Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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 or SOFR that resets quarterly to the applicable LIBOR or SOFR. 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
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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 June 30, 2022 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)
Increase (Decrease)
Net Increase
Basis Point Increase (Decrease)
in Interest Income
in Interest Expense
(Decrease)
(100)
$
(4,075)
$
(2,387)
$
(1,688)
100
7,377
2,387
4,990
200
14,753
4,775
9,978
300
22,130
7,162
14,968
400
29,506
9,550
19,956
500
36,883
11,937
24,946
As of June 30, 2022, 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 or SOFR, 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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 a 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 economically hedge 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 and six months ended June 30, 2022, we recognized unrealized gains of $4,000 and zero respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations relating to forward currency exchange contracts. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized an unrealized gain of $1,000 and zero, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations relating to forward currency exchange contracts. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 we recognized realized losses of $8,000 in the consolidated statements of operations relating to forward currency exchange contracts. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 we recognized realized losses of $4,000 in the consolidated statements of operations relating to forward currency exchange contracts. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.
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