UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check appropriate box:
x | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12 |
BLACKROCK CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
(5) | Total fee paid: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
(3) | Filing Party: |
(4) | Date Filed: |
PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
BLACKROCK CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
40 EAST 52ND STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2016
Notice is hereby given to the owners of shares of common stock (the Stockholders) of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (the Company, we, our or us), that:
The 2016 Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the Special Meeting) will be held on the 4th floor of 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York, on May 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time). The Special Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
1. | To approve a proposal to authorize flexibility for the Company, with approval of the Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company, to sell or otherwise issue shares of its common stock (during the next 12 months) at a price below the Companys then current net asset value per share in one or more offerings, subject to certain limitations set forth in the proxy statement for the Special Meeting (including that the cumulative number of shares sold pursuant to such authority does not exceed 25% of the Companys then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale); and |
2. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments, postponements or delays thereof. |
THE BOARD, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL.
We encourage you to contact the Company at 212-810-5800 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (New York City time) if you have any questions.
The Board of the Company has fixed the close of business on March 7, 2016 as the record date for the determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the Special Meeting, we urge you to mark, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, or register your vote by telephone or through the Internet, so you will be represented at the Special Meeting. Instructions are shown on the proxy card. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve or ratify the foregoing proposal at the time of the Special Meeting, the Special Meeting may be adjourned, postponed or delayed in order to permit further solicitation of the proxies by the Company.
By order of the Board of the Company
|
Laurence D. Paredes, Secretary of the Company |
New York, New York
March , 2016
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON OR BY PROXY. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE, OR REGISTER YOUR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET. IF YOU ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO AND YOUR VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING WILL REVOKE ANY PROXY YOU MAY HAVE SUBMITTED. YOUR VOTE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. NO MATTER HOW MANY OR HOW FEW SHARES YOU OWN, PLEASE SEND IN YOUR PROXY CARD, VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE, OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET, TODAY.
PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
BLACKROCK CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2016
This document will give you the information you need to vote on the matter listed on the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders (the Notice of Special Meeting). Much of the information in this proxy statement (this Proxy Statement) is required under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); some of it is technical. If there is anything you do not understand, please contact us at 212-810-5800.
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the Board, each member of which is referred to as a Director) of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (the Company, we, our or us), of proxies to be voted at the Special Meeting (the Special Meeting) of owners of shares of common stock (the Stockholders) of the Company and, if the 2016 Special Meeting is adjourned, postponed or delayed, at any later meetings, for the purposes stated in the Notice of Special Meeting. The Special Meeting will be held on the 4th floor of 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York, on May 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time). This Proxy Statement, the Notice of Special Meeting and the enclosed proxy card are first being sent to Stockholders on or about March , 2016.
* | WHY IS A STOCKHOLDER MEETING BEING HELD? |
To address a proposal (the Proposal) that requires Stockholder approval.
* | WHAT PROPOSAL WILL BE VOTED ON? |
Stockholders are being asked to authorize flexibility for the Company, with approval of the Board of the Company, to sell or otherwise issue shares of its common stock (during the next 12 months) at a price below the Companys then current net asset value per share in one or more offerings, subject to certain limitations set forth herein (including that the cumulative number of shares sold pursuant to such authority does not exceed 25% of the Companys then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale).
* | WILL MY VOTE MAKE A DIFFERENCE? |
YES! Your vote is important to the governance of the Company, no matter how many shares you own.
* | WHO IS ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE? |
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board for use at the Special Meeting to be held on May 6, 2016, and, if the Special Meeting is adjourned, postponed or delayed, at any later meetings, for the purposes stated in the Notice of Special Meeting (see previous page).
* | HOW DOES THE COMPANYS BOARD RECOMMEND THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL? |
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the Proposal.
* | WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? |
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2016 are entitled to be present and to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments, postponements or delays thereof. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Shares represented by duly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If
you sign the proxy, but do not fill in a vote, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Boards recommendation. If any other business is brought before the Special Meeting, your shares will be voted by the proxyholders at their discretion according to the Boards recommendation.
* | WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD AND A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES? |
Stockholders of record own shares that are registered directly in their name with the Companys transfer agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. The Notice of Special Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card are being sent directly to Stockholders of record by the Company. Stockholders of record have the right to vote in person at the Special Meeting or to grant a voting proxy directly to anyone to vote in their place.
Beneficial owners of shares own shares that are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee. The Notice of Special Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card are being forwarded to beneficial owners by their respective broker, bank or other nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the Stockholder of record. A beneficial owner has the right to direct its broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote and is also invited to attend the Special Meeting. A beneficial owner may vote shares by voting in accordance with the Notice of Special Meeting, by returning a proxy card to the Company or by making an arrangement with its broker, bank or other nominee concerning how such broker, bank or other nominee should vote its shares. A beneficial owner may also vote its shares in person at the Special Meeting, if the beneficial owner brings a brokerage statement reflecting its stock ownership as of March 7, 2016, the record date.
* | HOW DO I VOTE BY PROXY? |
Stockholders of record may authorize a proxy to vote on their behalf by mail, as described on the enclosed proxy card. Authorizing a proxy will not limit a Stockholders right to vote in person at the Special Meeting. A properly completed and submitted proxy timely received by the Company before the Special Meeting will be voted in accordance with the Stockholders instructions, unless those instructions are subsequently revoked. If the Stockholder authorizes a proxy without indicating voting instructions, the proxyholders will vote the Stockholders shares at their discretion according to the Boards recommendations. Stockholders of record may also vote either via the Internet or by telephone. The enclosed proxy card includes specific instructions to be followed by Stockholders of record interested in voting via the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate a Stockholders identity and to allow Stockholders to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Stockholders that vote via the Internet should understand that there may be costs associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies, which will be borne by the Stockholder.
* | HOW DO I VOTE IF MY SHARES ARE HELD THROUGH A BROKER? |
Stockholders who hold shares of common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee must follow the voting instructions provided by the broker, bank or nominee, whichever is the record holder. If a Stockholder holds shares of common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee and the Stockholder wishes to vote in person at the Special Meeting, the Stockholder must obtain a legal proxy from the record holder of the Stockholders shares and present the proxy at the Special Meeting. If the Stockholder does not vote in person at the Special Meeting or does not submit voting instructions to its broker, bank or nominee, the broker, bank or other nominee will not be permitted to vote the Stockholders shares on non-routine proposals. The Proposal is considered a non-routine proposal. For non-routine proposals, a broker, bank or other nominee that holds shares in street name on behalf of a Stockholder must receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares in order for the shares to be voted at the Special Meeting. Broker non-votes represent those shares held in street name for which the beneficial Stockholder has not provided voting instructions. If there are broker non-votes at the Special Meeting, they will be treated as present at the Special Meeting for quorum purposes but will not be voted at the Special Meeting. Broker non-votes, if any, would have the effect of a vote Against the Proposal. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker, bank or other nominee cannot vote its shares for the Proposal. However, if the beneficial owner authorizes a proxy or properly executes any materials
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prepared by the broker, bank or other nominee without indicating voting instructions, the broker, bank or other nominee will have the discretion to vote its shares according to the Boards recommendations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not expect many, if any, broker non-votes at the Special Meeting because there are no routine proposals to be voted on at the Special Meeting.
* | CAN I REVOKE MY PROXY OR CHANGE MY VOTE? |
The Stockholder of record can revoke a proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Special Meeting by (1) delivering a written revocation notice prior to the Special Meeting to BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022; (2) submitting a later-dated proxy card, a later-dated electronic vote via the website stated on the proxy card, or a later-dated vote using the toll-free telephone number stated on the proxy card; or (3) voting in person at the Special Meeting. If the Stockholder holds shares of common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee, the Stockholder must follow the instructions received from the broker, bank or other nominee in order to revoke the voting instructions. Attending the Special Meeting does not revoke a proxy unless the Stockholder also votes in person at the Special Meeting.
* | WHO IS PAYING FOR THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES? |
The Company will bear the expense of the solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting, including the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and posting to the Internet the Notice of Special Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to Stockholders. The Company intends to use the services of Georgeson Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The Company expects to pay market rates for such services, with an estimated fee of $6,500 plus expenses.
Proxies may also be solicited in person and/or by telephone, mail, facsimile transmission or email by the Directors or our officers and/or certain employees of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, the Companys investment advisor (the Advisor), or its affiliates. No additional compensation will be paid to the Directors, officers or regular employees for such services.
* | WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL? |
Approval of the Proposal may be obtained in either of two ways. First, the Proposal will be approved if we obtain the affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting; and (2) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are not held by affiliated persons of the Company, which includes the Directors, officers, employees and 5% Stockholders. For purposes of the Proposal, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) defines a majority of the outstanding shares as: (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company are present or represented by proxy; or (2) 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, whichever is the less. Second, the Proposal also will be approved if we receive approval from a majority of the number of beneficial holders of our common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, without regard to whether a majority of such shares are voted in favor of the Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the Proposal.
* | HOW ARE VOTES COUNTED? |
Stockholders may vote For, Against, or Abstain. A vote for Abstain with respect to the Proposal will not be voted in favor of or against the Proposal, but will be treated as present and will have the effect of a vote Against the Proposal. If a Stockholder holds shares in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee, the Stockholders broker, bank or other nominee will not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to the Proposal. Therefore, if a Stockholder holds shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and the Stockholder does not return voting instruction materials sent to them by their broker, bank or nominee, their shares will not be treated as present for purposes of establishing quorum. However, if a Stockholder authorizes a proxy or properly executes any materials prepared by the broker, bank or other nominee without indicating voting instructions, the broker, bank or other nominee will vote the Stockholders shares according to the Boards recommendations.
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Similarly, if a Stockholder holds shares in its own name (i.e., not through a bank, broker or nominee) and signs and returns a proxy card with no further instructions, the Stockholders shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board with respect to the Proposal. The proxyholders will vote in accordance with their discretion with regard to any other matter that properly comes before the Special Meeting.
If there appears not to be enough votes to approve the Proposal at the Special Meeting, the Chairman of the Special Meeting or a majority of the Stockholders who are represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting may vote to adjourn the Special Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies. The persons named as proxies will vote proxies held by them for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against the proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit the further solicitation of proxies.
* | HOW MANY SHARES OF THE COMPANY WERE OUTSTANDING AS OF THE RECORD DATE? |
The Company had 72,857,414 shares of common stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
* | WHAT IS A QUORUM FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPOSAL BEING VOTED ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING? |
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and present in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the Proposal; provided, however, that if there is no contest for the election of Directors, and a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting are not present in person or by proxy, the holders of one-third of such shares shall constitute a quorum to the extent permitted by applicable law. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve the Proposal at the time of the Special Meeting, the Special Meeting may be adjourned, postponed or delayed in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by the Company.
THE PROPOSAL
TO AUTHORIZE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE COMPANY, WITH APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY, TO SELL OR OTHERWISE ISSUE SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK (DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS) AT A PRICE BELOW THE COMPANYS THEN CURRENT NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE IN ONE OR MORE OFFERINGS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN (INCLUDING THAT THE CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF SHARES SOLD PURSUANT TO SUCH AUTHORITY DOES NOT EXCEED 25% OF THE COMPANYS THEN OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO EACH SUCH SALE).
The Company is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (a BDC) under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Company from selling shares of its common stock at a price below the current net asset value per share of such stock or NAV, unless its Stockholders authorize such a sale and the Board makes certain determinations.
The Company seeks the approval of its Stockholders so that it may, in one or more public or private offerings, sell or otherwise issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then current NAV, subject to certain additional conditions discussed below. If approved, the authorization by Stockholders would include a limitation as to the number of shares of common stock the Company may issue below NAV. If approved, the authorization would be effective for a twelve month period expiring on the anniversary of the date of Stockholder approval. Upon obtaining the requisite Stockholder approval, the Company will comply with the conditions described below in connection with any financing undertaking pursuant to this proposal. See below for a discussion of the risks of dilution.
Reasons to Offer Common Stock at a Price Below NAV. Over the past several years, capital markets have experienced periods of disruption evidenced by a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, write-offs in the
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financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk, the failure of certain major financial institutions and general concerns about the state of the U.S. economy. Many investors sold assets because they had to repay debt and/or meet equity redemption requirements, which created an environment of forced selling. These sales created a negative pressure on valuations that led to unprecedented declines in prices in the corporate debt markets. The effect of all of these factors was an increase in realized and unrealized losses on debt and equity investments of many finance companies. While market conditions have improved, there can be no assurance that adverse market conditions will not repeat themselves or worsen in the future. If these adverse conditions return, the Company and other companies in the financial services sector may not have access to sufficient debt and equity capital to take advantage of favorable investment opportunities. Capital may not be available to the Company on favorable terms, or at all, in light of the inherent uncertainty and volatility of the financial markets.
The current economic environment gives companies that have access to capital a significant advantage. The Company believes that current market conditions have created opportunities to invest in assets at prices that are at discounts to their economic or intrinsic fair value. For firms that continue to have access to capital, the current environment may provide investment opportunities on more favorable terms than have been available in recent periods, including more reasonable pricing of risk and more advantageous contractual provisions. To capitalize on these investment opportunities as they arise, the Company needs to be able to maintain consistent access to capital.
Stockholder approval of the Proposal will provide the Company with flexibility. In addition to using a portion of net proceeds from an offering of the Companys shares at a price below NAV to make investments in accordance with the Companys investment objective, the Company may use a portion of the net proceeds from any such offering to repay outstanding borrowings.
Many BDCs have sought and received authorization from their stockholders to sell shares of common stock at prices below NAV for many of the same reasons discussed above. Several of those BDCs have over time completed offerings of common stock at prices per share below their respective NAV. If the Company issues additional shares, the Companys market capitalization and the amount of publicly tradable common stock will increase, which may afford all holders of our common stock greater liquidity. A larger market capitalization may make the Companys stock more attractive to a larger number of investors who have limitations on the size of companies in which they invest. Furthermore, a larger number of shares outstanding may increase trading volume, which could decrease the volatility in the price of the Companys common stock in the secondary market.
As a BDC and a regulated investment company (a RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Company depends on its ability to raise capital through the issuance of its common stock. RICs generally must distribute substantially all of their earnings to stockholders as dividends in order to achieve favorable tax treatment, which prevents the Company from using those earnings to support new investments (including investments into existing portfolio companies). Further, BDCs must maintain an asset coverage ratio (the ratio of total assets less total liabilities other than indebtedness to total indebtedness) of not less than 200% in order to incur debt or to issue other senior securities, meaning generally that for every dollar of debt incurred or senior securities issued, the Company must have at least two dollars of assets immediately following issuance. The Companys credit facility also requires that the Company maintain an asset coverage ratio of not less than 200%.
To the extent that the Company is unable to raise capital through the issuance of equity, its ability to raise capital through the issuance of debt or senior securities may be inhibited by the 200% asset coverage ratio requirement. Failure to maintain an asset coverage ratio of not less than 200% could have severe negative consequences for a BDC, including the inability to pay dividends, breaching debt covenants and failure to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Although the Company does not currently expect that its asset coverage ratio will fall below 200%, the markets in which it operates and the general economy remain volatile and uncertain. Volatility in the capital markets could result in negative pressure on debt investment valuations, potentially impacting the Companys asset valuations, Stockholder equity and the Companys asset coverage ratio. In addition, the debt capital that will be available, if at all, to the Company may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future.
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The following table lists the high and low closing sales price as quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol BKCC for the Companys common stock and the closing sales price as a percentage of NAV for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
Closing Sales Price | Premium/ (Discount) of High Sales Price as a Percentage of NAV(2) |
Premium/ (Discount) of Low Sales Price as a Percentage of NAV(2) |
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NAV(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||||
Year Ending December 31, 2014 |
||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 9.59 | $ | 9.64 | $ | 9.11 | 1 | % | (5 | )% | ||||||||||
Second Quarter |
$ | 9.79 | $ | 9.29 | $ | 8.39 | (5 | )% | (14 | )% | ||||||||||
Third Quarter |
$ | 9.97 | $ | 9.35 | $ | 8.54 | (6 | )% | (14 | )% | ||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
$ | 10.49 | $ | 8.99 | $ | 8.00 | (14 | )% | (24 | )% | ||||||||||
Year Ending December 31, 2015 |
||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 10.58 | $ | 9.35 | $ | 8.02 | (12 | )% | (24 | )% | ||||||||||
Second Quarter |
$ | 10.56 | $ | 9.76 | $ | 9.07 | (8 | )% | (14 | )% | ||||||||||
Third Quarter |
$ | 10.66 | $ | 9.51 | $ | 8.35 | (11 | )% | (22 | )% | ||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
$ | 10.17 | $ | 10.15 | $ | 8.91 | 0 | % | (12 | )% | ||||||||||
Year Ending December 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter (through March , 2016) |
$ | * | $ | $ | * | % | * | % |
(1) | NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period. |
(2) | Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by NAV. |
* | Net asset value has not yet been calculated for this period. |
Shares of the Companys common stock have traded at a price both above and below their NAV since they began trading on NASDAQ. It is not possible to predict whether the Companys common stock will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. The disruption and instability in the global capital markets and uncertainty surrounding the global economy has led to significant stock market volatility, particularly with respect to the stock of financial services companies. During times of increased price volatility, the Companys common stock may trade at a price equal to, above or below its NAV, which is not uncommon for BDCs such as the Company. As noted above, however, the recent market disruption and related regulatory changes have created, and we believe will continue to create for the foreseeable future, favorable opportunities to invest, including opportunities that, all else being equal, may increase NAV over the longer-term, even if financed with the issuance of common stock at a price below NAV. Stockholder approval of the Proposal is expected to provide the Company with the flexibility to invest in such opportunities and to repay outstanding borrowings.
The Board believes it is in the best interests of Stockholders to allow the Company flexibility to issue its common stock at a price below NAV in certain instances. The Companys ability to grow over time and to continue to pay dividends to Stockholders could be adversely affected if the Company were unable to access the capital markets as attractive investment opportunities arise. Inability to access the capital markets could also have the effect of forcing the Company to sell assets that the Company would not otherwise sell and at disadvantageous times.
While the Company has never completed an offering of its common stock at a price per share below NAV, and the Company has no immediate plans to sell any shares of its common stock at a price below NAV (other than through its dividend reinvestment plan), it is seeking Stockholder approval now in order to provide flexibility for future sales, which typically must be undertaken quickly. The final terms of any sale below NAV will be determined by the Board at the time of sale. Also, because the Company has no immediate plans to sell
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any shares of its common stock at a price below NAV (other than through its dividend reinvestment plan), it is impracticable to describe the transaction or transactions in which shares of common stock would be sold. Instead, any offering where the Company sells shares of common stock, including the nature and amount of consideration that would be received by the Company at the time of sale and the use of any such consideration, will be reviewed and approved by the Board at the time of sale. If the Proposal is approved, no further authorization from the Stockholders will be solicited prior to any such sale in accordance with the terms of the Proposal.
Conditions to Sales Below NAV. If Stockholders approve the Proposal, the Company will be permitted to sell shares of its common stock at a price below NAV per share only if the following conditions are met:
(1) a majority of the Companys Independent Directors who have no financial interest in the sale have determined that such sale would be in the best interests of the Company and Stockholders;
(2) a majority of the Companys Independent Directors, in consultation with the underwriter or underwriters of the offering if it is to be underwritten, have determined in good faith, and as of a time immediately prior to the first solicitation by or on behalf of the Company of firm commitments to purchase such securities or immediately prior to the issuance of such securities, that the price at which such securities are to be sold is not less than a price which closely approximates the market value of those securities, less any underwriting commission or discount; and
(3) the number of shares sold pursuant to such authority does not exceed 25% of the Companys then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale.
Shares issued below NAV pursuant to the Companys dividend reinvestment plan will not count towards the foregoing 25% limitation because shares issued below NAV pursuant to the Companys dividend reinvestment plan do not rely on the authority sought pursuant to this proposal.
Key Stockholder Considerations. Before voting on the Proposal or giving proxies with regard to this matter, Stockholders should consider the potentially dilutive effect on the NAV per outstanding share of common stock of the issuance of shares of the Companys common stock at a price less than NAV per share. Any sale of common stock at a price below NAV would result in an immediate dilution to existing Stockholders. This dilution would include reduction in the NAV per share of outstanding shares of common stock as a result of the issuance of shares of common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share and a proportionately greater decrease in a Stockholders interest in the earnings and assets of the Company and voting interest in the Company. The Board will consider the potential dilutive effect when considering whether to authorize any such issuance. Shares of common stock sold at prices below then current NAV upon exercise or conversion of any warrants or other securities that may be issued under authority previously approved by Stockholders in accordance with Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act will not be taken into account in determining whether the 25% limitation described above in this Proposal has been reached.
When stock is sold at a sale price below NAV per share, the resulting increase in the number of outstanding shares is not accompanied by a proportionate increase in the net assets of the issuer. Stockholders should also consider that they will have no subscription, preferential or preemptive rights to additional shares of the common stock proposed to be authorized for issuance, and thus any future issuance of common stock at a price below NAV will dilute a Stockholders holdings of common stock as a percentage of shares outstanding to the extent the Stockholder does not purchase sufficient shares in the offering or otherwise to maintain the Stockholders percentage interest. Further, if the Stockholder does not purchase any shares to maintain the Stockholders percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is at a price above or below the then current NAV, the Stockholders voting power will be diluted.
As discussed above, the maximum number of shares issuable below NAV that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of the Companys then outstanding common stock.
Examples of Dilutive Effect of the Issuance of Shares Below Net Asset Value. The following table illustrates the level of NAV dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different
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hypothetical common stock offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.
The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $15,000,000 in total assets and $5,000,000 in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $10,000,000 and $10.00. The table illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Stockholder A of (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after offering expenses and commission (a 5% discount from NAV); (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10% discount from NAV); and (3) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $7.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 25% discount from NAV).
Prior to Sale Below NAV |
Example 1 5% Offering at 5% Discount |
Example 2 10% Offering at 10% Discount |
Example 3 25% Offering at 25% Discount |
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Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Offering Price |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Price per Share to Public |
| $ | 10.00 | | $ | 9.47 | | $ | 7.89 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer |
| $ | 9.50 | | $ | 9.00 | | $ | 7.50 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Decrease to NAV |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Shares Outstanding |
1,000,000 | 1,050,000 | 5.00 | % | 1,100,000 | 10.00 | % | 1,250,000 | 25.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
NAV per Share |
$ | 10.00 | $ | 9.98 | (0.20 | )% | $ | 9.91 | (0.90 | )% | $ | 9.50 | (5.00 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Dilution to Stockholder |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Held by Stockholder A |
10,000 | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Held by Stockholder A |
1.0 | % | 0.95 | % | (4.76 | )% | 0.91 | % | (9.09 | )% | 0.80 | % | (20.00 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Total Asset Values |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total NAV Held by Stockholder A |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 99,800 | (0.20 | )% | $ | 99,100 | (0.90 | )% | 95,000 | (5.00 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total Investment by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $10.00 per Share) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | |||||||||||||||||
Total Dilution to Stockholder A (Total NAV Less Total Investment) |
| $ | (200 | ) | | $ | (900 | ) | | $ | (5,000 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
Per Share Amounts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NAV per Share Held by Stockholder A |
| $ | 9.98 | | $ | 9.91 | | $ | 9.50 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment per Share Held by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $10.00 per Share on Shares Held Prior to Sale) |
$ | 10.00 | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | |||||||||||||||||
Dilution per Share Held by Stockholder A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share) |
| $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | (0.50 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
Percentage Dilution to Stockholder A (Dilution per Share Divided by Investment per Share) |
| | (0.20 | )% | | (0.90 | )% | | (5.00 | )% |
8
Required Vote. Approval of the Proposal may be obtained in either of two ways. First, the Proposal will be approved if we obtain the affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting; and (2) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are not held by affiliated persons of the Company, which includes Directors, officers, employees, and 5% Stockholders. For purposes of the Proposal, the 1940 Act defines a majority of the outstanding shares as: (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company are present or represented by proxy; or (2) 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, whichever is the less. Second, the Proposal also will be approved if we receive approval from a majority of the number of beneficial holders of our common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, without regard to whether a majority of such shares are voted in favor of the Proposal. Abstentions will be treated as present at the Special Meeting for quorum purposes and will have the effect of a vote against the Proposal. If there are broker non-votes at the Special Meeting, they would be treated as present at the Special Meeting for quorum purposes but not entitled to vote with respect to the Proposal and would have the effect of a vote Against the Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE COMPANY, WITH APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY, TO SELL OR OTHERWISE ISSUE SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK AT A PRICE BELOW THE COMPANYS THEN CURRENT NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE IN ONE OR MORE OFFERINGS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE SPECIAL MEETING
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition, certain officers, Directors and employees of each of the Company and the Advisor (none of whom will receive additional compensation therefor) may solicit proxies in person and/or by telephone, mail, facsimile transmission or email.
The Company intends to use the services of Georgeson Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies and expects to pay market rates for such services, with an estimated fee of approximately $6,500 plus expenses. As the Special Meeting approaches, certain Stockholders may receive a telephone call from a representative of Georgeson Inc. if the Stockholders votes have not yet been received.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as shares present at the Special Meeting but not as votes cast and will have the same effect as votes against the Proposal.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Special Meeting will be voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon or otherwise as provided therein. Stockholders may revoke their proxies at any time prior to the time they are voted by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by delivering subsequently dated proxies or by attending and voting at the Special Meeting.
The Board of the Company has fixed the close of business on March 7, 2016 as the record date for the determination of Stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. Stockholders of the Company on that date will be entitled to one vote for each share held and a fractional vote with respect to each fractional share held with no cumulative voting rights, on each matter to be voted on at the Special Meeting or any adjournments, postponements or delays thereof. The Company had 72,857,414 shares of common stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date.
9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Executive officers of the Company:
Name |
Position | |
Steven Sterling |
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Managing Director of an affiliate of the Advisor | |
Donna Milia |
Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Managing Director of the Advisor | |
Charles C.S. Park |
Chief Compliance Officer of the Company and Managing Director of BlackRock |
The term of office of the Companys executive officers is indefinite.
Name, Address |
Positions Held and Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years | |
Steven Sterling 1963 | Mr. Sterling is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Managing Director of an affiliate of the Advisor and Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) and Head of BlackRock Global Capital Markets. | |
Prior to joining BlackRock in 2010, Mr. Sterling was a Managing Director at the Carlyle Group, where he was responsible for the US credit business and managed credit portfolios for Carlyle, including its credit hedge fund. From 2006 to 2008, he was a Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns and was responsible for managing the High Yield Capital Markets Group. Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Mr. Sterling was with Lehman Brothers and was Managing Director responsible for managing leverage loan capital markets, sales, trading and portfolio management. | ||
Previously, he was with Bank of America where he held various positions within leverage finance and loan syndication (including direct middle market lending). Mr. Sterling earned a BS degree in finance from California State University, Sacramento in 1985 and an MBA degree in strategic management and finance from Claremont Graduate School in 1991. | ||
Donna Milia 1974 | Ms. Milia is the Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company. Ms. Milia has worked with the Company since its inception in 2005. In connection with the acquisition of certain assets of BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC, the Companys former investment advisor (the Former Advisor), by the Advisor in March 2015 (the Transaction), Ms. Milia became a Managing Director at the Advisor. Prior to the Transaction, Ms. Milia served as a Managing Director of Finance at the Former Advisor, where she was primarily responsible for the Former Advisors Finance, Tax and Accounting Group, as well as providing substantial finance, tax and accounting support for the Company since 2005. From 1999 to 2005, Ms. Milia served as Assistant Controller for The Millburn Corporation, an affiliate of quantitative investment manager Millburn Ridgefield Corporation. Prior to that, she was a Senior Accountant with Grant Thornton from 1996 to 1999. Ms. Milia earned her B.S. in Accounting from Lehigh University. She is a Certified Public Accountant. |
10
Charles C.S. Park 1967 | Charles C.S. Park is Chief Compliance Officer of the Company. Mr. Park is the Chief Compliance Officer to BlackRocks U.S. Mutual Funds (since 2014), Closed-End Funds (since 2014), and iShares Exchange-Traded Funds (since 2006) (the Funds) and the Funds registered investment advisers, the Advisor and BlackRock Fund Advisors. Mr. Park became a Managing Director of BlackRock following the merger of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) with BlackRock in 2009 (the Merger). Prior to the Merger, from 2006, he served as Chief Compliance Officer to BGIs Mutual Funds and iShares Exchange-Traded Funds and their registered investment adviser, Barclays Global Fund Advisors. Prior to joining BGI, Mr. Park was employed by American Century Investments where he served as Chief Compliance Officer from 2004 to 2006 and as Counsel from 1995 to 2004. Mr. Park has a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
(1) | Unless otherwise specified, the business address of the Directors and officers of the Company is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022, and the business address of the Advisor and officers of the Advisor is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Our investment activities are managed by the Advisor. The Advisor is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock. BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2015, BlackRocks assets under management were $4.645 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2015, the firm had approximately 13,000 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa.
The Advisor is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research on prospective investments, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments, and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The business group of the Advisor responsible for advising the Company is led by Steven Sterling, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Managing Director of an affiliate of the Advisor and BlackRock. Mr. Sterling has built a global team focused on sourcing and originating corporate debt and equity investments on behalf of BlackRocks portfolio management teams and managing BlackRocks investment activity in the new issue market. Mr. Sterling has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio and the investment professionals providing services to the Company. He is supported by a team of 14 dedicated investment professionals, who have extensive experience in commercial lending, investment banking, accounting, corporate law and private equity investing. Our Advisor is responsible for identifying prospective customers, conducting research on prospective investments, identifying and underwriting credit risk, and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ADVISOR
The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited liability company. The Advisor is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Advisor is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary subsidiary of BlackRock.
11
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
The Company has entered into an administration agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the Administrator), a subsidiary of BlackRock, under which the Administrator provides administrative services to the Company. The Company reimburses the Administrator for the Companys allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and the Companys allocable portion of the cost of certain of its officers and their respective staffs.
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES
The principal executive office of the Company is located at 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022. The principal executive office of each of the Advisor and the Administrator is located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, at March 9, 2016, information with respect to the ownership of our common stock by each beneficial owner who, insofar as is known to us, owned more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, each Director, our chief executive officer, each of our other executive officers and our Directors and executive officers as a group. Percentage of common stock is based on 72,857,414 shares of common stock outstanding at March 9, 2016. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole voting and investment power.
Name and address |
Type of ownership | Shares owned |
Percentage of common stock currently outstanding |
|||||||
Steven Sterling |
Record | 21,487 | * | % | ||||||
John R. Baron |
Record | 10,000 | * | % | ||||||
Brian D. Finn |
Record and Beneficial | 50,000 | * | % | ||||||
Jerrold B. Harris |
Beneficial | 129,213 | * | % | ||||||
James R. Maher(1)(2) |
Record and Beneficial | 459,976 | * | % | ||||||
William E. Mayer(3) |
Beneficial | 20,562 | * | % | ||||||
François de Saint Phalle |
Record | 408,041 | * | % | ||||||
Maureen K. Usifer |
Record | 42,251 | * | % | ||||||
Donna Milia |
Record | 39,844 | * | % | ||||||
Charles C.S. Park |
None | None | * | % | ||||||
All officers and directors as a group (10 persons)(4) |
Record and Beneficial | 1,181,374 | 1.62 | % |
* | Represents less than 1%. |
(1) | Excludes shares owned by the individuals adult children and shares owned by a family trust, as to each of which the individual disclaims beneficial ownership. |
(2) | Includes shares held in brokerage accounts that may be used as security on a margin basis. |
(3) | Excludes shares owned by a family trust, as to which the individual disclaims beneficial ownership. |
(4) | The address for all our officers and Directors is c/o BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation, 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. |
12
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
We have entered into an investment management agreement with the Advisor, under which the Advisor, subject to the overall supervision of our Board, manages our day-to-day operations, and provides investment advisory services to us. For providing these services, we have agreed to pay the Advisor a management fee based on our total assets and an incentive fee based on our investment performance, plus reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the Advisor. Our executive officers and Directors and the employees of the Advisor and certain of its affiliates, as well as members of the investment committee, serve or may serve as investment advisors, officers, directors or principals of entities or investment funds that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do and/or investment funds managed by our affiliates. We note that any affiliated investment vehicle currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Advisor or its affiliates may have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. As a result, the Advisor and/or its affiliates may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and such other entities. Accordingly, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisors affiliated with the Advisor. However, the Advisor and its affiliates will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner and consistent with applicable allocation procedures. In any such case, if the Advisor forms other affiliates in the future, we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with such other affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance, as well as applicable allocation procedures. In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments may be made only if we receive an order from the SEC permitting us to do so.
Pursuant to the terms of the administration agreement, BlackRock, through the Administrator (a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock), provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations.
From time to time, we may invest in transactions in which our Directors and officers or the officers and employees of the Advisor and/or certain of its affiliates have a pecuniary interest. With respect to any such investment, we intend to comply with the relevant provisions of the 1940 Act to the extent they apply to us as a business development company, any other applicable laws and our written policies and procedures concerning affiliated transactions. Depending on the extent of the individuals pecuniary interest, the Advisor will disclose the interest to its investment committee, our senior management and our Board and may, among other actions, seek the Boards approval to enter into the transaction and require the individual to recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and voting of our Board, the Advisor and its investment committee with respect to the transaction.
Mr. Maher, one of our Directors, is a former partner, and Mr. Mayer, also one of our Directors, is currently a partner, of Park Avenue, a private equity fund manager specializing in middle-market management buyouts and growth capital investments. In addition, an employee of the Advisor is a former employee of Park Avenue. Mr. Maher and the employee have economic interests in Park Avenue. Messrs. Maher and Mayer own limited partner interests in the fund managed by Park Avenue. As of December 31, 2015, we held an indirect interest of less than 5% of the voting securities of DynaVox, Inc. (DynaVox). DynaVox is a portfolio company of Park Avenues fund.
Mr. Maher also owns a limited partnership interest in a private equity fund managed by Vestar Capital Partners (Vestar), a private equity management firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. DynaVox is also a portfolio company of a Vestar private equity fund. In 2013, we invested an additional $60,000,000 in a new second lien term loan, and an additional $10,000,000 in a new first lien term loan, of MediMedia USA, Inc., which is also a portfolio company of a Vestar private equity fund. Each of the transactions by which we consummated these investments was approved by the Previous Advisor, and its investment committee as applicable, after consideration of the significant relevant factors and disclosed to our Board.
13
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION
WE WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF OUR MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT AND THE MOST RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT SUCCEEDING THE ANNUAL REPORT, IF ANY, TO ANY STOCKHOLDER UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE COMPANY AT 40 EAST 52ND STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022 (TELEPHONE NUMBER 212-810-5800) OR GEORGESON INC., THE COMPANYS PROXY SOLICITOR (TELEPHONE NUMBER 1-866-316-3922).
We periodically update performance and certain other data for Company in the Investor Relations section of website which can be found at http://www.blackrockbkcc.com. Investors and others are advised to periodically check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Company.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Companys Directors and executive officers, and any persons holding 10% or more of its common stock, are required to report their beneficial ownership and any changes therein to the SEC and the Company. Specific due dates for those reports have been established, and the Company is required to report herein any failure to file such reports by those due dates. Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by such persons, the Company believes that each of its officers and directors and any persons holding 10% or more of its common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, except that as a result of an administrative oversight, the Previous Advisor was late in filing one Form 4 concerning three transactions that occurred on a single day, and Mr. Parks Form 3 was filed late after he was appointed by the Board to serve as the Companys Chief Compliance Officer.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
On March 4, 2009, the Company amended its dividend reinvestment plan (the Plan). Under the terms of the amended Plan, distributions may be made in newly issued or treasury shares of the Companys common stock at a price equal to 95% of market price on the distribution payment date. The amended Plan means that, under certain circumstances, the Company may issue shares of its common stock at a price that is less than NAV per share. Any issuance of common stock at a price below NAV will result in an immediate dilution to existing Stockholders who do not participate in the Plan. This dilution would include reduction in the NAV per share as a result of the issuance of shares at a price below the NAV per share and a proportionately greater decrease in a non-participating Stockholders interest in the earnings and assets of the Company and voting interest in the Company. On March 4, 2009, the Company filed a Form 8-K with the SEC concerning the amended Plan. You may access the Form 8-K filing and the Plan at http://www.sec.gov or http://www.blackrockbkcc.com.
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE COMPANY
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of Stockholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, we do not receive any non-public personal information relating to our Stockholders, although certain non-public personal information of our Stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our Stockholders or former Stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service Stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
We restrict access to non-public personal information about the Stockholders to employees of the Advisor with a legitimate business need for the information. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our Stockholders.
14
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement in connection with the Companys 2017 annual meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by us at our principal executive offices by Friday, November 28, 2016.
Stockholders who do not wish to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2017 special meeting in accordance with Rule 14a-8 may submit a proposal for consideration at the 2017 annual meeting in accordance with the Companys bylaws. The Companys bylaws require that advance notice be given to the Company in the event a Stockholder desires to transact any business from the floor at a special meeting of stockholders, including the nomination of Directors. Notice of any such business must be in writing and received at the Companys principal executive office between Friday, January 6, 2017 and Monday, February 6, 2017. In order to be considered timely, such notice shall be delivered to the Companys Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company and shall set forth all information required under the Companys bylaws.
Copies of the Companys bylaws are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at www.sec.gov. The Company will also furnish, without charge, a copy of its bylaws to a Stockholder upon request. Such requests should be directed to the Company at 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022, or by calling 212-810-5800.
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
A number of brokers with account holders who are the Companys Stockholders will be householding the Companys proxy materials. A single Proxy Statement will be delivered to multiple Stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected Stockholders. If you have received notice from your broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate Proxy Statement and annual report, please notify your broker. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement and annual report at their addresses and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their brokers.
Please note that only one Proxy Statement and annual report may be delivered to two or more Stockholders who share an address, unless the Company has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and annual report or for instructions as to how to request a separate copy of this document and annual report or as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies of this document and annual report are received, Stockholders should contact the Company at the address and phone number set forth below.
Requests should be directed to the Company at 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022 (telephone number 212-810-5800). Copies of these documents may also be accessed electronically by means of the SECs home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2016
15
The Notice of Special Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 are available at the Companys website at:
http://www.blackrockbkcc.com.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company knows of no other matters which are to be brought before the Special Meeting. However, if any other matters not now known properly come before the Special Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ |
STEVEN STERLING |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
March , 2016
16
BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation
IMPORTANT SPECIAL MEETING INFORMATION
Electronic Voting Instructions | ||||||
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! | ||||||
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. | ||||||
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. | ||||||
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on May 5, 2016. | ||||||
Vote by Internet | ||||||
Go to www.envisionreports.com/BKC | ||||||
Or scan the QR code with your smartphone | ||||||
Follow the steps outlined on the secure website | ||||||
Vote by telephone | ||||||
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone | ||||||
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. |
x |
Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message |
Special Meeting Proxy Card |
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
A | Proposal The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposal. |
For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||
1. To authorize flexibility for the Company, with approval of its Board of Directors, to sell or otherwise issue shares of its common stock (during the next 12 months) at a price below the Companys then current net asset value per share in one or more offerings, subject to certain limitations set forth in the proxy statement for the special meeting of stockholders (including that the cumulative number of shares sold pursuant to such authority does not exceed 25% of the Companys then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale). |
¨ |
¨ |
¨ |
B | Non-Voting Items |
Change of Address Please print new address below.
Comments Please print your comments below.
C | Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below | |
Please be sure to sign and date this proxy. Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.
|
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.
|
Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box.
| ||||||
Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders.
The Proxy Statement and the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at: www.envisionreports.com/BKC
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q
BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation
Proxy BLACKROCK CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 6, 2016
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Charles C.S. Park and Laurence D. Paredes, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all of the shares of Common Stock of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (the Company) held of record by the undersigned on March 7, 2016 at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on May 6, 2016 or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY BE PRESENTED TO THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
THE VALIDITY OF THIS PROXY IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. THIS PROXY DOES NOT REVOKE ANY PRIOR POWERS OF ATTORNEY GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED EXCEPT AS IT RELATES TO A PRIOR PROXY CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETING.
IF THE PROXY IS SIGNED, SUBMITTED, AND NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE PROXY SHALL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IF YOU ARE NOT VOTING BY PHONE OR INTERNET
[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]
March 11, 2016
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE: | Preliminary Proxy Materials for BlackRock Capital | |||
Investment Corporation |
Dear Sir or Madam:
On behalf of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (the Company), electronically transmitted herewith, pursuant to Rule 14a-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, please find a preliminary proxy statement for the special meeting of the stockholders of the Company.
Should you have any questions or require additional information with respect to the foregoing, please contact the undersigned at (212) 735-2875.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Boris Rappoport |
Boris Rappoport |