N-2 - USD ($) | Aug. 08, 2023 | Jun. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Cover [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Entity Central Index Key | | 0001675033 | | | | | | | | |
Amendment Flag | | false | | | | | | | | |
Document Type | | 424B1 | | | | | | | | |
Entity Registrant Name | | GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP. | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities [Table Text Block] | | As of Total Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Treasury Securities (1) Asset Coverage Per Unit (2) Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Unit (3) Average Market Value Per Unit (4) December 31, 2016 8.25% Notes due 2020 $33,646 $6,168 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2017 6.50% Notes due 2022 (“GECCL Notes”) $32,631 $5,010 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2018 GECCL Notes $32,631 $2,393 N/A $ 1.01 GECCM Notes $46,398 $2,393 N/A $ 0.98 December 31, 2019 GECCL Notes $32,631 $1,701 N/A $ 1.01 GECCM Notes $46,398 $1,701 N/A $ 1.01 GECCN Notes $45,000 $1,701 N/A $ 1.00 December 31, 2020 GECCL Notes $30,293 $1,671 N/A $ 0.89 GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,671 N/A $ 0.84 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,671 N/A $ 0.84 December 31, 2021 GECCM Notes $45,610 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.00 GECCN Notes $42,823 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.00 GECCO Notes $57,500 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2022 GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,544 N/A $ 0.99 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,544 N/A $ 1.00 GECCO Notes $57,500 $1,544 N/A $ 1.00 Revolving Credit Facility $10,000 $1,544 N/A — June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,615 N/A $ 0.98 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,615 N/A $ 0.99 GECCO Notes $57,500 $1,615 N/A $ 0.96 Revolving Credit Facility $ 5,000 $1,615 N/A — (1) Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented. (2) Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness. (3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. (4) The average market value per unit for the notes, as applicable, is based on the average daily prices of such notes and is expressed per $1 of indebtedness. | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities, Note [Text Block] | | Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of the audited fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and for the most recent quarter ended June 30, 2023. The report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, related to our consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes, which include the senior securities table in “Note 5 - Debt”, is incorporated by reference in this prospectus under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” This information about our senior securities should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus. As of Total Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Treasury Securities (1) Asset Coverage Per Unit (2) Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Unit (3) Average Market Value Per Unit (4) December 31, 2016 8.25% Notes due 2020 $33,646 $6,168 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2017 6.50% Notes due 2022 (“GECCL Notes”) $32,631 $5,010 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2018 GECCL Notes $32,631 $2,393 N/A $ 1.01 GECCM Notes $46,398 $2,393 N/A $ 0.98 December 31, 2019 GECCL Notes $32,631 $1,701 N/A $ 1.01 GECCM Notes $46,398 $1,701 N/A $ 1.01 GECCN Notes $45,000 $1,701 N/A $ 1.00 December 31, 2020 GECCL Notes $30,293 $1,671 N/A $ 0.89 GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,671 N/A $ 0.84 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,671 N/A $ 0.84 December 31, 2021 GECCM Notes $45,610 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.00 GECCN Notes $42,823 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.00 GECCO Notes $57,500 $ 1,511 N/A $ 1.02 December 31, 2022 GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,544 N/A $ 0.99 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,544 N/A $ 1.00 GECCO Notes $57,500 $1,544 N/A $ 1.00 Revolving Credit Facility $10,000 $1,544 N/A — June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) GECCM Notes $45,610 $1,615 N/A $ 0.98 GECCN Notes $42,823 $1,615 N/A $ 0.99 GECCO Notes $57,500 $1,615 N/A $ 0.96 Revolving Credit Facility $ 5,000 $1,615 N/A — (1) Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented. (2) Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness. (3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. (4) The average market value per unit for the notes, as applicable, is based on the average daily prices of such notes and is expressed per $1 of indebtedness. | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Averaging Method, Note [Text Block] | | The average market value per unit for the notes, as applicable, is based on the average daily prices of such notes and is expressed per $1 of indebtedness. | | | | | | | | |
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk Factors [Table Text Block] | | Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in the Notes, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in the Notes. These are not the only risks we face. The risks described below, as well as additional risks and uncertainties presently unknown by us or currently not deemed significant, could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of the Notes and our ability to perform our obligations under the Notes. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value (“NAV”) and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Risk Factors Related to the Notes and the Offering The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future. The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred or may incur in the future, including under the Loan Agreement, and any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. As of June 30, 2023, there were $5.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Loan Agreement. The Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The Notes are obligations exclusively of GECC and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiary we may acquire or create in the future. Any assets of our subsidiaries will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish. Although our subsidiaries currently do not have any indebtedness outstanding, they may incur substantial indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued contains limited protection for holders of the Notes. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. The indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to: • issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions; • pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes, except that we have agreed that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in our stock), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded (regardless of whether we are subject thereto), after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, (i) to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC and (ii) to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded, in order to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code; • sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets); • enter into transactions with affiliates; • create liens (including liens on the stock of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; • make investments; or • create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the restrictions on indebtedness and dividends described above, the indenture under which the Notes will be issued may not prohibit us from paying distributions to our stockholders if we incur indebtedness in excess of the limits set forth in Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provision if we determine that such indebtedness, which may include indebtedness under a bank credit facility, is not a “senior security” for purposes of determining asset coverage under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the indenture will not require us to offer to purchase the Notes in connection with a change of control or any other event. Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes if we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity other than as described under “Description of the Notes—Events of Default.” Any such changes could affect the terms of the Notes. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes. Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued does not contain cross-default provisions. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes. An active trading market for the Notes may not develop, which could limit the market price of the Notes or your ability to sell them. The Notes are a new issue of debt securities for which there currently is no trading market. We intend to list the Notes on Nasdaq within 30 days of the original issue date under the symbol “ GECCZ If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Notes. Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our current indebtedness, which is composed of the GECCM Notes, the GECCN Notes, the GECCO Notes and borrowings under the Loan Agreement, and any future indebtedness under the Loan Agreement or other agreements to which we may be a party, that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under other debt that we may incur in the future to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under other debt and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under the other debt, the lenders 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 any future credit facilities would likely have customary cross-default provisions, if we have a default under the terms of the Notes, the obligations under any future credit facility may be accelerated and we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due. We may be subject to certain corporate-level taxes which could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes. We currently are a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes and intend to continue to qualify each year as a RIC. In order to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we generally must satisfy certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. As long as we so qualify, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that we distribute investment company taxable income and net capital gain on a timely basis. We may, nonetheless, be subject to certain corporate-level taxes regardless of whether we continue to qualify as a RIC. Additionally, should we fail to qualify as a RIC, we would be subject to corporate-level taxes on all of our taxable income. The imposition of corporate-level taxes could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes. A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our securities, if any, could cause the liquidity or market value of the Notes to decline significantly. Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. Private rating agencies may rate the Notes. An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from any such rating agency. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. There can be no assurance that our credit ratings will remain for any given period of time or that such credit ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if in their judgment future circumstances relating to the basis of the credit ratings, such as adverse changes in our company, so warrant. The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes. The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part upon certain conditions at any time or from time to time at our option on or after September 30, 2025. We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the Notes being redeemed. Our redemption right also may adversely impact your ability to sell the Notes as the optional redemption date or period approaches. Risks Relating to Our Investments Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress and our investments in such companies may be restructured. Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress from time to time. Debt investments in such companies may cease to be income-producing, may require us to bear certain expenses to protect our investment and may subject us to uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value such distressed debt will eventually be satisfied, including through liquidation, reorganization or bankruptcy. Any restructuring can fundamentally alter the nature of the related investment, and restructurings may not be subject to the same underwriting standards that GECM employs in connection with the origination of an investment. In addition, we may write-down the value of our investment in any such company to reflect the status of financial distress and future prospects of the business. Any restructuring could alter, reduce or delay the payment of interest or principal on any investment, which could delay the timing and reduce the amount of payments made to us. For example, if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to the debt securities we currently hold, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will have a value or income potential similar to what we anticipated when our original investment was made or even at the time of restructuring. Restructurings of investments might also result in extensions of the term thereof, which could delay the timing of payments made to us, or we may receive equity securities, which may require significantly more of our management’s time and attention or carry restrictions on their disposition. As an example, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we wrote down the value of our investments in Avanti Communications Group plc (“Avanti Communications”) and our net realized losses on investments were primarily driven by the April 2022 restructuring of Avanti Communications on which we realized approximately $111 million of previously recognized unrealized losses. We cannot assure you that we will not have to restructure any of our other investments, or that any particular restructuring strategy will recover value equal to our original investment cost. We face increasing competition for investment opportunities. Limited availability of attractive investment opportunities in the market could cause us to hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve. We compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including specialty finance companies, private equity funds, mezzanine funds and small business investment companies), 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 have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us, including from the Small Business Administration. In addition, increased competition for attractive investment opportunities allows debtors to demand more favorable terms and offer fewer contractual protections to creditors. Some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do. 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 offer. 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. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in lower middle-market companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financing sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market would force us to accept less attractive investment terms. GECM may, at its discretion, decide to pursue such opportunities if it believes that they are in our best interest; however, GECM may decline to pursue available investment opportunities that, although otherwise consistent with our investment policies and objectives, in GECM’s view present unacceptable risk/return profiles. Under such circumstances, we may hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve in order to avoid having assets remain uninvested. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC. We believe that competitors will make first and second lien loans with interest rates and returns that are lower than the rates and returns that we target. Therefore, we do not seek to compete solely on the interest rates and returns offered to prospective portfolio companies. We are invested in a limited number of portfolio companies which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments. Our portfolio is likely to hold a limited number of portfolio companies. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with qualifying as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments are likely to be concentrated in relatively few companies. As our portfolio is less diversified than the portfolios of some funds, we are more susceptible to failure if a single investment fails. Similarly, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Our portfolio is subject to change over time and may be concentrated in a limited number of industries, which subjects us to a risk of significant loss if there is a downturn in a particular industry in which a number of our investments are concentrated. Our portfolio is likely to be concentrated in a limited number of industries. A downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly impact our aggregate realized returns. In addition, we may from time to time invest a relatively significant percentage of our portfolio in industries in which GECM does not necessarily have extensive historical research coverage. If an industry in which we have significant investments suffers from adverse business or economic conditions, as these industries have to varying degrees, a material portion of our investment portfolio could be affected adversely, which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations. Any unrealized losses we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution. As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board. Decreases in the fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income 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 returns on equity. We are subject to the risk that investments intended to be held over long periods are, instead, repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, repay debt or repurchase our common stock, depending on expected future investment opportunities. 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 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 elects to prepay amounts owed by them. We are not in a position to exercise control over certain of our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of such portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments. Although we may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act, to control certain of our portfolio companies because we own more than 25% of the common equity of those portfolio companies, we generally We have made, and in the future intend to pursue additional, investments in specialty finance businesses, which may require reliance on the management teams of such businesses. We have made, and may make additional, investments in companies and operating platforms that originate and/or service commercial specialty finance businesses, including factoring, equipment finance, inventory leasing, merchant cash advance and hard money real estate lending and may also invest directly (including via participation) in the investments made by such businesses. The form of investment may vary and may require reliance on management teams to provide the resources necessary to originate new receivables, manage portfolios of performing receivables, and work-out portfolios of stressed or non-performing receivables. Defaults by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results. A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of our investments and foreclosure on our 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 financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. If we invest in companies that experience significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to certain distressed lending risks. As part of our lending activities, we may purchase notes or loans from companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the investment advanced by us to the borrower. Certain of the companies in which we invest may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet their future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity. Senior Secured Loans and Notes . There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans and notes may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital, and, in some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan or note. Consequently, the fact that a loan or note is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s or note’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan or note should we be forced to enforce our remedies. Mezzanine Loans . Our mezzanine debt investments will be generally subordinated to senior loans and will be generally unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of an insolvency, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal. Unsecured Loans and Notes . We may invest in unsecured loans and notes. If the issuer defaults or has an event of insolvency, other creditors may rank senior, be structurally senior or have lien protection that effectively renders their claim superior to our rights under our unsecured notes or loans, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal. Unfunded Commitments. From time to time, we purchase revolving credit loans with unfunded commitments in the ordinary course of business. In the event multiple borrowers of such revolving credit loans were to draw these commitments at the same time, including during a market downturn, it could have an adverse impact on our cash reserves and liquidity position at a time when it may be more difficult for us to sell other assets. Equity Investments . When we invest in senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, we may acquire equity securities, including warrants, as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. The equity interests we receive 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 realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. In addition, investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including: • these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities 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 we may have obtained in connection with our investment; • they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; • they are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on you; • they 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. In addition, our executive officers, directors and GECM may be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; • they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity; and • a portion of our income may be non-cash income, such as contractual PIK interest, which represents interest added to the debt balance and due at the end of the instrument’s term, in the case of loans, or issued as additional notes in the case of bonds. Instruments bearing PIK interest typically carry higher interest rates as a result of their payment deferral and increased credit risk. When we recognize income in connection with PIK interest, there is a risk that such income may become uncollectable if the borrower defaults. Investing in middle-market companies involves a high degree of risk and our financial results may be affected adversely if one or more of our portfolio investments defaults on its loans or notes or fails to perform as we expect. A portion of our portfolio consists of debt and equity inve | | | | | | | | |
Effects of Leverage [Text Block] | | Illustration . The following tables illustrate the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The first table assumes the actual amount of senior securities outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The second table assumes the maximum amount of senior securities outstanding as permitted under our asset coverage ratio of 150%. The calculations in the tables below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below. Table 1 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.46)% (9.46)% (4.46)% 0.54% 5.54% (1) Assumes $225.0 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $155.9 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.46%. Table 2 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.57)% (9.57)% (4.57)% 0.43% 5.43% (1) Assumes $238.6 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $169.6 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.57%. | | | | | | | | |
Effects of Leverage [Table Text Block] | | Table 1 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.46)% (9.46)% (4.46)% 0.54% 5.54% (1) Assumes $225.0 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $155.9 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.46%. Table 2 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.57)% (9.57)% (4.57)% 0.43% 5.43% (1) Assumes $238.6 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $169.6 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.57%. | | | | | | | | |
Return at Minus Ten [Percent] | | (14.57%) | | (14.46%) | | | | | | |
Return at Minus Five [Percent] | | (9.57%) | | (9.46%) | | | | | | |
Return at Zero [Percent] | | (4.57%) | | (4.46%) | | | | | | |
Return at Plus Five [Percent] | | 0.43% | | 0.54% | | | | | | |
Return at Plus Ten [Percent] | | 5.43% | | 5.54% | | | | | | |
Effects of Leverage, Purpose [Text Block] | | We have existing indebtedness and may in the future borrow additional money, including borrowings under the Loan Agreement, each of which magnifies the potential for loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us. Our ability to service our existing and potential future debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The amount of leverage that we could employ at any particular time will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. Holders of such debt securities would have fixed dollar claims on our consolidated assets that would be superior to the claims of our common stockholders or any preferred stockholders. If the value of our consolidated assets decreases while we have debt outstanding, leveraging would cause our NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our consolidated income while we have debt outstanding would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock distributions. We cannot assure you that our leveraging strategy will be successful. | | | | | | | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Securities [Table Text Block] | | | Title of Class Amount Authorized Amount Held by GECC or for GECC’s Account Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Amounts Shown in the Adjacent Column Common Stock 100,000,000 — 7,601,958 GECCM Notes — — $ 45.6 GECCN Notes — — $ 42.8 GECCO Notes — — $ 57.5 | | | | | | | |
Risk Factors Related to the Notes and the Offering [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk [Text Block] | | Risk Factors Related to the Notes and the Offering The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future. The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred or may incur in the future, including under the Loan Agreement, and any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. As of June 30, 2023, there were $5.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Loan Agreement. The Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The Notes are obligations exclusively of GECC and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiary we may acquire or create in the future. Any assets of our subsidiaries will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish. Although our subsidiaries currently do not have any indebtedness outstanding, they may incur substantial indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued contains limited protection for holders of the Notes. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. The indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to: • issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions; • pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes, except that we have agreed that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in our stock), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded (regardless of whether we are subject thereto), after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, (i) to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC and (ii) to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded, in order to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code; • sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets); • enter into transactions with affiliates; • create liens (including liens on the stock of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; • make investments; or • create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the restrictions on indebtedness and dividends described above, the indenture under which the Notes will be issued may not prohibit us from paying distributions to our stockholders if we incur indebtedness in excess of the limits set forth in Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provision if we determine that such indebtedness, which may include indebtedness under a bank credit facility, is not a “senior security” for purposes of determining asset coverage under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the indenture will not require us to offer to purchase the Notes in connection with a change of control or any other event. Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes if we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity other than as described under “Description of the Notes—Events of Default.” Any such changes could affect the terms of the Notes. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes. Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued does not contain cross-default provisions. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes. An active trading market for the Notes may not develop, which could limit the market price of the Notes or your ability to sell them. The Notes are a new issue of debt securities for which there currently is no trading market. We intend to list the Notes on Nasdaq within 30 days of the original issue date under the symbol “ GECCZ If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Notes. Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our current indebtedness, which is composed of the GECCM Notes, the GECCN Notes, the GECCO Notes and borrowings under the Loan Agreement, and any future indebtedness under the Loan Agreement or other agreements to which we may be a party, that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under other debt that we may incur in the future to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under other debt and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under the other debt, the lenders 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 any future credit facilities would likely have customary cross-default provisions, if we have a default under the terms of the Notes, the obligations under any future credit facility may be accelerated and we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due. We may be subject to certain corporate-level taxes which could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes. We currently are a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes and intend to continue to qualify each year as a RIC. In order to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we generally must satisfy certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. As long as we so qualify, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that we distribute investment company taxable income and net capital gain on a timely basis. We may, nonetheless, be subject to certain corporate-level taxes regardless of whether we continue to qualify as a RIC. Additionally, should we fail to qualify as a RIC, we would be subject to corporate-level taxes on all of our taxable income. The imposition of corporate-level taxes could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes. A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our securities, if any, could cause the liquidity or market value of the Notes to decline significantly. Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. Private rating agencies may rate the Notes. An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from any such rating agency. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. There can be no assurance that our credit ratings will remain for any given period of time or that such credit ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if in their judgment future circumstances relating to the basis of the credit ratings, such as adverse changes in our company, so warrant. The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes. The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part upon certain conditions at any time or from time to time at our option on or after September 30, 2025. We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the Notes being redeemed. Our redemption right also may adversely impact your ability to sell the Notes as the optional redemption date or period approaches. | | | | | | | | |
Risks Relating to Our Investments [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk [Text Block] | | Risks Relating to Our Investments Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress and our investments in such companies may be restructured. Our portfolio companies may experience financial distress from time to time. Debt investments in such companies may cease to be income-producing, may require us to bear certain expenses to protect our investment and may subject us to uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value such distressed debt will eventually be satisfied, including through liquidation, reorganization or bankruptcy. Any restructuring can fundamentally alter the nature of the related investment, and restructurings may not be subject to the same underwriting standards that GECM employs in connection with the origination of an investment. In addition, we may write-down the value of our investment in any such company to reflect the status of financial distress and future prospects of the business. Any restructuring could alter, reduce or delay the payment of interest or principal on any investment, which could delay the timing and reduce the amount of payments made to us. For example, if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to the debt securities we currently hold, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will have a value or income potential similar to what we anticipated when our original investment was made or even at the time of restructuring. Restructurings of investments might also result in extensions of the term thereof, which could delay the timing of payments made to us, or we may receive equity securities, which may require significantly more of our management’s time and attention or carry restrictions on their disposition. As an example, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we wrote down the value of our investments in Avanti Communications Group plc (“Avanti Communications”) and our net realized losses on investments were primarily driven by the April 2022 restructuring of Avanti Communications on which we realized approximately $111 million of previously recognized unrealized losses. We cannot assure you that we will not have to restructure any of our other investments, or that any particular restructuring strategy will recover value equal to our original investment cost. We face increasing competition for investment opportunities. Limited availability of attractive investment opportunities in the market could cause us to hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve. We compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including specialty finance companies, private equity funds, mezzanine funds and small business investment companies), 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 have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us, including from the Small Business Administration. In addition, increased competition for attractive investment opportunities allows debtors to demand more favorable terms and offer fewer contractual protections to creditors. Some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do. 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 offer. 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. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in lower middle-market companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financing sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market would force us to accept less attractive investment terms. GECM may, at its discretion, decide to pursue such opportunities if it believes that they are in our best interest; however, GECM may decline to pursue available investment opportunities that, although otherwise consistent with our investment policies and objectives, in GECM’s view present unacceptable risk/return profiles. Under such circumstances, we may hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve in order to avoid having assets remain uninvested. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC. We believe that competitors will make first and second lien loans with interest rates and returns that are lower than the rates and returns that we target. Therefore, we do not seek to compete solely on the interest rates and returns offered to prospective portfolio companies. We are invested in a limited number of portfolio companies which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments. Our portfolio is likely to hold a limited number of portfolio companies. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with qualifying as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments are likely to be concentrated in relatively few companies. As our portfolio is less diversified than the portfolios of some funds, we are more susceptible to failure if a single investment fails. Similarly, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Our portfolio is subject to change over time and may be concentrated in a limited number of industries, which subjects us to a risk of significant loss if there is a downturn in a particular industry in which a number of our investments are concentrated. Our portfolio is likely to be concentrated in a limited number of industries. A downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly impact our aggregate realized returns. In addition, we may from time to time invest a relatively significant percentage of our portfolio in industries in which GECM does not necessarily have extensive historical research coverage. If an industry in which we have significant investments suffers from adverse business or economic conditions, as these industries have to varying degrees, a material portion of our investment portfolio could be affected adversely, which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations. Any unrealized losses we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution. As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board. Decreases in the fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income 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 returns on equity. We are subject to the risk that investments intended to be held over long periods are, instead, repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, repay debt or repurchase our common stock, depending on expected future investment opportunities. 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 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 elects to prepay amounts owed by them. We are not in a position to exercise control over certain of our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of such portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments. Although we may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act, to control certain of our portfolio companies because we own more than 25% of the common equity of those portfolio companies, we generally We have made, and in the future intend to pursue additional, investments in specialty finance businesses, which may require reliance on the management teams of such businesses. We have made, and may make additional, investments in companies and operating platforms that originate and/or service commercial specialty finance businesses, including factoring, equipment finance, inventory leasing, merchant cash advance and hard money real estate lending and may also invest directly (including via participation) in the investments made by such businesses. The form of investment may vary and may require reliance on management teams to provide the resources necessary to originate new receivables, manage portfolios of performing receivables, and work-out portfolios of stressed or non-performing receivables. Defaults by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results. A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of our investments and foreclosure on our 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 financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. If we invest in companies that experience significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to certain distressed lending risks. As part of our lending activities, we may purchase notes or loans from companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the investment advanced by us to the borrower. Certain of the companies in which we invest may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet their future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity. Senior Secured Loans and Notes . There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans and notes may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital, and, in some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan or note. Consequently, the fact that a loan or note is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s or note’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan or note should we be forced to enforce our remedies. Mezzanine Loans . Our mezzanine debt investments will be generally subordinated to senior loans and will be generally unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of an insolvency, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal. Unsecured Loans and Notes . We may invest in unsecured loans and notes. If the issuer defaults or has an event of insolvency, other creditors may rank senior, be structurally senior or have lien protection that effectively renders their claim superior to our rights under our unsecured notes or loans, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal. Unfunded Commitments. From time to time, we purchase revolving credit loans with unfunded commitments in the ordinary course of business. In the event multiple borrowers of such revolving credit loans were to draw these commitments at the same time, including during a market downturn, it could have an adverse impact on our cash reserves and liquidity position at a time when it may be more difficult for us to sell other assets. Equity Investments . When we invest in senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, we may acquire equity securities, including warrants, as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. The equity interests we receive 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 realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. In addition, investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including: • these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities 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 we may have obtained in connection with our investment; • they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; • they are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on you; • they 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. In addition, our executive officers, directors and GECM may be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; • they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity; and • a portion of our income may be non-cash income, such as contractual PIK interest, which represents interest added to the debt balance and due at the end of the instrument’s term, in the case of loans, or issued as additional notes in the case of bonds. Instruments bearing PIK interest typically carry higher interest rates as a result of their payment deferral and increased credit risk. When we recognize income in connection with PIK interest, there is a risk that such income may become uncollectable if the borrower defaults. Investing in middle-market companies involves a high degree of risk and our financial results may be affected adversely if one or more of our portfolio investments defaults on its loans or notes or fails to perform as we expect. A portion of our portfolio consists of debt and equity investments in privately owned middle-market companies. Investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Compared to larger publicly owned companies, these middle-market companies may be in a weaker financial position and experience wider variations in their operating results, which may make them more vulnerable to economic downturns and other business disruptions. Typically, these companies need more capital to compete; however, their access to capital is limited and their cost of capital is often higher than that of their competitors. Our portfolio companies face intense competition from larger companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources and their success typically depends on the managerial talents and efforts of an individual or a small group of persons. Therefore, the loss of any of their key employees, as well as increased competition in the labor market, could affect a portfolio company’s ability to compete effectively and harm its financial condition. Further, some of these companies conduct business in regulated industries that are susceptible to regulatory changes. These factors could impair the cash flow of our portfolio companies and result in other events, such as bankruptcy. These events could limit a portfolio company’s ability to repay its obligations to us. Deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition and prospects may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the loan’s collateral and the fair market value of the loan. Most of the loans in which we invest are not structured to fully amortize during their lifetime. In order to create liquidity to pay the final principal payment, borrowers typically must raise additional capital or sell their assets, which could potentially result in the collateral being sold for less than its fair market value. If they are unable to raise sufficient funds to repay us, the loan will go into default, which will require us to foreclose on the borrower’s assets, even if the loan was otherwise performing prior to maturity. This will deprive us from immediately obtaining full recovery on the loan and prevent or delay the reinvestment of the loan proceeds in other, more profitable investments. Moreover, there are no assurances that any recovery on such loan will be obtained. Most of these companies cannot obtain financing from public capital markets or from traditional credit sources, such as commercial banks. Accordingly, loans made to these types of companies pose a higher default risk than loans made to companies that have access to traditional credit sources. An investment strategy that includes privately held companies presents challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns. We invest in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on GECM’s or our specialty finance partners’ ability 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 money on our investments. Also, privately held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than larger competitors. These factors could adversely affect our investment returns as compared to companies investing primarily in the securities of public companies. We are exposed to risks relating to our specialty finance products. There is no guarantee that our controls to monitor and detect fraud with respect to our specialty finance business will be effective and, as a result, we could face exposure to the credit risk associated with such products. With respect to our asset-based loans, we generally limit our lending to a percentage of the customer’s borrowing base assets that we believe can be readily liquidated in the event of financial distress of the borrower. With respect to our factoring products, we purchase the underlying invoices of our customers and become the direct payee under such invoices, thus transferring the credit risk in such transactions from our customers to the underlying account debtors on such invoices. In the event one or more of our customers fraudulently represents the existence or valuation of borrowing base assets in the case of an asset-based loan, or the existence or validity of an invoice we purchase in the case of a factoring transaction, we may advance more funds to such customer than we otherwise would and lose the benefit of the structural protections of our products with respect to such advances. In such event we could be exposed to material additional losses with respect to such loans or factoring products. Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or in some cases 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 invested. Also, in 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. 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. Even though we may have structured investments as secured investments, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could 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 investment 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’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business. To the extent GECC provides significant managerial assistance to the portfolio companies, this risk is exacerbated. Second priority liens on collateral securing loans and notes that we invest in may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us. We may purchase loans or notes that are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us or the indenture trustee to enter into an “intercreditor agreement” prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow. Typically the intercreditor agreements expressly subordinate our second lien debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (1) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (2) the nature, timing and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (3) the amendment of any collateral document; (4) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral; and (5) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under intercreditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans and notes. The reference rates for our loans may be manipulated or changed. Actions by market participants or by government agencies, including central banks, may affect prevailing interest rates and the reference rates for loans to our portfolio companies. Actions by governments may create inflation in asset prices that over-state the value of our portfolio companies and their assets and drive cycles of capital market activities (like mergers and acquisitions) at a rate and at prices in excess of those that would prevail in an unaffected market. We cannot assure you that actions by market participants or by government agencies will not materially adversely affect trading markets or our portfolio companies or us or our and our portfolio companies’ respective business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. The discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may adversely affect the value of the floating rate debt securities in our portfolio or the cost of our borrowings. We expect that a substantial portion of our future floating rate investments will be linked to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The Alternative Reference Rates Committee has recommended SOFR as an alternative to LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash in the overnight United States treasury market. LIBOR and SOFR have significant differences: LIBOR was an unsecured lending rate and SOFR is a secured lending rate, and SOFR is an overnight rate while LIBOR was a forward-looking rate that reflected term rates at different maturities. There can be no assurance that rates linked to SOFR or associated changes related to the adoption of SOFR will be as favorable to us as LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR may disrupt the overall financial markets and adversely affect the market for securities, including our portfolio of floating rate debt securities, and may also result in an effective increase in the applicable interest rate on our current or future debt obligations. We may mismatch the interest rate and maturity exposure of our assets and liabilities. Our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. We cannot assure you that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds could increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Typically, our fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with equity and/or long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. If we do not implement these techniques properly, we could experience losses on our hedging positions, which could be material. If interest rates fall, our portfolio companies are likely to refinance their obligations to us at lower interest rates. Our proceeds from these refinancings are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than our refinanced loans resulting in a material decrease in our net investment income. We may not realize gains from our equity investments. Our portfolio may include common stock, warrants or other equity securities. We may also take back equity securities in exchange for our debt investments in workouts of troubled investments. 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. The equity interests we invest in 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 may seek puts or similar rights to give it the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company. We may be unable to exercise these put rights if the issuer is in financial distress or otherwise lacks sufficient liquidity to purchase the underlying equity investment. Investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. Our investment strategy contemplates investments in debt securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in 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 United States, 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. Such investments will generally not represent “qualifying assets” under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. 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 | | | | | | | | |
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk [Text Block] | | Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure Capital markets experience periods of disruption and instability. These market conditions have historically materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which had, and may in the future have, a negative impact on our business and operations. The global capital markets are subject to disruption , which may result from, or such events Market conditions may in the future make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The expected illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if required. As a result, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including recent volatility and disruption, have had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results. Our quarterly operating results will fluctuate due to a number of factors, including the level of 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. Our quarterly operating results will also fluctuate due to a number of other factors, including the interest rates payable on the debt investments we make and the default rates on such investments. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods. Our success depends on the ability of our investment adviser to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment. Our growth requires that GECM retain and attract new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. GECM’s ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills depends on several factors, including, but not limited to, its ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds and mezzanine funds) and traditional financial services companies, which compete for experienced personnel with GECM, have greater resources than GECM. Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise equity capital and/or access debt financing. We intend to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We expect to continue to elect to be treated as a RIC and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax treatment applicable to RICs. Among other things, in order to maintain our RIC status, we must distribute to our stockholders on a timely basis generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (as defined by the Code), and, as a result, such distributions will not be available to fund new investments. As a result, we must borrow from financial institutions or issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions, including interest rate volatility, may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. There has been and will continue to be uncertainty in the financial markets in general. An inability to successfully access the capital or credit markets for either equity or debt could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any. If the fair value of our assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios imposed upon us by the Investment Company Act or our lenders. Any such failure, or a tightening or general disruption of the credit markets, would affect our ability to issue senior securities, including borrowings, and pay dividends or other distributions, which could materially impair our business. In addition, with certain limited exceptions we are only allowed to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock such that our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% immediately after such borrowing, which, in certain circumstances, may restrict our ability to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock. The amount of leverage that we may employ will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessments of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing or issuance of debt securities or preferred stock. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain lines of credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results. The economy is subject to periodic downturns that, from time to time, result in recessions or more serious adverse macroeconomic events. Our portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay loans or notes during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record the market value of our investments. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of our investments and the value of our equity investments. 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 increasing investments and harm our operating results. A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants in its agreements with us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the debt obligations are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, including our revenue growth and profitability. The condition of the global financial market, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world, may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets, may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide, and may subject our investments to heightened risks. These heightened risks could also include to: increased risk of default; greater social, trade, economic and political instability (including the risk of war or terrorist activity); greater governmental involvement in the economy; greater governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and market participants resulting in increased expenses related to compliance; greater fluctuations in currency exchange rates; controls or restrictions on foreign investment and/or trade, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on the ability to exchange currencies; inability to purchase and sell investments or otherwise settle transactions (i.e., a market freeze); and unavailability of hedging techniques. During times of political uncertainty and/or change, global markets often become more volatile. Markets experiencing political uncertainty and/or change could have substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates typically have negative effects on such countries’ economies and markets. Tax laws could change materially, and any changes in tax laws could have an unpredictable effect on us, our investments and our investors. Our debt investments may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments. Our debt portfolios, including those held by our specialty finance companies, are subject to credit and interest rate risk. “Credit risk” refers to the likelihood that an issuer will default in the payment of principal and/or interest on an instrument. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, subordination, lack or inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument, and securities which are rated by rating agencies are often reviewed and may be subject to downgrade. “Interest rate risk” refers to the risks associated with market changes in interest rates. Factors that may affect market interest rates include, without limitation, inflation, slow or stagnant economic growth or recession, unemployment, money supply and the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board and central banks throughout the world, international disorders and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. The Federal Reserve Board has since raised the federal funds rate and has indicated it may continue to raise the federal funds rate in the near future. These developments, along with domestic and international debt and credit concerns, could cause interest rates to be volatile, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Interest rate changes may also affect the value of a debt instrument indirectly (especially in the case of fixed rate securities) and directly (especially in the case of instruments whose rates are adjustable). In general, rising interest rates will negatively impact the price of a fixed-rate debt instrument and falling interest rates will have a positive effect on price. Adjustable rate instruments may also react to interest rate changes in a similar manner although generally to a lesser degree (depending, however, on the characteristics of the reset terms, including, among other factors, the index chosen, frequency of reset and reset caps or floors). Interest rate sensitivity is generally more pronounced and less predictable in instruments with uncertain payment or prepayment schedules. We expect that we will periodically experience imbalances in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities and the relationships of various interest rates to each other. In a changing interest rate environment, we may not be able to manage this risk effectively, which in turn could adversely affect our performance. We may acquire other funds, portfolios of assets or pools of debt and those acquisitions may not be successful. We may acquire other funds, portfolios of assets or pools of debt investments. Any such acquisition program has a number of risks, including among others: • management’s attention will be diverted from running our existing business by efforts to source, negotiate, close and integrate acquisitions; • our due diligence investigation of potential acquisitions may not reveal risks inherent in the acquired business or assets; • we may over-value potential acquisitions resulting in dilution to stockholders, incurrence of excessive indebtedness, asset write downs and negative perception of our common stock; • the interests of our existing stockholders may be diluted by the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or preferred stock; • we may borrow to finance acquisitions, and there are risks associated with borrowing as described in this prospectus; • GECM has an incentive to increase our assets under management in order to increase its fee stream, which may not be aligned with your interests; • we and GECM may not successfully integrate any acquired business or assets; and • GECM may compensate the existing managers of any acquired business or assets in a manner that results in the combined company taking on excessive risk. Our failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility. We elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and their external advisers. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their gross assets in specified types of securities, primarily in private companies or illiquid U.S. public companies below a certain market capitalization, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the Investment Company Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants. In addition, upon approval of a majority of our voting securities (as defined under the Investment Company Act), we may elect to withdraw our status as a BDC. If we decide to withdraw our BDC election, or if we otherwise fail to qualify, or to maintain our qualification, as a BDC, we may be subject to substantially greater regulation under the Investment Company Act as a closed-end management investment company. Compliance with such regulations would significantly decrease our operating flexibility and would significantly increase our costs of doing business. Regulations governing our operations as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage. We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, referred to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted under the Investment Company Act. Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to BDCs, we are permitted to issue senior securities (e.g., notes and preferred stock) in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% of gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of issuing senior securities, we would also be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. Our Board may change our investment objectives, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse. Our Board has the authority to modify or waive our investment objectives, current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV and operating results. We may have difficulty paying our required distributions under applicable tax rules if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to include in income certain amounts before our receipt of the cash attributable to such amounts, such as OID, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. For example, such OID or increases in loan balances as a result of PIK interest will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. Also, we may be required to include in income other amounts that we will not receive in cash, including, for example, non-cash income from PIK securities, deferred payment securities and hedging and foreign currency transactions. In addition, we intend to seek debt investments in the secondary market that represent attractive risk-adjusted returns, taking into account both stated interest rates and current market discounts to par value. Such market discount may be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. Certain of our debt investments earn PIK interest. Since we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the U.S. federal income tax requirement to distribute generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to additional corporate-level income taxes. However, in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC, we may, but have no current intention to, declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend, or 10% with respect to distributions declared on or before June 30, 2022) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We may expose ourselves to risks associated with the inclusion of non-cash income prior to receipt of cash. To the extent we invest in OID instruments, including PIK loans, zero coupon bonds, and debt securities with attached warrants, investors will be exposed to the risks associated with the inclusion of such non-cash income in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash. The deferred nature of payments on PIK loans creates specific risks. Interest payments deferred on a PIK loan are subject to the risk that the borrower may default when the deferred payments are due in cash at the maturity of the loan. Since the payment of PIK income does not result in cash payments to us, we may also have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations (and thus hold higher cash or cash equivalent balances, which could reduce returns) to pay our expenses or make distributions to stockholders in the ordinary course of business, even if such loans do not default. An election to defer PIK interest payments by adding them to principal increases our gross assets and, thus, increases future base management fees to GECM and, because interest payments will then be payable on a larger principal amount, the PIK election also increases GECM’s future Income Incentive Fees at a compounding rate. The deferral of interest on a PIK loan increases its loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan. More generally, market prices of OID instruments are more volatile because they are impacted to a greater extent by interest rate changes than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash. Ordinarily, OID would also create the risk of non-refundable cash payments to GECM based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized; however, this risk is mitigated since the Investment Management Agreement requires GECM to defer any incentive fees on Accrued Unpaid Income (as defined below), the effect of which is that Income Incentive Fees otherwise payable with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income become payable only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received by us or our consolidated subsidiaries in respect thereof. Additionally, we may be required to make distributions of non-cash income to stockholders without receiving any cash so as to satisfy certain requirements necessary to maintain our RIC status for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such required cash distributions may have to be paid from the sale of our assets without investors being given any notice of this fact. The required recognition of non-cash income, including PIK and OID interest, for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity because it represents a non-cash component of our taxable income that must, nevertheless, be distributed to investors to avoid us being subject to corporate level taxation. We may choose to pay distributions in our own stock, in which case stockholders may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash they receive. We may distribute a portion of our taxable distributions in the form of shares of our stock. In accordance with certain applicable U.S. Treasury regulations and other related administrative pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a RIC may be eligible to treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its RIC distribution requirements if each stockholder is permitted to elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC, subject to the satisfaction of certain guidelines. If too many stockholders elect to receive cash, each stockholder electing to receive cash must receive a pro rata amount of cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). If these and certain other requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the distribution paid in stock generally will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of the distribution as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of their share of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to tax with respect to such distributions in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a distribution in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the distribution, 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 distributions, including in respect of all or a portion of such distribution 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 distributions, such sales may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock. We may expose our self to risks if we engage in hedging transactions. If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose our self to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions increase. It may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is generally anticipated because we may not be able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under the Code. No assurance can be given that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet certain annual distribution, source of income 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 income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because we may use debt financing, we may be subject to asset coverage ratio requirements under the Investment Company Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to make the required distributions, 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 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 asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet the asset diversification requirements could result in us having to dispose of investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. Further, the illiquidity of our investments may make them difficult or impossible to dispose of in a timely manner. If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and become subject to corporate U.S. federal 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 and the value of our shares of common stock. We cannot predict how tax reform legislation will affect us, our investments, or our stockholders, and any such legislation could adversely affect our business. Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could have a negative effect on us. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. Recent legislation has made many changes to the Code, including significant changes to the taxation of business entities, the deductibility of interest expense, and the tax treatment of capital investment. We cannot predict with certainty how any changes in the tax laws might affect us, our stockholders, or our portfolio investments. New legislation and any U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions interpreting such legislation could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to us and our stockholders of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. Investors are urged to consult with their tax adviser regarding tax legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our securities. The incentive fee structure and the formula for calculating the management fee may incentivize GECM to pursue speculative investments, advise us to use leverage when it may be unwise to do so, or advise us to refrain from reducing debt levels when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so. The incentive fee payable by us to GECM creates an incentive for GECM to pursue investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. The incentive fee payable to GECM is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. In addition, GECM’s base management fee is calculated on the basis of our gross assets, including assets acquired through the use of leverage. This may encourage GECM to use leverage to increase the aggregate amount of and the return on our investments, even when it may not be appropriate to do so, and to refrain from reducing debt levels when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so. The use of leverage increases our likelihood of default, which would impair the value of our securities. In addition, GECM will receive the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike that portion of the incentive fee based on income, there will be no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, GECM may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in us investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns. We may invest in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and we will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to GECM with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our stockholders will bear its share of the management and incentive fee payable to GECM, as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which we invest. In addition, if we purchase our debt instruments and such purchase results in our recording a net gain on the extinguishment of debt for financial reporting and tax purposes, such net gain will be included in our pre-incentive fee net investment income for purposes of determining the Income Incentive Fee payable to GECM under the Investment Management Agreement. Finally, the incentive fee payable by us to GECM also may create an incentive for GECM to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature, such as investments with PIK provisions. Under these investments, we would accrue the interest over the life of the investment but would typically not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term or upon the investment being called by the issuer. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our incentive fee, however, includes accrued interest. The portion of the incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest, such as PIK, will not be paid to GECM until we receive such interest in cash. Even though such portion of the incentive fee will be paid only when the accrued income is collected, the accrued income is capitalized and included in the calculation of the base management fee. | | | | | | | | |
Risks Relating to Indebtedness [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk [Text Block] | | Risks Relating to Indebtedness We may borrow additional money, which would magnify the potential for loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us. We have existing indebtedness and may in the future borrow additional money, including borrowings under the Loan Agreement, each of which magnifies the potential for loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us. Our ability to service our existing and potential future debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The amount of leverage that we could employ at any particular time will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. Holders of such debt securities would have fixed dollar claims on our consolidated assets that would be superior to the claims of our common stockholders or any preferred stockholders. If the value of our consolidated assets decreases while we have debt outstanding, leveraging would cause our NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our consolidated income while we have debt outstanding would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock distributions. We cannot assure you that our leveraging strategy will be successful. Illustration . The following tables illustrate the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The first table assumes the actual amount of senior securities outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The second table assumes the maximum amount of senior securities outstanding as permitted under our asset coverage ratio of 150%. The calculations in the tables below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below. Table 1 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.46)% (9.46)% (4.46)% 0.54% 5.54% (1) Assumes $225.0 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $155.9 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.46%. Table 2 Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (10.0)% (5.0)% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% Corresponding net return to common stockholder (14.57)% (9.57)% (4.57)% 0.43% 5.43% (1) Assumes $238.6 million in total portfolio assets, excluding short term investments, $169.6 million in senior securities outstanding, $84.8 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.43%. 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, 2022 total portfolio assets of at least 4.57%. Incurring additional indebtedness could increase the risk in investing in our Company. In 2018, our stockholders approved of the reduction of our required minimum asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150%, permitting us to incur additional leverage. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. As June 30, 2023, we had approximately $150.9 million of total outstanding indebtedness in the aggregate under the Loan Agreement and three series of senior securities (unsecured notes)—the GECCM Notes, the GECCN Notes and the GECCO Notes—and our asset coverage ratio was 161.5%. On May 5, 2021, we entered into the Loan Agreement, which provides for a senior secured revolving line of credit of up to $25 million (subject to a borrowing base). As of June 30, 2023, there were $5.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving line. We may request to increase the revolving line in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25 million, which increase is subject to the sole discretion of CNB. If we are unable to meet the financial obligations under any of the Loan Agreement or any series of our outstanding unsecured notes, the holders of such indebtedness would have a superior claim to our assets over our common stockholders, and the lender or noteholders may seek to recover against our assets in the event of a default by us. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions with respect to our common stock. Our ability to service any debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, as the base management fee payable to GECM, our investment advisor, is payable based on the average value of our total assets, including those assets acquired through the use of leverage, GECM will have a financial incentive to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests. In addition, our common stockholders bear the burden of any increase in our fees or expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management fee payable to GECM. If our asset coverage ratio falls below the required limit, we will not be able to incur additional debt until we are able to comply with the asset coverage ratio applicable to us. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions to stockholders. The actual amount of leverage that we employ will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. Incurring additional leverage may magnify our exposure to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including fluctuations in interest rates which could adversely affect our profitability. If we incur additional leverage, including through the offering of Notes hereby, general interest rate fluctuations may have a more significant negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations than they would have absent such additional incurrence, and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives and rate of return on investment capital. A portion of our income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which we invest. Because we may borrow money to make investments and may issue debt securities, preferred stock or other securities, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities, preferred stock or other securities and the rate at which we invest these borrowed funds. We expect that a majority of our investments in debt will continue to be at floating rates with a floor. As a result, significant increase in market interest rates could result in an increase in our non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of our portfolio because our floating-rate loan portfolio companies may be unable to meet higher payment obligations. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, resulting in a decrease in our net investment income. Incurring additional leverage will magnify the impact of an increase to our cost of funds. In addition, a decrease in interest rates may reduce net income, because new investments may be made at lower rates despite the increased demand for our capital that the decrease in interest rates may produce. To the extent our additional borrowings are in fixed-rate instruments, we may be required to invest in higher-yield securities in order to cover our interest expense and maintain our current level of return to stockholders, which may increase the risk of an investment in our securities. | | | | | | | | |
8.25% Notes due 2020 [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | | | | | | | | $ 33,646 |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | | | | | | | | $ 6,168 |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | | | | | | | | $ 1.02 |
6.50% Notes due 2022 ("GECCL Notes") [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | | | | | | | $ 32,631 | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | | | | | | | $ 5,010 | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | | | | | | | $ 1.02 | |
GECCL Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | | | | $ 30,293 | $ 32,631 | $ 32,631 | | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | | | | $ 1,671 | $ 1,701 | $ 2,393 | | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | | | | $ 0.89 | $ 1.01 | $ 1.01 | | |
GECCM Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | $ 45,610 | $ 45,610 | $ 45,610 | $ 45,610 | $ 46,398 | $ 46,398 | | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | $ 1,615 | $ 1,544 | $ 1,511 | $ 1,671 | $ 1,701 | $ 2,393 | | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | $ 0.98 | $ 0.99 | $ 1 | $ 0.84 | $ 1.01 | $ 0.98 | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | | | GECCM Notes | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] | | | 0 | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | | | 45,600,000 | | | | | | | |
GECCN Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | $ 42,823 | $ 42,823 | $ 42,823 | $ 42,823 | $ 45,000 | | | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | $ 1,615 | $ 1,544 | $ 1,511 | $ 1,671 | $ 1,701 | | | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | $ 0.99 | $ 1 | $ 1 | $ 0.84 | $ 1 | | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | | | GECCN Notes | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] | | | 0 | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | | | 42,800,000 | | | | | | | |
GECCO Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | $ 57,500 | $ 57,500 | $ 57,500 | | | | | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | $ 1,615 | $ 1,544 | $ 1,511 | | | | | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | $ 0.96 | $ 1 | $ 1.02 | | | | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | | | GECCO Notes | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] | | | 0 | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | | | 57,500,000 | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Amount | [1] | | $ 5,000 | $ 10,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | [2] | | $ 1,615 | $ 1,544 | | | | | | |
Senior Securities Average Market Value per Unit | [3] | | $ 0 | $ 0 | | | | | | |
Common Stock [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Stock [Table Text Block] | | Common Stock All of our common stock has equal rights as to earnings, assets, voting, and dividends and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our Board and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or redemption rights, generally have no appraisal rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. | | | | | | | | |
Security Title [Text Block] | | Common Stock | | | | | | | | |
Security Voting Rights [Text Block] | | Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. | | | | | | | | |
Security Liquidation Rights [Text Block] | | In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | | | Common Stock | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] | | | 100,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | | | 7,601,958 | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock [Member] | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Stock [Table Text Block] | | Preferred Stock Our Charter authorizes our Board to classify and reclassify any unissued common stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. The cost of any such reclassification would be indirectly borne by our existing stockholders. Under the terms of our Charter, our Board is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of preferred stock of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by our Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of our common stock is made, the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of such preferred stock, together with the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference or aggregate value of all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our gross assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, Certain matters under the Investment Company Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock, if any, would vote as a separate class from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. | | | | | | | | |
Security Title [Text Block] | | Preferred Stock | | | | | | | | |
Security Voting Rights [Text Block] | | Certain matters under the Investment Company Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock, if any, would vote as a separate class from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. | | | | | | | | |
Security Liquidation Rights [Text Block] | | immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of our common stock is made, the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of such preferred stock, together with the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference or aggregate value of all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our gross assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, | | | | | | | | |
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[1]Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented.[2]Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.[3] The average market value per unit for the notes, as applicable, is based on the average daily prices of such notes and is expressed per $1 of indebtedness. | |