts to their businesses and are continuing to coordinate
with us to guide their companies through the fallout. We are operating under a philosophy that we will work hand in hand with our borrowers
to support them, allowing flexibility in our terms as appropriate, and we expect owners to support their businesses with additional equity
where possible.
We
will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from U.S. and international
authorities, including federal, state and local public health authorities and may take additional actions based on their
recommendations. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside our control requiring us to adjust our plan of operation.
As such, given the dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably quantify the full effect of COVID-19 on our financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. The pandemic may result in a negative impact on cash flows earned by
us during the coming quarters, which may result in a material adverse effect on our future net investment income, the fair value of
our portfolio investments, and the results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
As a business development
company, we are permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least
150% after such borrowing. We are required to comply with various covenants pursuant to the Credit Facility. If we fail to satisfy the
covenants of the Credit Facility or are unable to cure any event of default or obtain a waiver from the applicable lender, it could result
in foreclosure by the lenders under the Credit Facility, which would accelerate our repayment obligations under the Credit Facility and
thereby result in a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay
distributions to our stockholders. As of March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants and other requirements of the Credit
Facility.
We are also subject to financial
risks, including changes in market interest rates. As of March 31, 2021, nearly all of our debt investments at fair value were at floating
rates, which are generally based on a risk-free index rate such as LIBOR, and many of which are subject to certain floors. In connection
with the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks have reduced certain interest rates and LIBOR has decreased.
A prolonged reduction in interest rates will reduce our gross investment income and could result in a decrease in our net investment income
if such decreases in LIBOR are not offset by a corresponding increase in the spread over LIBOR that we earn on any portfolio investments,
a decrease in our operating expenses or a decrease in the interest rate of our floating interest rate liabilities tied to LIBOR. See “Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for an analysis of the impact of hypothetical base rate changes in
interest rates.
Our
management team has sought strategies that will help us weather periods of economic decline. We have attempted to avoid deeply cyclical
sectors and have only made loans where we believed a repeat of the Great Recession would allow us to recover 100% of our loans. Additionally, we have taken
a conservative position on the Company’s liquidity, making sure we have a top-tier leverage partner and very significant cushion
against default.
We will continue to monitor the
rapidly evolving situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from U.S. and international authorities, including
federal, state and local public health authorities and may take additional actions based on their recommendations. In these
circumstances, there may be developments outside our control requiring us to adjust our plan of operation. As such, given the
dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably quantify the full effect of COVID-19 on our financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows in the future. However, we do expect that it will continue to have a negative impact an cash flows earned
by us during the second quarter of 2021, which would result in a material adverse effect on our future net investment
income, the fair value of our portfolio investments, and the results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio
companies.
Revenues
We generate revenue in the form of interest payable
on the debt securities that we hold and capital gains and distributions, if any, on the portfolio company investments that we originate
or acquire. Our debt investments, whether in the form of senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, typically have terms of three to six
years and bear interest at a fixed or floating rate based on a spread over LIBOR or an equivalent risk-free index rate. Interest on debt
securities is generally payable monthly or quarterly, with the amortization of principal generally being deferred for several years from
the date of the initial investment. In some cases, we may also defer payments of interest for the first few years after our investment.
The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date. In addition,
we generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and
possibly consulting fees. We capitalize loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount, and we then amortize such
amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, we record any unamortized loan origination fees as interest
income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as fee income when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the record
date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
52
Expenses
Our primary operating expenses
include (1) investment advisory fees to WhiteHorse Advisers; (2) the allocable portion of overhead under the Administration Agreement;
(3) the interest expense on our outstanding debt; and (4) other operating costs as detailed below. Our investment advisory fees compensate
our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, consummating and monitoring our investments.
We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and
transactions, including:
• our organization;
• calculating our net asset value and net asset value per share (including the costs and expenses of independent valuation firms);
• fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by WhiteHorse Advisers or payable to third parties in performing due diligence
on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights;
• the costs of all future offerings of common shares and other securities, and other incurrences of debt;
• the base management fee and any incentive fee;
• distributions on our shares;
• transfer agent and custody fees and expenses;
• amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments;
• brokerage fees and commissions;
• registration fees;
• listing fees;
• taxes;
• independent directors’ fees and expenses;
• costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities
laws;
• the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs;
• costs of holding stockholder meetings;
• our fidelity bond;
• directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance and any other insurance premiums;
• litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses;
• direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs;
• fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts, including deal sourcing and marketing to financial sponsors;
• dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; and
• all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or WhiteHorse Administration in connection with administering our business, including
rent and our allocable portion of the costs and expenses of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer along with their
respective staffs.
WhiteHorse Advisers or WhiteHorse Administration may pay for
certain expenses that we incur, which are subject to reimbursement by us.
53
Recent Developments
For the period April 1, 2021 through May 10,
2021, we contributed an additional set of assets, which included one existing issuer of
senior secured debt facilities to STRS JV.
Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations
described below may not be indicative of the results we report in future periods. Net investment income and net increase in net assets
can vary substantially from period to period due to various reasons, including the level of new investments and the recognition of realized
gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, quarterly comparisons of net increases in net assets resulting
from operations may not be meaningful.
Investment Income
Investment
income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $18.0 million, and was primarily attributable to interest, dividends and fees
earned from investments in portfolio companies. This compares to investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of $14.5
million. The increase in net investment income for the year-over-year period was primarily attributable to higher accelerated accretion
income recognized due to higher repayment activity and higher investment income generated from STRS JV .
Investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included $0.7 million and $0.3 million of non-recurring fee income,
respectively. We expect to generate some level of non-recurring fee income during most quarters from prepayments, amendments and other
sources.
Operating Expenses
Expenses, excluding excise tax, totaled
$10.2 million and $8.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Interest expense totaled $3.8 million
and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase was primarily due to higher borrowing
base, partially offset by interest rates resulting from a decrease in LIBOR.
Base management fees totaled $3.3 million
and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Performance-based incentive fees totaled $2.0 million
and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in performance-based incentive fees was
mainly attributable to an increase in pre-incentive fee net investment income as well as a $0.1 million capital gains incentive fee accrual,
which was driven by gains recognized in the portfolio in the current period.
Administrative service fees for the three months ended March
31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
General and administrative expenses were $0.8 million and
$0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Excise Tax Expense
We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter
M of the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to be subject to tax as a RIC,
we are required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements, as well as timely distribute to our stockholders
dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined
by the Code, and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid for each tax year. We have made and intend to continue
to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders that will generally relieve us from U.S. federal income taxes.
54
Depending on the level of taxable income
earned in a tax year, we may choose to retain taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year in an amount
less than what would trigger payments of U.S. federal income tax under Subchapter M of the Code. We may then be required to incur a 4%
excise tax on such income. To the extent that we determine that our estimated current year annual taxable income may exceed estimated
current year distributions, we accrue excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned. For the three
months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we accrued a net excise tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for U.S. federal
excise tax.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
The following shows the breakdown of net realized gains and losses
for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in millions):
Three months ended March 31,
2021
2020
AG Kings Holdings Inc. (1)
$ 7.5
$ -
BW Gas & Convenience Holdings, LLC
0.2
-
Drew Foam Companies Inc
(0.1 )
-
Fluent, LLC
-
0.2
Geo Logic Systems Ltd.
-
*
Mikawaya Holdings, LLC
-
*
RCKC Acquisitions LLC
*
-
Road Safety Services, Inc.
*
-
Tax Slayer, LLC
*
-
Vero Parent, Inc.
0.5
0.3
Westrock Coffee Company, LLC
-
*
WH Lessor Corp.
-
*
Net realized gains
$ 8.2
$ 0.5
* Rounds to less than 0.1. Totals may not foot due to rounding.
(1) Escrow receivable amounts
were recognized in connection with realization events.
The following shows the breakdown in the changes in unrealized appreciation
of investments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31,
2021
2020
Gross unrealized appreciation on investments
$ 5.4
$ 0.2
Gross unrealized depreciation on investments
(3.6 )
(28.3 )
Reversal of prior period net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation upon a realization
(9.3 )
(0.1 )
Total
$ (7.5 )
$ (28.2 )
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
This “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section
should be read in conjunction with the “COVID-19 Developments” section above.
As a business development company, we
distribute substantially all of our net income to our stockholders. We generate cash primarily from offerings of securities, borrowings
under the Credit Facility, and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government
securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We expect to fund a portion of our investments through
future borrowings. In the future, we may obtain borrowings under other credit facilities and from issuances of senior securities to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We may also borrow funds to the extent we determine that additional capital would allow us to take advantage
of additional investment opportunities, if the market for debt financing presents attractively priced debt financing opportunities or
if our board of directors determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.
Our board of directors may decide to
issue common stock, such as through at-the-market offerings, direct placements or otherwise, to finance our operations rather than issuing
debt or other senior securities. Any decision to sell shares below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock is subject
to stockholder approval and a determination by our board of directors that such issuance and sale is in our and our stockholders’
best interests. Any sale or other issuance of shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share results in immediate
dilution to our stockholders’ interests in our common stock and a reduction in our net asset value per share. If we were to issue
additional shares of our common stock during the next 12 months, we do not intend to issue shares below the then-current net asset value
per share.
Restricted cash and cash equivalents include
amounts that are collected and held by the trustee appointed as custodian of the assets securing the Credit Facility. Restricted cash
is held by the trustee for the payment of interest expense and principal on the outstanding borrowings or reinvestment into new assets.
Restricted cash that represents interest or fee income is transferred to unrestricted cash accounts by the trustee generally once a quarter
after the payment of operating expenses and amounts due under the Credit Facility.
Our operating activities provided cash
and cash equivalents of $66.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily from the net proceeds received from realizations
and repayments on our investments partially offset by acquisition of investments as well and cash used from the net change in working
capital. Our financing activities used cash and cash equivalents of $57.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily
due to the payment of distributions to stockholders.
Our operating activities provided cash
and cash equivalents of $15.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily from the net proceeds received from realizations
and repayments on our investments as well as cash provided from the net change in working capital. Our financing activities used cash
and cash equivalents of $14.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily due to repayments on the credit facility
and the payment of distributions to stockholders.
As of March 31, 2021, we had cash and
cash equivalent resources of $24.5 million, including $16.8 million of restricted cash. As of the same date, we had approximately $70.4
million undrawn and available to be drawn under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated
in the related credit agreement.
55
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash and
cash equivalent resources of $15.9 million, including $7.9 million of restricted cash. As of the same date, we had $19.8 million undrawn
under the Credit Facility based on the collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the related credit and security agreement.
STRS JV
In January 2019, we and STRS Ohio, formed
a joint venture, STRS JV, that invests primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing
lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on the LIBOR or
an equivalent risk-free index rate and have a term of three to six years. STRS JV was formed as a Delaware limited liability company
and is not consolidated by either us or STRS Ohio for financial reporting purposes. On July 19, 2019 STRS JV formally launched operations.
As of March 31, 2021, STRS JV had total assets of $193.7 million. STRS JV’s portfolio consisted of debt investments in 22 portfolio
companies as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, the five largest investments in portfolio companies in STRS JV’s portfolio
totaled $61.0 million. STRS JV invests in portfolio companies in the same industries in which we may directly invest.
We provide capital to STRS JV in the form
of limited liability company, or LLC equity interests and subordinated notes. As of March 31, 2021, we and STRS Ohio owned 60% and 40%,
respectively, of the LLC equity interests of STRS JV. Our investment in STRS JV consisted of equity contributions and subordinated note
advances of $11.1 million and $44.5 million as of March 31, 2021, respectively. As of the same date, we had commitments to fund equity
interests and subordinated notes in STRS JV of $15 million and $60 million, of which $3.9 million and $15.5 million was unfunded, respectively.
STRS JV is managed by a four-person board of managers, two of whom are selected by us and two of whom are selected by STRS Ohio.
All material decisions with respect to STRS JV,
including those involving its investment portfolio, require unanimous approval of a quorum of the board of managers. Quorum is defined
as (i) the presence of two members of the board of managers; provided that at least one individual is present that was elected, designated
or appointed by each member; (ii) the presence of three members of the board of managers; provided that the individual that was elected,
designated or appointed by the member with only one individual present is entitled to cast two votes on each matter; or (iii) the presence
of four members of the board of managers; provided that two individuals are present that were elected, designated or appointed by each
member.
Below
is a summary of STRS JV’s portfolio as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):
March
31, 2021
December
31, 2020
Total
investments (1)
$ 185,734
$ 174,552
Weighted
average effective yield on total portfolio (2)
8.1 %
7.9 %
Number of portfolio companies
in STRS JV
22
20
Largest
portfolio company investment (1)
13,557
$ 13,511
Total
of five largest portfolio company investments (1)
60,953
$ 60,252
(1) At fair value.
(2) Weighted average effective yield is computed by dividing (a) annualized interest income (including interest
income resulting from the amortization of fees and discounts) by (b) the weighted average cost of investment.
Investments consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
First lien secured loans
$ 187,810
$ 185,734
$ 96,910
97,260
Total
$ 187,810
$ 185,734
$ 96,910
97,260
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The
following table shows the portfolio composition by industry grouping at fair value (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Advertising
$ 9,282
5.0 %
$ 9,256
5.3 %
Application Software
6,666
3.6
—
—
Automotive Retail
6,319
3.4
—
—
Building Products
16,808
9.0
19,754
11.3
Construction & Engineering
24,541
13.2
19,815
11.4
Data Processing & Outsourced Services
11,203
6.0
11,130
6.4
Diversified Support Services
10,429
5.6
10,230
5.9
Environmental & Facilities Services
6,233
3.4
6,248
3.6
Human Resource & Employment Services
11,434
6.2
11,549
6.6
Industrial Machinery
9,771
5.3
9,886
5.7
Insurance Brokers
—
—
7,838
4.5
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
13,556
7.3
13,571
7.7
Investment Banking & Brokerage
10,934
5.9
11,076
6.3
IT Consulting & Other Services
11,692
6.3
—
—
Packaged Foods & Meats
25,167
13.5
24,577
14.1
Personal Products
4,348
2.3
4,232
2.4
Systems Software
—
—
8,110
4.6
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
7,351
4.0
7,340
4.2
Total
$ 185,734
100.0 %
$ 174,552
100.0 %
See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further
discussion on STRS JV’s portfolio and selected balance sheet information as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and selected
statement of operations information for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.
Credit Facility
On December 23, 2015, our wholly owned
subsidiary WhiteHorse Finance Credit I, LLC, or WhiteHorse Credit, entered into the $200 million Credit Facility with the Lender. On June
27, 2016, the Credit Facility was amended and restated to clarify certain terms. On June 29, 2017, the Credit Facility was again amended
and restated to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date to December 29, 2021, (ii) increase the amount contained within the
accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit from $220 million to $235 million and (iii) reduce the interest
rate spread applicable on outstanding borrowings to 2.75%. On May 15, 2018, the terms of the Credit Facility were again amended and restated
to, among other things, permit the financing of certain assets to be held by WhiteHorse Finance (CA), LLC, or WhiteHorse California, a
wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Credit. On November 19, 2018, we entered into an amendment, which, among other things, allows for
an increase in the advance rate and a temporary reduction, through August 19, 2019, in the required minimum outstanding borrowings under
the Credit Facility.
On November 22, 2019, the terms of the
Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date from December 29, 2021 to November
22, 2024; (ii) increase the size of the facility from $200 million to $250 million with an additional $100 million accordion feature,
which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit, exercisable in increments of at least $35 million, or the Commitment; (iii) reduce
the interest rate spread applicable on outstanding borrowings from 2.75% to 2.50%; (iv) change the minimum borrowing amount from 77.5%
to 70.0% of the Commitment; (v) increase the advance rate from 57% to 60%; and (vi) extend the non-call period from October 29, 2019 to
November 22, 2021.
On December 21, 2020, the terms of the
Credit Facility were amended to, among other things, (i) increases the minimum funding amount from $175 million
to $200 million, (ii) increase the size of the facility from $250 million to $285 million and retains an accordion feature which
allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit up to $350 million and (iii) provide for the implementation of certain changes
relating to the transition away from the LIBOR in the market.
On April 28, 2021, the terms of the Credit Facility were amended
to, among other things, enable WhiteHorse Credit to borrow in British Pounds or Euros.
As of March 31, 2021, there was $214.6
million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit
Facility agreement, approximately $70.4 million was available to be drawn on such date. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the
assets of WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $537.6 million as of March 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2020, there was $265.2 million
in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and, based on collateral and portfolio requirements stipulated in the Credit Facility
agreement, approximately $19.8 million was available to be drawn on such date. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of
WhiteHorse Credit, which included loans with a fair value of $601.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
The Credit Facility provides for borrowings
in an aggregate principal amount up to $285 million with an accordion feature which allows for the expansion of the borrowing limit up
to $350 million, subject to consent from the Lender and other customary conditions. The required minimum outstanding borrowings under
the Credit Facility are $200 million, unless the accordion feature is exercised, at which time the required minimum outstanding borrowings
will be $245 million.
57
Under the Credit Facility, there are two
coverage tests that WhiteHorse Credit must meet on specified compliance dates in order to permit WhiteHorse Credit to make new borrowings
and to make distributions in the ordinary course - a borrowing base test and a market value test. The borrowing base test compares, at
any given time, the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances under the Credit Facility less the amount of principal proceeds
in respect of the collateral on deposit in the accounts to the net asset value of the collateral, as set forth in the credit agreement
and related documentation. To meet the borrowing base test, this ratio must be less than or equal to 50%, as set forth in the credit agreement
and related documentation. To meet the market value test, the value of WhiteHorse Credit’s portfolio investments must exceed a minimum
of 165% of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Lender advances as set forth in the credit agreement and related documentation.
Advances under the Credit Facility
are based on the three-month LIBOR (or another applicable interest rate benchmark for loans denominated in foreign currencies) plus
an annual spread of 2.50%. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. WhiteHorse Credit is required to pay a non-usage fee which
accrues at 0.75% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the financing commitments, to the extent the aggregate principal
amount available under the Credit Facility has not been borrowed. WhiteHorse Credit paid an upfront fee and incurred certain other
customary costs and expenses in connection with obtaining the Credit Facility. Any amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility will
mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder will be due and payable, on November 22, 2024.
The Credit Facility and the related documents
require WhiteHorse Finance and WhiteHorse Credit to, among other things, agree to make certain customary representations and to comply
with customary affirmative and negative covenants. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default for credit facilities
of this nature, including breaches of representations, warranties or covenants by WhiteHorse Finance or WhiteHorse Credit, the occurrence
of a change in control, or failure to maintain certain required ratios.
If we fail to perform our obligations under the
credit agreement or the related agreements, an event of default may occur, which could cause the Lender to accelerate all of the outstanding
debt and other obligations under the Credit Facility or to exercise other remedies under the credit agreement. Any such developments could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If any of our contractual obligations
discussed above is terminated, our costs under new agreements that we enter into may increase. In addition, we will likely incur significant
time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our Investment Advisory Agreement
and our Administration Agreement. Any new investment management agreement would also be subject to approval by our stockholders.
2023 Private Notes
On July 13, 2018, we entered into the 2023
Note Purchase Agreement, to sell in a private offering $30 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified
institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 2023 Private Notes is payable semiannually
on February 7 and August 7, at a fixed, annual rate of 6.00%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.50%) in the
event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2023 Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 2023 Private Notes mature
on August 7, 2023, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms.
The 2023 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated
indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on August 7, 2018. We used the net proceeds from this offering,
together with cash on hand, to redeem existing debt.
2025 Private Notes
On October 20, 2020, we entered into the 2025
Note Purchase Agreement, to sell in a private offering $40 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified
institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 2025 Private Notes is payable semiannually
on April 20 and October 20, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.375%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the
event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2025 Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 2025 Private Notes mature
on October 20, 2025, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms.
The 2025 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated
indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on October 20, 2020. We used the net proceeds from this offering
to redeem existing debt.
2026 Private Notes
On December 4, 2020, we entered into the 2026
Note Purchase Agreement, to sell in a private offering $10 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified
institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 2026 Private Notes is payable semiannually
on June 4 and December 4, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.375%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to 6.375%) in the
event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2026 Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 2026 Private Notes mature
on December 4, 2026, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in accordance with their terms.
The 2026 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated
indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on December 4, 2020. We used the net proceeds from this offering
to redeem existing debt.
2027 Private Notes
On December 4, 2020, we entered into the 2027 Note Purchase
Agreement, to sell in a private offering $10 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes to qualified
institutional investors in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Interest on the 2027 Private Notes is payable
semiannually on June 4 and December 4, at a fixed, annual rate of 5.625%. This interest rate is subject to increase (up to
6.625%) in the event that, subject to certain exceptions, the 2027 Private Notes cease to have an investment grade rating. The 2027
Private Notes mature on December 4, 2027, unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us or our affiliates in
accordance with their terms. The 2027 Private Notes are general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding
and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness that we may issue. The closing of the transaction occurred on December 4,
2020. We used the net proceeds from this offering to redeem existing debt.
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2025 Public Notes
On November 13, 2018, we completed a public
offering of $35.0 million of aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, the net proceeds of which were used to fund investments
in debt and equity securities and repay outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. Interest on the 2025 Public Notes
is paid quarterly on February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 each year, at a fixed, annual rate of 6.50%. The
2025 Public Notes will mature on November 30, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time, or from time to time, at
our option on or after November 30, 2021. The 2025 Public Notes will rank equally in right of payment with our other outstanding
and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including the 2025 Private Notes. The 2025 Public Notes will effectively rank behind
all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured in respect of which we subsequently
grant security) in right of payment, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, including our Credit Facility.
The 2025 Public Notes are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “WHFBZ.”
At-the-Market Offering
On March 15, 2021, we entered into an equity
distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration and
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., as the sales agent (the “Sales Agent”), in connection with the sale of shares of
the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), with an aggregate offering price of
up to $35 million. The Equity Distribution Agreement provides that we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to
time through the Sales Agent in amounts and at times to be determined by us (the “ATM Offering”). Actual sales will
depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including, market conditions and the trading price of our
common stock. We expect to use all or substantially all of the net proceeds from the Offering to invest in portfolio companies in
accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for general corporate purposes.
Portfolio Investments and Yield
As of March 31, 2021, our investment portfolio
consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 90 positions in 62 companies with an aggregate fair value of $617.0 million. As of
that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and nearly all of those
loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR) with three fixed-rate loan investments representing 0.4% based on fair
value. As of March 31, 2021, our portfolio had an average investment size of $6.4 million based on fair value (average debt investment
size of $7.1 million), with investment sizes ranging from zero to $24.2 million and a weighted average effective yield of 9.7%
(and a weighted average effective yield on income-producing debt investments of 9.6%).
As of December 31, 2020, our investment
portfolio consisted primarily of senior secured loans across 98 positions in 67 companies with an aggregate fair value of $690.7 million.
As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to lower middle market borrowers and nearly all of
those loans were variable-rate investments (primarily indexed to LIBOR) with two fixed-rate loan investments representing 0.2% based
on fair value. As of December 31, 2020, our portfolio had an average investment size of $6.6 million (average debt investment size of
$7.3 million), with investment sizes ranging from zero to $23.5 million and a weighted average effective yield of 9.4% (and a weighted
average effective yield on income-producing debt investments of 9.9%).
For the three months ended March 31, 2021,
we invested $72.4 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $149.6 million. Proceeds from sales
totaled $56.2 million while repayments included $3.1 million of scheduled repayments and $90.5 million of unscheduled repayments
For the three months ended March 31, 2020,
we invested $27.6 million in new and existing portfolio companies, offset by repayments and sales of $33.5 million. Proceeds from sales
totaled $21.0 million while repayments included $3.1 million of scheduled repayments and $9.4 million of unscheduled repayments.
We actively monitor and manage our portfolio
with regard to individual company performance as well as general market conditions. Investment decisions on new originations generally
include an analysis of the impact of the new loan on our broader portfolio, including a “top-down” assessment of portfolio
diversification and risk exposure. This assessment includes a review of portfolio concentration by issuer, industry, geography and type
of credit as well as an evaluation of our portfolio’s exposure to macroeconomic factors and cyclical trends.
We believe that consistent, active monitoring
of individual companies and the broader market is integral to portfolio management and a critical component of our investment process.
Our investment adviser uses several methods to evaluate and monitor the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include
the following:
• frequent discussions with management and sponsors, including board observation rights where possible;
• comparing/analyzing financial performance to the portfolio company’s business plan, as well as our
internal projections developed at underwriting;
• tracking portfolio company compliance with covenants as well as other metrics identified at initial investment
stage, such as acquisitions, divestitures, product development and specified management hires; and
• periodic review by the investment committee of each asset in the portfolio and more rigorous monitoring of “watch list”
positions.
As part of the monitoring process, our
investment adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on
a risk scale of 1 to 5. This risk rating system is intended to identify and assess risks relative to when we initially made the investment
and could be impacted by such factors as company-specific performance, changes in collateral, changes in potential exit opportunities
or macroeconomic conditions.
All investments are initially assigned
a rating of 2, as this grade represents a company that is meeting initial expectations with regard to performance and outlook. A rating
may be improved to a 1 if, in the opinion of our investment adviser, a portfolio company’s risk of loss has been reduced relative
to initial expectations. An investment will be assigned a rating of 3 if the risk of loss has increased relative to initial expectations
and will be assigned a rating of 4 if our investment principal is at a material risk of not being fully repaid. A rating of 5 indicates
an investment is in payment default and has significant risk of not receiving full repayment.
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The following table shows the distribution of our investments
on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value:
March
31, 2021
December 31,
2020
Investment Performance
Rating
Investments
at Fair Value
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
Investments
at
Fair Value
Percentage
of
Total Portfolio
(Dollars
in Millions)
(Dollars
in Millions)
1
$
135.4
21.9 %
$ 153.3
22.2
%
2
385.1
62.4
422.1
61.1
3
86.8
14.1
103.7
15.0
4
9.7
1.6
4.0
0.6
5
—
—
7.6
1.1
Total
Portfolio
$
617.0
100.0 %
$ 690.7
100.0
%
Inflation
Inflation has not had a significant effect on our
results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented in our consolidated financial statements. However, from time to
time, inflation may impact the operating results of our portfolio companies.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We may become a party to financial instruments
with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments
may include commitments to extend credit and involve elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the consolidated
statements of assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had commitments to fund approximately $21.4 million
and $19.6 million, respectively, of revolving lines of credit or delayed draw facilities to our portfolio companies. We reasonably believe
that we have sufficient assets to adequately cover and allow us to satisfy our outstanding unfunded commitments.
Distributions
In order to maintain our status as a RIC
and to avoid the imposition of corporate-level tax on income, we must distribute dividends to our stockholders each taxable year of an
amount generally at least equal to the sum of 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized
net long-term capital losses out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid the imposition of certain excise
taxes imposed on RICs, we must distribute dividends in respect of each calendar year of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98%
of our ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in
excess of capital losses, or capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary losses, for the one-year period ending on October
31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such
years on which we incurred no U.S. federal income tax.
During both three months ended March
31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, we declared to stockholders distributions of $0.355 per share, for total distributions of $7.3 million.
The timing and amount of our quarterly
distributions, if any, are determined by our board of directors. While we intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders
out of assets legally available for distribution, 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 our distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to
make distributions due to the asset coverage requirements applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act. If we
do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including the possible loss of
our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions.
To the extent our taxable earnings fall
below the total amount of our distributions paid for that fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital
to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our stockholders may be the original capital
invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we estimate that distributions
to stockholders included $7.3 million of ordinary income, for tax purposes, based on earnings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
and current earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The specific tax characteristics of the distribution will be reported
to stockholders on or after the end of the calendar year 2021 and in our periodic reports with the SEC. Stockholders should read any written
disclosure accompanying a distribution payment carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is only ordinary income
or gains.
In addition, in order to satisfy the annual
distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we may declare a significant portion of our dividends in shares of our common stock instead
of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend under published
guidance from the Internal Revenue Service) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the
dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend
was paid in shares of our common stock.
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We have adopted an “opt out”
distribution reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions
will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of
our distribution reinvestment plan. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder receives cash distributions. Although distributions paid
in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner
as cash distributions, stockholders participating in our distribution reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash distributions
with which to pay any such applicable taxes.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of our significant contractual payment obligations
as of March 31, 2021 is as follows:
Payments Due by Period
Total
Less Than
1 Year
1 – 3 Years
3 – 5 Years
More Than
5 Years
(Dollars in millions)
Credit Facility
$ 214.6
$ —
$ —
$ 214.6
$ —
2023 Private Notes
30.0
—
30.0
—
—
2025 Private Notes
40.0
—
—
40.0
—
2026 Private Notes
10.0
—
—
—
10.0
2027 Private Notes
10.0
—
—
—
10.0
2025 Public Notes
35.0
—
—
35.0
—
Total contractual obligations
$ 339.6
$ —
$ 30.0
$ 289.6
$ 20.0
As of March 31, 2021, we had $70.4 million of unused borrowing
capacity under the Credit Facility.
We entered into the Investment
Advisory Agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers in accordance with the 1940 Act on December 4, 2012, which was most recently amended on
November 1, 2018. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers manages our day-to-day investment operations and
provides us with access to personnel and an investment committee and certain other resources so that we may fulfill our obligation
to act as a portfolio manager of WhiteHorse Credit under the Credit Facility. Payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement in
future periods will be equal to (1) a management fee equal to 2% of the value of our consolidated gross assets; provided, however,
that the management fee on consolidated gross assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x
debt to equity) will be equal to 1.25% and (2) an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Investment Advisory
Agreement” in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
We also entered into the Administration
Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration on December 4, 2012. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration furnishes
us with office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. WhiteHorse Administration also furnishes
us with resources necessary for us to act as portfolio manager to WhiteHorse Credit under the Credit Facility. If requested to provide
managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, WhiteHorse Administration will be paid an additional amount based on the services provided,
which amount will not, in any case, exceed the amount we receive from the portfolio companies for such services. Payments under the Administration
Agreement will be based upon our allocable portion of WhiteHorse Administration’s overhead expenses in performing its obligations
under the Administration Agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief financial officer and chief compliance
officer along with their respective staffs.
Related Party Transactions
We have entered into a number of business relationships with
affiliated or related parties, including the following:
• WhiteHorse Advisers manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment management services to us pursuant to the Investment
Advisory Agreement.
• WhiteHorse Administration and certain of its affiliates provide us with the office facilities and administrative
services, including access to the resources necessary for us to perform our obligations towards certain portfolio companies, pursuant
to the Administration Agreement.
• We have entered into a license agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital pursuant to which we have
been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “WhiteHorse” name.
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WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration
or their respective affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. In serving in these
multiple capacities, WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration or their respective affiliates may have obligations to other clients
or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Such persons may
face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds or accounts advised by or affiliated
with WhiteHorse Advisers or WhiteHorse Administration. WhiteHorse Advisers or its affiliates will seek to allocate investment opportunities
among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer
no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.
We depend on the communications and information
systems and policies of WhiteHorse Advisers and its affiliates as well as certain third-party service providers to monitor and prevent
cybersecurity incidents. Our board of directors and management periodically review and assess the effectiveness of such communications
and information systems and policies.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets
and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. We have identified the following as
critical accounting policies.
Principles of Consolidation
Under the investment company financial
accounting guidance, as formally codified in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment
Companies , we are precluded from consolidating any entity other than another investment company. As provided under ASC Topic 946,
we generally consolidate any investment company when we own 100% of its partners’ or members’ capital or equity units. We
own a 100% equity interest in each of WhiteHorse Credit and WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, or WhiteHorse Warehouse, which are investment
companies for accounting purposes. As such, we have consolidated the accounts of WhiteHorse Credit and WhiteHorse Warehouse into our financial
statements. As a result of this consolidation, the amount outstanding under the Credit Facility is treated as our indebtedness.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments
We value our investments in accordance
with ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures . ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value and expands disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. ASC Topic 820’s definition of fair value
focuses on exit price in the principal, or most advantageous, market and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific
inputs within a measurement of fair value.
Our portfolio consists primarily of debt
investments. These investments are valued at their bid quotations obtained from unaffiliated market makers or other financial institutions
that trade in similar investments or based on prices provided by independent third party pricing services. For investments where there
are no available bid quotations, fair value is derived using proprietary models that consider the analyses of independent valuation agents
as well as credit risk, liquidity, market credit spreads and other applicable factors for similar transactions.
Due to the nature of our strategy, our
portfolio includes relatively illiquid investments that are privately held. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain,
may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the
values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if
the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize
upon the disposal of such investments.
Our board of directors is ultimately responsible
for determining the fair value of the portfolio investments that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available
on a quarterly basis in good faith or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination. Our board of
directors has retained one or more independent valuation firms to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have
a readily available market quotation at least once during each 12-month period. Independent valuation firms retained by our board of directors
provide a valuation review on approximately 25% of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available each quarter
to ensure that the fair value of each investment for which a market quote is not readily available is reviewed by an independent valuation
firm at least once during each 12-month period. However, our board of directors does not intend to have de minimis investments
of less than 1.5% of our total assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our total assets) independently reviewed.
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The valuation process is conducted at
the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of our valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by
one or more independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event occurs with respect to one of our portfolio companies, such
as when a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we expect to use the pricing indicated by such external
event to corroborate our valuation.
With respect to investments for which market quotations
are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
• Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued
by investment professionals of our investment adviser responsible for credit monitoring in accordance with our valuation procedures.
• Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our investment committee and our investment adviser.
• The audit committee of our board of directors reviews these preliminary valuations, and on a quarterly basis, reviews the bases
of the valuations by our investment adviser and the independent valuation firms.
• At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm.
• Our board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good
faith.
Fair value of publicly traded instruments
is generally based on quoted market prices. Fair value of non-publicly traded instruments, and of publicly traded instruments for which
quoted market prices are not readily available, may be determined based on other relevant factors, including without limitation, quotations
from unaffiliated market makers or independent third party pricing services, the price activity of equivalent instruments and valuation
pricing models. For those investments valued using quotations, the bid price is generally used unless we determine that it is not representative
of an exit price.
Fair value is the price that would be received
in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable
prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation models involve some level of management estimation and
judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
Our fair value analysis includes an analysis of the value of any unfunded loan commitments. Financial investments recorded at fair value
in the consolidated financial statements are categorized for disclosure purposes based upon the level of judgment associated with the
inputs used to measure their value. The valuation hierarchical levels are based upon the transparency of the inputs to the valuation of
the investment as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical
assets or liabilities in active public markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other
than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs
that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect
a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Investments for which fair value is determined
using inputs defined above as Level 3 are fair valued using the income and market approaches, which may include the discounted cash flow
method, reference to performance statistics of industry comparables, relative comparable yield analysis and, in certain cases, third party
valuations performed by independent valuation firms. The valuation methods can reference various factors and use various inputs such as
assumed growth rates, capitalization rates and discount rates, loan-to-value ratios, liquidation value, relative capital structure priority,
market comparables, compliance with applicable loan, covenant and interest coverage performance, book value, market derived multiples,
reserve valuation, assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower, review of ongoing performance, review of financial projections
as compared to actual performance, review of interest rate and yield risk. Such factors may be given different weighting depending on
our assessment of the underlying investment, and we may analyze apparently comparable investments in different ways.
63
In certain cases,
the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s
categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers
factors specific to the financial instrument.
Fair value for each investment is derived
using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment committee of the investment adviser are most
relevant to such investment, including being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market makers
for which the investment committee has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) to be indicative
of fair value, (ii) the price paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s-length
transaction, (iii) a discounted cash flow analysis, (iv) the guideline public company method, (v) the similar transaction method or
(vi) the option pricing method.
Investment Transactions and Related Investment Income and
Expense
We record our investment transactions
on a trade date basis, which is the date when we have determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These
transactions could possibly settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. All related revenue and expenses attributable
to these transactions are reflected on our consolidated statements of operations commencing on the trade date unless otherwise specified
by the transaction documents. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recorded on the specific identification method.
We accrue interest income if we expect that ultimately
we will be able to collect it. Generally, when an interest payment default occurs on a loan in our portfolio, or if our management otherwise
believes that the issuer of the loan will not be able to service the loan and other obligations, we place the loan on non-accrual status
and will cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest is current through payment or until a restructuring
occurs, such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. However, we remain contractually entitled to this interest. We may
make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is written
off when it becomes probable that such interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated.
Any original issue discount, as well as any other market purchase discount or premium on debt investments, are accreted or amortized to
interest income or expense, respectively, over the maturity periods of the investments. Dividend income is recorded on the record date
for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
Interest expense is recorded on an accrual
basis. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral
appraisals may arise when we make certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as they
are incurred.
Loan Origination, Facility, Commitment and Amendment Fees
We may receive fees in addition to interest
income from the loans during the life of the investment. We may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. We defer
these origination fees and deduct them from the cost basis of the investment and subsequently accrete them into income over the term of
the loan. We may receive facility, commitment and amendment fees, which are paid to us on an ongoing basis. We accrue facility fees, sometimes
referred to as asset management fees, as a percentage periodic fee on the base amount (either the funded facility amount or the committed
principal amount). Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by us and we record them on an accrual basis. Amendment
fees are paid in connection with loan amendments and waivers and we account for them upon completion of the amendments or waivers, generally
when such fees are receivable. We include any such fees in fee income on the consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which
discusses recent accounting pronouncements applicable to us, if any.
64
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are subject to financial market risks,
including changes in interest rates. During the period covered by our financial statements, many of the loans in our portfolio had floating
interest rates, and we expect that many of our loans to portfolio companies in the future will also have floating interest rates. These
loans are usually based on a floating rate based on LIBOR that resets quarterly to the applicable LIBOR. Interest rate fluctuations may
have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. Since
we plan to use debt to finance investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which
we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. In addition, U.S. and global capital markets have experienced a higher level
of stress due to the global COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in an increase in the level of volatility across such markets and a general
decline in value of securities held by us. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will
not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.
Assuming that the consolidated statement
of assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021 was to remain constant and that we took no actions to alter our existing interest rate
sensitivity, the following table shows the annualized impact of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands).
Increase(Decrease) in
Increase(Decrease) in
Interest
Interest
Net
Basis Point Increase(Decrease)
Income
Expense
Increase(Decrease)
(100)
$ (318 )
$ (417 )
$ 99
100
1,534
2,146
(612 )
200
7,203
4,291
2,912
300
13,196
6,437
6,759
400
19,189
8,583
10,606
500
25,181
10,728
14,453
As of March 31, 2021, nearly all of the performing
floating rate investments in our portfolio had interest rate floors. Variable-rate investments subject to a floor generally reset periodically
to the applicable floor and, in the case of investments in our portfolio, quarterly to a floor based on LIBOR, only if the floor exceeds
the index. Under these loans, we do not benefit from increases in interest rates until such rates exceed the floor and thereafter benefit
from market rates above any such floor.
For a discussion of the risks associated
with the discontinuation of LIBOR, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Since
we are using debt to finance our investments, and we may use additional debt or preferred stock financing going forward, changes in interest
rates may affect our cost of capital, net investment income, value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital”
in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Although management believes that this
analysis is indicative of our existing sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for changes in the credit markets, the
size, credit quality or composition of the assets in our portfolio and other business developments, including borrowing, that could affect
net increase in net assets resulting from operations or net income. It also does not adjust for the effect of the time-lag between a change
in the relevant interest rate index and the rate adjustment under the applicable loan. Accordingly, we can offer no assurances that actual
results would not differ materially from the statement above.
We may in the future hedge against interest
rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts to the extent permitted under the
1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may
also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the investments in our portfolio with fixed
interest rates.
We may enter into foreign currency forward contracts from time to
time to facilitate settlement of purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign currencies and to hedge economically the
impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of our investments denominated in foreign
currencies. We currently utilize forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect ourselves against fluctuations in exchange
rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized a realized gain of $0 and $6,000 and an unrealized loss
of $1,000 and $1,000, respectively, in the statement of operations relating to forward currency exchange contracts held during the
year. See Note 3 to our Notes to consolidated financial statements.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has
resulted in a decrease in LIBOR and a general reduction of certain interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central
banks. A continued decline in interest rates, including LIBOR has resulted in, and could continue to result in a reduction of
our gross investment income. In addition, our net investment income could also decline if such decreases in LIBOR are not offset by,
among other things, a corresponding increase in the spread over LIBOR in our portfolio investments, a decrease in our operating
expenses or a decrease in the interest rates of our liabilities that are tied to LIBOR. See “Item 2. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—COVID-19 Developments.”
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the period covered by this report, we, including
our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on our evaluation, our management, including the chief executive
officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting management,
including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of material information about us required to be included in our periodic
SEC filings. However, in evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no
matter how well designed and operated, are based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and can provide only reasonable
assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the
cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. There has not been any change in our internal controls over financial reporting
(as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected,
or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
65
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising
out of our operations in the normal course of business or otherwise, each of WhiteHorse Finance, WhiteHorse Advisers and WhiteHorse Administration
is currently not a party to any material legal proceeding.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the below risk factor and
other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” discussed in our annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially affect our
business, financial condition and/or operating results.
We intend to continue to finance our investments with
borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.
The use of leverage, including through the
issuance of senior securities, magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. We have incurred leverage in the past
and currently incur leverage through credit facilities and issuance of public and private notes. From time to time, we intend to
incur additional leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative
investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In the future, we may borrow from, and
issue senior securities, to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these senior securities will have fixed dollar
claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such holders to seek recovery
against our assets in the event of a default.
WhiteHorse Credit
has pledged, and expects to continue to pledge, all or substantially all of its assets. WhiteHorse Credit has granted, and may in the
future grant, a security interest in all or a portion of its assets under the Credit Facility. In addition, under the terms of the Credit
Facility, we must use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay amounts then due with respect to our debt and certain
other amounts owing under the Credit Facility before applying such net proceeds to other uses, such as distributing them to our stockholders.
We may pledge up
to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instruments into which we may
enter. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instrument we enter into, we are likely to be required by its
terms to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument
before applying such net proceeds to any other uses.
If
the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause our net
asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating
our equity stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more
sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions on our
common stock or preferred stock. Our ability to service our debt will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject
to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, our common stockholders will bear the burden of any increase
in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the management fee payable to WhiteHorse
Advisers.
As a business development company, we
generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of
our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 150%, subject to certain disclosure requirements,
as is specified in the 1940 Act. If this ratio declines below 150%, we cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion
of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations,
and we may not be able to make distributions to our stockholders. As of March 31, 2021, our total outstanding indebtedness was $339.6
million and our asset coverage was 192.6%.
The amount of leverage that we employ will
depend on WhiteHorse Advisers’s and our board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any
proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our borrowings under our existing indebtedness or to
obtain other credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. For information regarding a reduction in the asset coverage ratio
applicable to us, see Item 1A. Risk Factors -- “ The SBCAA allows us to incur additional leverage, which may increase the
risk of investing with us ” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition, the
terms governing our existing indebtedness and any indebtedness that we incur in the future could impose
financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that may hinder our ability to finance
additional loans and investments or make the distributions required to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC.
66
The instruments governing
our existing indebtedness contain terms and conditions for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including minimum
stockholders’ equity, minimum asset coverage ratio, maximum debt to equity ratio and prohibitions on certain fundamental changes
of the Company or any subsidiary guarantor. These instruments also contain customary events of default with customary cure
and notice periods, including, without limitation, nonpayment, incorrect representation in any material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default
under other indebtedness of the Company or certain significant subsidiaries, certain judgements and orders, and certain events of bankruptcy.
The breach of any of the covenants or restrictions,
unless cured within the applicable grace period, would result in a default under the applicable indebtedness arrangement that would permit
the lenders thereunder to declare all amounts outstanding to be due and payable. In such an event, we may not have sufficient assets to
repay such indebtedness. As a result, any default could have serious consequences to our financial condition. An event of default or an
acceleration under these arrangements could also cause a cross-default or cross-acceleration of another debt instrument or contractual
obligation, which would adversely impact our liquidity. We may not be granted waivers or amendments to these arrangements if for any reason
we are unable to comply with them, and we may not be able to refinance such arrangements on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
The reduction of our asset coverage requirement from 200% to 150% increases
the amount of debt that we are permitted to incur, such that the Company’s maximum debt to equity ratio increased from a prior maximum
of 1.0x (equivalent of $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 equity) to a maximum of 2.0x (equivalent to $2 of debt outstanding for each
$1 of equity). Increased leverage could amplify the risks associated with investing in the Company. For example, if the value of the Company’s
assets decreases, although the asset base and expected revenues would be larger because increased leverage would permit the Company to
acquire additional assets, leverage will cause the Company’s NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage
or with lower leverage. Any decrease in the Company’s revenue would cause its net income to decline more sharply, on a relative
basis, than it would have if the Company had not borrowed or had borrowed less.
The following table illustrates the effect
of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock as of March 31, 2021, assuming that we employ leverage such that our asset
coverage equals (1) our actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2021 and (2) 150%, each at various annual returns, net of expenses and as
of March 31, 2021. The purpose of this table is to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage. The calculations in the
table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)
-10%
-5%
0%
5%
10%
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2021 (1)
(20.7 )%
(10.9 )%
(1.1 )%
8.7 %
18.5 %
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming 150% asset coverage (2)
(35.5 )%
(21.1 )%
(6.6 )%
7.8 %
22.2 %
(1) Assumes $670.5 million in total assets, $339.6 million in debt outstanding and $314.3 million in net assets as of March 31, 2021,
and an average cost of funds of 3.9%, which is our weighted average borrowing cost as of March 31, 2021.
(2) Assumes $959.6 million in total assets, $628.7 million in debt outstanding and $314.3 million in net assets as of March 31, 2021, and
an average cost of funds of 3.3%, which would be our weighted average borrowing cost assuming 150% asset coverage as of March 31, 2021.
Based on our outstanding indebtedness of
$314.3 million as of March 31, 2021 and an average cost of funds of 2.69%, 6.00%, 6.50%, 5.375%, 5.375% and 5.625%, which were the
effective annualized interest rates of the Credit Facility, 2023 Private Notes, 2025 Public Notes, 2025 Private Notes, 2026 Private
Notes and 2027 Private Notes, respectively, as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual
return of at least 2.1% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.
Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $959.6
million on an assumed 150% asset coverage ratio and an average cost of funds of 2.69%, 6.00%, 6.50%, 5.375%, 5.375% and 5.625% which
were the effective annualized interest rates of the Credit Facility, 2023 Private Notes, 2025 Public Notes, 2025 Private Notes, 2026
Private Notes and 2027 Private Notes, respectively, as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at
least 2.3% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.
67
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
10.1
Fifth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated April 28, 2021, by and among WhiteHorse Finance Credit I, LLC, as borrower, the Company, as the portfolio manager, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender, and the financial providers party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 30, 2021).
31.1*
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2*
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1*
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.2*
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
* Filed herewith
68
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.
Dated: May 10, 2021
By
/s/ Stuart Aronson
Stuart Aronson
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: May 10, 2021
By
/s/ Joyson C. Thomas
Joyson C. Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
69
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.