Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 000-51327

 


BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   20-2725151

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York   10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code 212-810-5800

Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since last Report.

 


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated filer  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $.001 par value per share, outstanding at May 9, 2007, was 40,034,983.

 



Table of Contents

BLACKROCK KELSO CAPITAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

Table of Contents

 

   

INDEX

   PAGE NO.

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements   
  Statements of Assets and Liabilities    4
  Statements of Operations (unaudited)    5
  Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)    6
  Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)    7
  Schedules of Investments (unaudited)    8
  Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)    19

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    28

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    37

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    37

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    37

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors    38

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    38

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities    38

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    38

Item 5.

  Other Information    38

Item 6.

  Exhibits    38

SIGNATURES 

     39

 

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Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “potential,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation (the “Company”) cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) reports and those identified elsewhere in this report, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance:

 

  (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies;

 

  (2) changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in the value of the Company’s assets;

 

  (3) the relative and absolute investment performance and operations of the Company’s investment adviser, BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC (the “Investment Advisor”);

 

  (4) the impact of increased competition;

 

  (5) the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

  (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings;

 

  (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases;

 

  (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property protection;

 

  (9) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Company or the Investment Advisor;

 

  (10) terrorist activities, which may adversely affect the general economy, real estate, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and the Company and the Investment Advisor;

 

  (11) the ability of the Investment Advisor to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

  (12) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and

 

  (13) the impact of changes to tax legislation and, generally, the tax position of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In this Quarterly Report, “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation unless the context states otherwise.

Item 1. Financial Statements

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

    

March 31,
2007

(Unaudited)

    December 31,
2006
 

Assets:

    

Investments at fair value:

    

Non-affiliate investments (amortized cost of $879,388,660 and $716,844,625)

   $ 884,394,607     $ 718,730,964  

Control investments (amortized cost of $35,472,194 and $35,437,060)

     35,463,238       35,437,060  

Affiliate investments (amortized cost of $35,050,000)

     35,116,660       —    
                

Total investments at fair value

     954,974,505       754,168,024  

Cash and cash equivalents

     5,330,578       3,036,413  

Receivable for investments sold

     287,500       —    

Foreign currency, at value (cost of $121,505 and $119,714)

     128,800       126,375  

Interest receivable

     13,011,041       7,759,464  

Dividends receivable

     303,747       43,270  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     1,007,406       1,125,838  
                

Total Assets

   $ 975,043,577     $ 766,259,384  
                

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 64,634,548     $ 16,260,000  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     446,800       475,204  

Credit facility payable

     300,000,000       164,000,000  

Interest payable on credit facility

     2,677,869       152,793  

Dividend distributions payable

     52,589       15,803,510  

Base management fees payable

     2,769,806       2,157,082  

Incentive management fees payable

     4,326,534       4,443,298  

Accrued administrative services expenses

     574,937       366,354  

Other accrued expenses and payables

     888,880       801,221  
                

Total Liabilities

     376,371,963       204,459,462  
                

Net Assets:

    

Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 100,000,000 and 40,000,000 common shares authorized, 40,034,983 and 37,627,405 issued and outstanding

     40,035       37,627  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     599,431,542       563,233,775  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (5,734,939 )     (3,392,549 )

Accumulated net realized gain

     304,920       497,795  

Net unrealized appreciation

     4,630,056       1,423,274  
                

Total Net Assets

     598,671,614       561,799,922  
                

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

   $ 975,043,577     $ 766,259,384  
                

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 14.95     $ 14.93  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
2007
    Three months ended
March 31,
2006*
 

Investment Income:

    

Interest income

   $ 24,778,258     $ 8,479,492  

Dividend income

     260,477       151,918  

Other income

     13,495       102,000  
                

Total investment income

     25,052,230       8,733,410  
                

Expenses:

    

Base management fees

     3,693,075       2,664,878  

Incentive management fees

     3,692,649       —    

Administrative services

     218,703       288,345  

Professional fees

     146,591       213,917  

Director fees

     63,505       70,188  

Investment advisor expenses

     196,093       77,957  

Insurance

     40,931       36,539  

Interest and credit facility fees

     3,714,805       —    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     62,705       —    

Other

     132,069       34,036  
                

Expenses before management fee waiver

     11,961,126       3,385,860  

Base management fee waiver

     (923,269 )     (1,332,439 )
                

Net expenses

     11,037,857       2,053,421  
                

Net Investment Income

     14,014,373       6,679,989  
                

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

    

Net realized gain (loss) on:

    

Investments

     22,027       (405,166 )

Foreign currency

     (214,902 )     —    
                

Net realized loss

     (192,875 )     (405,166 )
                

Net change in unrealized appreciation:

    

Investments

     3,177,312       834,193  

Foreign currency translations

     29,470       —    

Cash equivalents

     —         12,040  
                

Net change in unrealized appreciation

     3,206,782       846,233  
                

Net realized and unrealized gain

     3,013,907       441,067  
                

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 17,028,280     $ 7,121,056  
                

Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.20  
                

Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding

     38,501,302       35,685,496  

* Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)

 

    

Three months ended

March 31,
2007

    Three months ended
March 31,
2006
 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 14,014,373     $ 6,679,989  

Net change in unrealized appreciation

     3,206,782       846,233  

Net realized loss

     (192,875 )     (405,166 )
                

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     17,028,280       7,121,056  
                

Dividend Distributions to Stockholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (16,356,763 )     (7,167,498 )
                

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     4,145,067       —    

Reinvestment of dividends

     32,055,108       13,761,920  
                

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

     36,200,175       13,761,920  
                

Total Increase in Net Assets

     36,871,692       13,715,478  

Net assets at beginning of period

     561,799,922       528,704,849  
                

Net assets at end of period

   $ 598,671,614     $ 542,420,327  
                

Capital Share Activity:

    

Shares issued from subscriptions

     273,904       —    

Shares issued from reinvestment of dividends

     2,133,674       918,484  
                

Total increase in shares

     2,407,578       918,484  
                

Distributions in Excess:

    

Distributions in excess of net investment income

   $ (5,734,939 )   $ (1,357,835 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
2007
    Three months ended
March 31,
2006
 

Operating Activities:

    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 17,028,280     $ 7,121,056  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Proceeds from dispositions (purchases) of short-term investments—net

     —         25,990,928  

Purchases of long-term investments

     (213,879,179 )     (72,653,669 )

Purchases of foreign currency—net

     (226,377 )     —    

Proceeds from sales/repayments of long-term investments

     16,541,581       6,256,303  

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     (3,177,312 )     (834,193 )

Net change in unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations

     (29,470 )     —    

Net realized (gain) loss on investments

     (22,027 )     405,166  

Net realized loss on foreign currency

     214,902       —    

Amortization of premium/discount—net

     (269,543 )     (377,301 )

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     62,705       —    

(Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold

     (287,500 )     996,250  

Increase in interest receivable

     (5,251,577 )     (693,564 )

Increase in dividends receivable

     (260,477 )     (30,658 )

Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

     118,432       112,300  

Increase in payable for investments purchased

     48,374,548       992,499  

Decrease in legal fees (offering costs) payable

     —         (2,627 )

Increase in base management fees payable

     612,724       5,423  

Decrease in incentive management fees payable

     (116,764 )     —    

Increase in accrued administrative services expenses payable

     208,583       273,225  

Increase in interest payable on credit facility

     2,525,076       —    

Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses and payables

     87,659       (96,279 )
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (137,745,737 )     (32,535,141 )
                

Financing Activities:

    

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     4,145,067       —    

Dividend distributions paid

     (32,160,273 )     (14,238,536 )

Dividend distributions reinvested

     32,055,108       13,761,920  

Borrowings under credit facility

     428,000,000       —    

Repayments under credit facility

     (292,000,000 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     140,039,902       (476,616 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     2,294,165       (33,011,757 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     3,036,413       288,972,347  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 5,330,578     $ 255,960,590  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash interest paid during period

   $ 1,194,086     $ —    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments (Unaudited)

March 31, 2007

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

    Cost(a)    Fair Value  

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes—44.5%

          

A & A Manufacturing Co., Inc., 14.00% (12.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 4/2/14

   Protective
Enclosures
   $ 18,500,000     $ 18,500,000    $ 18,500,000 (b)

AGY Holding Corp., Second Lien, 11.00%, 11/15/14, acquired 10/20/06(c)

   Glass Yarns/
Fibers
     15,000,000       15,000,000      15,600,000  

Al Solutions, Inc., 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 12/29/13(d)

   Metals      22,000,000       22,000,000      22,000,000 (b)

American Residential Services L.L.C., 15.00% (12.00% cash, 3.00% PIK), 9/28/13

   HVAC/
Plumbing
Services
     20,155,000       20,155,000      20,155,000 (b)

ASM Intermediate Holdings Corp. II, 12.00% PIK, 12/27/13

   Marketing
Services
     41,240,809       41,240,809      41,189,258  

Big Dumpster Acquisition, Inc., 13.50% PIK, 7/5/15

   Waste Management
Equipment
     30,000,000       30,000,000      30,000,000 (b)

Lucite International Luxembourg Finance S.àr.l., PIK Loan, 12.75% PIK (EURIBOR + 9.00%/Q),
7/14/14(e)

   Chemicals      13,840,268 (e)     17,093,972      18,845,686  

Marquette Transportation Company Holdings, LLC, 14.75% PIK, 3/21/14

   Transportation      39,500,000       39,500,000      39,500,000 (b)

Mattress Giant Corporation, 13.00% (11.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 8/1/12

   Bedding
—Retail
     13,735,335       13,613,823      13,735,335  

MediMedia USA, Inc., 11.38%, 11/15/14, acquired 11/1/06(c)

   Information
Services
     8,000,000       8,079,966      8,400,000  

Sentry Security Systems, LLC, 15.00% (12.00% cash, 3.00% PIK), 8/7/12

   Security
Services
     10,000,000       10,000,000      10,000,000 (b)

TriMark Acquisition Corp., Second Lien, 11.50% (9.50% cash, 2.00% PIK), 11/30/13

   Food Service
Equipment
     14,000,000       14,000,000      14,000,000 (b)

U.S. Security Holdings, Inc., 13.00% (11.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 5/8/14, acquired 5/10/06(c)

   Security
Services
     7,000,000       7,000,000      7,052,500  

Wastequip, Inc., 12.00% (10.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 2/5/15

   Waste Management
Equipment
     7,500,000       7,500,000      7,500,000 (b)
                    

Total Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

          263,683,570      266,477,779  
                    

Senior Secured Loans—108.1%(f)

          

ALM Media, Inc., Second Lien, 11.10% (LIBOR + 5.75%), 3/7/11

   Publishing      43,814,417       43,816,336      43,814,417  

American Safety Razor Company, LLC, Second Lien, 11.63% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 1/30/14

   Consumer
Products
     10,000,000       10,000,000      10,125,000  

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche A, First Lien, 12.36% (LIBOR + 5.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 10/24/10

   Plastic
Packaging
     4,420,313       4,396,755      4,396,755 (b)

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche B, Second Lien, 16.36% (LIBOR + 9.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 4/24/11

   Plastic
Packaging
     2,043,805       2,028,910      2,028,910 (b)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments (Unaudited)—(Continued)

March 31, 2007

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(a)    Fair Value  

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche C, Third Lien, 21.86% (LIBOR + 6.30% cash, 8.20% PIK), 10/24/11

   Plastic
Packaging
   $ 791,024    $ 713,582    $ 713,582 (b)

Bankruptcy Management Solutions, Inc., Second Lien, 11.60% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 7/31/13

   Software      24,875,000      24,875,000      25,185,938  

Benchmark Medical Holdings Inc., First Lien, 9.11% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 12/27/12

   Rehabilitation
Centers
     1,975,000      1,975,000      1,836,750  

Benchmark Medical Holdings, Inc., Second Lien, 12.87% (LIBOR + 7.50%), 6/27/13

   Rehabilitation
Centers
     9,000,000      9,000,000      8,370,000  

Cambridge International, Inc., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 11/11/13

   Metal
Conveyor Belts
     20,500,000      20,319,382      20,295,000  

Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, Second Lien, 11.36% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 6/5/10

   Bicycles/
Apparel
     10,000,000      10,000,000      10,000,000 (b)

Champion Energy Corporation et al., First Lien, 10.35% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 6/29/11

   Heating and Oil
Services
     15,000,000      15,000,000      15,000,000 (b)

Champion Energy Corporation et al., Second Lien, 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 6/30/12

   Heating and Oil
Services
     20,608,309      20,346,201      20,346,201 (b)

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, 10.11% (LIBOR + 4.75%), 3/16/08

   Airlines      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,004,063  

Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., Second Lien, 13.60% (LIBOR + 8.25%), 7/28/11

   Entertainment      16,000,000      16,000,000      16,520,000  

DynaVox Systems LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien, 8.88% (LIBOR + 3.50%), 6/30/11

   Augmentative
Communication
Products
     3,482,478      3,460,363      3,482,478  

DynaVox Systems LLC, Term Loan C, First Lien, 10.38% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 12/13/11

   Augmentative
Communication
Products
     1,750,000      1,738,783      1,750,000  

Eight O’Clock Coffee Company et al., Second Lien, 11.88% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 7/31/13

   Coffee
Distributor
     14,000,000      14,000,000      14,210,000  

Electrical Components International Holdings Company, Second Lien, 11.88% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 5/1/14

   Electronics      20,000,000      20,000,000      20,150,000  

Event Rentals, Inc., First Lien, 9.12% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 12/19/13

   Party Rentals      14,962,500      14,818,846      14,962,500  

Event Rentals, Inc., Acquisition Loan (Funded), First Lien, 10.96% (Base Rate + 3.00%), 12/19/13

   Party Rentals      2,894,202      2,894,202      2,894,202  

Event Rentals, Inc., Acquisition Loan (Unfunded), First Lien, 0.75%, 12/19/09

   Party Rentals      12,105,798      12,105,798      12,105,798  

Facet Technologies, LLC, Second Lien, 12.38% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 1/26/12

   Medical
Devices
     27,000,000      27,000,000      27,000,000 (b)

Fairway Group Holdings Corp. et al., Term B Loan, First Lien, 10.61% (LIBOR + 5.25%), 1/18/13

   Retail
Grocery
     1,500,000      1,500,000      1,500,000 (b)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments (Unaudited)—(Continued)

March 31, 2007

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(a)    Fair Value  

Fairway Group Holdings Corp. et al., Term C Loan, Second Lien, 13.00% (12.00% cash, 1.00% PIK), 1/18/14

   Retail
Grocery
   $ 11,513,420    $ 11,513,420    $ 11,513,420 (b)

Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, First Lien, 11.61% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 7/14/12

   Personal
Fitness
     13,500,000      13,439,253      13,439,253 (b)

Gleason Corporation, Second Lien, 10.88% (LIBOR + 5.50%), 12/30/13

   Gear
Production
Machinery
     16,000,000      16,000,000      16,150,000  

Haggar Clothing Co., Second Lien, 12.40% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 11/1/11

   Apparel      2,500,000      2,480,888      2,500,000  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Term Loan A, First Lien, 9.11% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 2/27/12

   Automobile
Repair
     3,683,898      3,680,668      3,674,688  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Acquisition Loan (Funded), First Lien, 9.36%, (LIBOR + 4.00%), 2/27/12

   Automobile
Repair
     1,740,000      1,740,000      1,735,650  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Acquisition Loan (Unfunded), First Lien, 0.75%, 2/27/08

   Automobile
Repair
     1,260,000      1,260,000      1,256,850  

HIT Entertainment, Inc., Second Lien, 10.86% (LIBOR + 5.50%), 2/26/13

   Entertainment      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,010,313  

InterMedia Outdoor, Inc., Second Lien, 12.10% (LIBOR + 6.75%), 1/31/14

   Printing/Publishing      10,000,000      10,000,000      10,000,000 (b)

International Radiology Group, L.L.C. et al., First Lien, 8.57% (LIBOR + 3.25%), 6/30/11

   Healthcare
Management
Services
     4,880,682      4,839,252      4,880,682  

International Radiology Group, L.L.C. et al., Second Lien, 12.32% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 6/30/12

   Healthcare
Management
Services
     10,000,000      9,912,546      10,000,000  

Isola USA Corp., First Lien, 10.10% (LIBOR + 4.75%), 12/18/12

   Electronics      9,975,000      9,831,824      9,950,063  

Isola USA Corp., Second Lien, 13.10% (LIBOR + 7.75%), 12/18/13

   Electronics      25,000,000      25,000,000      25,000,000  

J.G. Wentworth, LLC, Second Lien, 10.35% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 10/4/14

   Financial
Services
     10,000,000      10,000,000      10,100,000  

Kaz, Inc. et al., M&E Loan, First Lien, 9.88% (LIBOR + 4.50%), 12/8/08

   Consumer
Products
     3,000,000      3,000,000      3,000,000 (b)

Kaz, Inc. et al., First Lien, 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 12/8/11

   Consumer
Products
     40,111,111      39,540,130      39,540,130 (b)

MacAndrews Deluxe Holdings LLC, First Lien, 13.00%, 7/28/11

   Entertainment      14,000,000      14,000,000      14,081,662  

MCCI Group Holdings, LLC, Second Lien, 12.36% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 6/21/13

   Healthcare
Services
     29,000,000      28,930,584      29,000,000  

Oriental Trading Company, Inc., Second Lien, 11.36% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 1/31/14

   Party
Supplies and
Novelties
     3,000,000      3,000,000      3,048,750  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10


Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments (Unaudited)—(Continued)

March 31, 2007

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(a)    Fair Value  

Penton Media, Inc. et al., Second Lien, 10.35% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 2/1/14(g)

   Information
Services
   $ 20,000,000    $ 20,000,000    $ 20,066,660  

Precision Parts International Services Corp. et al., First Lien, 9.11% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 9/30/11

   Automotive
Parts
     4,902,863      4,902,863      4,902,863  

Premier Yachts, Inc. et al., Term A, First Lien, 9.10% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 8/22/12

   Entertainment
Cruises
     8,521,386      8,486,506      8,478,778  

Premier Yachts, Inc. et al., Term B, First Lien, 12.34% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 8/22/13

   Entertainment
Cruises
     1,921,233      1,913,243      1,911,627  

Professional Paint, Inc., Second Lien, 11.13% (LIBOR + 5.75%), 5/31/13

   Paint and
Coatings
     16,000,000      16,000,000      16,160,000  

QTC Acquisition Inc., Second Lien, 11.82% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 5/10/13

   Disability
Evaluations
     23,000,000      22,942,565      23,057,500  

Robertson Aviation, L.L.C., First Lien, 8.62% (LIBOR + 3.25%), 4/19/13

   Aviation Fuel
Systems
     4,438,982      4,429,076      4,461,177  

Stolle Machinery Company, LLC, Second Lien, 11.35% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 9/29/13

   Canning
Machinery
     8,500,000      8,500,000      8,585,000  

Sunrise Medical LTC LLC et al., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/28/13

   Healthcare
Equipment
     14,400,000      14,400,000      14,400,000  

Total Safety U.S. Inc., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/8/13

   Industrial Safety
Equipment
     9,000,000      9,000,000      9,045,000  

United Subcontractors, Inc., Second Lien, 12.62% (LIBOR + 7.25%), 6/27/13

   Building and
Construction
     10,000,000      10,000,000      9,766,670  

Wembley, Inc., Second Lien, 9.63% (LIBOR + 4.25%), 8/23/12

   Gaming      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,007,500  

Westward Dough Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan A, First Lien, 11.35% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 3/30/11

   Restaurants      7,100,000      7,100,000      6,972,000 (b)

Westward Dough Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien, 14.35% (LIBOR + 9.00%), 3/30/11

   Restaurants      8,000,000      8,000,000      7,820,000 (b)

York Tape & Label, Inc. et al., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 9/30/13

   Printing/
Publishing
     23,000,000      23,000,000      23,000,000 (b)
                     

Total Senior Secured Loans

           645,831,976      647,207,830  
                     

Preferred Stock—2.0%

           

Facet Holdings Corp., Class A, 12.00% PIK

   Medical Devices      900      900,000      900,000 (b)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., Series A, 8.00% PIK

   Personal Fitness      187,500      187,500      187,500 (b)

Tygem Holdings, Inc., 8.00%(d)

   Metals      10,789,367      10,826,867      10,826,867 (b)
                     

Total Preferred Stock

           11,914,367      11,914,367  
                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments (Unaudited)—(Continued)

March 31, 2007

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(a)     Fair Value  

Common Stock—1.8%(h)

          

BKC MTCH Blocker, Inc.(i).

   Transportation    5,000,000    $ 5,000,000     $ 5,000,000 (b)

Facet Holdings Corp.

   Medical Devices    10,000      100,000       150,000 (b)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc.

   Personal Fitness    62,500      62,500       67,500 (b)

MGHC Holding Corporation

   Bedding—Retail    205,000      2,050,000       2,050,000 (b)

Tygem Holdings, Inc.(d)

   Metals    3,596,456      3,608,956       3,600,000 (b)
                      

Total Common Stock

           10,821,456       10,867,500  
                      

Limited Partnership/Limited Liability Company Interests—3.7%

          

ARS Co-Investors, L.P.(h)(j)

   HVAC/Plumbing
Services
   —        324,216       850,000 (b)

Big Dumpster Coinvestment, LLC(h)

   Waste
Management
Equipment
   —        5,333,333       5,333,333 (b)

Prism Business Media Holdings LLC(g)(h)

   Information
Services
   68      15,050,000       15,050,000 (b)

Sentry Common Investors, LLC(h)

   Security Services    147,271      147,271       147,271 (b)

Sentry Security Systems Holdings, LLC, 8.00%

   Security Services    602,729      602,729       602,729 (b)
                      

Total Limited Partnership/Limited Liability Company Interests

           21,457,549       21,983,333  
                      

Equity Warrants—0.2%(h)

          

ATEP Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging    470      —         —   (b)

ATH Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging    470      —         —   (b)

ATPP Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging    470      90,112       4,000 (b)

ATPR Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging    470      —         —   (b)

Champion Energy Corporation, expire 6/29/16

   Heating and Oil
Services
   15,900      300,000       335,000 (b)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., expire 7/14/16

   Personal Fitness    105,263      56,000       61,100 (b)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products    49      512,000       711,230 (b)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products    16      64,000       135,789 (b)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products    16      24,000       80,423 (b)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products    16      9,000       49,330 (b)
                      

Total Equity Warrants

           1,055,112       1,376,872  
                      

TOTAL INVESTMENTS INCLUDING UNEARNED INCOME

           954,764,030       959,827,681  

UNEARNED INCOME—(0.8)%

           (4,853,176 )     (4,853,176 )
                      

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—159.5%

         $ 949,910,854       954,974,505  
                      

OTHER ASSETS & LIABILITIES (NET)—(59.5)%

             (356,302,891 )
                

NET ASSETS—100.0%

           $ 598,671,614  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12


Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments—(Continued)

March 31, 2007

 

(a) Represents amortized cost for fixed income securities and unearned income, and cost for preferred and common stock, limited partnership/limited liability company interests and equity warrants.
(b) Fair value of this investment determined by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (see Note 2). The aggregate fair value of these investments (net of unearned income) is $399,214,147, or 66.7% of net assets, at March 31, 2007.
(c) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. In the aggregate, the securities represent 5.2% of net assets at March 31, 2007.
(d) These securities are considered “controlled” investments under the Investment Company Act of 1940 because the Company owns more than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, for these portfolio companies there was interest income of $924,975 and dividend income of $222,980. The aggregate fair value of the investments (net of unearned income) in these portfolio companies is $35,463,238, or 5.9% of net assets, at March 31, 2007.
(e) Non-U.S. company. Principal amount is denominated in Euro (€).
(f) Approximately 87% of the senior secured loans to the Company’s portfolio companies bear interest at a floating rate that may be determined by reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR), or other base rate (commonly the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate), at the borrower’s option. Additionally, the borrower under a senior secured loan generally has the option to select from interest reset periods of one, two, three or six months and may alter that selection at the end of any reset period. The stated interest rate represents the weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2007 of all contracts within the specified loan facility. Current reset frequencies for floating rate instruments other than senior secured loans are indicated by Q (quarterly) or S (semiannually).
(g) These securities are considered “affiliated” investments under the Investment Company Act of 1940 because the Company owns more than 5% (but not more than 25%) of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, for these portfolio companies there were total purchases of $35,050,000, interest income of $275,631 and net unrealized gains of $66,600. The aggregate fair value of the investments (net of unearned income) in these portfolio companies is $35,116,660, or 5.9% of net assets, at March 31, 2007.
(h) Non-income producing securities.
(i) The Company is the sole stockholder of BKC MTCH Blocker, Inc., which is the beneficiary of less than 5% of the voting securities of Marquette Transportation Company Holdings, LLC.
(j) The Company is the sole limited partner in ARS Co-Investors, L.P., which is the beneficiary of less than 5% of the voting securities of American Residential Services L.L.C.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13


Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments

December 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry(a)   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

    Cost(b)    Fair Value  

Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes—28.0%

          

AGY Holding Corp., Second Lien, 11.00%, 11/15/14, acquired 10/20/06(c)

   Glass Yarns/
Fibers
   $ 15,000,000     $ 15,000,000    $ 15,037,500  

Al Solutions, Inc., 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 12/29/13(d)

   Metals      22,000,000       22,000,000      22,000,000 (e)

American Residential Services L.L.C., 15.00% (12.00% cash, 3.00% PIK), 9/28/13

   HVAC/
Plumbing
Services
     20,000,000       20,000,000      20,000,000 (e)

ASM Intermediate Holdings Corp. II, 12.00% PIK, 12/27/13

   Marketing
Services
     40,026,667       40,026,667      39,876,567  

Lucite International Luxembourg Finance S.àr.l., PIK Loan, 12.52% PIK (EURIBOR + 9.00%/Q), 7/14/14(f)

   Chemicals      13,411,203 (f)     16,526,817      17,391,819  

Mattress Giant Corporation, 13.00% (11.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 8/1/12

   Bedding—Retail      13,667,000       13,539,811      13,667,000  

MediMedia USA, Inc., 11.38%, 11/15/14, acquired
11/1/06(c)

   Information
Services
     8,000,000       8,081,672      8,380,000  

TriMark Acquisition Corp., Second Lien, 11.50% (9.50% cash, 2.00% PIK), 11/30/13

   Food Service
Equipment
     14,000,000       14,000,000      14,000,000 (e)

U.S. Security Holdings, Inc., 13.00% (11.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 5/8/14, acquired 5/10/06(c)

   Security
Services
     7,000,000       7,000,000      7,017,500  
                    

Total Subordinated Debt/Corporate Notes

          156,174,967      157,370,386  
                    

Senior Secured Loans—103.5%(g)

          

ALM Media, Inc., Second Lien, 11.11% (LIBOR + 5.75%), 3/7/11

   Publishing      39,750,000       39,752,039      39,716,888  

American Safety Razor Company, LLC, Second Lien, 11.72% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 1/30/14

   Consumer
Products
     10,000,000       10,000,000      10,125,000  

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche A, First Lien, 11.87% (LIBOR + 4.50% cash, 2.00% PIK), 10/24/10

   Plastic
Packaging
     4,251,515       4,226,310      4,226,310 (e)

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche B, Second Lien, 16.37% (LIBOR + 9.00% cash, 2.00% PIK), 4/24/11

   Plastic
Packaging
     1,951,515       1,935,706      1,935,706 (e)

Applied Tech Products Corp. et al., Tranche C, Third Lien, 19.87% (LIBOR + 6.30% cash, 8.20% PIK), 10/24/11

   Plastic
Packaging
     737,955       656,283      656,283 (e)

Bankruptcy Management Solutions, Inc., Second Lien, 11.60% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 7/31/13

   Software      24,937,500       24,937,500      25,249,219  

Benchmark Medical Holdings Inc., First Lien, 9.14% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 12/27/12

   Rehabilitation
Centers
     1,980,000       1,980,000      1,920,600  

Benchmark Medical Holdings, Inc., Second Lien, 12.87% (LIBOR + 7.50%), 6/27/13

   Rehabilitation
Centers
     9,000,000       9,000,000      8,730,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14


Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments—(Continued)

December 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry(a)   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(b)    Fair Value  

Cambridge International, Inc., Second Lien, 11.86% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 11/11/13

   Metal
Conveyor Belts
   $ 20,500,000    $ 20,312,576    $ 20,295,000  

Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, Second Lien, 12.35% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 6/5/10

   Bicycles/
Apparel
     10,000,000      10,000,000      10,000,000 (e)

Champion Energy Corporation et al., First Lien, 10.36% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 6/29/11

   Heating and Oil
Services
     15,000,000      15,000,000      15,000,000 (e)

Champion Energy Corporation et al., Second Lien, 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 6/30/12

   Heating and Oil
Services
     20,206,689      19,932,133      19,932,133 (e)

Data Transmission Network Corporation, Second Lien, 13.36% (LIBOR + 8.00%), 9/10/13

   Information
Services
     4,000,000      4,000,000      4,000,000  

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, 10.12% (LIBOR + 4.75%), 3/16/08

   Airlines      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,015,938  

Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., Second Lien, 13.61% (LIBOR + 8.25%), 7/28/11

   Entertainment      16,000,000      16,000,000      16,440,000  

DynaVox Systems LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien, 8.88% (LIBOR + 3.50%), 6/30/11

   Augmentative
Communication
Products
     3,491,250      3,467,793      3,491,250  

DynaVox Systems LLC, Term Loan C, First Lien, 10.38% (LIBOR + 5.00%), 12/13/11

   Augmentative
Communication
Products
     1,750,000      1,738,195      1,750,000  

Eight O’Clock Coffee Company et al., Second Lien, 11.88% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 7/31/13

   Coffee
Distributor
     14,000,000      14,000,000      14,210,000  

Electrical Components International Holdings Company, Second Lien, 11.88% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 5/1/14

   Electronics      20,000,000      20,000,000      20,100,000  

Event Rentals, Inc., First Lien, 11.00% (Base Rate + 2.75%), 12/19/13

   Party Rentals      15,000,000      14,850,704      15,000,000  

Event Rentals, Inc., Acquisition Loan (Unfunded), First Lien, 0.75%, 12/19/09

   Party Rentals      15,000,000      15,000,000      15,000,000  

Facet Technologies, LLC, Second Lien, 12.37% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 1/26/12

   Medical
Devices
     27,000,000      27,000,000      27,000,000 (e)

Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, First Lien, 11.62% (LIBOR + 6.25%), 7/14/12

   Personal
Fitness
     13,900,000      13,834,539      13,834,539 (e)

Gleason Corporation, Second Lien, 10.88% (LIBOR + 5.50%), 12/30/13

   Gear
Production
Machinery
     16,000,000      16,000,000      16,090,000  

Haggar Clothing Co., Second Lien, 12.40% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 11/1/11

   Apparel      2,500,000      2,479,861      2,500,000  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Term Loan A, First Lien, 9.12% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 2/27/12

   Automobile
Repair
     3,719,780      3,716,355      3,719,780  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Acquisition Loan (Funded), First Lien, 9.38%, (LIBOR + 4.00%), 2/27/12

   Automobile
Repair
     1,740,000      1,740,000      1,740,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

15


Table of Contents

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments—(Continued)

December 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry(a)   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(b)    Fair Value  

Heartland Automotive Services II Inc. et al., Acquisition Loan (Unfunded), First Lien, 0.75%, 2/27/08

   Automobile
Repair
   $ 1,260,000    $ 1,260,000    $ 1,260,000  

HIT Entertainment, Inc., Second Lien, 10.86% (LIBOR + 5.50%), 2/26/13

   Entertainment      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,009,688  

International Radiology Group, L.L.C. et al., First Lien, 8.60% (LIBOR + 3.25%), 6/30/11

   Healthcare
Management
Services
     4,920,455      4,876,235      4,920,455  

International Radiology Group, L.L.C. et al., Second Lien, 12.35% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 6/30/12

   Healthcare
Management
Services
     10,000,000      9,908,440      10,000,000  

Isola USA Corp., First Lien, 10.12% (LIBOR + 4.75%), 12/18/12

   Electronics      10,000,000      9,850,206      9,800,100  

Isola USA Corp., Second Lien, 13.12% (LIBOR + 7.75%), 12/18/13

   Electronics      25,000,000      25,000,000      25,000,000  

Kaz, Inc. et al., M&E Loan, First Lien, 9.85% (LIBOR + 4.50%), 12/8/08

   Consumer
Products
     3,000,000      3,000,000      3,000,000 (e)

Kaz, Inc. et al., First Lien, 16.00% (12.00% cash, 4.00% PIK), 12/8/11

   Consumer
Products
     40,000,000      40,000,000      40,000,000 (e)

MacAndrews Deluxe Holdings LLC, First Lien, 13.00%, 7/28/11

   Entertainment      14,000,000      14,000,000      14,052,500  

MCCI Group Holdings, LLC, Second Lien, 14.25% (Base Rate + 6.00%), 6/21/13

   Healthcare
Services
     29,000,000      28,927,836      29,000,000  

Oriental Trading Company, Inc., Second Lien, 11.47% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 1/31/14

   Party
Supplies and
Novelties
     3,000,000      3,000,000      3,000,000  

Precision Parts International Services Corp. et al., First Lien, 9.24% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 9/30/11

   Automotive
Parts
     4,915,181      4,915,181      4,915,181  

Premier Yachts, Inc. et al., Term A, First Lien 9.10% (LIBOR + 3.75%), 8/22/12

   Entertainment
Cruises
     7,761,904      7,725,431      7,723,094  

Premier Yachts, Inc. et al., Term B, First Lien, 12.35% (LIBOR + 7.00%), 8/22/13

   Entertainment
Cruises
     1,750,000      1,741,702      1,741,250  

Prism Business Media Holdings, Inc., Second Lien, 11.38% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 9/30/13

   Information
Services
     11,000,000      10,990,588      10,990,837  

Professional Paint, Inc., Second Lien, 11.13% (LIBOR + 5.75%), 5/31/13

   Paint and
Coatings
     16,000,000      16,000,000      16,120,000  

QTC Acquisition Inc., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 5/10/13

   Disability
Evaluations
     23,000,000      22,940,221      23,057,500  

Robertson Aviation, L.L.C., First Lien, 8.92% (LIBOR + 3.50%), 4/19/13

   Aviation Fuel
Systems
     4,603,817      4,593,121      4,626,836  

Stolle Machinery Company, LLC, Second Lien, 11.36% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 9/29/13

   Canning
Machinery
     8,500,000      8,500,000      8,585,000  

Sunrise Medical LTC LLC et al., Second Lien, 11.87% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/28/13

   Healthcare
Equipment
     14,400,000      14,400,000      14,436,000  

Total Safety U.S. Inc., Second Lien, 11.85% (LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/8/13

   Industrial Safety
Equipment
     9,000,000      9,000,000      9,045,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments—(Continued)

December 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry(a)   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(b)    Fair Value  

United Subcontractors, Inc., Second Lien, 12.86% (LIBOR + 7.25%), 6/27/13

   Building and
Construction
   $ 10,000,000    $ 10,000,000    $ 9,500,000  

Wastequip, Inc., Second Lien, 10.85% (LIBOR + 5.50%), 7/15/12

   Waste
Management
Equipment
     500,000      500,000      502,500  

Wembley, Inc., Second Lien, 9.70% (LIBOR + 4.25%), 8/23/12

   Gaming      1,000,000      1,000,000      1,012,500  

Westward Dough Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan A, First Lien, 11.36% (LIBOR + 6.00%), 3/30/11

   Restaurants      7,350,000      7,350,000      7,114,000 (e)

Westward Dough Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien, 14.36% (LIBOR + 9.00%), 3/30/11

   Restaurants      8,000,000      8,000,000      7,678,000 (e)
                     

Total Senior Secured Loans

           581,038,955      581,769,087  
                     

Preferred Stock—2.1%

           

Facet Holdings Corp., Class A, 12.00% PIK

   Medical Devices      900      900,000      900,000 (e)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., Series A, 8.00% PIK

   Personal Fitness      187,500      187,500      187,500 (e)

Tygem Holdings, Inc., 8.00%(d)

   Metals      10,789,367      10,826,867      10,826,867 (e)
                     

Total Preferred Stock

           11,914,367      11,914,367  
                     

Common Stock—1.0%(h)

           

Facet Holdings Corp.

   Medical Devices      10,000      100,000      100,000 (e)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc.

   Personal Fitness      62,500      62,500      62,500 (e)

MGHC Holding Corporation

   Bedding—Retail      205,000      2,050,000      2,050,000 (e)

Tygem Holdings, Inc.(d)

   Metals      3,596,456      3,608,956      3,608,956 (e)
                     

Total Common Stock

           5,821,456      5,821,456  
                     

Limited Partnership Interest—0.1%(h)

           

ARS Co-Investors, L.P.(i)

   HVAC/Plumbing
Services
     —        324,216      324,216 (e)
                     

Equity Warrants—0.2%(h)

           

ATEP Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging      470      —        —   (e)

ATH Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging      470      —        —   (e)

ATPP Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging      470      90,112      50,900 (e)

ATPR Holdings, Inc., expire 10/24/15

   Plastic Packaging      470      —        —   (e)

Champion Energy Corporation, expire 6/29/16

   Heating and Oil
Services
     15,900      300,000      300,000 (e)

Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., expire 7/14/16

   Personal Fitness      105,263      56,000      56,000 (e)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products      49      512,000      512,000 (e)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products      16      64,000      64,000 (e)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products      16      24,000      24,000 (e)

Kaz, Inc., expire 12/8/16

   Consumer Products      16      9,000      9,000 (e)
                     

Total Equity Warrants

           1,055,112      1,015,900  
                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Schedules of Investments—(Continued)

December 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Company

   Industry(a)   

Principal
Amount or
Number of

Shares/Units

   Cost(b)     Fair Value  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS INCLUDING UNEARNED INCOME

         $ 756,329,073     $ 758,215,412  

UNEARNED INCOME—(0.7)%

           (4,047,388 )     (4,047,388 )
                      

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—134.2%

         $ 752,281,685       754,168,024  
                      

OTHER ASSETS & LIABILITIES (NET)—(34.2)%

             (192,368,102 )
                

NET ASSETS—100.0%

           $ 561,799,922  
                

(a) Unaudited.
(b) Represents amortized cost for fixed income securities and unearned income, and cost for preferred and common stock, limited partnership interest and equity warrants.
(c) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. In the aggregate, these securities represent 5.4% of net assets at December 31, 2006.
(d) These securities are considered “controlled” investments under the Investment Company Act of 1940 because the Company owns more than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. For the year ended December 31, 2006, for this portfolio company there was interest income of $20,729. The aggregate fair value of the investments (net of unearned income) in this portfolio company is $35,437,060, or 6.3% of net assets, at December 31, 2006.
(e) Fair value of this investment determined by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (see Note 2). The aggregate fair value of these investments (net of unearned income) is $221,405,554, or 39.4% of net assets, at December 31, 2006.
(f) Non-U.S. company. Principal amount is denominated in Euro (€).
(g) Approximately 83% of the senior secured loans to the Company’s portfolio companies bear interest at a floating rate that may be determined by reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR), or other base rate (commonly the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate), at the borrower’s option. Additionally, the borrower under a senior secured loan generally has the option to select from interest reset periods of one, two, three or six months and may alter that selection at the end of any reset period. The stated interest rate represents the weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2006 of all contracts within the specified loan facility. Current reset frequencies for floating rate instruments other than senior secured loans are indicated by Q (quarterly) or S (semiannually).
(h) Non-income producing securities.
(i) The Company is the sole limited partner in ARS Co-Investors, L.P., which is the beneficiary of less than 5% of the voting securities of American Residential Services L.L.C.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Organization

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation (the “Company”) was organized as a Delaware corporation on April 13, 2005 and was initially funded on July 25, 2005. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). In addition, for tax purposes the Company has qualified and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). The Company’s investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The Company invests primarily in middle-market companies in the form of senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans, each of which may include an equity component, and by making direct preferred, common and other equity investments in such companies.

On July 25, 2005, the Company completed a private placement (the “Offering”) of 35,366,589 shares of its common stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a price of $15.00 per share. Net proceeds from the Offering of $529,333,799 reflect the payment of a placement fee of $507,407 and legal fees and other offering costs of $657,639.

The accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim periods, have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted herein. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes related thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 29, 2007.

2. Significant accounting policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ and such differences could be material.

The significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Company are:

 

(a) Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations, which are generally obtained from an independent pricing service or one or more broker-dealers or market makers. However, debt investments with remaining maturities within 60 days are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates fair value. Debt and equity securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. Because the Company expects that there will not be a readily available market value for many of the investments in its portfolio, the Company expects to value many of its portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with a documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company’s investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

With respect to the Company’s investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

  (i) The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC, the Company’s investment advisor (the “Investment Advisor”), responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

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  (ii) Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with senior management;

 

  (iii) To the extent determined by the audit committee of the Board of Directors, independent valuation firms engaged by the Board of Directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

  (iv) The audit committee of the Board of Directors reviews the preliminary valuations of the investment professionals, senior management and independent valuation firms; and

 

  (v) The Board of Directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in the portfolio in good faith based on the input of the Investment Advisor, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee.

The types of factors that the Company may take into account in fair value pricing its investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors. Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, these notes to the financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on the financial statements.

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair value. The carrying value of receivables, other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of the Company’s credit facility payable approximates fair value because it bears interest at a variable rate, based on current market.

 

(b) Cash equivalents include short-term investments in money market instruments with remaining maturities when purchased of three months or less.

 

(c) Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date unless there are substantial conditions to the purchase.

 

(d) Gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated using the specific identification method.

 

(e) Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. Interest income is not accrued if collection is deemed doubtful or the related investment is in default. For loans and debt securities with contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance and which generally becomes due at maturity, PIK interest is not accrued if the portfolio company valuation indicates that the PIK interest is not collectible. Origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees and discounts and premiums on investments purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the respective investment. Unamortized origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees are recorded as unearned income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment penalties and unamortized loan origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees are recorded as interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.

 

(f) Organizational costs of the Company were expensed as incurred. Offering costs were charged against paid-in capital.

 

(g) The Company has qualified and elected and intends to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code, and, among other things, has made and intends to continue to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders which will relieve the Company from federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, no provision has been recorded for federal income or excise taxes.

In order to qualify for favorable tax treatment as a RIC, the Company is required to distribute annually to its stockholders at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code. To avoid federal excise taxes, the Company must distribute annually at least 98% of its income (both ordinary income and net capital gains).

In accordance with GAAP, book and tax basis differences relating to distributions to stockholders and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to capital in excess of par. In addition, the character of income and gains to be distributed is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP.

 

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(h) Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the record date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Board of Directors. Dividends declared by the Company since July 25, 2005 (inception of operations) were as follows:

 

Dividend amount

per share outstanding

  

Record date

  

Pay date

$0.20

   December 31, 2005    January 31, 2006

$0.20

   March 15, 2006    March 31, 2006

$0.23

   June 15, 2006    June 30, 2006

$0.30

   September 15, 2006    September 29, 2006

$0.42

   December 31, 2006    January 31, 2007

$0.42

   March 15, 2007    March 30, 2007

$0.42

   May 15, 2007    May 31, 2007

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of distributions on behalf of stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board of Directors authorizes, and the Company declares, a cash dividend, then stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

 

(i) The Company may enter into forward foreign currency contracts from time to time to facilitate settlement of purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign currencies or to help mitigate the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of the Company’s investments denominated in foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date (usually the security transaction settlement date) at a negotiated forward rate. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contract.

Details of open forward foreign currency contracts at March 31, 2007 and at December 31, 2006, respectively, were as follows:

 

Foreign Currency Sold

   Settlement Date    Amount Sold   

US$ Value at

Settlement

Date

  

US$ Value at

March 31,

2007

   Unrealized
Depreciation

Euro

   April 18, 2007    13,400,000 Sold    $ 17,503,522    $ 17,934,877    $ 431,355

Euro

   April 18, 2007    500,000 Sold    $ 653,767    $ 669,212    $ 15,445

 

Foreign Currency Sold

   Settlement Date    Amount Sold   

US$ Value at

Settlement

Date

  

US$ Value at

December 31,

2006

  

Unrealized

Depreciation

Euro

   January 10, 2007    12,900,000 Sold    $ 16,572,631    $ 17,027,725    $ 455,094

Euro

   January 10, 2007    500,000 Sold    $ 639,880    $ 659,990    $ 20,110

 

(j) Foreign currency amounts are translated into United States dollars on the following basis:

 

  (i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities—at the spot exchange rate on the last business day of each month; and

 

  (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses—at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Company isolates that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of investments held at period end. Similarly, the Company isolates the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of portfolio investments sold during the period.

Investments denominated in foreign currencies and foreign currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

(k) Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the credit facility using the straight line method, which closely approximates the effective yield method.

 

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(l) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position, and if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective as of the last day of the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006, which is March 31, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its financial statements. At this time, the impact to the Company’s financial statements has not been determined.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The provisions of SFAS 159 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial statements. At this time, the impact to the Company’s financial statements has not been determined.

3. Agreements and related party transactions

The Company has entered into an Investment Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Advisor, under which the Investment Advisor, subject to the overall supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory services to, the Company. For providing these services, the Investment Advisor receives a base management fee (the “Management Fee”) from the Company at an annual rate of 2.0% of the Company’s total assets, including any assets acquired with the proceeds of leverage. For services rendered under the Management Agreement during the period commencing from July 25, 2005, the closing of the Offering (the “Closing”), through July 25, 2006, the Management Fee was payable monthly in arrears. For services rendered under the Management Agreement after that time, the Management Fee is paid quarterly in arrears.

The Investment Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its rights to receive one-half of the amount of the Management Fee the Investment Advisor would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Company until the first date on which 90% of the assets of the Company are invested in portfolio companies in accordance with the Company’s investment objective, excluding investments in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, or the first anniversary of the Closing, whichever is sooner (the “Ramp-Up Date”). The Ramp-Up Date occurred on July 25, 2006. Thereafter, the Investment Advisor has agreed to waive, until such time as the Company has completed an initial public offering of its Common Stock and listed its Common Stock on a national securities exchange or market (collectively, the “Public Market Event”), one-quarter of the amount of the Management Fee the Investment Advisor would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Company. In addition, the Investment Advisor has agreed to (a) waive Management Fees for any calendar year in excess of a certain maximum until the earlier of (i) such time as the Company has completed the Public Market Event or (ii) the fourth anniversary of the Company’s inception of operations and (b) waive Management Fees in excess of a certain maximum during the fifth year of the Company’s operations unless the Company has completed the Public Market Event.

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor earned $2,769,806, in base management fees, net of the waiver provision, from the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Investment Advisor earned $1,332,439 in such fees.

The Management Agreement provides that the Investment Advisor or its affiliates may be entitled to an incentive management fee (the “Carried Interest”) under certain circumstances. The determination of the Carried Interest, as described in more detail below, will result in the Investment Advisor or its affiliates receiving no Carried Interest payments if returns to Company stockholders, as described in more detail below, do not meet an 8.0% annualized rate of return and will result in the Investment Advisor or its affiliates receiving less than the full amount of the Carried Interest percentage until returns to stockholders exceed an approximate 13.3% annualized rate of return.

 

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For the period beginning on the Ramp-Up Date to the beginning of the calendar quarter in which the Public Market Event occurs, the Company has paid and, assuming the Company’s performance continues to exceed the hurdle rate, will pay the Investment Advisor Carried Interest equal to the amount by which the aggregate cumulative distributions and amounts distributable to stockholders out of taxable net income (including realized capital gain) exceeds the cumulative combination of realized capital loss and net unrealized capital depreciation, if any, through the period of determination. The amount of the excess described in this paragraph is referred to as the pre-offering excess amount.

The Carried Interest for this period equals 50% of the pre-offering excess amount, until the cumulative Carried Interest payments for this period equals 20% of the pre-offering excess amount distributed or distributable to stockholders. Thereafter, the Carried Interest for this period equals an amount such that the cumulative Carried Interest payments to the Investment Advisor during this period equal 20% of the pre-offering excess amount.

For the period beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter in which the Public Market Event occurs and ending on the first anniversary of this date, assuming the Company’s performance exceeds the hurdle rate, the Company will pay the Investment Advisor Carried Interest equal to the amount by which the aggregate distributions and amounts distributable to stockholders out of taxable net income (including realized capital gains) exceeds the combination of (1) realized capital loss occurring during the period and (2) net unrealized capital depreciation, if any, occurring during the period. The amount of the excess described in this paragraph is referred to as the transition period excess amount.

The Carried Interest for this period will equal 50% of the transition period excess amount, until the cumulative Carried Interest payments for this period equals 20% of the transition period excess amount distributed or distributable to stockholders. Thereafter, the Carried Interest for this period will equal an amount such that the cumulative Carried Interest payments to the Investment Advisor during this period equal 20% of the sum of the transition period excess amount.

For each trailing four quarter period beginning on the last day of the calendar quarter in which the first anniversary of the Public Market Event occurs, assuming the Company’s performance exceeds the hurdle rate, the Company will pay the Investment Advisor Carried Interest if the aggregate distributions and amounts distributable to stockholders out of taxable net income (including realized capital gains) exceed the combination of (i) realized capital loss occurring during the period and (ii) unrealized capital depreciation, if any, occurring during the period. The amount of the excess described in this paragraph is referred to as the post-offering quarterly excess amount.

The Carried Interest for this period will equal 50% of the post-offering quarterly excess amount, until the cumulative Carried Interest payments for this period equals 20% of the post-offering quarterly excess amount distributed or distributable to stockholders. Thereafter, the Carried Interest for this period will equal an amount such that the cumulative Carried Interest payments to the Interest Advisor during this period equal 20% of the sum of the postoffering quarterly excess amount.

In addition to the foregoing, the amount of any Carried Interest payable from realized capital gains for any specified period will not exceed the amount permitted by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as interpreted from time to time by the SEC and its staff. As currently interpreted, the amount of Carried Interest payable from realized capital gain for any specified period is 20% of the Company’s realized capital gains for the period computed net of realized capital losses for the period (but excluding any realized capital loss that results from the conversion of unrealized capital depreciation from a prior period into a realized capital loss in the current period) and unrealized capital depreciation for the period.

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor earned $3,692,649 in incentive management fees, or Carried Interest, from the Company. No incentive management fees were earned prior to July 25, 2006.

The Management Agreement provides that the Company will reimburse the Investment Advisor for costs and expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor for office space rental, office equipment and utilities allocable to the performance by the Investment Advisor of its duties under the Management Agreement, as well as any costs and expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor relating to any non-investment advisory, administrative or operating

 

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services provided by the Investment Advisor to the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred $196,093 for costs and expenses reimbursable to the Investment Advisor under the Management Agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company incurred $77,957 in such costs and expenses.

No person who is an officer, director or employee of the Investment Advisor and who serves as a director of the Company receives any compensation from the Company for such services. Directors who are not affiliated with the Investment Advisor receive compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses incurred to attend meetings.

The Company has also entered into an administration agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the “Administrator”) under which the Administrator provides administrative services to the Company. For providing these services, facilities and personnel, the Company reimburses the Administrator for the Company’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and the Company’s allocable portion of the cost of certain of the Company’s officers and their respective staffs. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) is a significant stockholder of the ultimate parent of the Administrator. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred $175,000 for administrative services expenses payable to the Administrator under the administration agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company incurred $246,575 in such expenses.

From time to time, the Investment Advisor or the Administrator may pay amounts owed by the Company to third party providers of goods or services. The Company will subsequently reimburse the Investment Advisor or the Administrator, as the case may be, for such amounts paid on its behalf. Reimbursements to the Investment Advisor and Administrator for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $309,253 and $0, respectively. Reimbursements to the Investment Advisor and Administrator for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $149,992 and $24,900, respectively.

PFPC Inc. (“PFPC”), a subsidiary of PNC, provides administrative and accounting services to the Company pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement. PFPC Trust Company, another subsidiary of PNC, provides custodian services to the Company pursuant to a Custodian Services Agreement. Also, PFPC provides transfer agency and compliance support services to the Company pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement and a Compliance Support Services Agreement, respectively. For the services provided to the Company by PFPC and its affiliates, PFPC is entitled to an annual fee of 0.02% of the Company’s average net assets plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses, and a base fee, payable monthly. PFPC Trust Company may charge the Company additional fees for cash overdraft balances or for sweeping excess cash balances.

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred $58,703, for administrative, accounting, custodian and transfer agency services fees payable to PFPC and its affiliates under the related agreements. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company incurred $55,409 for such fees payable to PFPC and its affiliates.

On July 25, 2005, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company issued approximately 33,333,333 shares of its common stock to BlackRock Kelso Capital Holding LLC, an entity for which the Investment Advisor serves as manager, in exchange for total consideration of $500,000,000 ($15.00 per share), consisting of $80,282,060 in cash and a portfolio of short-term investments and cash equivalents valued at $419,717,940. The transaction was effected in accordance with the Company’s valuation procedures governing securities transactions with affiliates and was ratified by the Board of Directors.

In March 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance and sale from time to time of up to $2,500,000 in aggregate net asset value of shares of the Company’s common stock to certain existing and future officers and employees of the Investment Advisor at a price per share equal to the greater of $15.00 or the Company’s most recently determined net asset value per share at the time of sale. Pursuant to this authorization, in April 2006 the Company issued and sold to certain employees of the Investment Advisor in a private placement 54,000 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of $810,000. Also pursuant to this authorization, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company issued and sold to certain officers and employees of the Investment Advisor in private placements a total of 89,604 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $1,354,000.

In August 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance and sale from time to time of an indeterminate number of shares of the Company’s common stock to the Investment Advisor at a price per share equal to the Company’s most recently determined net asset value per share at the time of sale, such shares to be used by the Investment Advisor for employee compensation and other purposes. Pursuant to this authorization, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company issued and sold to the Investment Advisor in private placements 184,300 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2,791,000.

 

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At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, the Investment Advisor beneficially owned indirectly approximately 1,043,000 and 775,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, representing approximately 2.6% and 2.1% of the total shares outstanding. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, other entities affiliated with the Administrator and PFPC beneficially owned indirectly approximately 2,615,000 and 2,475,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, representing approximately 6.5% and 6.6% of the total shares outstanding. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 an entity affiliated with the Administrator and PFPC owned 36.5% of the members’ interests of the Investment Advisor.

In September 2006, BlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) completed the plan entered into February 2006 to merge Merrill Lynch’s investment management business, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”), and BlackRock to create a new independent asset management company with over $1 trillion in assets under management. The new company operates under the BlackRock name and is governed by a board of directors with a majority of independent members. As a result of the transaction, Merrill Lynch owns approximately 49% of the combined company (with a 45% voting interest therein). PNC retained approximately a 34% ownership of the combined company, and the remainder is held by employees and public stockholders. Prior to the merger, BlackRock was majority owned by PNC.

The Company earned $124,729 in interest income on investments in money market securities issued by MLIM or its former affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The Company held $4,885,000 in money market securities issued by MLIM or its former affiliates at March 31, 2006, representing approximately 0.9% of the Company’s net assets. No MLIM-affiliated investments were held by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2007. From time to time, former affiliates of MLIM may serve as broker/dealer or agent for the Company or for portfolio companies in which the Company invests. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the Company did not make any payments to former MLIM affiliates for such services.

As described in Note 7, on February 8, 2007 the Company added several lenders to its credit facility in order to increase amounts available for borrowing thereunder. One of the new lenders was Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation (“MLCC”), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, with a lending commitment of $75,000,000. On April 16, 2007, MLCC’s commitment was increased by $25,000,000, to $100,000,000 in aggregate, pursuant to a temporary (until October 15, 2007) increase of amounts available under the facility. The terms and conditions applicable to MLCC as a lender are identical to those of any other lender under the facility. In accordance with such terms, MLCC generally receives a pro rata share of any payments the Company makes under the credit facility for principal, interest or fees.

4. Net asset value per share

At March 31, 2007, the Company’s total net assets and net asset value per share were $598,671,614 and $14.95, respectively. This compares to total net assets and net asset value per share at December 31, 2006 of $561,799,922 and $14.93, respectively.

5. Earnings per share

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share (earnings per share) resulting from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.

 

    

Three months
ended

March 31,

2007

  

Three months
ended

March 31,

2006

Numerator for basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 17,028,280    $ 7,121,056

Denominator for basic and diluted weighted average shares

     38,501,302      35,685,496

Basic/diluted net increase in net assets per share resulting from operations

   $ 0.44    $ 0.20

Diluted net increase in net assets per share resulting from operations equals basic net increase in net assets per share resulting from operations for the period because there were no common stock equivalents outstanding during the above periods.

 

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6. Investments

Excluding short-term investments, purchases and sales/repayments of investments for the three months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $213,879,179 and $16,541,581, respectively. Purchases and sales/repayments of long-term investments for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $72,653,669 and $6,256,303, respectively.

At March 31, 2007, investments and cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following, excluding unearned income:

 

     Amortized Cost    Fair Value

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,330,578    $ 5,330,578
             

Subordinated debt/corporate notes

     263,683,570      266,477,779
             

Senior secured loans:

     

First lien

     185,052,562      185,037,969

Second/other priority lien

     460,779,414      462,169,861
             

Total senior secured loans

     645,831,976      647,207,830
             

Preferred stock

     11,914,367      11,914,367

Common stock

     10,821,456      10,867,500

Limited partnership/limited liability company interests

     21,457,549      21,983,333

Equity warrants

     1,055,112      1,376,872
             

Total

   $ 960,094,608    $ 965,158,259
             

At December 31, 2006, investments and cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following, excluding unearned income:

 

     Amortized Cost    Fair Value

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,036,413    $ 3,036,413
             

Subordinated debt/corporate notes

     156,174,967      157,370,386
             

Senior secured loans:

     

First lien

     183,865,772      183,529,833

Second/other priority lien

     397,173,183      398,239,254
             

Total senior secured loans

     581,038,955      581,769,087
             

Preferred stock

     11,914,367      11,914,367

Common stock

     5,821,456      5,821,456

Limited partnership interest

     324,216      324,216

Equity warrants

     1,055,112      1,015,900
             

Total

   $ 759,365,486    $ 761,251,825
             

The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on debt investments.

The industry composition of the portfolio at fair value at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was as follows, excluding unearned income:

 

Industry

   March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Printing, Publishing and Media

   11.7 %   7.2 %

Manufacturing

   11.6     6.6  

Healthcare

   10.4     13.3  

Business Services

   9.7     10.7  

Consumer Products

   8.8     11.2  

Other Services

   8.2     10.4  

Electronics

   6.3     7.9  

Entertainment and Leisure

   5.5     6.9  

Transportation

   4.7     0.1  

Metals

   3.8     4.8  

 

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Industry

   March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Utilities

   3.7     4.6  

Retail

   3.7     3.0  

Chemicals

   3.6     4.3  

Beverage, Food and Tobacco

   3.0     3.8  

Homebuilding

   2.7     3.4  

Finance

   1.1     0.0  

Containers and Packaging

   0.7     0.9  

Aerospace and Defense

   0.5     0.6  

Textiles

   0.3     0.3  
            

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %
            

7. Credit agreement and borrowings

On December 6, 2006, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and, on February 8, 2007, completed certain amendments thereto. Under the amended Credit Agreement, the lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400 million at any one time outstanding. The Credit Agreement is a four-year revolving facility (with a stated maturity date of December 6, 2010) and is secured by substantially all of the assets in the Company’s portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents. Subject to certain exceptions, the interest rate payable under the Credit Agreement is 87.5 basis points over LIBOR. The Company has made certain representations and warranties and is required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar revolving credit facilities, including covenants related to: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, (b) limitations on certain investments, (c) limitations on certain restricted payments, (d) maintaining a certain minimum stockholders’ equity, (e) maintaining a ratio of total assets (less total liabilities) to total indebtedness, of the Company and its subsidiaries, of not less than 2.0:1.0, (f) maintaining minimum liquidity, and (g) limitations on the creation or existence of agreements that prohibit liens on certain properties of the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition to the asset coverage ratio described above, borrowings under the Credit Agreement (and the incurrence of certain other permitted debt) are subject to compliance with a borrowing base that applies different advance rates to different types of assets in the Company’s portfolio. The Credit Agreement also includes an “accordion” feature that allows the Company to increase the size of the credit facility to a maximum of $1 billion under certain circumstances. The Credit Agreement is used to supplement the Company’s equity capital to make additional portfolio investments and for other general corporate purposes.

At March 31, 2007, the Company had $300,000,000 drawn on the revolving credit facility versus $164,000,000 at December 31, 2006. The weighted average annual interest cost for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 6.77%, exclusive of 0.175% in commitment fees and of other prepaid expenses related to establishing the credit facility.

The average debt outstanding on the credit facility was $220,484,436 during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The maximum amount borrowed during this period was $301,000,000. The remaining amount available under the facility was $100,000,000 at March 31, 2007 versus $61,000,000 at December 31, 2006.

At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, the Company was in compliance with all financial and operational covenants required by the Credit Agreement.

On April 16, 2007, the Company increased commitments under the Credit Agreement to $500 million until October 15, 2007, on which date total commitments will revert to $400 million.

8. Commitments and contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements that provide general indemnifications against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of individual obligations under such agreements. The Company has had no prior claims or payments pursuant to such agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on management’s experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

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9. Financial highlights

The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements. The following is a schedule of financial highlights for a common share outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

    

Three months ended

March 31,

2007

   

Three months ended

March 31,

2006

 

Per Share Data:

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 14.93     $ 14.95  
                

Net investment income

     0.36       0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gain

     0.08       0.01  
                

Total from investment operations

     0.44       0.20  
                

Less dividend distributions to stockholders from net investment income

     (0.42 )     (0.20 )
                

Net increase in net assets

     0.02       —    
                

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 14.95     $ 14.95  
                

Total return(1)(2)

     2.97 %     1.34 %

Ratios / Supplemental Data:

    

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets(3)(4)

     5.04 %     1.56 %

Ratio of credit facility related expenses to average net assets(3)

     2.63 %     —    
                

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(3)(4)

     7.67 %     1.56 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(3)

     2.40 %     5.06 %

Net assets, end of period

   $ 598,671,614     $ 542,420,327  

Average debt outstanding

   $ 220,484,436       —    

Average debt per share(5)

   $ 5.73       —    

Portfolio turnover(2)

     2 %     4 %

(1) Total return is based on the change in net asset value per share during the period and takes into account dividends and distributions, if any, reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.
(2) Not annualized.
(3) Annualized.
(4) For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the ratio of operating expenses before management fee waiver to average net assets is 5.68% and 2.56%, respectively, and the ratio of total expenses before management fee waiver to average net assets is 8.31% and 2.56%, respectively.
(5) Average debt per share is calculated as average debt outstanding divided by the average shares outstanding during the period.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We were incorporated in Delaware on April 13, 2005 and were initially funded on July 25, 2005. Our investment objective is to provide a combination of current income and capital appreciation. We intend to invest primarily in debt and equity securities of private U.S. middle-market companies.

We are externally managed and have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less.

 

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On July 25, 2005, we completed a private placement of 35,366,589 shares of our common stock at a price of $15.00 per share, less a placement fee of $507,407 and legal fees and other offering costs of $657,639. We received approximately $529.3 million in net proceeds from this offering.

Investments

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital available to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make. In the past two years, the senior secured loan market has experienced dramatic growth in new issuance along with narrowing interest rate spreads. These conditions have led to the general weakening of loan covenants and have driven traditional senior lenders to pursue opportunities in the subordinated loan market. We expect these trends to continue and, as a result, the environment for investments in middle-market companies should remain very competitive. Despite these conditions, we expect to be able to continue to utilize our debt and equity capital to grow our long-term investment portfolio. We intend to maintain our disciplined investment process, selectively participating in transactions when our assessment of risk and reward indicates a favorable opportunity.

As a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Qualifying assets include investments in “eligible portfolio companies.” The SEC recently adopted new rules under the 1940 Act to expand the definition of “eligible portfolio company” to include all private companies and companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange. The new rules also will permit us to include as qualifying assets certain follow-on investments in companies that were eligible portfolio companies at the time of initial investment but that no longer meet the definition. The new rules became effective November 30, 2006. As a result of these new rules, we are no longer required to determine the eligibility of a portfolio company by reference to whether or not it has outstanding marginable securities.

In addition to the adoption of the rules described above, the SEC also proposed for comment a rule that would include as eligible portfolio companies certain public companies that have listed their securities on a national securities exchange, as long as their public float and/or market capitalization is below a specified level. We will continue to monitor closely any developments with respect to the definition of an eligible portfolio company and intend to adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of the new rules, as well as any other regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions in this area.

Revenues

We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest on the debt we hold, dividends on our equity interests and capital gains on the sale of warrants and other debt or equity interests that we acquire in portfolio companies. Our investments in fixed income instruments generally have an expected maturity of three to ten years, although we have no lower or upper constraint on maturity, and typically bear interest at a fixed or floating rate. Interest on our debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semi-annually. Payments of principal of our debt investments may be amortized over the stated term of the investment, deferred for several years or due entirely at maturity. In some cases, our debt instruments and preferred stock investments may defer payments of cash interest or pay interest in-kind. Any outstanding principal amount of our debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of prepayment fees, commitment, origination, structuring or due diligence fees, fees for providing significant managerial assistance and consulting fees.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of a base management fee and, depending on our operating results, an incentive management fee, expenses reimbursable under the management agreement, administration fees and the allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement. The base management fee and incentive management fee compensate the Investment Advisor for work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. Our management agreement with the Investment Advisor provides that we will reimburse the Investment Advisor for costs and expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor for office space rental, office equipment and utilities allocable to the performance by the Investment Advisor of its duties under the management agreement, as well as any costs and expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor relating to any non-investment advisory, administrative or operating services provided by the Investment Advisor to us. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to:

 

   

our organization;

 

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calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firms);

 

   

expenses incurred by the Investment Advisor payable to third parties in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

 

   

interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;

 

   

the costs of future offerings of common shares and other securities, if any;

 

   

the base management fee and any incentive management fee;

 

   

distributions on our common shares;

 

   

administration fees payable under the administration agreement;

 

   

fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments;

 

   

transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

   

registration fees;

 

   

listing fees;

 

   

taxes;

 

   

independent director fees and expenses;

 

   

costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC;

 

   

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs;

 

   

our fidelity bond;

 

   

directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

 

   

indemnification payments;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including audit and legal costs; and

 

   

all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or the Administrator in connection with administering our business, such as the allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement, including rent and other allocable portions of the cost of certain of our officers and their respective staffs.

During the first year of our operations (through July 2006), the Investment Advisor agreed to waive its right to receive one-half of the base management fee the Investment Advisor would otherwise have been entitled to receive from us. Thereafter, the Investment Advisor waived one-quarter of the amount of the base management fee the Investment Advisor would otherwise have been entitled to receive from us. All of the fee waivers will terminate upon completion of an initial public offering of our common stock.

Additionally, the management agreement provides that the Investment Advisor or its affiliates may be entitled to an incentive fee under certain circumstances. The determination of the incentive fee will result in the Investment Advisor or its affiliates receiving no incentive fee payments if returns to our stockholders do not meet an 8.0% annualized rate of return and will result in the Investment Advisor or its affiliates receiving less than the full amount of the incentive fee percentage until returns to stockholders exceed an approximate 13.3% annualized rate of return. The determination of the incentive fee is subject to any applicable limitations under the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Critical accounting policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. In addition to the discussion below, our critical accounting policies are further described in the notes to the financial statements.

Valuation of portfolio investments

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations, which are generally obtained from an independent pricing service or one or more broker-dealers or market makers. However, debt investments with remaining maturities within 60 days are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus

 

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amortized premium, which approximates fair value. Debt and equity securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market value for many of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value many of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith under the direction of our Board of Directors using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with a documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Board of Directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of the Investment Advisor responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

   

preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with senior management;

 

   

to the extent determined by the audit committee of our Board of Directors, independent valuation firms engaged by our Board of Directors conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and their own independent assessment;

 

   

the audit committee of our Board of Directors reviews the preliminary valuations of the investment professionals, senior management and independent valuation firms; and

 

   

the Board of Directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of the Investment Advisor, the respective independent valuation firms and the audit committee.

The types of factors that we may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors.

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

Revenue recognition

We record interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and debt securities with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance and generally due at maturity, we do not accrue PIK interest if the portfolio company valuation indicates that the PIK interest is not collectible. Origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees and discounts and premiums on investments purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the respective investment. Unamortized origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees are recorded as unearned income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, we record any prepayment fees and unamortized loan origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees as interest income. We record dividend income on the ex-dividend date.

With respect to the dividends paid to stockholders, income from origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees associated with investments in portfolio companies in which the Investment Advisor on our behalf provides significant services to the portfolio company in connection with making the investment is treated as taxable income and accordingly, distributed to stockholders. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, these fees totaled $1,293,750. We anticipate earning additional upfront fees in the future and such fees may cause our taxable income to exceed our GAAP income, although the differences are expected to be temporary in nature.

Net realized gains or losses and net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation

We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, but considering unamortized upfront fees and prepayment fees. Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the change in

 

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portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.

Federal income taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and, among other things, have made and intend to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders to relieve us from federal income and excise taxes. In order to qualify as a RIC, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, to our stockholders. To avoid federal excise taxes, we must distribute annually at least 98% of our income (both ordinary income and net capital gains).

Within the context of these critical accounting policies, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different amounts being reported.

Portfolio and investment activity

During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we closed a number of new investments in portfolio companies. We attribute our ability to have made these investments to the investment platform of our Investment Advisor, favorable market conditions and access to additional financing through the use of our credit facility. During the quarter, we invested approximately $213.9 million across 9 new and 2 existing portfolio companies. The new investments consisted primarily of senior loans secured by second liens ($79.8 million, or 37% of the total) and first liens ($2.0 million, or 1%), subordinated debt/corporate notes ($106.0 million, or 50%) and equity securities ($26.1 million, or 12%). Additionally, we received proceeds from sales/repayments of principal of approximately $16.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

At March 31, 2007, our net portfolio of $960.4 million (at value) consisted of 55 portfolio companies and was invested 67% in senior secured loans, 27% in subordinated debt/corporate notes, 5% in equity investments and 1% in cash, cash equivalents and foreign currency. Our average portfolio company investment by value was approximately $17.4 million. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately $44.5 million and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 22% of our portfolio at March 31, 2007. At December 31, 2006, our net portfolio of $757.3 million (at value) consisted of 49 portfolio companies and was invested 71% in senior secured loans, 26% in subordinated debt/corporate notes, 3% in equity investments and less than 1% in cash, cash equivalents and foreign currency. Our average portfolio company investment by value was approximately $15 million at December 31, 2006. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately $42.2 million and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 25% of our portfolio at December 31, 2006.

Our weighted average yield on invested capital was 12.6% at March 31, 2007 versus 12.5% at December 31, 2006. The weighted average yields on our subordinated debt/corporate notes and senior secured loans were 13.7% and 12.3%, respectively, at March 31, 2007, versus 13.2% and 12.5%, respectively, at December 31, 2006. Yields are computed using interest rates and dividend yields as of the balance sheet date and include amortization of loan origination and commitment fees, original issue discount and market premium or discount, weighted by the amortized cost of the respective investment when averaged. Yields on invested capital exclude common equity investments, closed-end funds, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents.

At March 31, 2007, 63% of our debt investments bore interest based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate, and 37% bore interest at fixed rates. At December, 2006, 69% of our debt investments bore interest based on floating rates and 31% bore interest at fixed rates.

The Investment Advisor employs a grading system for our entire portfolio. The Investment Advisor grades all loans on a scale of 1 to 4. This system is intended to reflect the performance of the borrower’s business, the collateral coverage of the loans and other factors considered relevant. The Investment Advisor assigns only one loan grade to each portfolio company for all loan investments in that portfolio company. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

Grade 1: Investments in portfolio companies whose performance is substantially within the Investment Advisor’s expectations and whose risk factors are neutral to favorable to those at the time of the original investment. As of March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor rated approximately 82% of our portfolio companies representing approximately 88% of the value of our total investments as Grade 1.

Grade 2: Investments in portfolio companies whose performance is below the Investment Advisor’s expectations and that require closer monitoring; however, no loss of investment return (interest and/or dividends) or principal is expected. As of March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor rated approximately 16% of our portfolio companies representing approximately 11% of the value of our total investments as Grade 2.

 

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Grade 3: Investments in portfolio companies whose performance is below the Investment Advisor’s expectations and for which risk has increased materially since origination. Some loss of investment return is expected, but no loss of principal is expected. Companies graded 3 will generally be out of compliance with debt covenants and will be unlikely to make debt repayments on their original schedule. As of March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor rated none of our portfolio companies as Grade 3.

Grade 4: Investments in portfolio companies whose performance is materially below the Investment Advisor’s expectations where business trends have deteriorated and risk factors have increased substantially since the original investment. Investments graded 4 are those for which some loss of principal is expected. As of March 31, 2007, the Investment Advisor rated approximately 2% of our portfolio companies representing approximately 2% of the value of our total investments as Grade 4.

The Investment Advisor monitors and, when appropriate, changes the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. In connection with our valuation process, the Investment Advisor and our Board of Directors reviews these investment ratings on a quarterly basis. Our average investment rating was 1.15 at March 31, 2007.

Results of operations

Results comparisons are for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.

Operating income

Investment income totaled $25,052,230 and $8,733,410, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, of which $18,361,445 and $4,209,775, respectively, were attributable to interest and fees on senior secured loans, $162,636 and $4,125,906, respectively, to interest earned on short-term investments and cash equivalents, $6,254,177 and $143,811, respectively, to interest earned on subordinated debt/corporate notes, $260,477 and $151,918, respectively, to dividends from preferred stock and closed-end funds and $13,495 and $102,000 respectively, to other income. The increase in operating income compared to the prior period reflects the growth of our portfolio and the transition of the portfolio from temporary to long-term investments.

Operating expenses

Net operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 were $11,037,857 and $2,053,421, respectively, which consisted of $2,769,806 and $1,332,439, respectively, in base management fees (net of base management fee waivers of $923,269 and $1,332,439, respectively), $3,692,649 and $0, respectively, in incentive management fees owed to the Investment Advisor, $218,703 and $288,345, respectively, in administrative services expenses, $146,591 and $213,917, respectively, in professional fees, $63,505 and $70,188, respectively, in director fees, $196,093 and $77,957, respectively, in Investment Advisor expenses, $40,931 and $36,539, respectively, in insurance expenses, $3,714,805 and $0, respectively, in interest expense and fees related to the Credit Facility, $62,705 and $0, respectively, in amortization of debt issuance costs, and $132,069 and $34,036, respectively, in other expenses. The increase in operating expenses compared to the prior period reflects the growth of our portfolio, the incurrence of incentive management fees to the Investment Advisor, and the incurrence of borrowing costs under our credit facility.

Net investment income

Net investment income was $14,014,373 and $6,679,989, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 (which amounts would have been $13,091,104 and $5,347,550, respectively, without base management fee waivers).

Net realized loss

Net realized loss on investments of $192,875 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was the result of $22,027 in net gains realized from the disposition of investments offset by $214,902 in net losses realized on foreign currency transactions during the year. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, net realized loss on investments was $405,166 resulting primarily from disposition of two subordinated debt/corporate notes positions.

 

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Net unrealized appreciation

For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the change in net unrealized appreciation was $3,206,782 and $846,233, respectively, which was comprised of an increase in net unrealized appreciation on investments of $3,177,312 and $834,193, respectively, a decrease in net unrealized depreciation on cash equivalents of $0 and $12,040, respectively, and net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations of $29,470 and $0, respectively.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

The net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 was $17,028,280 and $7,121,056, respectively. As compared to the prior period, the increase reflects the growth of our portfolio and the transition of the portfolio from temporary to long-term investments.

Financial condition, liquidity and capital resources

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we generated operating cash flows primarily from interest earned and fees received on senior secured loans and subordinated debt/corporate notes, as well as from interest earned on temporary investments and dividends received from equity holdings. In the future, we may securitize a portion of our investments in senior secured loans or other assets.

Our primary uses of funds for operations during the three months ended March 31, 2007 consisted of investments in portfolio companies and payment of fees and other operating expenses incurred by the Company.

Our operating activities resulted in a net use of cash of $137,745,737 for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

In March 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the issuance and sale from time to time of up to $2.5 million in aggregate net asset value of shares of our common stock to certain existing and future officers and employees of the Investment Advisor at a price per share equal to the greater of $15.00 or our then current determined net asset value per share at the time of sale. Pursuant to this authorization, in April 2006 we issued and sold to certain employees of the Investment Advisor in a private placement 54,000 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of $810,000. Also pursuant to this authorization, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, we issued and sold to certain officers and employees of the Investment Advisor in private placements a total of 89,604 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $1,354,000.

In August 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the issuance and sale from time to time of an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock to the Investment Advisor at a price per share equal to our most recently determined net asset value per share at the time of sale, such shares to be used by the Investment Advisor for employee compensation and other purposes. Pursuant to this authorization, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, we issued and sold to the Investment Advisor in private placements 184,300 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2,791,000.

On December 6, 2006, we closed on our credit facility, and, on February 8, 2007, completed certain amendments thereto. The facility is a $400 million, multi-currency, four year, senior secured credit facility with a group of lenders. It provides us with the ability to seek additional commitments to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 billion, subject to certain conditions. The credit facility has a stated maturity of December 6, 2010 and the interest rate applicable to borrowings thereunder is LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points. As a BDC, we are permitted to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. At March 31, 2007, we had $300 million drawn and outstanding under the credit facility, with $100 million available to us.

Our financing activities resulted in a net inflow of cash of $140,039,902 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, primarily from borrowings under our credit facility.

At March 31, 2007, we had $5,330,578 in cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we had $128,800 in foreign currency at that date.

On March 6, 2007, we filed a Form N-2 registration statement with the SEC that would permit us, after it is declared effective by the SEC, to raise capital through a public offering of our common stock. On April 13, 2007, we filed an amendment to that registration statement.

 

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On March 28, 2007, we filed a certificate of amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase our authorized capital stock from 40 million shares of common stock to 100 million shares of common stock.

On April 16, 2007, we increased commitments under the credit facility to $500 million until October 15, 2007, on which date total commitments will revert to $400 million. We expect that our substantial debt capital resources will provide us with the flexibility to take advantage of market opportunities when they arise.

On May 8, 2007, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.42 per share, payable on May 31, 2007 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2007.

Contractual Obligations

A summary of our significant contractual payment obligations for the repayment of outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility at March 31, 2007 is as follows:

 

     Payments Due By Period (dollars in millions)
     Total    Less than 1 year    1-3 years    4-5 years    After 5 years

Credit Facility Payable(1)

   $ 300    $ —      $ —      $ 300    $ —  

(1) At March 31, 2007, $100 million remained unused under our Credit Facility. As discussed above, on April 16, 2007 we increased commitments under the credit facility to $500 million until October 15, 2007, on which date total commitments will revert to $400 million.

We have entered into several contracts under which we have future commitments. Pursuant to an investment management agreement, the Investment Advisor manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to us. Payments under the investment management agreement are equal to a percentage of the value of our gross assets and an incentive fee. Under our administration agreement, the Administrator provides us with administrative services, facilities and personnel. Payments under the administration agreement are equal to an allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations to us, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of certain of our officers and their respective staffs. Pursuant to various other agreements, subsidiaries of PNC provide custodian services, administrative and accounting services, transfer agency and compliance support services to us. Payments under such agreements are generally equal to a percentage of our average net assets plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses, and a base fee. Either party may terminate each of the investment management agreement, administration agreement and such other agreements without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other. See Note 3 to our financials statements for more information regarding these agreements.

Off-Balance sheet financing

We had no off-balance sheet contractual obligations or arrangements at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, or FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 requires that we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position, and whether that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective as of the last day of the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006, which is March 31, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, or SFAS 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on financial statements. At this time, the impact to our financial statements has not been determined.

 

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In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or SFAS 159, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The provisions of SFAS 159 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial statements. At this time, the impact to the Company’s financial statements has not been determined.

Dividends

We intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. Our quarterly dividends are determined by our Board of Directors. Dividends declared by the Company since July 25, 2005 (inception of operations) have been as follows:

 

Dividend Amount Per

Share

Outstanding

  

Record Date

  

Pay Date

$0.20

   December 31, 2005    January 31, 2006

$0.20

   March 15, 2006    March 31, 2006

$0.23

   June 15, 2006    June 30, 2006

$0.30

   September 15, 2006    September 29, 2006

$0.42

   December 31, 2006    January 31, 2007

$0.42

   March 15, 2007    March 30, 2007

$0.42

   May 15, 2007    May 31, 2007

Tax characteristics of all dividends are reported to stockholders on Form 1099 after the end of the calendar year.

We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our RIC status and obtain favorable RIC tax treatment, we must distribute annually to our stockholders at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

 

   

98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year;

 

   

98% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31st; and

 

   

any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years.

In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, stockholders’ cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends.

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make dividends and distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends and distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make dividends and distributions due to the asset coverage test for borrowings when applicable to us as a BDC under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in our existing and future credit facilities. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of favorable RIC tax treatment. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any dividends and distributions or dividends and distributions at a particular level.

With respect to the dividends paid to stockholders, income from origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees associated with investments in portfolio companies in which the Investment Advisor on our behalf provides significant services to the portfolio company in connection with making the investment is treated as taxable income and accordingly, distributed to stockholders. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, these fees totaled $1,293,750. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, such fees totaled $320,000. We anticipate earning additional upfront fees in the future and such fees may cause our taxable income to exceed our GAAP income, although the differences are expected to be temporary in nature.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. At March 31, 2007, 63% of our debt investments bore interest based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. The interest rates on such investments generally reset by reference to the current market index after one to six months.

To illustrate the potential impact of changes in interest rates, we have performed the following analysis based on our March 31, 2007 balance sheet and assuming no changes in our investment structure. Net asset value is analyzed using the assumptions that interest rates, as defined by the LIBOR and U.S. Treasury yield curves, increase or decrease and that the yield curves of the rate shocks will be parallel to each other. Under this analysis, an instantaneous 100 basis point increase in LIBOR and U.S. Treasury yields would cause a decline of approximately $5,700,000, or $0.14 per share, in the value of our net assets at March 31, 2007 and a corresponding 100 basis point decrease in LIBOR and U.S. Treasury yields would cause an increase of approximately $5,700,000, or $0.14 per share, in the value of our net assets on that date.

While hedging activities may help to insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments. During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, we did not engage in any interest rate hedging activity.

We may enter into forward foreign currency contracts from time to time to facilitate settlement of purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign currencies or to help mitigate the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of our investments denominated in foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date (usually the security transaction settlement date) at a negotiated forward rate. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

Details of open forward foreign currency contracts at March 31, 2007 and at December 31, 2006, respectively, were as follows:

 

Foreign Currency Sold

   Settlement Date    Amount Sold   

US$ Value at

Settlement Date

  

US$ Value at

March 31, 2007

  

Unrealized

Depreciation

Euro

   April 18, 2007    13,400,000 Sold    $ 17,503,522    $ 17,934,877    $ 431,355

Euro

   April 18, 2007    500,000 Sold    $ 653,767    $ 669,212    $ 15,445

Foreign Currency Sold

   Settlement Date    Amount Sold   

US$ Value at

Settlement Date

  

US$ Value at

December 31, 2006

  

Unrealized

Depreciation

Euro

   January 10, 2007    12,900,000 Sold    $ 16,572,631    $ 17,027,725    $ 455,094

Euro

   January 10, 2007    500,000 Sold    $ 639,880    $ 659,990    $ 20,110

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are not a party in any material pending legal proceeding, and no such proceedings are known to be contemplated.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Not required.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On January 2, 2007 and February 26, 2007, the Company issued and sold to the Investment Advisor in private placements a total of 184,300 shares of the Company’s common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2,791,000. On February 1, 2007 and March 1, 2007, the Company issued and sold to certain officers and employees of the Investment Advisor in private placements a total of 89,604 shares of the Company’s common stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $1,354,000. The proceeds of these placements were used for general corporate purposes. These placements were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D, Rule 506 promulgated thereunder for transactions not involving a public offering and based on the fact that the common stock was issued primarily to accredited investors.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On March 27, 2007, the Company held its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in New York, New York for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors, to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 40 million to 100 million, to amend the Company’s Investment Management Agreement and to ratify the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm. Votes were cast as follows:

 

Director nominee

 

   For    Withheld

James R. Maher

   28,840,991    —  

Jerrold B. Harris

   28,840,470    521

William E. Mayer

   28,840,730    260

François de Saint Phalle

   28,772,055    260

Maureen K. Usifer

   28,771,316    521

 

Proposal

 

   For    Against    Abstain

Increase authorized shares of common stock

   28,833,391    7,600    260

Amend investment management agreement

   28,840,470    —      260

Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP

   28,840,991    —      —  

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32   Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    BLACKROCK KELSO CAPITAL CORPORATION
Date: May 10, 2007   By:  

/s/ James R. Maher

    James R. Maher
    Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 10, 2007   By:  

/s/ Frank D. Gordon

   

Frank D. Gordon

Chief Financial Officer

 

40

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

EXHIBIT 31.1

CEO CERTIFICATION

I, James R. Maher, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of and for the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; and

b) Not applicable (until the first fiscal year ending after December 15, 2007); and

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 10, 2007   By:  

/s/ James R. Maher

    James R. Maher
    Chairman of the Board and
    Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

EXHIBIT 31.2

CFO CERTIFICATION

I, Frank D. Gordon, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of and for the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; and

b) Not applicable (until the first fiscal year ending after December 15, 2007); and

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 10, 2007   By:  

/s/ Frank D. Gordon

    Frank D. Gordon
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Section 906 Certification of CEO and CFO

EXHIBIT 32

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), James R. Maher, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Frank D. Gordon, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ James R. Maher

Name:   James R. Maher
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Date:   May 10, 2007

/s/ Frank D. Gordon

Name:   Frank D. Gordon
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Date:   May 10, 2007