other regulatory changes that result) could have a negative effect on the Company’s performance and, consequently, on the Company’s portfolio.
On January 20, 2021, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. became President of the United States, and the Democratic Party came into control of the U.S. Congress. In addition, uncertainty around future legislation could adversely affect the Company. The Biden administration has proposed certain tax and other legislative or regulatory reforms that, if adopted into law, will likely have an adverse effect on the alternative investment industry (and, therefore, the Company) and, potentially, the U.S. economy at large, but it remains uncertain to what extent such reforms will ultimately be adopted into law and, if adopted, what kind of impact such reforms will have on the industry. The uncertainty of future legislation could adversely impact the Company and its ability to achieve its investment objectives. Any significant changes in governmental policies, laws, rules, regulations, regulatory interpretations, enforcement activity levels or administrative agency procedures, including those relating to, among other things, economic policy (including with respect to interest rates, foreign trade and inflation), the regulation of the financial services industry in general and the asset management industry in particular, tax laws, immigration policy, public health policy, healthcare laws, infrastructure spending, consumer protection laws, environmental protection and/or climate change policies or regulations, unemployment benefit programs and/or other government entitlement programs could have a material adverse impact on the Company and its investments, and thereby returns to Shareholders.
The Biden administration has led to leadership changes at a number of U.S. federal regulatory agencies with oversight over the U.S. financial services industry. This poses uncertainty with respect to such agencies’ policy priorities and may lead to increased regulatory enforcement activity in the financial services industry. Leadership and policy changes could also affect various industries in which the Company and its investments operate, including technology, technology-enabled and growth industries. Such changes or reforms may impose additional costs and burdens on the companies in which the Company has invested or chooses to invest in the future, require the attention of senior management or result in limitations on the manner in which the companies in which the Company has invested or chooses to invest in the future conduct business.
In addition, under the direction of its Chairman, Gary Gensler, the SEC has indicated that it is considering adopting regulatory changes that, if adopted, will add to the Company’s already-significant compliance costs and burdens, including regulatory changes related to reporting, the private placement offering framework, disclosures regarding ESG matters and diversity, equity and inclusion matters, and reporting regarding proxy votes with respect to executive compensation matters. Moreover, several market commentators have noted that, under the leadership of its Chairman, the SEC is likely to apply a greater degree of regulatory scrutiny to, and engage in more enforcement activity against, the private equity industry. SEC actions and initiatives can have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results, including as a result of the imposition of any sanctions, limitations on the activities of the Company and its personnel, or changes to its historic practices.
There can be no assurance that the Company, the Advisor or their respective affiliates will be able, for financial reasons or otherwise, to comply with future laws and regulations, and any regulations that restrict the ability of the Company to implement its investment strategy could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s portfolio. To the extent that the Company or its investments are or may become subject to regulation by various agencies in the United States or non-U.S. jurisdictions, the costs of compliance are expected to be borne by the Company.
The SEC and other various U.S. federal, state and local agencies may conduct examinations and inquiries into, and bring enforcement and other proceedings against, the Company, the Advisor or their respective affiliates. The Company, the Advisor or their respective affiliates may receive requests for information or subpoenas from the SEC and other state, federal and non U.S. regulators from time to time in connection with such inquiries and proceedings and otherwise in the ordinary course of business. These requests may relate to a broad range of matters, including specific practices of the Company, the Advisor, the securities in which the Advisor invests on behalf of the Company and/or clients, or industry wide practices. Certain costs of any such increased reporting,
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