OVERVIEW
Audax Credit BDC Inc. is a Delaware corporation that was formed on January 29, 2015. We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to comply with the requirements to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. We intend to meet our investment objective by investing primarily in senior secured debt of privately owned U.S. middle market companies. We intend to invest at least 80% of our net assets plus the amount of any borrowings in “credit instruments,” which we define as any fixed income instruments.
Although we have no present intention of doing so, we may decide to incur leverage. If we do incur leverage, however, we anticipate that it will be used in limited circumstances and on a short-term basis for purposes such as funding distributions. As a BDC, we are limited in our use of leverage under the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is required to maintain asset coverage of 200% for senior securities representing indebtedness (such as borrowings from banks or other financial institutions) or stock (such as preferred stock). The Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”), which was signed into law on March 23, 2018, provides that a BDC’s required asset coverage under the 1940 Act may be reduced from 200% (i.e., $1 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity) to 150% (i.e., $2 of debt outstanding for each $1 of equity). This reduction in asset coverage permits a BDC to double the amount of leverage it may utilize, subject to certain approval, timing and reporting requirements, including either stockholder approval or approval of a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the BDC and who have no financial interest in the arrangement. In addition, as a non-traded BDC, if we receive the relevant approval to increase our authorized leverage, we will be required to offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their shares of Common Stock over the next year following the calendar quarter in which the approval was obtained. In determining whether to use leverage, we will analyze the maturity, covenants and interest rate structure of the proposed borrowings, as well as the risks of such borrowings within the context of our investment outlook and the impact of leverage on our investment portfolio. The amount of any leverage that we will employ as a BDC will be subject to oversight by our Board of Directors.
We generate revenue in the form of interest on the debt securities that we hold in our portfolio companies. The senior debt we invest in generally has stated terms of three to ten years. Our senior debt investments generally bear interest at a floating rate. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semiannually. In some cases, some of our investments may provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally will become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment and other fees in connection with transactions, although we do not expect to do so. OID as well as market discount and premium are accreted and amortized in determining our interest income. We record any prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as income.
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
Portfolio Composition
The fair value of our investments, comprised of syndicated loans and equity, as of March 31, 2024, was approximately $376,257,907 and held in 209 portfolio companies as of March 31, 2024. The fair value of our investments, comprised of syndicated loans and equity, as of December 31, 2023, was approximately $387,194,568, and we held investments in 211 portfolio companies as of December 31, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we invested in 29 new syndicated investments for a combined $16,981,064 and in existing investments for a combined $6,464,271. We also received $21,421,870 in repayments from investments and $12,284,058 from investments sold during the three months ended March 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we invested in 7 new syndicated investments for a combined $6,486,826 and in existing investments for a combined $1,889,911. We also received $20,751,034 in repayments from investments and $9,262,833 from investments sold during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had a change in unrealized depreciation of approximately $592,485 and realized losses of $315,847. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had a change in unrealized depreciation of approximately $556,727 and realized losses of $43,997.