MSC Income Fund, Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2024

ORGANIZATION

MSC Income Fund, Inc. (“MSIF” or, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “MSC Income” or the “Company”) is a principal investment firm primarily focused on providing debt capital to private (“Private Loan”) companies owned by or in the process of being acquired by a private equity fund (its “Private Loan investment strategy”). MSC Income’s portfolio investments are typically made to support leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. MSC Income seeks to partner with private equity fund sponsors in its Private Loan investment strategy and primarily invests in secured debt investments of Private Loan companies generally headquartered in the United States.

MSC Income also maintains a portfolio of customized long-term debt and equity investments in lower middle market (“LMM”) companies (its “LMM investment portfolio”), and through those investments MSC Income has partnered with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams in co-investments with Main Street Capital Corporation (“Main Street”), a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listed BDC, utilizing the customized “one-stop” debt and equity financing solution provided in Main Street’s LMM investment strategy (the “LMM investment strategy”). Through the LMM investment strategy, MSC Income primarily invested in secured debt investments, equity investments, warrants and other securities of LMM companies typically based in the United States. Effective upon the MSC Income Listing (as defined below) on January 29, 2025, MSC Income changed its investment strategy for investments in new portfolio companies to be solely focused on its Private Loan investment strategy, rather than its historical focus primarily on its Private Loan investment strategy and secondarily on the LMM investment strategy (as further discussed below).

MSC Income also maintains a legacy portfolio of investments in larger middle market (“Middle Market”) companies (its “Middle Market investment portfolio”) and a limited portfolio of other portfolio (“Other Portfolio”) investments. MSC Income’s Middle Market investments are generally debt investments in companies owned by a private equity fund that were originally issued through a syndication financing process. MSC Income has generally stopped making new Middle Market investments and expects the size of its Middle Market investment portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as its existing Middle Market investments are repaid or sold. MSC Income’s Other Portfolio investments primarily consist of investments that are not consistent with the typical profiles for its Private Loan, LMM or Middle Market portfolio investments, including investments in unaffiliated investment companies and private funds managed by third parties. Similar to its Middle Market investments, MSC Income has generally stopped making new Other Portfolio investments and expects the size of its Other Portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as its existing Other Portfolio investments are repaid or sold.

The “Investment Portfolio,” as used herein, refers to all of MSC Income’s investments in Private Loan portfolio companies, investments in LMM portfolio companies, investments in Middle Market portfolio companies and Other Portfolio investments.

MSIF was formed in November 2011 to operate as an externally managed business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). MSIF has elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a result, MSIF generally does not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary taxable income or capital gains that it distributes to its stockholders.

On October 28, 2020, MSC Income’s stockholders approved the appointment of MSC Adviser I, LLC (the “Adviser”), which is wholly-owned by Main Street, as MSC Income’s investment adviser and administrator under an Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement dated October 30, 2020 (the “Prior Investment Advisory Agreement”).

On January 29, 2025, in connection with the MSC Income Listing (as defined below), MSC Income entered into an Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of MSC Income’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, at a special meeting of MSC Income’s stockholders held on December 11, 2024 (the “2025 Special Meeting”), to become effective upon the MSC Income Listing. In such role, the Adviser has the responsibility to manage the business of MSC Income, including the responsibility to identify, evaluate, negotiate and structure prospective investments, make investment and portfolio management decisions, monitor MSC Income’s Investment Portfolio and provide ongoing administrative services.

On January 30, 2025, MSC Income closed a follow-on public offering of 5,500,000 shares of its common stock, at the public offering price of $15.53 per share, in connection with which MSC Income’s shares of common stock were listed and began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “MSIF” on January 29, 2025 (the “MSC Income Listing”). In addition, on February 3, 2025, MSC Income issued and sold 825,000 additional shares of its common stock, at the public offering price of $15.53 per share, pursuant to the underwriters’ full exercise of their overallotment option. Net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, MSC Income received net cash proceeds of approximately $91 million in connection with the follow-on public equity offering.

Additionally, on December 16, 2024, in advance of the MSC Income Listing, the Company effectuated a 2-for-1 reverse stock split of its outstanding common stock pursuant to approval from the Board of Directors (the “Reverse Stock Split”). As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every two shares of MSC Income’s issued and outstanding common stock were converted into one share of issued and outstanding common stock, without any change in the par value per share or the number of authorized shares of its common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all figures in this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflect the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split.

MSIF has certain direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries that have elected to be taxable entities (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”). The primary purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit MSIF to hold equity investments in portfolio companies which are “pass-through” entities for tax purposes. MSIF also has certain direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries formed for financing purposes (the “Structured Subsidiaries”).

Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “MSC Income” refer to MSIF and its consolidated subsidiaries, which include the Taxable Subsidiaries and the Structured Subsidiaries.

The following diagram depicts our organizational structure:

(1) The Taxable Subsidiaries and Structured Subsidiaries were formed for operational purposes. Each of these companies is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by MSIF.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Our principal executive offices are located at 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, 8th Floor, Houston, Texas 77056. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.mscincomefund.com (http://www.mscincomefund.com). We make available free of charge on our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and you should not consider that information to be part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports and other public filings are also available free of charge on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov).

OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS

Our principal investment objective is to maximize our investment portfolio’s total return, primarily by generating current income from our debt investments and, to a lesser extent, by generating current income and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire equity securities in a portfolio company. We seek to achieve our investment objective through our Private Loan investment strategy and our LMM investment portfolio. Our Private Loan investment strategy involves investments in companies that generally have annual revenues between $25 million and $500 million and annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization expenses (“EBITDA”) between $7.5 million and $50 million. Our LMM investment portfolio consists of investments in companies that generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million and annual EBITDA between $3 million and $20 million. Our Private Loan and LMM investments generally range in size from $1 million to $30 million.

Private Loan investments primarily consist of debt securities that have primarily been originated directly by our Adviser or, to a lesser extent, through our Adviser’s strategic relationships with other investment funds on a collaborative basis through investments that are often referred to in the debt markets as “club deals” because of the small lender group size. Our Private Loan investments are typically made in a company owned by or in the process of being acquired by a private equity fund. Our Private Loan portfolio debt investments are generally secured by a first priority lien on the assets of the portfolio company and typically have a term of between three and seven years from the original investment date. We may also co-invest with Main Street and the private equity funds in the equity securities of our Private Loan portfolio companies.

We have also historically sought to fill the financing gap for LMM businesses, which, historically, have had limited access to financing from commercial banks and other traditional sources. The underserved nature of the LMM created the opportunity for us to meet the financing needs of LMM companies while also negotiating favorable transaction terms and equity participation. Our ability to invest across a company’s capital structure, from secured loans to equity securities, allowed us to offer portfolio companies a comprehensive suite of financing options, or a “one-stop” financing solution. Our LMM portfolio debt investments are generally secured by a first lien on the assets of the portfolio company and typically have a term of between five and seven years from the original investment date.

In connection with the MSC Income Listing, our Board of Directors and the Adviser decided to change our investment strategy with respect to new platform investments to be solely focused on our Private Loan investment strategy. As a result, the size of our LMM investment portfolio is expected to decrease over time as our existing LMM investments are repaid or sold in the ordinary course of business. We do, however, plan to continue executing follow on investments in our existing LMM portfolio companies going forward in accordance with our existing SEC order for co-investment exemptive relief.

Our Middle Market investments are generally debt investments in companies owned by private equity funds that were originally issued through a syndication financing process. We have generally stopped making new Middle Market investments and expect the size of our Middle Market investment portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as existing Middle Market investments are repaid or sold. Our Middle Market debt investments generally range in size from $1 million to $20 million, are generally secured by a first priority lien on the assets of the portfolio company and typically have an expected duration of between three and seven years from the original investment date.

Our Other Portfolio investments primarily consist of investments that are not consistent with the typical profiles for our Private Loan, LMM or Middle Market portfolio investments, including investments in unaffiliated investment companies and private funds managed by third parties. In our Other Portfolio, we may incur indirect fees and expenses to third party managers. Similar to our Middle Market investments, we have generally stopped making new Other Portfolio investments and expect the size of our Other Portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as existing Other Portfolio investments are repaid or sold.

Subject to changes in our cash and overall liquidity, we may in the future invest in short-term portfolio investments that are atypical of our Private Loan and LMM portfolio investments in that they would be intended to be a short-term deployment of capital. These assets would be expected to be realized in one year or less and would not be expected to be a significant portion of our total investments.

Our portfolio investments are generally made through MSIF, the Taxable Subsidiaries and the Structured Subsidiaries. MSIF, the Taxable Subsidiaries and the Structured Subsidiaries share the same investment strategies and criteria. An investor’s return in MSIF will depend, in part, on the Taxable Subsidiaries’ and the Structured Subsidiaries’ investment returns as they are wholly-owned subsidiaries of MSIF.

The level of new portfolio investment activity will fluctuate from period to period based upon our view of the current economic fundamentals, our ability to identify new investment opportunities that meet our investment criteria, and our ability to consummate the identified opportunities and our available liquidity. The level of new investment activity, and associated interest and fee income, will directly impact future investment income. In addition, the level of dividends paid by portfolio companies and the portion of our portfolio debt investments on non-accrual status will directly impact future investment income. While we intend to grow our portfolio and our investment income over the long term, our growth and our operating results may be more limited during depressed economic periods. However, we intend to appropriately manage our cost structure and liquidity position based on applicable economic conditions and our investment outlook. The level of realized gains or losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on our investments will also fluctuate depending upon portfolio activity, economic conditions and the performance of our individual portfolio companies. The changes in realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation could have a material impact on our operating results.

We have received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting co-investments among us, Main Street and other advisory clients of our Adviser in certain negotiated transactions where co-investing would otherwise be prohibited under the 1940 Act. We have made co-investments with, and in the future intend to continue to make co-investments with Main Street and other advisory clients of our Adviser, in accordance with the conditions of the order. The order requires, among other things, that Main Street and our Adviser consider whether each such investment opportunity is appropriate for us, Main Street and the other advisory clients of our Adviser, as applicable, and if it is appropriate, to propose an allocation of the investment opportunity between such parties. Because our Adviser is wholly-owned by Main Street and is not managing our investment activities as its sole activity, this may provide our Adviser an incentive to allocate opportunities to Main Street or its other advisory clients instead of us. However, both we and our Adviser have policies and procedures in place to manage this conflict, including approval of investment allocations and oversight of co-investments by the independent members of our Board of Directors. In addition to the co-investment program described above, we also co-invest in syndicated deals and other transactions where price is the only negotiated point by us and our affiliates.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Our principal investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return, primarily by generating current income from our debt investments and current income and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire equity securities in a portfolio company. We have adopted the following business strategies to achieve our investment objective:

• Focus on Established Companies. We generally invest in companies with established market positions, experienced management teams and proven revenue streams. We believe that those companies generally possess better risk-adjusted return profiles than newer companies that are building their management teams or are in the early stages of building a revenue base. We also believe that established companies in our targeted size range also generally provide opportunities for capital appreciation.
• Generate Unique Returns from our LMM Investment Portfolio. We believe that our existing investments in our LMM portfolio companies provide unique risk-adjusted return characteristics and also provide our stockholders with access to a large and attractive portion of the U.S. economy that has been and continues to be underserved from a financing standpoint. As a result, we believe that our existing LMM investment portfolio provides our stockholders the opportunity for superior future returns.
• Leverage the Skills and Experience of our Adviser’s Investment Team. Our Adviser’s investment team has significant experience in lending to and investing in Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market companies. The members of our Adviser’s investment team have broad investment backgrounds, with significant experience and long-term tenure with our Adviser and prior experience at private investment funds, corporate entities with active acquisition growth strategies and activities, investment banks and other financial services companies. The expertise of our Adviser’s investment team in analyzing, valuing, structuring, negotiating and closing transactions should provide us with competitive advantages by allowing us to consider customized financing solutions and non-traditional or complex structures for our portfolio companies.
• Invest Across Multiple Companies, Industries, Regions and End Markets. We seek to maintain a portfolio of investments that is appropriately balanced among various companies, industries, geographic regions and end markets. This portfolio balance is intended to mitigate the potential effects of negative economic events for particular companies, regions, industries and end markets.
• Capitalize on Strong Transaction Sourcing Network. Our Adviser’s investment team seeks to leverage its extensive network of referral sources for portfolio company investments. Main Street has developed a reputation in our marketplace as a responsive, efficient and reliable source of financing, which has created a growing stream of proprietary deal flow for us.
• Benefit from Lower, Fixed, Long-Term Cost of Capital. We maintain an investment grade rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, which provides us the opportunity and flexibility to obtain additional, attractive long-term financing options to supplement our capital structure, including the unsecured notes with fixed interest rates we issue.

INVESTMENT CRITERIA

Our Adviser’s investment team has identified the following investment criteria that it believes are important in evaluating prospective portfolio companies. Our Adviser’s investment team uses these criteria in evaluating investment opportunities. However, not all of these criteria have been, or will be, met in connection with each of our investments:

• Established Companies with Positive Cash Flow. We seek to invest in established companies with sound historical financial performance. We primarily pursue investments in Private Loan companies that have historically generated annual EBITDA of $7.5 million to $50 million. We also maintain a portfolio of investments in LMM companies that have historically generated annual EBITDA of $3 million to $20 million. We generally do not invest in start-up companies or companies with speculative business plans.
• Defensible Competitive Advantages/Favorable Industry Position. We primarily focus on companies having competitive advantages in their respective markets and/or operating in industries with barriers to entry, which may help to protect their market position and profitability.
• Proven Management Team. We look for operationally-oriented management with direct industry experience and a successful track record. We believe management teams with these attributes are more likely to manage the companies in a manner that protects our investment.
• Exit Alternatives. We exit our debt investments primarily through the repayment of our investment from internally generated cash flow of the portfolio company and/or a refinancing. In addition, we seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows may provide alternate methods of repaying our investment, such as through a strategic acquisition by other industry participants or a recapitalization.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Our Private Loan portfolio investments primarily consist of investments in debt securities that are primarily originated directly by our Adviser, or to a lesser extent, through our Adviser’s strategic relationships with other investment funds on a collaborative basis through investments that are often referred to in the debt markets as “club deals” because of the small lender group size. In both cases, our Private Loan investments are typically made in a company owned by or in the process of being acquired by a private equity fund.

Our LMM portfolio investments primarily consist of secured debt, direct equity investments and equity warrants in privately held, LMM companies based in the United States. Through those investments, we have partnered with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams in co-investments with Main Street. Effective upon the MSC Income Listing, we changed our investment strategy and will no longer make investments in new LMM portfolio companies, with any future LMM investments limited to follow-on investments in our existing LMM portfolio companies.

Our Middle Market portfolio investments are generally debt investments in companies owned by private equity funds that were originally issued through a syndication financing process. We have generally stopped making new Middle Market investments and expect the size of our Middle Market investment portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as existing Middle Market investments are repaid or sold.

Our Other Portfolio investments primarily consist of investments that are not consistent with the typical profiles for our Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio investments, including investments which may be managed by third parties. In our Other Portfolio, we may incur indirect fees and expenses in connection with investments managed by third parties, such as investments in other investment companies or private funds. Similar to our Middle Market investments, we have generally stopped making new Other Portfolio investments and expect the size of our Other Portfolio to continue to decline in future periods as existing Other Portfolio investments are repaid or sold.

Debt Investments

The debt investments in our Private Loan portfolio have rights and protections that may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions, guarantees and equity pledges. Our Private Loan portfolio debt investments are generally secured by a first priority lien and typically have a term of between three and seven years from the original investment date. Our Private Loan debt investments generally have floating interest rates at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or the Prime rate typically subject to a contractual minimum interest rate (an “interest rate floor”), plus a margin.

Historically, we have made LMM debt investments principally in the form of single tranche debt. Single tranche debt financing involves issuing one debt security that blends the risk and return profiles of both first lien secured and subordinated debt. We believe that single tranche debt is more appropriate for many LMM companies given their size in order to reduce structural complexity and potential conflicts among creditors.

Our LMM debt investments generally have a term of five to seven years from the original investment date, with limited required amortization prior to maturity, and provide for monthly or quarterly payment of interest at interest rates generally between 10% and 14% per annum, payable currently in cash on either a fixed or floating rate basis. The LMM debt investments with floating interest rates will generally bear interest at the SOFR or the Prime rate typically subject to an interest rate floor, plus a margin. In addition, certain LMM debt investments may have a form of interest that is not paid currently but is accrued and added to the loan balance and paid at maturity. We refer to this form of interest as payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest. We typically structure our LMM debt investments with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. In most cases, our LMM debt investment will be collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all the assets of the portfolio company. In addition to seeking a senior lien position in the capital structure of our LMM portfolio companies, we seek to limit the downside potential of our LMM debt investments by negotiating covenants that are designed to protect our LMM debt investments while affording our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as is reasonable. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control or change of management provisions, key-man life insurance, guarantees, equity pledges, personal guaranties, where appropriate, and put rights. In addition, we typically seek board representation or observation rights in all of our LMM portfolio companies.

Our Middle Market portfolio debt investments are generally secured by a first priority lien on the assets of the portfolio company and typically have a term of between three and seven years from the original investment date. The debt investments in our Middle Market portfolio usually have rights and protections that are similar to those in our Private Loan and LMM debt investments. The Middle Market debt investments generally have floating interest rates at the SOFR or Prime rate typically subject to an interest rate floor, plus a margin.

Direct Equity Investments

We have also historically sought to make direct equity investments to align our interests with key management and stockholders of our LMM portfolio companies, and to allow for participation in the appreciation in the equity values of our LMM portfolio companies. We usually made our direct equity investments in connection with debt investments in our LMM portfolio companies. In addition, we may have both equity warrants and direct equity positions in some of our LMM portfolio companies. We, on a combined basis together with Main Street and other investment advisory clients of our Adviser, have historically sought to maintain fully diluted equity positions in our LMM portfolio companies of 5% to 50%, and may have controlling equity interests in some instances. We have had a value orientation toward our direct equity investments and have traditionally been able to purchase our equity investments at reasonable valuations. We will also have, from time to time, the opportunity to co-invest with Main Street and the private equity funds in the equity securities of our Private Loan portfolio companies. The equity co-investment aligns our interests with those of the private equity fund and provides us with the opportunity to benefit from appreciation in the equity values of our Private Loan portfolio companies.

Warrants

In connection with our LMM debt investments, we occasionally received equity warrants to establish or increase our equity interest in the portfolio company. Warrants that we received in connection with a debt investment typically require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. We typically structured the warrants to provide provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as secured or unsecured put rights, or rights to sell such securities back to the portfolio company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In certain cases, we also may obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights.

INVESTMENT PROCESS

Our Adviser’s investment committee has oversight over all aspects of our investment processes. The current members of the investment committee are Dwayne L. Hyzak, our Chief Executive Officer, David Magdol, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and Vincent D. Foster, Chairman of Main Street’s board of directors.

Our Adviser’s investment processes for portfolio investments are outlined below. Our Adviser’s investment strategy involves a “team” approach, whereby potential transactions are screened by several members of our Adviser’s investment team before being presented to the investment committee. The investment committee meets on an as-needed basis depending on transaction volume. Our Adviser generally categorizes our investment process into seven distinct stages:

Deal Generation/Origination

Deal generation and origination is maximized through our Adviser’s long-standing and extensive relationships with industry contacts, brokers, commercial and investment bankers, entrepreneurs, service providers such as lawyers, financial advisors and accountants, and current and former portfolio companies and investors. Our Adviser’s investment team has developed a reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable and active source of capital and assistance in these markets.

Screening

During the screening process, if a transaction initially meets our investment criteria, our Adviser will perform preliminary due diligence, taking into consideration some or all of the following information:

• a comprehensive financial model based on quantitative analysis of historical financial performance, projections and pro forma adjustments to determine the estimated internal rate of return;
• a brief industry and market analysis;
• direct industry expertise imported from other portfolio companies or investors;
• preliminary qualitative analysis of the management team’s competencies and backgrounds;
• potential investment structures and pricing terms; and
• regulatory compliance.

Upon successful screening of a proposed transaction, the investment team makes a recommendation to the investment committee. If the investment committee concurs with moving forward on the proposed transaction, we typically issue a non-binding term sheet or letter of intent to the company.

Term Sheet

For proposed transactions, the non-binding term sheet or letter of intent will include the key economic terms based upon our analysis performed during the screening process, as well as a proposed timeline and our qualitative expectation for the transaction. While the term sheet or letter of intent for investments is non-binding, we typically receive an expense deposit in order to move the transaction to the due diligence phase. Upon execution of a term sheet or letter of intent, our Adviser begins the formal due diligence process.

Due Diligence

Due diligence on a proposed investment is generally performed on materials and information obtained from certain external resources and assessed internally by a minimum of three of our Adviser’s investment professionals, who work to understand the relationships among the prospective portfolio company’s business plan, operations and financial performance using the accumulated due diligence information. Our Adviser’s typical due diligence review includes some or all of the following:

• detailed review of historical and projected financial statements;
• site visits or other discussions with management and key personnel;
• in-depth industry, market, operational and strategy analysis;
• regulatory compliance analysis; and
• detailed review of the company’s management team and their capabilities.

During the due diligence process, significant attention is given to sensitivity analyses and how the company might be expected to perform given downside, base-case and upside scenarios. In certain cases, we may decide not to make an investment based on the results of the diligence process.

Document and Close

Upon completion of a satisfactory due diligence review of a proposed portfolio investment, the investment team presents the findings and a recommendation to the investment committee. The presentation contains information which can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• company history and overview;
• transaction overview, history and rationale, including an analysis of transaction strengths and risks;
• overview and history of the private equity fund sponsor as the company’s equity owner;
• analysis of key customers and suppliers;
• an analysis of the company’s business strategy;
• investment structure and expected returns;
• anticipated sources of repayment and potential exit strategies;
• pro forma capitalization and ownership;
• regulatory compliance analysis findings; and
• an analysis of historical financial results and key financial ratios.

If any adjustments to the transaction terms or structures are proposed by the investment committee, such changes are made and applicable analyses are updated prior to approval of the transaction. Approval for the transaction must be made by the affirmative vote from a majority of the members of the investment committee, with the committee member managing the transaction, if any, abstaining from the vote. Upon receipt of transaction approval, the investment team will re-confirm regulatory compliance, process and finalize all required legal documents, and fund the investment.

Post-Investment

Our Adviser continuously monitors the status and progress of our portfolio companies. Our Adviser generally offers managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, giving them access to our Adviser’s investment experience, direct industry expertise and contacts. The same investment team that was involved in the investment process will continue its involvement in the portfolio company post-investment. This provides for continuity of knowledge and allows the investment team to maintain a strong business relationship with key management of our portfolio companies for post-investment assistance and monitoring purposes.

As part of the monitoring process of our Private Loan and Middle Market portfolio investments, the investment team will analyze monthly and quarterly financial statements versus the previous periods and year, review financial projections and review all compliance certificates and covenants. Depending upon the nature of our Private Loan and Middle Market portfolio investments, the investment team may also attend board meetings, and meet and discuss issues or opportunities with the portfolio company’s management team or private equity owners, however, due to the nature of our “lender only” relationship with these Private Loan and Middle Market companies in comparison to our LMM portfolio companies, it is not practical to have as much direct management interface.

As part of the monitoring process of our LMM portfolio investments, the investment team will analyze monthly and quarterly financial statements versus the previous periods and year, review financial projections, meet and discuss issues or opportunities with management, attend board meetings and review all compliance certificates and covenants. While the investment team maintains limited involvement in the ordinary course operations of our LMM portfolio companies, the investment team maintains a higher level of involvement in non-ordinary course financing or strategic activities and any non-performing scenarios.

Our Adviser utilizes an internally developed investment rating system to rate the performance of each Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio company and to monitor our expected level of returns on each of our Private

Loan, LMM and Middle Market investments in relation to our expectations for the portfolio company. The investment rating system takes into consideration various factors, including, but not limited to, each investment’s expected level of returns, the collectability of our debt investments and the ability to receive a return of the invested capital in our equity investments, comparisons to competitors and other industry participants, the portfolio company’s future outlook and other factors that are deemed to be significant to the portfolio company.

Exit Strategies/Refinancing

While we generally exit most investments through the refinancing or repayment of our debt and redemption or sale of our equity positions, the refinancing or repayment of Private Loan investments and Middle Market debt investments typically do not require our Adviser’s assistance due to the additional resources available to these larger Private Loan and Middle Market companies. Our Adviser typically assists our LMM portfolio companies in developing and planning exit opportunities, including any sale or merger of our portfolio companies. Our Adviser may also assist in the structure, timing, execution and transition of the exit strategy.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO VALUATION PROCESS

We determine the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. The NAV per share is equal to our total assets minus total liabilities divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

We are required to report our investments at fair value. As a result, the most significant determination inherent in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is the valuation of our Investment Portfolio and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation. We follow the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, *Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“*ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires us to assume that the portfolio investment is to be sold in the principal market to independent market participants, which may be a hypothetical market. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.

We determine in good faith the fair value of our Investment Portfolio pursuant to a valuation policy in accordance with ASC 820 and a valuation process approved by our Board of Directors and in accordance with the 1940 Act. Our valuation policies and processes are intended to provide a consistent basis for determining the fair value of our Investment Portfolio. See Note B.1. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Valuation of the Investment Portfolio included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our Investment Portfolio valuation process and procedures.

Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation process, our determination of fair value for our Investment Portfolio may differ materially from the values that would have been determined had a ready market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned. We determine the fair value of each individual investment and record changes in fair value as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

The 1940 Act requires valuation of a portfolio security at “market value” if market quotations for the security are “readily available.” Portfolio securities for which market quotations are not readily available must be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the board of directors. Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act permits a BDC’s board of directors to designate its executive officers or investment adviser as a valuation designee to determine the fair value for its investment portfolio, subject to the active oversight of the board.

Our Board of Directors has approved policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 2a-5 (the “Valuation Procedures”) and designated our Adviser, led by a group of our Adviser’s executive officers, to serve as the Board’s valuation designee thereunder (the “Valuation Committee”). Pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, we undertake a multi-step process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of our investments.

The following outlines our valuation process as established under the Valuation Procedures:

• Our quarterly process begins with an initial valuation of each portfolio investment performed by the Adviser’s valuation team consisting of several professionals who apply the appropriate valuation methodology depending on the type of investment.
• Each valuation model is then reviewed by the investment team responsible for monitoring the portfolio investment for accuracy, with any recommended changes reviewed by the valuation team.
• Updated valuation conclusions are then reviewed by and discussed with the Valuation Committee at quarterly valuation meetings. Valuation meetings are generally attended by the Valuation Committee, the valuation team, members of the investment team responsible for each investment and members of the compliance team. Valuation models and valuation conclusions are adjusted as necessary following such meetings.
• A nationally recognized independent financial advisory services firm analyzes and provides observations, recommendations and an assurance certification regarding the determinations of the fair value for the majority of our portfolio companies on a rotational basis.
• After incorporating commentary by the Valuation Committee and review of recommendations provided by the independent financial advisory services firm, valuation results are finalized and approved by the Valuation Committee.
• The Board of Directors oversees the process through its Audit Committee in accordance with Rule 2a-5 pursuant to the Valuation Procedures.

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. The notes to our consolidated financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial results and financial condition.

COMPETITION

We compete for investments with a number of investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds, BDCs and small business investment companies (“SBICs”)), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of financing. Many of the entities that compete with us are larger and have more resources available to them. We believe we are able to be competitive with these entities primarily on the basis of the experience and contacts of our Adviser’s management team and our ability to co-invest with Main Street and other advisory clients of our Adviser, the less competitive nature of the market for companies described in our Private Loan investment strategy, our Adviser’s responsive and efficient investment analysis and decision-making processes, our comprehensive suite of customized financing solutions and the investment terms we offer.

We believe that some of our competitors make senior secured loans, junior secured loans and subordinated debt investments with interest rates and returns that are comparable to or lower than the rates and returns that we target. Therefore, we do not seek to compete primarily on the interest rates and returns that we offer to potential portfolio companies. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business and Structure — We face increasing competition for investment opportunities.

HUMAN CAPITAL

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees in the future. Services necessary for the operation of our business are provided by individuals who are employees of Main Street, which wholly-owns our Adviser, pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement. Each of our executive officers is an employee of Main Street. Our day-to-day investment activities are managed by the Adviser. The services necessary for the origination and monitoring of our Investment Portfolio are provided by investment professionals of the Adviser, who are all employed by Main Street. As of December 31, 2024, Main Street had 104 employees, 58 of whom it categorizes as investment and portfolio management professionals, and the others include operations professionals and administrative staff. Because we have no employees, we do not have a formal employee relations policy.

REGULATION

Regulation as a Business Development Company

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates, principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. The 1940 Act requires that a majority of the members of the board of directors of a BDC be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities.

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are any of the following:

(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company (as defined below), or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC.

(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control.

(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

In addition, a BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly-owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

(c) satisfies any of the following:

(i) does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange or has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;

(ii) is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

(iii) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

As noted above, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the type of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above under the heading entitled “— Qualifying Assets.” In addition, BDCs must generally offer to make available to such issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company. However, if a BDC purchases securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such significant managerial assistance on behalf of all investors in the group.

Temporary Investments

Pending investment in “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from time of investment therein, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets.

Senior Securities

Prior to 2018 legislation that modified the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, we were permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, or BDC asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of all debt and/or senior stock immediately after each such issuance. However, 2018 legislation modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur such that a BDC’s asset coverage ratio could be reduced from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. On January 29, 2025, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, which will result in the Company’s asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities being reduced from 200% to 150%, effective on January 29, 2026. We are permitted to increase our leverage capacity sooner if stockholders representing at least a majority of the votes cast, when quorum is met, approve a proposal to do so. If we receive such stockholder approval, we would be permitted to increase our leverage capacity on the first day after such approval.

In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding (other than senior securities representing indebtedness issued in consideration of a privately arranged loan which is not intended to be publicly distributed), we must generally include provisions in the documents governing new senior securities to prohibit any cash distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage with such borrowings not constituting senior securities for purposes of the asset coverage ratio requirements of the 1940 Act. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and not extended or renewed. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Leverage, including, without limitation, — Because we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.

Common Stock

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below NAV per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current NAV of the common stock if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and that of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We generally have not sought stockholder authorization to sell shares of our common stock below the then current NAV per share of our common stock; however, at the 2025 Special Meeting, in advance of the MSC Income Listing, we received approval from our stockholders to have the flexibility, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to offer and sell shares of our common stock at a price below the current net asset value per share until December 11, 2025.

In conjunction with the MSC Income Listing, we entered into a share repurchase plan to purchase up to $65.0 million in the aggregate of our common stock in the open market for a twelve-month period beginning in March 2025, at times when the market price per share of our common stock is trading below the most recently reported NAV per share of our common stock by certain pre-determined levels (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share).

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. The code of ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities in a manner in which we believe is consistent with the best interest of our stockholders. We review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by us. Although we generally vote against proposals that we expect would have a negative impact on our portfolio securities, we may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

Our proxy voting decisions are made by the investment team which is responsible for monitoring each of our investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we require that anyone involved in the decision-making process discloses to our chief compliance officer any potential conflict regarding a proxy vote of which he or she is aware.

Stockholders may obtain information, without charge, regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, 8th Floor, Houston, Texas 77056.

Other 1940 Act Regulations

We are also prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our Board of Directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We and our Adviser are required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures no less frequently than annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and to designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.

We may be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance

We are subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including the filing of quarterly, annual and current reports, proxy statements and other required items. In addition, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. For example:

• pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to certify the accuracy of the consolidated financial statements contained in our periodic reports;
• pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports are required to disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;
• pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our management is required to prepare a report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and, to the extent we are an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer, we must obtain an audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; and
• pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

The New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Regulations

The NYSE has adopted corporate governance regulations that listed companies must comply with. We believe we are in compliance with such corporate governance listing standards. We intend to monitor our compliance with all future listing standards and to take all necessary actions to ensure that we stay in compliance.

Investment Adviser Regulations

Our Adviser is subject to regulation under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Advisers Act establishes, among other things, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, disclosure requirements, limitations on transactions between the adviser’s account and an advisory client’s account, limitations on transactions between the accounts of advisory clients, and general anti-fraud prohibitions. Our Adviser may be examined by the SEC from time to time for compliance with the Advisers Act.

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

MSIF has elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. MSIF’s taxable income includes the taxable income generated by MSIF and certain of its subsidiaries, which are treated as disregarded entities for tax purposes. As a RIC, MSIF generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to obtain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary taxable income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, and 90% of our tax-exempt income (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). As part of maintaining RIC status, undistributed taxable income (subject to a 4% non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax) pertaining to a given fiscal year may be distributed up to 12 months subsequent to the end of that fiscal year, provided such dividends are declared on or prior to the later of (i) filing of the U.S. federal income tax return for the applicable fiscal year or (ii) the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of the year in which such taxable income was generated.

For any taxable year in which we qualify as a RIC and satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our income or capital gains we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

We are subject to a 4% non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary taxable income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending December 31 in that calendar year and (3) any taxable income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). Dividends declared and paid by us in a year will generally differ from taxable income for that year as such dividends may include the distribution of current year taxable income, exclude amounts carried over into the following year, and include the distribution of prior year taxable income carried over into and distributed in the current year. For amounts we carry over into the following year, we will be required to pay the 4% U.S. federal excise tax on the excess of 98% of our annual investment company taxable income and 98.2% of our capital gain net income over our distributions for the year.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

• continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;
• derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and
• diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:
• at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and
• no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, (i) of one issuer, (ii) of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (collectively, the “Diversification Tests”).

In order to comply with the 90% Income Test, we formed the Taxable Subsidiaries as wholly-owned taxable subsidiaries for the primary purpose of permitting us to own equity interests in portfolio companies which are “pass-through” entities for tax purposes. Absent the taxable status of the Taxable Subsidiaries, a portion of the gross income from such portfolio companies would flow directly to us for purposes of the 90% Income Test. To the extent such income did not consist of income derived from securities, such as dividends and interest, it could jeopardize our ability to qualify as a RIC and, therefore, cause us to incur significant U.S. federal income taxes. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated with MSC Income for generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) purposes and are included in our consolidated financial statements, and the portfolio investments held by the Taxable Subsidiaries are included in our consolidated financial statements. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with MSIF for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense, or benefit, as a result of their ownership of the portfolio investments. The income tax expense, or benefit, if any, and any related tax assets and liabilities, are reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments issued with warrants and debt securities invested in at a discount to par), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash such as PIK interest, cumulative dividends or amounts that are received in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders in certain circumstances while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. See Regulation — Regulation as a Business Development Company — Senior Securities. Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in part in our stock. Under certain applicable provisions of the Code and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) regulations, distributions payable by us in cash or in shares of stock (at the stockholders’ election) would satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance indicating that this rule will apply even where the total amount of cash that may be distributed is limited to no more than 20% of the total distribution. According to this guidance, if too many stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, each such stockholder would receive a pro rata share of the total cash to be distributed and would receive the remainder of their distribution in shares of stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (whether received in cash, our stock, or a combination thereof) as (i) ordinary income (including any qualified dividend income that, in the case of a noncorporate stockholder, may be eligible for the same reduced maximum tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains to the extent such distribution is properly reported by us as qualified dividend income and such stockholder satisfies certain minimum holding period requirements with respect to our stock) or (ii) long-term capital gain (to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend), to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we fail to satisfy the 90% Income Test or the Diversification Tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such year if certain relief provisions are applicable (which may, among other things, require us to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). We cannot assure you that we will qualify for any such relief should we fail the 90% Income Test or the Diversification Tests.

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC and the foregoing relief provisions are not applicable, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would we be required to make distributions. If we were subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates, then distributions we make after being subject to such tax would be taxable to our stockholders and, provided certain holding period and other requirements were met, could qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income” eligible for the maximum 20% rate (plus a 3.8% Medicare surtax, if applicable) applicable to qualified dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate taxpayers would be eligible for a dividends-received deduction on distributions they receive. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To requalify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, we would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which we failed to qualify as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent five years, unless we made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such built-in gain at the time of our requalification as a RIC.

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV, the trading price of our common stock and the value of our other securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

The following is a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in our securities. Further details regarding each risk included in the below summary list can be found further below.

Risks Related to our Business and Structure

• Because our Investment Portfolio is recorded at fair value, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
• Our financial condition and results of operations depends on our Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital.
• We are subject to risks associated with the interest rate environment and changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital, net investment income and the value of our investments.
• We face increasing competition for investment opportunities.
• We are dependent upon our Adviser’s key investment personnel for our future success.
• Our success depends on our Adviser’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.
• We may not replicate the historical results achieved by Main Street or by other advisory clients of our Adviser.
• Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships.
• Our Board of Directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Risks Related to our Investments

• The types of portfolio companies in which we invest involve significant risks and we could lose all or part of our investment.
• Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies’ performance and defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
• Rising credit spreads could affect the value of our investments, and rising interest rates make it more difficult for portfolio companies to make periodic payments on their loans.
• Inflation could adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
• We may be exposed to higher risks with respect to our investments that include original issue discount or PIK interest.
• The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
• We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.
• There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
• We generally will not control our portfolio companies.
• Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
• Any unrealized depreciation that we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income and gains available for distribution.
• Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
• We may be subject to risks associated with “covenant-lite” loans.
• We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Risks Related to Leverage

• Because we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.
• Substantially all of our assets are subject to security interests under our senior securities and if we default on our obligations under our senior securities, we may suffer adverse consequences, including foreclosure on our assets.
• We are subject to risks associated with any revolving credit facility that utilizes a Structured Subsidiary as our interests in any Structured Subsidiary are subordinated and we could be prevented from receiving cash on our equity interests from a Structured Subsidiary.

Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates

• Our Adviser has conflicts of interest that may create an incentive for the Adviser to enter into investments that are riskier or more speculative than would otherwise be the case and our Adviser may have an incentive to increase portfolio leverage in order to earn higher management fees.
• We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio.
• Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities between us, Main Street and the other advisory clients of our Adviser.
• Our Adviser’s liability is limited under the Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
• Our Adviser can resign on 120 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Risks Related to BDCs

• Operating under the constraints imposed on us as a BDC and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objectives.

Risks Related to our Securities

• Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk.
• Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, may trade at a discount to their NAV.
• We may not be able to pay distributions to our stockholders, our distributions may not grow over time, and a portion of distributions paid to our stockholders may be a return of capital.

Federal Income Tax Risks

• We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
• We may have difficulty paying the distributions required to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

General Risk Factors

• Events outside of our control, including public health crises, supply chain disruptions and inflation, could negatively affect our portfolio companies and the results of our operations.
• Market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.
• Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations and changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE

Because our Investment Portfolio is recorded at fair value, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by us pursuant to procedures established and overseen by our Board of Directors. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest through our Private Loan investment strategy and in our LMM investment portfolio. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value based on inputs from management and a nationally recognized independent financial advisory services firm (on a rotational basis) pursuant to Valuation Procedures approved by our Board of Directors. In addition, the market for investments in companies in our Middle Market investment portfolio is generally not a liquid market, and therefore, we primarily use a combination of observable inputs in non-active markets for which sufficient observable inputs were not available to determine the fair value of these investments and unobservable inputs, pursuant to our Valuation Procedures. See Note B.1. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Valuation of the Investment Portfolio included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our Investment Portfolio valuation process and procedures.

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, are to a certain degree, subjective and dependent on a valuation process approved by our Board of Directors. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include external events, such as private mergers, sales and acquisitions involving comparable companies. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of securities in privately held companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our NAV on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our securities based on an overstated NAV would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling our securities during a period in which the NAV understates the value of our investments may receive a lower price for their securities than the value of our investments might warrant.

Our financial condition and results of operations depends on our Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective of maximizing our portfolio’s total return, primarily by generating current income from our debt investments and, to a lesser extent, by generating current income and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire equity securities in a portfolio company, depends on our Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital, which depends, in turn, on our Adviser’s investment team’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to finance and invest in, companies that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing our investment objective on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our investment team’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our investment team are also called upon, from time to time, to provide managerial assistance to some of our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment.

Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if our Adviser cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described herein, it could negatively impact our ability to pay dividends.

We are subject to risks associated with the interest rate environment and changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital, net investment income and the value of our investments.

To the extent we borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred stock to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which we invest these funds. In addition, many of our debt investments and borrowings have floating interest rates that reset on a periodic basis, and many of our investments are subject to interest rate floors. As a result, a change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds will increase because the interest rates on the amounts borrowed under our credit facilities are floating, and any new fixed rate debt may be issued at higher coupon rates, which could reduce our net investment income to the extent any debt investments have either fixed interest rates, or in periods when debt investments with floating interest rates are subject to an interest rate floor above then current levels. In periods of declining interest rates, our interest income and our net investment income could be reduced as the interest income earned on our floating rate debt investments declines and any new fixed rate debt may be issued at lower coupon rates. See further discussion and analysis at Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We can use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques could include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. These activities could limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged borrowings. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

An increase in the market pricing of the spreads charged over index rates on floating rate investments could lead to a decline in the fair value of the debt securities we own, which would adversely affect our NAV. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividends, which could reduce the value of our common stock.

We face increasing competition for investment opportunities.

We compete for investments with other investment funds (including private equity funds, debt funds, mezzanine funds, collateralized loan obligation funds, or CLOs, BDCs and SBICs), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

We are dependent upon our Adviser’s key investment personnel for our future success.

We depend on the members of our Adviser’s investment team, particularly Dwayne L. Hyzak, David L. Magdol, Jesse E. Morris, Jaime Arreola, K. Colton Braud, III, Damian T. Burke, Samuel A. Cashiola, Diego Fernandez, Nicholas T. Meserve and Jonathan B. Montgomery for the identification, review, final selection, structuring, closing and monitoring of our investments. These individuals have significant investment expertise and relationships that we rely on to implement our business plan. Although these executive officers and other key personnel have entered into non-compete arrangements with our Adviser or an affiliate of our Adviser, we cannot guarantee that any of these individuals will remain available to us. If we lose the services of the individuals mentioned above, we may not be able to operate our business as we expect, and our ability to compete could be harmed, which could cause our operating results to suffer. Main Street and the Adviser have entered into a sharing agreement pursuant to which Main Street provides the Adviser with investment professionals and access to its resources. Because the Adviser does not have any employees, it depends solely on the investment professionals provided to it by Main Street pursuant to the sharing agreement for its infrastructure, business relationships and management expertise in connection with its provision of investment advisory services to us.

Our success depends on our Adviser’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.

Our growth will require that our Adviser is able to retain new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. Our Adviser’s ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills depends on several factors including, but not limited to, our ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds, debt funds and mezzanine funds) and traditional financial services companies, with which our Adviser competes for experienced personnel have greater resources than our Adviser.

The competitive environment for qualified personnel may require our Adviser to take certain measures to ensure that it is able to attract and retain experienced personnel. Such measures may include increasing the attractiveness of its overall compensation packages, altering the structure of its compensation packages through the use of additional forms of compensation, or other steps. The inability of our Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by Main Street or by other advisory clients of our Adviser.

Although our investment strategy partly overlaps with the investment strategy of Main Street, the parent company of our Adviser, we cannot assure stockholders that we will be able to replicate the historical results achieved by Main Street or other advisory clients of our Adviser. Because of the differences in our business structure, investment strategy and portfolio composition and the changes to our investment strategy in connection with the MSC Income Listing, our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by Main Street or other investment advisory clients of our Adviser in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions that may never be repeated. Moreover, current or future market volatility and regulatory uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our future performance.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships.

We expect that members of our Adviser’s management team will maintain their relationships with intermediaries, financial institutions, investment bankers, commercial bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants and other individuals within our network, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If our Adviser’s management team fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships with sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our Investment Portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom members of our Adviser’s management team have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

Our Board of Directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Our Board of Directors has the authority, except as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act, to modify or waive our investment objective, current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be regulated as, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our investment objective, current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV, operating results and value of our stock. However, the effects might be material and adverse, which could negatively affect our business and impair our ability to pay interest and principal payments to holders of our debt instruments and to make distributions to our stockholders and cause our investors to lose all or part of their investment in us.

We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. Under the 1940 Act, a “diversified” investment company is required to invest at least 75% of the value of its total assets in cash and cash items, government securities, securities of other investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the total assets of such company and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, we are not subject to this requirement. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our NAV may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond our RIC asset diversification requirements and any requirements under our financing arrangements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies. See Risk Factors — Federal Income Tax Risks — We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Although we have historically operated as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, our investment portfolio may, from time to time, be comprised of assets that could permit us to qualify as a “diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. To the extent that we operate as a non-diversified investment company, we may be subject to greater risk.

We and our portfolio companies may maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits and may otherwise be materially affected by adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties.

Cash held by us and by our portfolio companies in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing operating accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. If such banking institutions were to fail, we or our portfolio companies could lose all or a portion of those amounts held in excess of such insurance limitations. In addition, actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, which could adversely affect our and our portfolio companies’ business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Although we assess our portfolio companies’ banking relationships as we believe necessary or appropriate, our and our portfolio companies’ access to funding sources and other credit arrangements in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our respective current and projected future business operations could be significantly impaired by factors that affect us or our portfolio companies, the financial institutions with which we or our portfolio companies have arrangements directly or the financial services industry or economy in general. These factors could include, among others, events such as liquidity constraints or failures, the ability to perform obligations under various types of financial, credit or liquidity agreements or arrangements, disruptions or instability in the financial services industry or financial markets or concerns or negative expectations about the prospects for companies in the financial services industry. These factors could involve financial institutions or financial services industry companies with which we or our portfolio companies have financial or business relationships, but could also include factors involving financial markets or the financial services industry generally.

In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us or our portfolio companies to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all.

We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.

Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we or our Adviser fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, support for local communities, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our investment processes. Adverse incidents with respect to ESG activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.

Our bylaws include an exclusive forum selection provision, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents.

Our bylaws provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of a different forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be, except for any claims made under the federal U.S. securities laws, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by a director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or to the stockholders of the Company, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, our articles of incorporation or our bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Such provision does not apply to any claims, suits, actions or proceedings arising under the federal securities laws. This provision may increase costs for stockholders in bringing a claim against us or our directors, officers or other agents. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have notice of and consented to these exclusive forum provisions. The exclusive forum selection provision in our bylaws may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and such persons. It is also possible that, notwithstanding such exclusive forum selection provision, a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable. If this occurred, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in another forum, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INVESTMENTS

The types of portfolio companies in which we invest involve significant risks and we could lose all or part of our investment.

Investing in the types of companies that comprise our portfolio companies exposes us to a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:

• may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt instruments that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees from subsidiaries or affiliates of our portfolio companies that we may have obtained in connection with our investment, as well as a corresponding decrease in the value of our investments;
• may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines, smaller market shares and/or significant customer concentrations than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
• are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation, termination or significant under-performance of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;
• generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; and
• generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition. We are required to rely on the ability of our Adviser’s management team and investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and may lose all or part of our investment.

In addition certain of our officers or our Adviser’s officers may serve as directors on the boards of our portfolio companies. To the extent that litigation arises out of our investments in these companies, our officers or our Adviser’s officers may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of management time and resources.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies’ performance and defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

Many of our portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and could be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, the number of non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions could decrease the value of collateral securing any of our loans and the value of any equity investments. A severe recession could further decrease the value of such collateral and result in losses of value in our portfolio and a decrease in our revenues, net income, assets and net worth. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from maintaining or increasing the level of our investments and harm our operating results.

Any deterioration of general economic conditions could lead to significant declines in corporate earnings or loan performance, and the ability of corporate borrowers to service their debt, any of which could trigger a period of global economic slowdown, and have an adverse impact on our performance and financial results, and the value and the liquidity of our investments. In an economic downturn, we could have non-performing assets or an increase in non-performing assets, and we would anticipate that the value of our portfolio would decrease during these periods. Failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by lenders, including us, to a portfolio company could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of payments on such loans and foreclosure on the assets representing collateral for the portfolio company’s obligations. Cross default provisions under other agreements could be triggered and thus limit the portfolio company’s ability to satisfy its obligations under any debt that we hold and affect the value of any securities we own. We would expect to incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a portfolio company following or in anticipation of a default.

Rising credit spreads could affect the value of our investments, and rising interest rates make it more difficult for portfolio companies to make periodic payments on their loans.

Some of our portfolio investments are debt securities that bear interest at variable rates and may be negatively affected by changes in market interest rates. Rising interest rates make it more difficult for borrowers to repay debt, which could increase the risk of payment defaults and cause the portfolio companies to defer or cancel needed investment. Any failure of one or more portfolio companies to repay or refinance its debt at or prior to maturity or the inability of one or more portfolio companies to make ongoing payments following an increase in contractual interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The value of our securities could also be reduced from an increase in market credit spreads as rates available to investors could make an investment in our securities less attractive than alternative investments.

Conversely, decreases in market interest rates could negatively impact the interest income from our variable rate debt investments while the interest we pay on our fixed rate debt securities does not change. A decrease in market interest rates may also have an adverse impact on our returns by requiring us to accept lower yields on our debt investments and by increasing the risk that our portfolio companies will prepay our debt investments, resulting in the need to redeploy capital at potentially lower rates.

Inflation could adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.

Certain of our portfolio companies are in industries that could be impacted by inflation. If such portfolio companies are unable to pass any increases in their costs of operations along to their customers, it could adversely affect their operating results and impact their ability to pay dividends on our equity investments and/or interest and principal on our loans, particularly if interest rates rise in response to inflation. In addition, any projected future decreases in our portfolio companies’ operating results due to inflation could adversely impact the fair value of those investments. Any decreases in the fair value of our investments could result in future realized or unrealized losses and therefore reduce our net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations.

We may be exposed to higher risks with respect to our investments that include original issue discount or PIK interest.

Our investments may include original issue discount and contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. To the extent original issue discount or PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

• original issue discount and PIK instruments may have higher yields, which reflect the payment deferral and credit risk associated with these instruments;
• cash distributions paid to investors representing original issue discount income may be effectively paid from offering proceeds or borrowings during any given period; thus, although the source for the cash used to pay a distribution of original issue discount income may come from the cash invested by investors, or our borrowings, the 1940 Act does not require that investors be given notice of this fact;
• original issue discount and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the collateral; and
• original issue discount and PIK instruments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans; even if the conditions for income accrual under U.S. GAAP are satisfied, a borrower could still default when actual payment is due upon the maturity of such loan.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

We generally invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded and whose securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. The illiquidity of most of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies. After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the extension of additional loans, the exercise of a warrant to purchase equity securities, or the funding of additional equity investments. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation, may reduce our ability to protect an existing investment or may reduce the expected yield on the investment.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Even if our investment is structured as a senior-secured loan, principles of equitable subordination, as defined by existing case law, could lead a bankruptcy court to subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

We generally will not control our portfolio companies.

We do not, and do not expect to, control the decision making in many of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest will make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company will take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors or minority equity holders. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that would decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to non-payment of interest and other defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.

Any unrealized depreciation that we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income and gains available for distribution.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in accordance with our Valuation Procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized depreciation in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to affected loans or a potential impairment of the value of affected equity investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income and gains available for distribution in future periods.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our securities.

We may be subject to risks associated with “covenant-lite” loans.

Some of the loans in which we invest may be “covenant-lite” loans, which means the loans contain fewer maintenance covenants than other loans (in some cases, none) and do not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. To the extent we invest in covenant-lite loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in loans with finance maintenance covenants.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include warrants or other equity securities. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity investments in portfolio companies. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, these equity interests may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer; however, we may be unable to exercise these put rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in debt securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the U.S., higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

Although most of our investments will be U.S. dollar denominated, any investments denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments.

RISKS RELATED TO LEVERAGE

Because we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.

Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and gain or loss on investments in our equity capital. As we use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent we use leverage. Such events could result in a substantial loss to us, which would be greater than if leverage had not been used. In addition, our investment objectives are dependent on the continued availability of leverage at attractive relative interest rates.

We may also borrow from banks and other lenders and may issue debt securities or enter into other types of borrowing arrangements in the future. Lenders 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 lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. We have the ability to pledge up to 100% of our assets and can grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instruments we could enter into with lenders. The terms of our existing indebtedness require us to comply with certain financial and operational covenants, and we expect similar covenants in future debt instruments. Failure to comply with such covenants could result in a default under the applicable credit facility or debt instrument if we are unable to obtain a waiver from the applicable lender or holder, and such lender or holder could accelerate repayment under such indebtedness and negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instrument we enter into, in the event of a default, 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. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital Resources for a discussion regarding our outstanding indebtedness.

If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged our business. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock dividends, scheduled debt payments or other payments related to our securities.

Illustration: The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

(1) Assumes, as of December 31, 2024, $1,224.7 million in total assets, $565.7 million in debt outstanding, $624.9 million in net assets and a weighted-average interest rate of 6.4%. Actual interest payments may be different.

(2) In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our December 31, 2024 total assets of at least 3.0%.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective may depend in part on our ability to access additional leverage on favorable terms and there can be no assurance that such additional leverage can in fact be achieved. If we are unable to obtain leverage or if the interest rates of such leverage are not attractive, we could experience diminished returns. The number of leverage providers and the total amount of financing available could decrease or remain static.

Substantially all of our assets are subject to security interests under our senior securities and if we default on our obligations under our senior securities, we may suffer adverse consequences, including foreclosure on our assets.

Substantially all of our assets are currently pledged as collateral under our secured debt obligations. If we default on our obligations under our secured debt obligations, our lenders may have the right to foreclose upon and sell, or otherwise transfer, the collateral subject to their security interests or their superior claim. In such event, we may be forced to sell our investments to raise funds to repay our outstanding borrowings in order to avoid foreclosure and these forced sales may be at times and at prices we would not consider advantageous. Moreover, such deleveraging of our company could significantly impair our ability to effectively operate our business in the manner in which we have historically operated. As a result, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities and lower or eliminate the dividends that we have historically paid to our stockholders. In addition, if the lenders exercise their right to sell the assets pledged under our secured debt obligations, such sales may be completed at distressed sale prices, thereby diminishing or potentially eliminating the amount of cash available to us after repayment of the amounts of outstanding borrowings.

If our operating performance declines and we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may in the future need to refinance or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, seek to raise additional capital or seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our debt obligations to avoid being in default. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may not be able to meet our payment obligations under our debt obligations. If we breach our covenants under our debt obligations and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or debt holders. If this occurs, we would be in default under our debt obligations, the lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because certain of our debt obligations have customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness under our debt obligations is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.

We are subject to risks associated with any revolving credit facility that utilizes a Structured Subsidiary as our interests in any Structured Subsidiary are subordinated and we could be prevented from receiving cash on our equity interests from a Structured Subsidiary.

We own directly or indirectly 100% of the equity interests in MSIF Funding, LLC (“MSIF Funding”), a special purpose Structured Subsidiary utilized in our senior secured special purpose vehicle revolving credit facility (the “SPV Facility”). We consolidate the financial statements of MSIF Funding in our consolidated financial statements and treat the indebtedness under the SPV Facility as our leverage. Our interest in MSIF Funding is subordinated in priority of payment to every other obligation of MSIF Funding and is subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the SPV Facility.

We receive cash from MSIF Funding only to the extent that we receive distributions on our equity interests therein. MSIF Funding could make distributions on its equity interests only to the extent permitted by the payment priority provisions of the SPV Facility. The SPV Facility generally provides that payments on the respective interests could not be made on any payment date unless all amounts owing to the lenders and other secured parties are paid in full. In addition, if

MSIF Funding does not meet the leverage and borrowing base requirements set forth in the agreement governing the SPV Facility, a default could occur. In the event of a default under the SPV Facility credit agreement, cash would be diverted from us to pay the applicable lenders and other secured parties in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied. In the event that we fail to receive cash from MSIF Funding, we could be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all. We also could be forced to sell investments in portfolio companies at less than their fair value in order to continue making such distributions. We cannot assure you that distributions on the assets held by MSIF Funding will be sufficient to make any distributions to us or that such distributions will meet our expectations.

Our equity interest in MSIF Funding ranks behind all of the secured and unsecured creditors, known or unknown, including the lenders in the SPV Facility. Consequently, to the extent that the value of MSIF Funding’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, defaulted loans, capital gains and losses on the underlying assets, prepayment or changes in interest rates, the returns on our investments in MSIF Funding could be reduced. Accordingly, our investments in MSIF Funding could be subject to up to 100% loss.

The ability to sell investments held by a Structured Subsidiary is limited.

The credit agreement governing the SPV Facility places significant restrictions on our ability, as servicer, to sell investments. As a result, there could be times or circumstances during which we are unable to sell investments or take other actions that might be in our best interests.

We may invest in derivatives or other assets that expose us to certain risks, including market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

We may invest in derivatives and other assets that are subject to many of the same types of risks related to the use of leverage. Derivative transactions, if any, will generally create leverage for us and involve significant risks. The primary risks related to derivative transactions include counterparty, correlation, liquidity, leverage, volatility, over-the-counter trading, operational and legal risks. In addition, a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of derivative transactions, we could lose the entire amount of our investment; in other types of derivative transactions the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

Under SEC Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 18f-4”), related to use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by BDCs, we are permitted to enter into derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations, including short sales, notwithstanding the senior security provision of the 1940 Act if we comply with certain value-at-risk leverage limits, adopt a derivatives risk management program and implement board oversight and reporting requirements or otherwise comply with a “limited derivatives users” exception. Rule 18f-4 also permits us to enter into reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions notwithstanding the senior security provision of the 1940 Act if we aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with our reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the asset coverage ratios as discussed herein. In addition, we are permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security under the 1940 Act, provided that (i) we intend to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). We may otherwise engage in such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with the rule. Furthermore, we are permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act if we reasonably believe, at the time we enter into such agreement, that we will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet our obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due. We cannot predict the effects of these requirements.

We have adopted updated policies and procedures in compliance with Rule 18f-4. We expect to qualify as a “limited derivatives user.” Future legislation or rules may modify how we treat derivatives and other financial arrangements for purposes of our compliance with the leverage limitations of the 1940 Act, which may be materially adverse to us and our investors.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES

Our Adviser has conflicts of interest that may create an incentive for the Adviser to enter into investments that are riskier or more speculative than would otherwise be the case and our Adviser may have an incentive to increase portfolio leverage in order to earn higher management fees.

Our Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers, may have conflicts of interest as a result of compensation arrangements, time constraints and competition for investments, which they will attempt to resolve in a fair and equitable manner, but which may result in actions that are not in the best interests of our stockholders. Our Adviser receives substantial fees from us in return for its services and these fees could influence the investment and other decisions they make on our behalf. Among other matters, the compensation arrangements could affect its judgment with respect to public offerings of equity by us, which may allow our Adviser to earn increased management fees.

The incentive fee payable by us to our Adviser may create an incentive for it to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee payable to our Adviser is determined may encourage it to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. As additional leverage would magnify positive returns, if any, on our portfolio, our incentive fee would become payable to our Adviser (i.e., exceed the hurdle rate) at a lower average gross return on our portfolio. Additionally, the incentive fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to cause us to realize capital gains or losses that may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Under the incentive fee structure, the Adviser benefits when we recognize capital gains and, because the Adviser determines when an investment is sold, the Adviser can influence the timing of the recognition of such capital gains.

In addition, the fact that our management fee is payable based upon our total assets, which includes any investments funded through increased borrowings, may encourage our Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage (or an investment in companies that are highly leveraged) may increase the likelihood of default, which would result in higher investment losses.

We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio.

The Advisory Agreement entitles our Adviser to receive incentive compensation on income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, we may be required to pay our Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or if we incur a net loss for that quarter.

Any incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, our Adviser will not be under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued income that we never received in cash as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income and such circumstances would result in our paying an incentive fee on income we never received in cash.

Our Adviser may face conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities between us, Main Street and the other advisory clients of our Adviser.

The investment professionals utilized by our Adviser are also the investment professionals responsible for investing and managing Main Street’s investment portfolio as well as the investment portfolios of other advisory clients of our Adviser. These professionals are responsible for allocating investment opportunities between us, Main Street and other advisory clients managed by it. We have made and, in the future, intend to make co-investments with Main Street and other advisory clients of the Adviser in accordance with the conditions of an exemptive relief order from the SEC permitting such co-investment transactions. The order requires, among other things, that Main Street and the Adviser consider whether each such investment opportunity is appropriate for us, Main Street and the Adviser’s advised clients and, if it is appropriate, to propose an allocation of the investment opportunity between such other parties. As a consequence, it may be more difficult for us to maintain or increase the size of our Investment Portfolio in the future. Although the Adviser and Main Street will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, including in accordance with the conditions set forth in the order issued by the SEC when relying on such order, we may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us, Main Street and other advisory clients of the Adviser. Because our Adviser may receive performance-based fee compensation from other advisory clients it manages, if such clients have more favorable terms or provisions than with us, this may provide our Adviser an incentive to allocate opportunities to other advisory clients our Adviser manages, instead of us. Our Adviser and Main Street have implemented an allocation policy to ensure the equitable distribution of investment opportunities and, as a result, we may be unable to participate in certain investments based upon such allocation policy.

Main Street owns approximately 2.9% of our common stock, which could result in its influence over the outcome of matters submitted to the vote of our stockholders.

Main Street owns approximately 2.9% of our outstanding common stock and may acquire additional shares in the future. As a result, Main Street may have influence over the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of our directors or transactions involving a change in control. Their interests may conflict with, or differ from, the interests of our other stockholders. So long as Main Street continues to own shares of our common stock, it could influence our corporate decisions submitted to our stockholders for approval, regardless of whether we terminate the management agreement with the Adviser.

Our Adviser’s liability is limited under the Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Advisory Agreement, our Adviser and its officers, directors, managers, partners, shareholders, members (and their shareholders or members, including the owners of their shareholders or members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with or acting on behalf of the Adviser are not liable to us for acts or omissions performed by our Adviser in accordance with and pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser and its officers, directors, managers, partners, shareholders, members (and their shareholders or members, including the owners of their shareholders or members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with or acting on behalf of the Adviser from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in connection with any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than they would when acting for their own account.

Our Adviser can resign on 120 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our Adviser has the right, under the Advisory Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less than 120 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Adviser resigns, we may not be able to find a replacement or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 120 days or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the value of our shares may decline. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

RISKS RELATED TO BDCs

Failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.

Operating under the constraints imposed on us as a BDC and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objectives.

The 1940 Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and RICs that do not apply to certain of the other investment vehicles that we may compete with. BDCs are required, for example, to invest at least 70% of their total assets in certain qualifying assets, including U.S. private or thinly traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. Moreover, qualification for taxation as a RIC requires satisfaction of source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. Operating under these constraints may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. Any failure to do so could subject us to enforcement action by the SEC, cause us to fail to satisfy the requirements associated with RIC status and subject us to entity-level corporate income taxation, cause us to fail the 70% test described above or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may be precluded from investing in what our Adviser believes are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we will be prohibited from making any additional investment that is not a qualifying asset and could be forced to forgo attractive investment opportunities. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position).

If we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company that is required to register under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under any outstanding indebtedness we might have, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

Our business will require capital to operate and grow. We may acquire such additional capital from the following sources:

Senior Securities

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as senior securities. As a result of issuing senior securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including the following:

• Prior to 2018 legislation that modified the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, we were permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, or BDC asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of all debt and/or senior stock immediately after each such issuance. However, 2018 legislation modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur such that a BDC’s asset coverage ratio could be reduced from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. On January 29, 2025, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, which will result in the Company’s asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities being reduced from 200% to 150%, effective on January 29, 2026. We are permitted to increase our leverage capacity sooner if stockholders representing at least a majority of the votes cast, when quorum is met, approve a proposal to do so. If we receive such stockholder approval, we would be permitted to increase our leverage capacity on the first day after such approval.
• If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage requirement tests. If that happens, we will be prohibited from issuing debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions and may not be permitted to declare a cash dividend or make any cash distribution to stockholders or repurchase shares until such time as we satisfy this test.
• Any amounts that we use to service our debt or make payments on preferred stock will not be available for dividends to our common stockholders.
• It is likely that any senior securities or other indebtedness we issue will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, some of these securities or other indebtedness may be rated by rating agencies, and in obtaining a rating for such securities and other indebtedness, we may be required to abide by operating and investment guidelines that further restrict operating and financial flexibility.
• We and, indirectly, our stockholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities and other indebtedness.
• Preferred stock or any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock, including separate voting rights and could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control to the detriment of the holders of our common stock.
• Any unsecured debt issued by us would generally rank (i) pari passu with our current and future unsecured indebtedness and effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and (ii) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries.

Additional Common Stock

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below NAV per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current NAV per share of the common stock if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. See Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Securities — Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current NAV per share of our common stock or issue securities to subscribe to, convert to or purchase shares of our common stock. for a discussion related to us issuing shares of our common stock below NAV. Our stockholders have authorized us to issue warrants, options or rights to subscribe for, convert to, or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share below the NAV per share, subject to the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. There is no expiration date on our ability to issue such warrants, options, rights or convertible securities based on this stockholder approval. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on favorable terms or at all.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES

Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies involve higher levels of risk, and therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, may trade at a discount to their NAV per share.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, may trade at a discount to NAV per share. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and BDCs is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV. In addition, if our common stock trades below our NAV per share, we will generally not be able to issue additional common stock at the market price unless our stockholders approve such a sale and our Board of Directors makes certain determinations. See Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Securities — Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current NAV per share of our common stock or issue securities to subscribe to, convert to or purchase shares of our common stock. for a discussion related to us issuing shares of our common stock below NAV.

The market price of our securities may be volatile and fluctuate significantly.

Fluctuations in the trading prices of our securities may adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for our securities and, if we seek to raise capital through future securities offerings, our ability to raise such capital. The market price and liquidity of the market for our securities may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

• significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
• changes in regulatory policies, accounting pronouncements or tax guidelines;
• the exclusion of BDC common stock from certain market indices, such as what happened with respect to the Russell indices and the Standard and Poor’s indices, could reduce the ability of certain investment funds to own our common stock and limit the number of owners of our common stock and otherwise negatively impact the market price of our common stock;
• inability to obtain any exemptive relief that may be required by us in the future from the SEC;
• loss of our BDC or RIC status or any of the Funds’ status as an SBIC;
• changes in our earnings or variations in our operating results;
• changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
• any shortfall in our investment income or net investment income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
• loss of a major funding source;
• fluctuations in interest rates;
• the operating performance of companies comparable to us;
• departure of our key personnel;
• proposed, or completed, offerings of our securities, including classes other than our common stock;
• global or national credit market changes; and
• general economic trends and other external factors.

We may not be able to pay distributions to our stockholders, our distributions may not grow over time, and a portion of distributions paid to our stockholders may be a return of capital.

We intend to pay distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to pay a specified level of cash distributions, previously projected distributions for future periods, or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described herein. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC could limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, compliance with our debt covenants and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.

When we make distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated taxable earnings, recognized capital gains or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may result in higher tax liability when the shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value or have lost value. In addition, any return of capital will be net of any sales load and offering expenses associated with sales of shares of our common stock. In the future, our distributions may include a return of capital.

Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current NAV per share of our common stock or issue securities to subscribe to, convert to or purchase shares of our common stock.

The 1940 Act prohibits us from selling shares of our common stock at a price below the current NAV per share of such stock, with certain exceptions. One such exception is prior stockholder approval of issuances below NAV provided that our Board of Directors makes certain determinations. We generally have not sought stockholder authorization to sell shares of our common stock below the then current NAV per share of our common stock; however, at the 2025 Special Meeting, in advance of the MSC Income Listing, we received approval from our stockholders to have the flexibility, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to offer and sell shares of our common stock at a price below the current net asset value per share until December 11, 2025. We may also seek such authorization at future annual or special meetings of stockholders. Any decision to sell shares of our common stock below the then current NAV per share of our common stock would be subject to the determination by our Board of Directors that such issuance is in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

If we were to sell shares of our common stock below NAV per share, such sales would result in an immediate dilution to the NAV per share. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current

NAV per share of our common stock and a proportionately greater decrease in a stockholder’s interest in our earnings and assets and voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance.

Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted; however, the example below illustrates the effect of dilution to existing stockholders resulting from the sale of common stock at prices below the NAV of such shares.

Illustration: Example of Dilutive Effect of the Issuance of Shares Below NAV. Assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 total shares outstanding, $15,000,000 in total assets and $5,000,000 in total liabilities. The NAV per share of the common stock of Company XYZ is $10.00. The following table illustrates the reduction to NAV and the dilution experienced by Stockholder A following the sale of 40,000 shares of the common stock of Company XYZ at $9.50 per share, a price below its NAV per share.

(1) Assumes that Stockholder A does not purchase additional shares in the sale of shares below NAV.

Our common stockholders’ interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of their investment.

Our investors do not have preemptive rights to purchase any shares of common stock we issue in the future. Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 450,000,000 shares of common stock. Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, a majority of our entire Board of Directors may amend our Articles of Incorporation from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of authorized shares of stock of any class or series without stockholder approval. Our Board of Directors may elect to sell additional shares in future public offerings or issue equity interests in private offerings. To the extent we issue additional equity interests, our stockholders’ percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, stockholders may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of their shares of common stock.

Purchases of shares of our common stock by us or Main Street under open-market purchase programs may result in the price of shares of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock through an open-market share repurchase program for up to $65.0 million in the aggregate of shares of our common stock for a 12-month period starting in March 2025. Pursuant to such authorization, we have entered into the Company Rule 10b5-1 Stock Repurchase Plan to facilitate the repurchase of up to the full $65.0 million in shares of our common stock authorized under the share repurchase program in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. In addition, Main Street intends to purchase up to $20.0 million in the aggregate of shares of our common stock in the open market for a 12-month period starting in March 2025, pursuant to the terms of the Main Street Rule 10b5-1 Stock Purchase Plan. The purchases of shares pursuant to the Main Street Rule 10b5-1 Stock Purchase Plan will be implemented in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. These activities may have the effect of maintaining the market price of shares our common stock or mitigating a decline in the market price of the shares of our common stock, and, as a result, the price of our shares of common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of our company or the removal of our incumbent directors. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our common stock and may discourage third-party bids for ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for our common stock.

We may in the future determine to issue preferred stock, which could adversely affect the market value of our common stock.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. In addition, the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of preferred stock must take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and holders of preferred stock are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference (other than convertible preferred stock that converts into common stock). In addition, under the 1940 Act, preferred stock constitutes a “senior security” for purposes of the asset coverage test.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX RISKS

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

To maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:

• The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary taxable income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to the later of (i) the filing of the final tax return related to the year which generated such taxable income or (ii) the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of the year in which such taxable income was generated. For more information regarding tax treatment, see Business — Regulation — Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and are (and may in the future become) subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. In addition, because we receive non-cash sources of income such as PIK interest which involves us recognizing taxable income without receiving the cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
• The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our gross income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.
• The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, (i) of one issuer, (ii) of two or more issuers that are controlled,

as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.”

Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are in privately held companies, and therefore illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. Moreover, if we fail to maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.

We may have difficulty paying the distributions required to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

We will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as: (i) amortization of original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan such that ascribing a value to the warrants creates original issue discount in the debt instrument, if we invest in a debt investment at a discount to the par value of the debt security or possibly in other circumstances; (ii) contractual payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term; (iii) contractual preferred dividends, which represents contractual dividends added to the preferred stock and due at the end of the preferred stock term, subject to adequate profitability at the portfolio company; or (iv) amortization of market discount, which is associated with loans purchased in the secondary market at a discount to par value. Such amortization of original issue discounts, increases in loan balances as a result of contractual PIK arrangements, cumulative preferred dividends, or amortization of market discount will be included in income before we receive the corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts before we receive such amounts in cash. Investments structured with these features may represent a higher level of credit risk compared to investments generating income which must be paid in cash on a current basis.

Since, in certain cases, we may recognize taxable income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, please see Item 1. Business — Regulation — Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.

We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.

We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in part in our stock. Under certain applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations, distributions payable by us in cash or in shares of stock (at the stockholders’ election) would satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance providing that a dividend payable in stock or in cash at the election of the stockholders will be treated as a taxable dividend eligible for the dividends paid deduction provided at least 20% of the total distribution is payable in cash and certain other requirements are satisfied. According to this guidance, if too many stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, each such stockholder would receive a pro rata share of the total cash to be distributed and would receive the remainder of their distribution in shares of stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such dividend is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.

Stockholders may have current tax liability on dividends they elect to reinvest in our common stock but would not receive cash from such dividends to pay such tax liability.

If stockholders participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, they will be deemed to have received, and for federal income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in our common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. As a result, unless a stockholder is a tax-exempt entity, it may have to use funds from other sources to pay its tax liability on the value of the dividend that they have elected to have reinvested in our common stock.

Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect our stockholders.

At any time, the federal income tax laws governing RICs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any new laws, regulations or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect the taxation of us or our stockholders. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of an investment in our shares or the value or the resale potential of our investments. If we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could lose any licenses that we then hold for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Events outside of our control, including public health crises, supply chain disruptions and inflation, could negatively affect our portfolio companies and the results of our operations.

Periods of market volatility could occur in response to pandemics or other events outside of our control. We and the portfolio companies in which we invest in could be affected by force majeure events (i.e., events beyond the control of the party claiming that the event has occurred, such as acts of God, fire, flood, earthquakes, outbreaks of an infectious disease, pandemic or any other serious public health concern, war, terrorism, labor strikes, major plant breakdowns, pipeline or electricity line ruptures, failure of technology, defective design and construction, accidents, demographic changes, government macroeconomic policies, social instability, etc.). Some force majeure events could adversely affect the ability of a party (including us, a portfolio company or a counterparty to us) to perform its obligations until it is able to remedy the force majeure event. In addition, force majeure events, such as the cessation of the operation of equipment for repair or upgrade, could similarly lead to the unavailability of essential equipment and technologies. These risks could, among other effects, adversely impact the cash flows available from a portfolio company, cause personal injury or loss of life, including to an officer, director or a member of our investment team, damage property, or instigate disruptions of service. In addition, the cost to a portfolio company or us of repairing or replacing damaged assets resulting from such force majeure event could be considerable.

It will not be possible to insure against all such events, and insurance proceeds received, if any, could be inadequate to completely or even partially cover any loss of revenues or investments, any increases in operating and maintenance expenses, or any replacements or rehabilitation of property. Certain events causing catastrophic loss could be either uninsurable, or insurable at such high rates as to adversely impact us or portfolio companies, as applicable. Force majeure events that are incapable of or are too costly to cure could have permanent adverse effects. Certain force majeure events (such as war or an outbreak of an infectious disease) could have a broader negative impact on the world economy and international business activity generally, or in any of the countries in which we invest or our portfolio companies operate specifically. Such force majeure events could result in or coincide with: increased volatility in the global securities, derivatives and currency markets; a decrease in the reliability of market prices and difficulty in valuing assets; greater fluctuations in currency exchange rates; increased risk of default (by both government and private issuers); further social, economic, and political instability; nationalization of private enterprise; greater governmental involvement in the economy or in social factors that impact the economy; less governmental regulation and supervision of the securities markets and market participants and decreased monitoring of the markets by governments or self-regulatory organizations and reduced enforcement of regulations; limited, or limitations on, the activities of investors in such markets; controls or restrictions on foreign investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; inability to purchase and sell investments or otherwise settle security or derivative transactions (i.e., a market freeze); unavailability of currency hedging techniques; substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation, which can last many years and have substantial negative effects on credit and securities markets as well as the economy as a whole; recessions; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.

Market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

The success of our activities is affected by general economic and market conditions, including, among others, interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws, and trade barriers. These factors could affect the level and volatility of securities prices and the liquidity of our investments. Volatility or illiquidity could impair our profitability or result in losses. These factors also could adversely affect the availability or cost of our leverage, which would result in lower returns.

Disruptions in the capital markets could increase the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. Such disruptions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity could negatively impact us. These unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs and limit our access to the capital markets, and could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us in the future. These events could limit our investments, our ability to grow and could negatively impact our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

Uncertainty about presidential administration initiatives could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as well as the state and local levels. Recent events, including the 2024 U.S. presidential election, have created a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially far-reaching implications. The presidential administration’s changes to U.S. policy may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment, immigration, taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our business and the business of our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.

Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations and changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We, our Adviser and our portfolio companies are subject to applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Failure to comply with any applicable local, state or federal law or regulation could negatively impact our reputation and our business results. New legislation may also be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect. Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth herein and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our Adviser’s investment team to other types of investments in which our Adviser’s investment team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

We may experience fluctuations in our operating results.

We could experience fluctuations in our operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of portfolio dividend and fee income, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, operating results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Technological innovations and industry disruptions may negatively impact us.

Technological innovations have disrupted traditional approaches in multiple industries and can permit younger companies to achieve success and in the process disrupt markets and market practices. We can provide no assurance that new businesses and approaches will not be created that would compete with us and/or our portfolio companies or alter the market practices in which we have been designed to function within and on which we depend on for our investment return. New approaches could damage our investments, disrupt the market in which we operate and subject us to increased competition, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of investments.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.

Our business is highly dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our and our Adviser’s financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

• sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;
• natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;
• disease pandemics;
• events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; and
• cyber-attacks, including software viruses, ransomware, malware and phishing and vishing schemes.

The failure in cybersecurity systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our and our Adviser’s disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in our and our Adviser’s disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If a significant number of our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised.

We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our and our Adviser’s computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.

Third parties with which we do business (including, but not limited to, service providers, such as accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators, and the issuers of securities in which we invest) may also be sources or targets of cybersecurity or other technological risks. While our Adviser engages in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, we and our Adviser cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by these third parties and ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure or destruction of data, or other cybersecurity incidents, with increased costs and other consequences, including those described above. Privacy and information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may also result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes.

We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.

Artificial intelligence, including machine learning and similar tools and technologies that collect, aggregate, analyze or generate data or other materials, or collectively, AI, and its current and potential future applications including in the private investment and financial industries, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks within which AI operates, continue to rapidly evolve.

Recent technological advances in AI pose risks to us, our Adviser and our portfolio investments. We and our portfolio investments could also be exposed to the risks of AI if third-party service providers or any counterparties, whether or not known to us, also use AI in their business activities. We and our portfolio companies may not be in a position to control the use of AI technology in third-party products or services.

Use of AI could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming part accessible by other third-party AI applications and users. While the Adviser does not currently use AI to make investment recommendations, the use of AI could also exacerbate or create new and unpredictable risks to our business, our Adviser’s business and the business of our portfolio companies, including by potentially significantly disrupting the markets in which we and our portfolio companies operate or subjecting us, the Adviser and our portfolio companies to increased competition and regulation, which could materially and adversely affect business, financial condition or results of operations of us, our Adviser and our portfolio companies. In addition, the use of AI by bad actors could heighten the sophistication and effectiveness of cyber and security attacks experienced by us, our Adviser or our portfolio companies.

Independent of its context of use, AI technology is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that AI technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error—potentially materially so—and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of AI technology. To the extent that we or our portfolio investments are exposed to the risks of AI use, any such inaccuracies or errors could have adverse impacts on us or our investments.

AI technology and its applications, including in the private investment and financial sectors, continue to develop rapidly, and it is impossible to predict the future risks that may arise from such developments.

Main Street and our Adviser maintain, and routinely review and evaluate their and the Company’s information technology (“IT”) and cybersecurity policies, practices and procedures (the “Cybersecurity Program”), which includes processes for assessing, identifying and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. The Cybersecurity Program has various policies and procedures including a Cyber Incident Response Plan as part of Main Street’s Crisis Management Plan. The Cybersecurity Program is administered by Main Street’s IT Manager, who is managed on a day-to-day basis by Main Street’s General Counsel and overseen by Main Street’s IT Steering Committee consisting of Main Street’s Chief Executive Officer, Main Street’s Chief Operating Officer and Main Street’s General Counsel. Main Street’s General Counsel also serves as the crisis response team leader in connection with any material cybersecurity incident under the Cyber Incident Response Plan, with Main Street’s Chief Operating Officer and Main Street’s IT Manager also included on the crisis response team. Main Street and our Adviser also utilize the services of IT and cybersecurity advisers, consultants and experts in the evaluation and periodic testing of Main Street’s IT and cybersecurity systems, to recommend improvements to the Cybersecurity Program and in connection with any cybersecurity incident. Main Street’s IT Manager has over 10 years of experience advising on and managing risks from cybersecurity threats as well as developing and implementing cybersecurity systems, policies and procedures. Main Street’s General Counsel has served in his oversight function as General Counsel for over 16 years and previously as Main Street’s Chief Compliance Officer for over 12 years, during which time he has gained expertise in assessing and managing risk applicable to the Company. Similarly, each of Main Street’s Chief Executive Officer and our Main Street’s Chief Operating Officer have served in various executive management roles at the Company and, in the case of our Main Street’s Chief Operating Officer, other publicly traded organizations, involving extensive oversight and management of risks, including cybersecurity related risks, for over 20 years.

As part of our overall risk management process, our management engages at least annually in an enterprise risk management review and evaluation, during which management reviews the principal risks relating to our business and operations. Included in this process is a review and evaluation of our risks relating to the Cybersecurity Program. Additionally, as part of our Rule 38a-1 compliance program, we review at least annually the compliance policies and procedures of our key service providers, including our Adviser and Main Street, including documentation discussing each service providers’ information security and privacy controls. Any failure in our or our key service providers’ cybersecurity systems could have a material impact on our operating results. See Item 1A. Risk Factors — General Risk Factors — The failure in cybersecurity systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our and our Adviser’s disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

Our Board as a whole has responsibility for the Company’s risk oversight, with reviews of certain areas being conducted by the relevant Board committees that report on their deliberations to the full Board. The oversight responsibility of the Board and its committees is enabled by management reporting processes that are designed to provide visibility to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and management’s risk mitigation strategies.

Oversight of risks relating to IT and cybersecurity has been delegated by our Board to its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee includes members of the Board who, in addition to each being designated as an “audit committee financial expert,” possess backgrounds and experience which we believe enable them to provide effective oversight of our IT and cybersecurity risks. Our management routinely reports to the Audit Committee on the status of the Cybersecurity Program and material risks from cybersecurity threats at the Audit Committee’s quarterly meetings. Such reports generally detail any testing, observations or developments concerning the Cybersecurity Program that occurred during the prior quarter. The results of periodic testing related to the Cybersecurity Program are also described in the Chief Compliance Officer’s annual report to the Board, provided pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The crisis response team leader also collaborates with the Audit Committee chair to ensure that the Board is apprised of any material cybersecurity incident.

During the reporting period, the Company has not identified any impacts from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of previous cybersecurity incidents, that the Company believes have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company, including its business strategy, operational results and financial condition.

We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operations. Currently, Main Street leases office space in Houston, Texas for its and its affiliates’ corporate headquarters, including ours. We believe that our current office facilities are adequate to meet our needs.

We, the Adviser and/or Main Street may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of our operations in the normal course of business or otherwise. Furthermore, third parties may seek to impose liability on us, the Adviser and/or Main Street in connection with the activities of our portfolio companies. While the outcome of any current legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, we do not expect any current matters will materially affect our, the Adviser’s or Main Street’s financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance whether any pending or future legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our, the Adviser’s or Main Street’s financial condition or results of operations in any future reporting period.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Statements we make in the following discussion which express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, could differ materially from those we express in the following discussion as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks and uncertainties we have referred to under the headings “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in this report.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

The following tables provide a summary of our investments in the Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolios as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 (this information excludes Other Portfolio investments, which are discussed further below).

(dollars in millions)

(a) As of December 31, 2024, we had equity ownership in all of our LMM portfolio companies, and the average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 9%.

(b) The weighted-average annual effective yields were computed using the effective interest rates for all debt investments as of December 31, 2024, including amortization of deferred debt origination fees and accretion of original issue discount but excluding fees payable upon repayment of the debt instruments and any debt investments on non-accrual status, and are weighted based upon the principal amount of each applicable debt investment as of December 31, 2024. The weighted-average annual effective yield on our debt portfolio as of December 31, 2024, including debt investments on non-accrual status, was 11.4% for our Private Loan portfolio, 12.2% for our LMM portfolio and 9.0% for our Middle Market portfolio. The weighted-average annual effective yield is not reflective of what an investor in shares of our common stock will realize on its investment because it does not reflect our utilization of debt capital in our capital structure, our expenses or any sales load paid by an investor.

(c) The average EBITDA is calculated using a weighted-average for the Private Loan and Middle Market portfolios and a simple average for the LMM portfolio. These calculations exclude certain portfolio companies, including two Private Loan portfolio companies, three LMM portfolio companies and one Middle Market portfolio company, as EBITDA is not a meaningful valuation metric for our investments in these portfolio companies, and those portfolio companies whose primary purpose is to own real estate and those portfolio companies whose primary operations have ceased and only residual value remains.

(dollars in millions)

(a) As of December 31, 2023, we had equity ownership in all of our LMM portfolio companies, and the average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 9%.

(b) The weighted-average annual effective yields were computed using the effective interest rates for all debt investments as of December 31, 2023, including amortization of deferred debt origination fees and accretion of original issue discount but excluding fees payable upon repayment of the debt instruments and any debt investments on non-accrual status, and are weighted based upon the principal amount of each applicable debt investment as of December 31, 2023. The weighted-average annual effective yield on our debt portfolio as of December 31, 2023, including debt investments on non-accrual status, was 12.6% for our Private Loan portfolio, 13.0% for our LMM portfolio and 9.9% for our Middle Market portfolio. The weighted-average annual effective yield is not reflective of what an investor in shares of our common stock will realize on its investment because it does not reflect our utilization of debt capital in our capital structure, our expenses or any sales load paid by an investor.

(c) The average EBITDA is calculated using a weighted-average for the Private Loan and Middle Market portfolios and a simple average for the LMM portfolio. These calculations exclude certain portfolio companies, including one Private Loan portfolio company, as EBITDA is not a meaningful valuation metric for our investment in this portfolio company, and those portfolio companies whose primary purpose is to own real estate.

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we achieved a total return on investments of 12.4% and 13.6%, respectively. Total return on investments is calculated using the interest, dividend and fee income, as well as the realized and unrealized change in fair value of the Investment Portfolio for the specified period. Our total return on investments is not reflective of what an investor in shares of our common stock will realize on its investment because it does not reflect our utilization of debt capital in our capital structure, our expenses or any sales load paid by an investor.

As of December 31, 2024, we had Other Portfolio investments in six entities, spread across four investment managers, collectively totaling $24.1 million in fair value and $17.9 million in cost basis, which comprised 2.0% and 1.6% of our Investment Portfolio at fair value and cost, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had Other Portfolio investments in six entities, spread across four investment managers, collectively totaling $24.6 million in fair value and $21.5 million in cost basis, which comprised 2.3% and 2.1% of our Investment Portfolio at fair value and cost, respectively.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are those that require management to make subjective or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Changes that may be required in the underlying assumptions or estimates in these areas could have a material impact on our current and future financial condition and results of operations.

Management has discussed the development and selection of each critical accounting policy and estimate with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Our critical accounting policies and estimates include the Investment Portfolio Valuation and Revenue Recognition policies described below. Our significant accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note B — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Investment Portfolio Valuation

The most significant determination inherent in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is the valuation of our Investment Portfolio and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation. We consider this determination to be a critical accounting estimate, given the significant judgments and subjective measurements required. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, our Investment Portfolio valued at fair value represented 96% of our total assets. We are required to report our investments at fair value. We follow the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires us to assume that the portfolio investment is to be sold in the principal market to independent market participants, which may be a hypothetical market. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact. See Note B.1. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Valuation of the Investment Portfolio included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our Investment Portfolio valuation process and procedures.

Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation process, our determination of fair value for our Investment Portfolio may differ materially from the values that would have been determined had a ready market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned. We determine the fair value of each individual investment and record changes in fair value as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act permits a BDC’s board of directors to designate its executive officers or investment adviser as a valuation designee to determine the fair value for its investment portfolio, subject to the active oversight of the board. Our Board of Directors has approved policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 2a-5 (the “Valuation Procedures”) and has designated our Adviser, led by a group of Main Street’s and our Adviser’s executive officers, to serve as the Board of Directors’ valuation designee. We believe our Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 approximates fair value as of those dates based on the markets in which we operate and other conditions in existence on those reporting dates.

Revenue Recognition

Interest and Dividend Income

We record interest and dividend income on the accrual basis to the extent amounts are expected to be collected. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared by the portfolio company or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution. We evaluate accrued interest and dividend income periodically for collectability. When a loan or debt security becomes 90 days or more past due, and if we otherwise do not expect the debtor to be able to service its debt obligation, we will generally place the loan or debt security on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan or debt security until the borrower has demonstrated the ability and intent to pay contractual amounts due. If a loan or debt security’s status significantly improves regarding the debtor’s ability to service the debt obligation, or if a loan or debt security is sold or written off, we remove it from non-accrual status.

Fee Income

We may periodically provide services, including structuring and advisory services to our portfolio companies or other third parties. For services that are separately identifiable and evidence exists to substantiate fair value, fee income is recognized as earned, which is generally when the investment or other applicable transaction closes. Fees received in connection with debt financing transactions for services that do not meet these criteria are treated as debt origination fees and are generally deferred and accreted into income over the life of the financing.

Payment-in-Kind (“PIK”) Interest and Cumulative Dividends

We hold certain debt and preferred equity instruments in our Investment Portfolio that contain PIK interest and cumulative dividend provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each debt agreement, is periodically added to the principal balance of the debt and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of this interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income, and any dividends in arrears are added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred equity is redeemed or sold. To maintain RIC tax treatment (as discussed in Note B.7. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Income Taxes included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), these non-cash sources of income may need to be paid out to stockholders in the form of distributions, even though we may not have collected the PIK interest and cumulative dividends in cash. We stop accruing PIK interest and cumulative dividends and write off any accrued and uncollected interest and dividends in arrears when we determine that such PIK interest and dividends in arrears are no longer collectible. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (i) 6.2%, 3.8% and 2.5%, respectively, of our total investment income was attributable to PIK interest income not paid currently in cash and (ii) 0.1%, 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively, of our total investment income was attributable to cumulative dividend income not paid currently in cash.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

The following tables summarize the composition of our total combined Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio investments at cost and fair value by type of investment as a percentage of the total combined Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio investments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 (this information excludes Other Portfolio investments).

Our Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio investments carry a number of risks including: (1) investing in companies which may have limited operating histories and financial resources; (2) holding investments that generally are not publicly traded and which may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale; and (3) other risks common to investing in below investment-grade debt and equity investments in our Investment Portfolio. Please see Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Investments contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the risks involved with investing in our Investment Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ASSET QUALITY

Our Adviser utilizes an internally developed investment rating system to rate the performance of each Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio company and to monitor our expected level of returns on each of our Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market investments in relation to our expectations for the portfolio company. The investment rating system takes into consideration various factors, including, but not limited to, each investment’s expected level of returns, the collectability of our debt investments and the ability to receive a return of the invested capital in our equity investments, comparisons to competitors and other industry participants, the portfolio company’s future outlook and other factors that are deemed to be significant to the portfolio company.

As of December 31, 2024, investments on non-accrual status comprised 1.5% of our total Investment Portfolio at fair value and 5.6% at cost. As of December 31, 2023, investments on non-accrual status comprised 1.1% of our total Investment Portfolio at fair value and 4.0% at cost.

The operating results of our portfolio companies are impacted by changes in the broader fundamentals of the United States economy. In periods during which the United States economy contracts, it is likely that the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, could experience deterioration or limited growth from current levels, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting their debt service requirements, to an increase in defaults on our debt investments or in realized losses on our investments and to difficulty in maintaining historical dividend payment rates and unrealized appreciation on our equity investments. Consequently, we can provide no assurance that the performance of certain portfolio companies will not be negatively impacted by future economic cycles or other conditions, which could also have a negative impact on our future results.

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Set forth below is a comparison of the results of operations and changes in financial condition for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The comparison of, and changes between, the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 can be found within Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

On December 16, 2024, we effectuated the Reverse Stock Split. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every two shares of our issued and outstanding common stock were converted into one share of issued and outstanding common stock, without any change in the par value per share or the number of authorized shares of our common stock.

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

(dollars in thousands)

NM — Net Change % not meaningful

Investment Income

Total investment income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $134.8 million, a 3% increase from the $131.4 million of total investment income for the prior year. The following table provides a summary of the changes in the comparable period activity.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) The increase in fee income was primarily related to (i) a $1.4 million increase in fees received from the refinancing and prepayment of debt investments and (ii) a $0.8 million increase in fees related to increased investment activity.

(b) The increase in total investment income includes a net increase of $0.3 million in certain income considered less consistent or non-recurring, including a $1.8 million increase in such fee income, partially offset by (i) a $1.0 million decrease in such interest income from accelerated prepayment, repricing and other activity related to certain Investment Portfolio debt investments and (ii) a $0.4 million decrease in such dividend income.

Expenses

Total expenses, net of fee and expense waivers, for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $77.5 million, a 5% increase from $73.7 million in the prior year. The following table provides a summary of the changes in the comparable period activity.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) The increase in interest expense was primarily related to higher weighted-average outstanding borrowings used to fund the growth in our Investment Portfolio.

(b) The increase in base management fees was due to an increase in average total assets.

(c) The increase in internal administrative service fees was primarily related to increased expenses incurred by the Adviser associated with its activities and services under the Prior Investment Advisory Agreement. Consistent with prior practice, the vast majority of such internal administrative service fees, or all fees other than $0.6 million, were waived by the Adviser. The only fees not waived are the cost of services previously provided by a sub-administrator prior to January 1, 2022 and assumed by the Adviser thereafter (see Note J.1. — Related Party Transactions — Advisory Agreements and Conditional Expense Reimbursement Waivers included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data).

Net Investment Income

Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased 1% to $57.3 million, or $1.43 per share, compared to net investment income of $57.7 million, or $1.44 per share, in 2023. The decrease in net investment income was attributable to an increase in total expenses, partially offset by an increase in total investment income, both as discussed above. The decrease in net investment income and net investment income per share includes a $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share, increase in investment income considered less consistent or non-recurring, as discussed above.

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

The following table provides a summary of the primary components of the total net realized gain on investments of $15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) Other activity includes realized gains and losses from transactions involving 15 portfolio companies which are not considered to be significant individually or in the aggregate.

The following table provides a summary of the primary components of the total net realized loss on investments of $34.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) Other activity includes realized gains and losses from transactions involving 15 portfolio companies which are not considered to be significant individually or in the aggregate.

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

The following table provides a summary of the total net unrealized depreciation of $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) The $20.7 million reversal of net unrealized appreciation on the Private Loan investment portfolio is primarily due to a realized gain of $25.5 million on the full exit of one Private Loan portfolio investment.

(b) Includes unrealized appreciation on 30 LMM portfolio investments and unrealized depreciation on 21 LMM portfolio investments.

The following table provides a summary of the total net unrealized appreciation of $46.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(dollars in thousands)

(a) Includes unrealized appreciation on 25 LMM portfolio investments and unrealized depreciation on 19 LMM portfolio investments.

Income Tax Benefit (Provision)

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $1.1 million principally consisted of a current tax provision of $5.0 million related to a $4.1 million provision for current federal and state income taxes and a $0.9 million provision for excise tax on our estimated undistributed taxable income, partially offset by a deferred tax benefit of $3.9 million, which is primarily the result of the net activity relating to our portfolio investments held in our Taxable Subsidiaries, including changes in loss carryforwards, changes in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation and other temporary book-tax differences.

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $3.8 million consisted of (i) a deferred tax provision of $2.9 million, which is primarily the result of the net activity relating to our portfolio investments held in our Taxable Subsidiaries, including changes in loss carryforwards, changes in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation and other temporary book-tax differences and (ii) a current tax provision of $0.9 million related to a $0.5 million provision for excise tax on our estimated undistributed taxable income and a $0.4 million provision for current federal and state income taxes.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

The net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $56.6 million, or $1.41 per share, compared to $66.2 million, or $1.65 per share, during the year ended December 31, 2023. The tables above provide a summary of the reasons for the change in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we realized a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2.4 million, which is the net result of $28.1 million of cash used in our operating activities and $25.7 million of cash provided by our financing activities.

The $28.1 million of cash used in our operating activities resulted primarily from (i) cash uses totaling $325.1 million for the funding of new and follow-on portfolio investments and (ii) $1.0 million in cash outflows related to changes in other assets and liabilities, partially offset by (i) cash proceeds totaling $259.0 million from the sales and repayments of debt investments and sales of and return of capital from equity investments and (ii) cash flows that we generated from the operating profits earned totaling $44.0 million, which is our net investment income, excluding the non-cash effects of the accretion of unearned income, payment-in-kind interest income, cumulative dividends and the amortization expense for deferred financing costs.

The $25.7 million of cash provided by our financing activities principally consisted of (i) $80.0 million in net cash borrowings related to our Credit Facilities and (ii) $7.0 million in cash proceeds related to common stock issuance, partially offset by (i) $39.8 million in cash dividends paid to stockholders and (ii) $20.7 million for the repurchases of our common stock.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we realized a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of $9.4 million, which is the net result of $50.2 million of cash provided by our operating activities and $40.8 million of cash used in our financing activities.

The $50.2 million of cash provided by our operating activities resulted primarily from (i) cash proceeds totaling $238.7 million from the sales and repayments of debt investments and sales of and return of capital from equity investments, (ii) cash flows that we generated from the operating profits earned totaling $46.7 million, which is our net investment income, excluding the non-cash effects of the accretion of unearned income, payment-in-kind interest income, cumulative dividends and the amortization expense for deferred financing costs and (iii) cash proceeds of $1.9 million related to changes in other assets and liabilities, partially offset by the funding of new and follow-on portfolio company investments of $236.4 million.

The $40.8 million of cash used in our financing activities principally consisted of (i) $36.4 million in cash dividends paid to stockholders, (ii) $24.4 million for the repurchase of common stock and (iii) $2.3 million for deferred financing costs, partially offset by (i) $14.0 million in net repayments on our Credit Facilities and (ii) $8.5 million in cash proceeds related to our common stock issuance.

Share Repurchases

Prior to the MSC Income Listing, we maintained a quarterly share repurchase program whereby we made quarterly offers to purchase shares at the estimated NAV per share, as determined within 48 hours prior to the repurchase date. The amount of shares of our common stock to be repurchased during any calendar quarter was equal to the lesser of (i) the number of shares of common stock we could repurchase with the proceeds we received from the issuance of common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan as then in effect or (ii) 2.5% of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding in the prior four calendar quarters. Repurchase offers were limited to the number of shares of common stock that we could repurchase with 90% of the cash retained as a result of issuances of common stock under the then-effective dividend reinvestment plan.

On November 13, 2024, our Board of Directors, including each director who is not an “interested person,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, of the Company or our Adviser, unanimously approved suspending our quarterly share repurchase program in anticipation of the MSC Income Listing. While our quarterly share repurchase program ultimately terminated upon the MSC Income Listing, our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock through an open-market share repurchase program for up to $65.0 million in the aggregate of shares of our common stock for a 12-month period beginning in March 2025. Pursuant to such authorization, we entered into the Company Rule 10b5-1 Stock Repurchase Plan to facilitate the repurchase of up to $65.0 million in shares of our common stock authorized under the open-market share repurchase program, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments for additional information.

On February 5, 2024, we commenced a $2.5 million modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer (the “February 2024 Dutch Auction Tender Offer”) pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated February 5, 2024, which expired on March 4, 2024.

On May 17, 2024, we commenced a $2.0 million modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer (the “May 2024 Dutch Auction Tender Offer”) pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated May 17, 2024, which expired on June 20, 2024.

In addition to our quarterly share repurchase program, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we used proceeds from the sale of our shares during 2023 to complete three modified “Dutch auction” tender offers, pursuant to which we offered to purchase up to a specified amount of shares of our common stock at the lowest clearing purchase price elected by participating stockholders within a specified range that allowed us to purchase the maximum amount offered. All shares purchased in a “Dutch auction” tender offer were purchased at the clearing purchase price. SEC rules permitted us to increase the number of shares accepted for purchase in any offer by up to 2% of our outstanding shares without amending the offer. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased 633,834 shares of our common stock for $7.8 million through our modified Dutch auction tender offers.

See Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for more information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2024, we had $28.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $49.3 million of unused capacity under our Credit Facilities, which we maintain to support our investment and operating activities. As of December 31, 2024, our NAV totaled $624.9 million, or $15.53 per share.

As of December 31, 2024, we had $149.0 million outstanding and $16.0 million of undrawn commitments under our floating rate multi-year revolving credit facility (the “Corporate Facility”) and $266.7 million outstanding and $33.3 million of undrawn commitments under our special purpose vehicle revolving credit facility (the “SPV Facility” and, together with the Corporate Facility, the “Credit Facilities”), both of which we estimated approximated fair value. Availability under our Credit Facilities is subject to certain leverage and borrowing base limitations, various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. On November 8, 2024, we entered into an amendment to our Corporate Facility to, among other things: (i) extend the revolving period from September 2025 to November 2028, (ii) extend the final maturity date from March 2026 to May 2029 and (iii) reduce the interest rate, subject to our election, to (a) SOFR plus 2.05% or (b) the base rate plus 1.05%.

For further information on our Credit Facilities, including key terms and financial covenants, refer to Note D — Debt included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In October 2021, we issued $77.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.04% Series A Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Series A Notes”), and we issued an additional $72.5 million of Series A Notes in January 2022. The aggregate principal amount of the Series A Notes was $150.0 million as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. For more information on our Series A Notes, including key terms and financial covenants, refer to Note D — Debt included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, on certain dividend payment dates we sold shares of our common stock to Main Street at the price at which we issued new shares in connection with reinvestments of dividends pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan as then in effect. In each of these transactions, the issuance and sale of shares were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and were unanimously approved by our Board of Directors, including each director who is not an “interested person,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, of the Company or our Adviser. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we sold 439,978 shares to Main Street at a weighted-average price of $15.91 for total proceeds, prior to payment of expenses, of $7.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 540,093 shares to Main Street at a price of $15.74 for total proceeds, prior to payment of expenses, of $8.5 million.

We periodically invest excess cash balances into marketable securities and idle funds investments. The primary investment objective of marketable securities and idle funds investments is to generate incremental cash returns on excess cash balances prior to utilizing those funds for investment in our Private Loan and LMM portfolio investments. Marketable securities and idle funds investments generally consist of money market funds and certificates of deposit with financial institutions.

If our common stock trades below our NAV per share, we will generally not be able to issue additional common stock at the market price, unless our stockholders approve such a sale and our Board of Directors makes certain determinations. We generally have not sought stockholder authorization to sell shares of our common stock below the then current NAV per share of our common stock; however, at the 2025 Special Meeting, in advance of the MSC Income Listing, we received approval from our stockholders to have the flexibility, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to offer and sell shares of our common stock at a price below the current net asset value per share until December 11, 2025. We may also seek such authorization at future annual or special meetings of stockholders. Any decision to sell shares of our common stock below the then current NAV per share of our common stock would be subject to the determination by our Board of Directors that such issuance is in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

In order to satisfy the Code requirements applicable to a RIC, we intend to distribute to our stockholders, after consideration and application of our ability under the Code to carry forward certain excess undistributed taxable income from one tax year into the next tax year, substantially all of our taxable income.

In addition, as a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio, or BDC asset coverage ratio, of total assets to total senior securities, which include borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200% (or 150% if certain requirements are met). On January 29, 2025, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, which will result in the Company’s asset coverage requirements applicable to senior securities being reduced from 200% to 150%, effective on January 29, 2026. As of December 31, 2024, our BDC asset coverage ratio was 210%.

Although we have been able to secure access to additional liquidity, including through the Credit Facilities and the master note purchase agreement, dated October 22, 2021, governing the Series A Notes (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), there is no assurance that debt or equity capital will be available to us in the future on favorable terms, or at all.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. We believe that the impact of recently issued standards and any that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption. For a description of recently issued or adopted accounting standards, see Note B.12. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Inflation

Inflation has not historically had a significant effect on our results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented herein. However, our portfolio companies have experienced, specifically including over the last few years, as a result of recent geopolitical events, supply chain and labor issues, and may continue to experience, the increasing impacts of inflation on their operating results, including periodic escalations in their costs for labor, raw materials and third-party services and required energy consumption. These issues and challenges related to inflation are receiving significant attention from our investment teams and the management teams of our portfolio companies as we work to manage these growing challenges. Prolonged or more severe impacts of inflation to our portfolio companies could continue to affect their operating profits and, thereby, increase their borrowing costs, and as a result negatively impact their ability to service their debt obligations and/or reduce their available cash for distributions. In addition, these factors could have a negative effect on the fair value of our investments in these portfolio companies. The combined impacts therefrom in turn could negatively affect our results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We may be a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments include commitments to extend credit and fund equity capital and involve, to varying degrees, elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2024, we had a total of $79.6 million in outstanding commitments comprised of (i) 70 commitments to fund revolving loans that had not been fully drawn or term loans with additional commitments not yet funded and (ii) two investments with equity capital commitments that had not been fully called.

Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2024, we had $565.7 million in total borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facilities and Series A Notes. The SPV Facility is scheduled to mature on February 3, 2028. The Corporate Facility is scheduled to mature on May 8, 2029. The Series A Notes are scheduled to mature on October 30, 2026. See further discussion of the terms of our Credit Facilities, Series A Notes and other debt in Note D — Debt included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

A summary of our significant contractual payment obligations for the repayment of outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2024 is as follows.

(dollars in thousands)

(1) As of December 31, 2024, $33.3 million remained available to borrow under the SPV Facility; however, our borrowing ability is limited to leverage and borrowing base restrictions imposed by the SPV Facility and the 1940 Act, as discussed above.

(2) As of December 31, 2024, $16.0 million remained available to borrow under the Corporate Facility; however, our borrowing ability is limited to leverage and borrowing base restrictions imposed by the Corporate Facility and the 1940 Act, as discussed above. The Corporate Facility was amended in February 2025 to increase the total commitments from $165.0 million to $245.0 million (see Note K — Subsequent Events included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail).

Related Party Transactions and Agreements

We have entered into agreements with our Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates and other parties whereby we pay certain fees and reimbursements to these entities. These included payments for selling commissions and fees and for reimbursement of offering costs. In addition, we make payments for certain services that include the identification, execution and management of our investments and also the management of our day-to-day operations provided to us by our Adviser, pursuant to various agreements that we have entered into. See Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note J — Related Party Transactions included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding these related party transactions and agreements.

Recent Developments

On January 30, 2025, we closed a follow-on public offering of 5,500,000 shares of our common stock, at the public offering price of $15.53 per share, in connection with which the MSC Income Listing occurred. In addition, on February 3, 2025, we issued and sold 825,000 additional shares of our common stock, at the public offering price of $15.53 per share, pursuant to the underwriters’ full exercise of their overallotment option. Net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, we received net cash proceeds of approximately $91 million in connection with the follow-on public equity offering.

Following the MSC Income Listing, and pursuant to Board authorization, we entered into a share repurchase plan to repurchase up to $65.0 million in the aggregate of shares of our common stock in the open market for a twelve-month period beginning in March 2025, at times when the market price per share of our common stock is trading below the most recently reported NAV per share of our common stock by certain pre-determined levels (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share). The repurchases of shares of our common stock pursuant to the share purchase plan are intended to satisfy the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances. Main Street also entered into a share purchase plan to purchase up to $20.0 million in the aggregate of our common stock in the open market with terms and conditions substantially similar to our share repurchase plan for shares of our common stock, and daily purchases under the two plans, if any, are expected to be split pro rata (or as close thereto as reasonably possible) between us and Main Street based on the respective plan sizes. On January 20, 2025, in connection with Main Street’s potential acquisition in excess of 3% of our outstanding common stock, we entered into a Fund of Funds Investment Agreement with Main Street (the “Main Street Fund of Funds Agreement”). The Main Street Fund of Funds Agreement provides for the acquisition of our shares of common stock by Main Street, and our sale of such shares to Main Street, in a manner consistent with the requirements of Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act.

Additionally, in connection with the MSC Income Listing, on January 29, 2025, we entered into the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser to, among other things, (i) reduce the annual base management fees payable by us to the Adviser from 1.75% of our average total assets to 1.5% of our average total assets (including cash and cash equivalents), payable quarterly in arrears (with additional future contractual reductions based upon changes to our investment portfolio composition), (ii) reduce to 17.5% the subordinated incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income above a specified investment return hurdle rate payable by us to the Adviser, subject to a 50% / 50% catch-up feature, (iii) reduce to 17.5% and reset the incentive fee on cumulative net realized capital gains payable by us to the Adviser, (iv) establish a cap on the amount of expenses payable by us relating to certain internal administrative services, which varies based on the value of our total assets and (v) implement other changes to delete provisions required by the Omnibus Guidelines promulgated by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (the “NASAA Guidelines”). For more information, see Note J — Related Party Transactions included in Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On January 29, 2025, in connection with the MSC Income Listing, we amended and restated our Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended, by filing new Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (the “New Articles”) with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland. The New Articles revised our charter to, among other things, (i) include a provision that limits the transferability of shares of our common stock outstanding at the time of the MSC Income Listing during the 365-day period following the MSC Income Listing, (ii) reflect an amendment to delete provisions regarding restrictions and requirements applicable to our dividend reinvestment plan, (iii) reflect an amendment to delete provisions prohibiting acquisitions of assets in exchange for shares of our common stock and restricting certain transactions between us and the Adviser and its affiliates and (iv) delete certain provisions required by, and remove references to, the NASAA Guidelines in order to conform certain provisions of our charter more closely to provisions in the charters of other BDCs whose securities are listed and publicly-traded on a national securities exchange.

On February 27, 2025, we entered into an amendment to the Corporate Facility to, among other things: (i) increase the total commitments from $165.0 million to $245.0 million and (ii) increase the accordion feature from up to a total of $200.0 million to up to a total of $300.0 million.

On March 6, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share and a supplemental quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share, both payable on May 1, 2025 to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2025.

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates, and changes in interest rates may affect both our interest expense on the debt outstanding under our Credit Facilities and our interest income from portfolio investments. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks. Our investment income will be affected by changes in various interest rate indices, including SOFR and Prime rates, to the extent that any debt investments include floating interest rates. See Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Business and Structure — We are subject to risks associated with the interest rate environment and changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital, net investment income and the value of our investments and Risk Factors — Risks Related to Leverage — Because we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. included in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding risks associated with our debt investments and borrowings that utilize SOFR or Prime as a reference rate.

The majority of our debt investments are made with either fixed interest rates or floating rates that are subject to contractual minimum interest rates for the term of the investment. As of December 31, 2024, 78% of our debt Investment Portfolio (at cost) bore interest at floating rates, 96% of which were subject to contractual minimum interest rates. As of December 31, 2024, 26% of our debt obligations bore interest at fixed rates. Our interest expense will be affected by changes in the published SOFR rate in connection with our Credit Facilities; however, the interest rates on our outstanding

Series A Notes are fixed for the life of such debt. As of December 31, 2024, we had not entered into any interest rate hedging arrangements. Due to our limited use of derivatives, we have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under such Act. The Company expects to operate as a “limited derivatives user” under Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act.

The following table shows the approximate annualized increase or decrease in the components of net investment income due to hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates, assuming no changes in our investments and borrowings as of December 31, 2024. The pro forma changes in incentive fee expense are calculated based upon the actual incentive fee expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 on an annualized basis, as adjusted for (i) the pro forma changes in pre-incentive fee net investment income resulting from (a) the assumed interest income and interest expense changes noted in the table and (b) the revised base management fee included in the Advisory Agreement as detailed in footnote (1) below and (ii) the revised subordinated incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income included in the Advisory Agreement.

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) The pro forma changes in pre-incentive fee net investment income include the impact of the reduction in base management fee percentage included in the Advisory Agreement from 1.75% of average total assets to 1.5% of average total assets. If such reduction in base management fee percentage had been in effect for the fourth quarter of 2024, the base management fee would have been $3.1 million lower and pre-incentive fee net investment income would have been $3.1 million higher, each on an annualized basis, in all base interest rate change scenarios presented above.

(2) Based on the revised terms included in the Advisory Agreement.

Although we believe that this analysis is indicative of the impact of interest rate changes to our net investment income as of December 31, 2024, the analysis does not take into consideration future changes in the credit market, credit quality, or other business or economic developments that could affect our net investment income. Accordingly, we can offer no assurances that actual results would not differ materially from the analysis above. The hypothetical results assume that all SOFR and Prime rate changes would be effective on the first day of the period. However, the contractual SOFR and Prime rate reset dates would vary throughout the period. The majority of our investments are based on contracts which reset quarterly while our Corporate Facility and our SPV Facility reset on a monthly and quarterly basis, respectively. The hypothetical results would also be impacted by the changes in the amount of outstanding debt under our Credit Facilities

(with an increase (decrease) in the debt outstanding under the Credit Facilities resulting in an (increase) decrease in the hypothetical interest expense).

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Chief Accounting Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Chief Accounting Officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them of material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. We were not required to have, nor have we, engaged our independent registered public accounting firm to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.