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EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 - TCW Direct Lending VII LLCd913853dex322.htm
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EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) - TCW Direct Lending VII LLCd913853dex312.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) - TCW Direct Lending VII LLCd913853dex311.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

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 814-01246

 

 

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   82-2252672

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA   02116
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 936-2275

Not applicable

Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, If Changed Since Last Report.

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

None   Not applicable   Not applicable

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   ☒    No   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes   ☒    No   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

Non-Accelerated filer

 

  

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

    

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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   ☒

As of March 31, 2020, there was no established public market for the Registrant’s common units. The number of the Registrant’s common units outstanding at May 11, 2020 was 13,734,010.

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED March 31, 2020

Table of Contents

 

    

INDEX

   PAGE
NO.
 

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of March  31, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019

     2  
  

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March  31, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019

     14  
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March  31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

     15  
  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

     16  
  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March  31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

     17  
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     18  

Item 2.

  

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

     35  

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     46  

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     46  

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     47  

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     47  

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     48  

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     48  

Item 4.

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     48  

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     48  

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     49  

SIGNATURES

     50  


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

As of March 31, 2020

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
  Non-Controlled/Non-Affiliated Investments Debt

 

Aerospace & Defense                  
  Cassavant Holdings, LLC(1)     01/02/20     Revolver - 8.08%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    0.2%       $ 1,959,870       01/02/25     $ 1,959,870     $ 1,899,114  
  Cassavant Holdings, LLC     01/02/20     Term Loan - 8.08%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    1.7%         14,150,260       01/02/25       13,923,464       13,711,602  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1.9%         16,110,130         15,883,334       15,610,716  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Columbia Helicopters, Inc.     08/20/19     Term Loan - 9.22%
(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    6.4%         50,652,000       08/20/24       49,746,369       50,601,348  
  DynCorp International Inc.     08/16/19     Term Loan B - 7.00%
(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor)
    3.7%         29,630,250       08/16/25       28,822,827       29,096,905  
  Heligear Acquisition Co.     07/30/19     Term Loan - 8.50%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    7.5%         59,382,173       07/30/24       58,332,612       58,669,587  
  Navistar Defense, LLC     12/31/18     Term Loan B - 7.75%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.50% Floor)
    2.2%         17,283,430       12/29/23       16,914,974       17,179,730  
  Sparton Corporation(2)     03/04/19     First Lien Term Loan - 8.95%
(LIBOR + 7.25%, 1.50% Floor)
    5.0%         40,142,078       03/04/24       39,388,946       39,178,668  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          26.7%         213,200,061         209,089,062       210,336,954  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics                  
  Need It Now Delivers, LLC(1)     12/23/19     Delayed Draw Term Loan - 7.75%
(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.75% Floor)
    0.1%         824,890       12/23/24       824,890       791,895  
  Need It Now Delivers, LLC(2)     12/23/19     Last Out Term Loan - 7.75%
(LIBOR + 6.00% , 1.75% Floor)
    1.8%         14,611,314       12/23/24       14,286,977       14,026,861  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1.9%         15,436,204         15,111,867       14,818,756  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Auto Components                  
  Shipston Group U.S. Inc.(2)     09/28/18     Term Loan - 9.66%
(LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.25% Floor)
    3.1%         26,036,788       09/28/23       25,736,716       24,708,912  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.1%         26,036,788         25,736,716       24,708,912  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Beverages                  
  Caiman Merger Sub LLC(1)     11/01/19     Term Loan - 7.27%
(LIBOR + 5.75%, 1.00% Floor)
    1.8%         14,143,367       11/01/25       14,000,802       14,030,220  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1.8%         14,143,367         14,000,802       14,030,220  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Chemicals                  
  GEON Performance Solutions, LLC(1)     10/25/19     Revolver - 7.88%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.63% Floor)
    0.1%         499,393       10/25/24       499,393       490,404  
  GEON Performance Solutions, LLC     10/25/19     Term Loan - 7.88%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.63% Floor)
    2.5%         20,316,495       10/25/24       20,236,324       19,950,799  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.6%         20,815,888         20,735,717       20,441,203  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC     07/22/19     Term Loan - 9.50%
(LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.75% Floor)
    6.2%         50,581,169       06/27/24       49,712,138       48,659,084  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          8.8%         71,397,057         70,447,855       69,100,287  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

2


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

As of March 31, 2020

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies                  
  Clover Imaging Group, LLC     12/16/19     Term Loan - 9.00%
(LIBOR + 7.50%)
    1.5%       $ 12,140,000       12/16/24     $ 11,910,414     $ 12,115,720  
  Production Resource Group, LLC(2)     08/21/18     Term Loan - 8.20%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor)
    2.2%         29,989,286       08/21/24       29,331,679       16,883,968  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.7%         42,129,286         41,242,093       28,999,688  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering                  
  UniTek Acquisition, Inc.     08/20/18     Delayed Draw Term Loan B - 8.11% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor, 1.00% PIK)
    0.3%         3,647,985       08/20/24       3,647,985       2,772,469  
  UniTek Acquisition, Inc.     08/20/18     Term Loan B - 8.11% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor, 1.00% PIK)
    1.8%         18,240,269       08/20/24       17,913,174       13,862,604  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.1%         21,888,254         21,561,159       16,635,073  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Construction Materials                  
  United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.(1)     07/24/19     Revolver - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    0.3%         2,614,400       06/07/24       2,614,400       2,405,248  
  United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.     07/24/19     Term Loan - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    3.5%         29,640,000       06/07/24       28,970,829       27,268,800  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.8%         32,254,400         31,585,229       29,674,048  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services                  
  American Academy Holdings, LLC     08/14/19     Term Loan - 10.08% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 5.25%, 1.00% Floor, 3.75% PIK)
    3.9%         31,189,435       06/15/23       30,553,696       30,253,752  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.9%         31,189,435         30,553,696       30,253,752  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components                  
  SMTC Corporation(3)     11/08/18     Term Loan A - 10.50%
(LIBOR + 8.75%, 1.75% Floor)
    2.9%         23,281,374       11/08/23       22,415,087       22,536,370  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.9%         23,281,374         22,415,087       22,536,370  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services                  
  Profrac Services, LLC     09/07/18     Term Loan B - 8.14%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.25% Floor)
    4.3%         34,979,903       09/07/23       34,497,991       33,650,666  
  PSS Industrial Group Corp.     04/12/19     Term Loan - 7.50%
(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    2.1%         18,261,811       04/10/25       17,879,272       16,727,819  
  WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC(1)     10/22/19     Revolver - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    0.8%         6,085,294       10/22/24       6,085,294       6,073,124  
  WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC     10/22/19     Term Loan - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    3.9%         30,837,228       10/22/24       30,116,097       30,775,554  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.7%         36,922,522         36,201,391       36,848,678  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Wellbore Integrity Solutions(1)     12/31/19     First Out Term Loan - 8.58%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    1.2%         9,367,419       12/31/24       9,278,538       9,170,703  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          12.3%         99,531,655         97,857,192       96,397,866  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

3


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

As of March 31, 2020

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Food Products                  
  Hometown Food Company(1)     08/31/18     Revolver - 6.50%
(LIBOR + 5.25%, 1.25% Floor)
    0.6%       $ 5,097,019       08/31/23     $ 5,097,020     $ 5,015,468  
  Hometown Food Company     08/31/18     Term Loan - 6.50%
(LIBOR + 5.25%, 1.25% Floor)
    4.9%         39,064,408       08/31/23       38,458,789       38,439,377  
          5.5%         44,161,427         43,555,809       43,454,845  
  Westrock Coffee Company, LLC     02/28/20     Term Loan - 8.11%
(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)
    8.2%         65,808,750       02/28/25       64,677,898       64,163,531  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          13.7%         109,970,177         108,233,707       107,618,376  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services                  
  Akumin Inc.     07/22/19     Term Loan B - 7.00%
(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor)
    6.7%         55,232,625       05/31/24       54,286,047       52,360,528  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.7%         55,232,625         54,286,047       52,360,528  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure                  
  FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC     11/25/19     Term Loan - 8.03%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.75% Floor)
    2.5%         21,668,420       11/22/24       21,168,240       20,064,957  
  FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC     11/25/19     Revolver - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.75% Floor)
    0.6%         4,827,273       11/22/24       4,827,272       4,470,055  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.1%         26,495,693         25,995,512       24,535,012  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Household Durables                  
  Hunter Fan Company     11/05/19     Additional Term Loan - 8.24%
(LIBOR + 6.63%, 1.00% Floor)
    2.8%         22,595,753       12/20/21       22,460,461       22,279,413  
  SLogic Holding Corp.(2)     06/29/18     Term Loan B - 9.75%
(PRIME + 6.50%, 1.00% Floor)
    2.6%         27,680,714       06/22/23       27,501,714       20,456,047  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.4%         50,276,467         49,962,175       42,735,460  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Household Products                  
  Greenfield World Trade, Inc.     03/04/20     2nd Amendment Term Loan - 14.83% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 7.33%, 1.50% Floor, 6.00% PIK)
    0.2%         2,322,673       03/04/24       2,322,673       2,060,210  
  Greenfield World Trade, Inc.(2)     03/04/19     Last Out Term Loan - 14.83% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 7.33%, 1.50% Floor, 6.00% PIK)
    5.0%         44,093,862       03/04/24       42,417,804       39,111,256  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.2%         46,416,535         44,740,477       41,171,466  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Information Technology Services                  
  Corcentric, Inc.     11/15/18     Delayed Draw Term Loan - 8.50%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    1.6%         12,862,200       11/15/23       12,862,200       12,797,889  
  Corcentric, Inc.     11/15/18     Term Loan - 8.50%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    2.4%         19,293,300       11/15/23       18,944,033       19,196,834  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.0%         32,155,500         31,806,233       31,994,723  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Global Holdings, LLC     09/17/19     Term Loan - 7.84%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.00% Floor)
    3.7%         28,900,092       09/17/23       28,525,204       28,668,891  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          7.7%         61,055,592         60,331,437       60,663,614  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

4


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

As of March 31, 2020

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Media                  
  Encompass Digital Media, Inc.     10/01/18     First Lien Term Loan - 8.77% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 6.38%, 1.25% Floor, 1.13% PIK)
    3.6%       $ 29,751,447       09/28/23     $ 29,473,871     $ 28,472,135  
  Encompass Digital Media, Inc.     10/01/18     Revolver - 8.77%
(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.25% Floor)
    0.3%         2,527,557       09/28/23       2,527,557       2,418,872  
          3.9%         32,279,004         32,001,428       30,891,007  
  Innerworkings, Inc.(2)     07/23/19     Term Loan - 8.75%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.75% Floor)
    4.6%         38,229,368       07/16/24       35,828,588       36,585,504  
  Winsight, LLC(1)     11/15/18     Revolver - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor)
    0.2%         1,529,553       11/15/23       1,529,553       1,483,667  
  Winsight, LLC     11/15/18     Term Loan - 8.00%
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor)
    3.6%         29,023,079       11/15/23       28,463,329       28,152,387  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.8%         30,552,632         29,992,882       29,636,054  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          12.3%         101,061,004         97,822,898       97,112,565  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining                  
  DBM Global, Inc.     11/30/18     Term Loan - 7.35%
(LIBOR + 5.85%, 1.50% Floor)
    6.0%         47,284,332       11/30/23       46,591,772       47,520,753  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.0%         47,284,332         46,591,772       47,520,753  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail                  
  Torrid LLC     06/14/19     Term Loan - 8.50%
(LIBOR + 6.75%, 1.00% Floor)
    4.4%         35,026,600       12/16/24       34,352,878       34,676,334  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.4%         35,026,600         34,352,878       34,676,334  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Personal Products                  
  VPI Aware Topco, LLC(4)     11/13/18     First Out Term Loan - 7.71%
(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.00% Floor)
    4.8%         38,825,156       11/13/23       38,123,365       37,815,702  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.8%         38,825,156         38,123,365       37,815,702  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Software                  
  Mondee Holdings LLC(1)     12/20/19     Term Loan - 11.25% inc. PIK
(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.75% Floor, 2.50% PIK)
    8.4%         74,045,200       12/23/24       72,524,656       66,270,454  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          8.4%         74,045,200         72,524,656       66,270,454  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods                  
  Centric Brands Inc.(3)     11/07/18     Term Loan - 7.78%
(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.50% Floor)
    3.6%         33,296,672       10/29/23       32,818,298       28,135,688  
  Keeco Holdings, LLC     09/19/18     Term Loan - 9.50%
(LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.75% Floor)
    6.7%         58,730,405       03/15/24       57,828,912       53,268,477  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          10.3%         92,027,077         90,647,210       81,404,165  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Debt Investments     159.0%             1,303,212,892       1,251,376,355  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 
    Equity                         Shares                    
Construction Materials                  
  United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.(5)     Common Stock     0.0%         7,550         755,000       202,736  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.0%         7,550         755,000       202,736  

 

5


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

As of March 31, 2020

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

                  

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Shares                      Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components                  
  SMTC Corporation(3)(5)     Common Stock     0.0%         48,036       $ 150,833     $ 111,924  
  SMTC Corporation(3)(5)     Warrant, expires 11/08/25     0.1%         399,529         1,532,279       930,902  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
                  0.1%           447,565           1,683,112     1,042,826  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Media                                                  
  Innerworkings, Inc.(5)     Warrant, expires 07/16/24     0.1%         530,380         1,904,067       620,545  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
                  0.1%           530,380           1,904,067     620,545  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Household Products                  
  Greenfield World Trade, Inc.(5)     Warrant, expires 03/25/27     0.3%         6,594         1,250,498       2,731,520  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.3%         6,594         1,250,498       2,731,520  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Equity Investments     0.5%             5,592,677       4,597,627  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Non-Controlled/Non-Affiliated Investments*     159.5%           $ 1,308,805,569     $ 1,255,973,982  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
                              Shares           Cost        
  Cash Equivalents                
    Blackrock Liquidity Funds, Yield 0.33%         21.1%           165,734,034           $165,734,034     $165,734,034  
               

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Investments 180.6%           $ 1,474,539,603     $ 1,421,708,016  
               

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments ((0.3%))

 

              $ (2,250,419
                 

 

 

 
  Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (80.3%)

 

      $ (632,222,512
                 

 

 

 
  Net Assets 100.0%

 

      $ 787,235,085  
                 

 

 

 

 

6


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

As of March 31, 2020

 

*

The fair value of the SMTC Corporation common stock is based on the quoted market price of the issuer’s common stock as of March 31, 2020. Such common stock is considered to be a Level 1 security within the Fair Value Hierarchy. The fair values of the SMTC Corporation warrants and Innerworkings, Inc. warrants are based on the quoted market price of the issuer’s stock as of March 31, 2020. Such warrants are considered to be Level 2 securities within the Fair Value Hierarchy. The fair value of each non-controlled/non-affiliated investment was determined using significant unobservable inputs and such investments are considered to be Level 3 within the Fair Value Hierarchy. See Note 3 “Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements.”

(1)

Excluded from the investment above, is an unfunded loan commitment for a delayed draw term loan or revolving credit. The Company earns an unused commitment fee on the unfunded commitment during the commitment period. The expiration date of the commitment period may be earlier than the maturity date of the investment stated above. See Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies.

(2)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this loan, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount on the “first out” tranche of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured loans.

(3)

The investment is not a qualifying asset as defined in Section 55(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. A business development company may not acquire an asset other than qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. As of March 31, 2020, $51,714,884 or 3.6% of the Company’s total assets were represented by “non-qualifying assets.”

(4)

The Company is required to disburse a portion of its interest income from this term loan to the “first out” tranche holders of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured loans.

(5)

Non-income producing.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate, generally 1-Month or 3-Month

Prime - Prime Rate

Aggregate acquisitions and aggregate dispositions of investments, other than government securities, totaled $211,605,601 and $260,844,027, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2020. Aggregate acquisitions includes investment assets received as payment in kind. Aggregate dispositions includes principal paydowns on and maturities of debt investments.

 

Country Breakdown Portfolio

      

United States

     96.3

Canada

     3.7

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

As of December 31, 2019

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
 

Non-Controlled/Non-Affiliated Investments Debt

 

Aerospace & Defense                  
  Columbia Helicopters, Inc.     08/20/19    

Term Loan - 9.52%

(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    7.4%       $ 60,300,000       08/20/24     $ 59,160,626     $ 60,842,700  
  DynCorp International Inc.     08/16/19    

Term Loan B - 7.74%

(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.7%         30,010,125       08/16/25       29,154,160       30,100,155  
  Heligear Acquisition Co.     07/30/19    

Term Loan - 8.95%

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    7.3%         59,758,010       07/30/24       58,641,013       59,817,768  
  Navistar Defense, LLC     12/31/18    

Term Loan B - 8.05%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.50% Floor)

    2.7%         21,775,648       12/29/23       21,280,522       21,840,975  
  Sparton Corporation(1)     03/04/19    

First Lien Term Loan - 9.16%

(LIBOR + 7.25%, 1.50% Floor)

    5.0%         40,410,765       03/04/24       39,604,446       40,451,176  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          26.1%         212,254,548         207,840,767       213,052,774  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics                  
  Need It Now Delivers, LLC(1)(2)     12/23/19    

Last Out Term Loan - 7.79%

(LIBOR + 6.00% , 1.75% Floor)

    1.8%         14,611,314       12/23/24       14,288,305       14,698,982  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1.8%         14,611,314         14,288,305       14,698,982  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Auto Components                  
  Shipston Group U.S. Inc.(1)     09/28/18    

Term Loan - 9.85%

(LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.25% Floor)

    3.2%         26,036,788       09/28/23       25,715,299       25,698,310  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.2%         26,036,788         25,715,299       25,698,310  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Beverages                  
  Caiman Merger Sub LLC(2)     11/01/19    

Term Loan - 7.44%

(LIBOR + 5.75%, 1.00% Floor)

    1.7%         14,178,813       11/01/25       14,029,516       14,249,708  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1.7%         14,178,813         14,029,516       14,249,708  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Chemicals                  
  GEON Performance Solutions, LLC(2)     10/25/19    

Term Loan - 7.96%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.63% Floor)

    3.3%         27,156,552       10/25/24       27,043,542       27,346,648  
  Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC     07/22/19    

Term Loan - 9.30%

(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.75% Floor)

    6.3%         51,680,300       06/27/24       50,740,189       51,370,218  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          9.6%         78,836,852         77,783,731       78,716,866  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies                  
  Clover Imaging Group, LLC     12/16/19    

Term Loan - 9.24%

(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.5%         12,140,000       12/16/24       11,898,268       12,212,840  
  Production Resource Group, LLC(1)     08/21/18    

Term Loan - 8.90%

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.2%         29,989,286       08/21/24       29,294,347       26,480,539  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.7%         42,129,286         41,192,615       38,693,379  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment                  
  AVI-SPL, Inc.     05/16/18    

Third Additional Term Loan - 7.58%

(LIBOR + 5.88%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.6%         28,944,961       04/27/21       28,880,269       29,234,410  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.6%         28,944,961         28,880,269       29,234,410  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

8


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

As of December 31, 2019

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Construction & Engineering                  
  Powerhouse Intermediate, LLC(2)     10/15/19    

Revolver - 8.12%

(LIBOR + 6.38%, 1.50% Floor)

    0.1%       $ 330,436       10/07/24     $ 330,436     $ 331,428  
  Powerhouse Intermediate, LLC     10/15/19    

Term Loan - 8.41%

(LIBOR + 6.38%, 1.50% Floor)

    3.4%         27,536,364       10/07/24       27,310,013       27,618,973  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.5%         27,866,800         27,640,449       27,950,401  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  UniTek Acquisition, Inc.     08/20/18    

Delayed Draw Term Loan B - 8.41% inc. PIK

(LIBOR + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor, 1.00% PIK)

    0.4%         3,647,967       08/20/24       3,647,967       3,301,410  
  UniTek Acquisition, Inc.     08/20/18    

Term Loan B - 8.41% inc. PIK

(LIBOR + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor, 1.00% PIK)

    2.0%         18,239,837       08/20/24       17,893,291       16,507,052  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.4%         21,887,804         21,541,258       19,808,462  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.9%         49,754,604         49,181,707       47,758,863  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Construction Materials                  
  United Poly System Holding, Inc.(2)     07/24/19    

Revolver - 8.45%

(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    0.3%         2,614,400       06/07/24       2,614,400       2,528,125  
  United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.     07/24/19    

Term Loan - 8.45%

(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    3.5%         29,640,000       06/07/24       28,930,976       28,661,880  
                 
          3.8%         32,254,400         31,545,376       31,190,005  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services                  
  American Academy Holdings, LLC     08/14/19    

Term Loan - 10.80% inc. PIK

(LIBOR + 5.25%, 1.00% Floor, 3.75% PIK)

    3.8%         30,959,464       06/15/23       30,272,830       30,897,545  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.8%         30,959,464         30,272,830       30,897,545  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components                  
  SMTC Corporation(3)     11/08/18    

Term Loan A - 10.70%

(LIBOR + 8.75%, 1.75% Floor)

    2.9%         23,470,654       11/08/23       22,536,934       23,423,712  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.9%         23,470,654         22,536,934       23,423,712  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services                  
  Profrac Services, LLC     09/07/18    

Term Loan B - 8.14%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.25% Floor)

    4.3%         34,979,903       09/07/23       34,462,625       34,560,144  
  PSS Industrial Group Corp.     04/12/19    

Term Loan - 7.94%

(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    2.2%         18,402,902       04/10/25       17,998,290       18,200,470  
  WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC(2)     10/22/19    

Revolver - 8.30%

(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    0.2%         1,825,588       10/22/24       1,825,588       1,825,588  
  WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC     10/22/19    

Term Loan - 8.30%

(LIBOR + 6.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    3.8%         31,240,379       10/22/24       30,470,804       31,240,379  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.0%         33,065,967         32,296,392       33,065,967  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Wellbore Integrity Solutions(2)     12/02/19    

First Out Term Loan - 8.94%

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.2%         9,367,418       12/02/24       9,273,797       9,423,623  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          11.7%         95,816,190         94,031,104       95,250,204  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Food Distributor                  
  Gold Star Foods Inc.(2)     10/15/19    

Term Loan - 7.56%

(LIBOR + 5.75%, 1.00% Floor)

    2.8%         22,946,970       10/02/24       22,796,301       23,107,598  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.8%         22,946,970         22,796,301       23,107,598  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

As of December 31, 2019

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Food Products                  
  Hometown Food Company(2)     08/31/18    

Term Loan - 6.80%

(LIBOR + 5.00%, 1.25% Floor)

    4.8%       $ 40,027,178       08/31/23     $ 39,361,349     $ 39,466,798  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.8%         40,027,178         39,361,349       39,466,798  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services                  
  Akumin, Inc.     07/22/19    

Term Loan B - 7.80%

(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor)

    6.7%         55,371,750       05/31/24       54,366,012       54,928,776  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.7%         55,371,750         54,366,012       54,928,776  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure                  
  FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC(2)     11/25/19    

Term Loan - 8.05%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.75% Floor)

    2.7%         21,722,727       11/22/24       21,194,388       21,701,005  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          2.7%         21,722,727         21,194,388       21,701,005  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Household Durables                  
  Dura-Supreme Holdings, Inc(2)     10/15/19    

Term Loan - 7.96%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.6%         13,626,000       10/10/24       13,513,033       13,639,626  
  Hunter Fan Company     11/05/19    

Additional Term Loan - 8.53%

(LIBOR + 6.63%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.7%         30,290,000       12/20/21       30,065,659       30,199,130  
  SLogic Holding Corp.(1)     06/29/18    

Term Loan B - 11.25%

(PRIME + 6.50%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.2%         27,823,398       06/22/23       27,629,565       25,931,407  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          8.5%         71,739,398         71,208,257       69,770,163  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Household Products                  
  Greenfield World Trade, Inc.(1)     03/04/19    

Last Out Term Loan - 11.30%

(LIBOR + 9.50%, 1.50% Floor)

    5.0%         42,546,666       03/04/24       41,807,281       41,057,532  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.0%         42,546,666         41,807,281       41,057,532  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Information Technology Services                  
  AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC     10/15/19    

Add on Term Loan - 8.84%

(LIBOR + 6.75%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.4%         11,427,418       09/24/25       11,342,079       11,427,418  
  AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC(2)     10/15/19    

Revolver - 8.74%

(LIBOR + 6.75%, 1.50% Floor)

    0.2%         1,407,174       09/24/25       1,407,174       1,407,174  
  AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC     10/15/19    

Term Loan - 8.68%

(LIBOR + 6.75%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.8%         14,688,763       09/24/25       14,547,899       14,688,763  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.4%         27,523,355         27,297,152       27,523,355  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Corcentric, Inc.     11/15/18    

Delayed Draw Term Loan - 8.80%

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    1.6%         12,928,160       11/15/23       12,928,160       12,992,801  
  Corcentric, Inc.     11/15/18    

Term Loan - 8.80%

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    2.4%         19,392,240       11/15/23       19,017,035       19,489,201  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.0%         32,320,400         31,945,195       32,482,002  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Global Holdings, LLC     09/17/19    

Term Loan - 8.16%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.6%         29,270,605       09/17/23       28,863,489       29,475,500  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          11.0%         89,114,360         88,105,836       89,480,857  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

10


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

As of December 31, 2019

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Par Amount     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  
Media                  
  Encompass Digital Media, Inc.     10/01/18    

First Lien Term Loan - 9.43% inc. PIK

(LIBOR + 6.38%, 1.25% Floor, 1.13% PIK)

    3.5%       $ 29,667,001       09/28/23     $ 29,369,614     $ 29,014,328  
  Encompass Digital Media, Inc.(2)     10/01/18    

Revolver - 9.43%

(LIBOR + 7.50%, 1.25% Floor)

    0.2%         1,733,182       09/28/23       1,733,182       1,695,052  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          3.7%         31,400,183         31,102,796       30,709,380  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Innerworkings, Inc.(1)     07/23/19    

Term Loan - 11.50%

(LIBOR + 9.75%, 1.75% Floor)

    4.8%         38,725,853       07/16/24       36,152,664       38,880,756  
  Winsight, LLC(2)     11/15/18    

Term Loan - 7.80%

(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.00% Floor)

    3.6%         29,096,430       11/15/23       28,496,501       29,067,333  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          12.1%         99,222,466         95,751,961       98,657,469  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining                  
  DBM Global, Inc.     11/30/18    

Term Loan - 7.65%

(LIBOR + 5.85%, 1.50% Floor)

    5.9%         48,193,817       11/30/23       47,439,928       48,338,398  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.9%         48,193,817         47,439,928       48,338,398  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail                  
  Torrid LLC     06/14/19    

Term Loan - 8.69%

(LIBOR + 6.75%, 1.00% Floor)

    4.4%         35,293,300       12/16/24       34,578,532       35,540,353  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          4.4%         35,293,300         34,578,532       35,540,353  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Personal Products                  
  VPI Aware Topco, LLC(4)     11/13/18    

First Out Term Loan - 8.20%

(LIBOR + 6.25%, 1.00% Floor)

    6.3%         52,101,811       11/13/23       51,095,160       51,372,386  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.3%         52,101,811         51,095,160       51,372,386  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Software                  
  Mondee Holdings LLC(2)     12/20/19    

Term Loan - 11.43% inc. PIK

(LIBOR + 7.00%, 1.75% Floor, 2.50% PIK)

    6.7%         54,549,938       12/20/24       53,292,220       54,440,838  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.7%         54,549,938         53,292,220       54,440,838  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods                  
  Centric Brands Inc.(3)     11/07/18    

Term Loan - 7.93%

(LIBOR + 6.00%, 1.50% Floor)

    4.1%         33,725,753       10/29/23       33,207,452       33,455,948  
  Keeco Holdings, LLC     09/19/18    

Term Loan - 9.55%

(LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.75% Floor)

    6.9%         58,730,405       03/15/24       57,772,101       56,322,458  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          11.0%         92,456,158         90,979,553       89,778,406  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Debt Investments

 

      166.7%             1,349,275,231       1,360,505,337  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

11


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

As of December 31, 2019

 

        Industry        

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
   

Investment

  % of Net
Assets
          Shares     Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost/Cost
    Fair Value  
    Equity Investments                                    
Construction Materials                  
  United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.(5)     Common Stock     0.1%         7,550       $ 755,000     $ 607,525  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.1%         7,550         755,000       607,525  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components                  
  SMTC Corporation(3),(5)     Common Stock     0.0%         48,036         150,833       162,842  
  SMTC Corporation(3),(5)     Warrant, expires 11/08/25     0.2%         399,529         1,532,279       1,354,403  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.2%         447,565         1,683,112       1,517,245  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Media                  
  Innerworkings, Inc.(5)     Warrant, expires 07/16/24     0.3%         530,380         1,904,067       2,922,394  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.3%         530,380         1,904,067       2,922,394  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Equity Investments     0.6%             4,342,179       5,047,164  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Non-Controlled/Non-Affiliated Investments*     167.3%           $ 1,353,617,410     $ 1,365,552,501  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Cash Equivalents            
  Blackrock Liquidity Funds, Yield 1.52%     21.8%         117,609,952       $ 177,609,952     $ 177,609,952  
       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Total Investments 189.1%           $ 1,531,227,362     $ 1,543,162,453  
               

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments ((0.1%))

 

              $ (786,304
                 

 

 

 
  Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (89.0%)             $ (726,146,423
                 

 

 

 
  Net Assets 100.0%             $ 816,229,726  
                 

 

 

 

 

12


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

As of December 31, 2019

 

*

The fair value of the SMTC Corporation common stock is based on the quoted market price of the issuer’s common stock as of December 31, 2019. Such common stock is considered to be a Level 1 security within the Fair Value Hierarchy. The fair values of the SMTC Corporation warrants and Innerworkings, Inc. warrants are based on the quoted market price of the issuer’s stock as of December 31, 2019. Such warrants are considered to be Level 2 securities within the Fair Value Hierarchy. The fair value of each non-controlled/non-affiliated investment was determined using significant unobservable inputs and such investments are considered to be Level 3 within the Fair Value Hierarchy. See Note 3 “Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements.”

(1)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this loan, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount on the “first out” tranche of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured loans.

(2)

Excluded from the investment above is an unfunded loan commitment for a delayed draw term loan or revolving credit. The Company earns an unused commitment fee on the unfunded commitment during the commitment period. The expiration date of the commitment period may be earlier than the maturity date of the investment stated above. See Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies.

(3)

The investment is not a qualifying asset as defined in Section 55(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. A business development company may not acquire an asset other than qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. As of December 31, 2019, $58,396,905 or 3.7% of the Company’s total assets were represented by “non-qualifying assets.”

(4)

The Company is required to disburse a portion of its interest income from this term loan to the “first out” tranche holders of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured loans.

(5)

Non-income producing.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate, generally 1-Month or 3-Month

Prime - Prime Rate

Aggregate acquisitions and aggregate dispositions of investments, other than government securities, totaled $922,656,646 and $111,490,592, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Aggregate acquisitions includes investment assets received as payment in kind. Aggregate dispositions includes principal paydowns on and maturities of debt investments.

 

Country Breakdown Portfolio

      

United States

     96.4

Canada

     3.6

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

13


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except unit data)

 

     As of
March 31,
2020

(unaudited)
    As of
December 31,
2019
 

Assets

    

Investments, at fair value

    

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments (amortized cost of $1,308,805 and $1,353,617, respectively)

   $ 1,255,974     $ 1,365,553  

Cash and cash equivalents

     187,543       220,074  

Interest receivable

     9,661       6,344  

Deferred financing costs

     6,109       5,574  

Prepaid and other assets

     24       57  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 1,459,311     $ 1,597,602  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Revolving credit facilities payable

   $ 418,500     $ 577,000  

Term loan (net of $1,985 and $1,613 in deferred financing costs, respectively)

     236,515       178,387  

Management fees payable

     9,791       8,689  

Interest and credit facilities expense payable

     4,129       3,866  

Unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments

     2,250       786  

Directors’ fees payable

     84       —    

Incentive fee payable

     —         12,148  

Other accrued expenses and other liabilities

     807       496  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 672,076     $ 781,372  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)

    

Members’ Capital

    

Common Unitholders’ commitment (13,734,010 units issued and outstanding)

   $ 1,373,401     $ 1,373,401  

Common Unitholders’ undrawn commitment (13,734,010 units issued and outstanding)

     (548,401     (548,401

Common Unitholders’ return of capital

     (4,639     (4,639

Common Unitholders’ offering costs

     (633     (633

Common Unitholders’ tax reclassification

     (1,865     (1,865
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common Unitholders’ capital

     817,863       817,863  

Accumulated Loss

     (30,628     (1,633
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Members’ Capital

   $ 787,235     $ 816,230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Members’ Capital

   $ 1,459,311     $ 1,597,602  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Unit (Note 9)

   $ 97.25     $ 99.36  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

14


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except unit data)

 

     For the three
months ended
March 31, 2020
    For the three
months ended
March 31, 2019
 

Investment Income:

    

Interest income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

   $     33,294     $     14,494  

Interest income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments paid-in-kind

     2,652       54  

Other fee income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     106       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     36,052       14,548  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Interest and credit facilities’ expenses

     7,240       3,957  

Management fees

     4,955       2,105  

Administrative fees

     363       185  

Professional fees

     195       320  

Directors’ fees

     98       94  

Incentive fees

     (12,148     4,413  

Other expenses

     57       56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     760       11,130  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

   $ 35,292     $ 3,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    

Net realized gain on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     1,943       418  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     (66,230     4,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investments

   $ (64,287   $ 5,329  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in Members’ Capital from operations

   $ (28,995   $ 8,747  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted:

    

(Loss) Income per unit

   $ (2.11   $ 0.64  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

15


Table of Contents

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital (Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except unit data)

 

     Common
Unitholders’
Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings
(Loss)
    Total  

Members’ Capital at December 31, 2018

   $ 398,367     $ 3,037     $ 401,404  

Net Increase in Members’ Capital Resulting from Operations:

      

Net investment income

     —         3,418       3,418  

Net realized gain on investments

     —         418       418  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     —         4,911       4,911  

Distributions to Members from:

      

Distributable earnings

     —         (1,865     (1,865

Return of unused capital

     (154,329     —         (154,329

Net Increase in Members’ Capital Resulting from Capital Activity:

      

Contributions

     145,329       —         145,329  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total (Decrease) Increase in Members’ Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2019

     (9,000     6,882       (2,118
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Members’ Capital at March 31, 2019

   $ 389,367     $ 9,919     $ 399,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      

Members’ Capital at December 31, 2019

   $ 817,863     $ (1,633   $ 816,230  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Members’ Capital Resulting from Operations:

      

Net investment income

     —         35,292       35,292  

Net realized gain on investments

     —         1,943       1,943  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     —         (66,230     (66,230
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Decrease in Members’ Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2020

     —         (28,995     (28,995
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Members’ Capital at March 31, 2020

   $ 817,863     $ (30,628   $ 787,235  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except unit data)

 

    

For the three months ended

March 31,

 
     2020     2019  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

    

Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ (28,995   $ 8,747  

Adjustments to reconcile the net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Purchases of investments

     (208,953     (119,334

Interest income paid-in-kind

     (2,652     (54

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of investments

     260,844       22,233  

Net realized gain on investments

     (1,943     (418

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     66,230       (4,911

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net

     (2,483     (852

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     717       418  

Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities:

    

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

     (3,317     (967

(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets

     33       781  

Increase (decrease) in management fees payable

     1,102       (203

Increase (decrease) in interest and credit facilities expense payable

     263       840  

Increase (decrease) in organization costs payable to Adviser

     —         (741

Increase (decrease) in offering costs payable to Adviser

     —         (633

Increase (decrease) in directors’ fees reimbursable to Adviser

     —         (92

Increase (decrease) in directors’ fees payable

     84       65  

Increase (decrease) in incentive fees payable

     (12,148     4,413  

Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses and liabilities

     311       36  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 69,093     $ (90,672
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

    

Contributions

   $ —       $ 137,453  

Distributions

     —         (1,865

Return of unused capital

     —         (146,453

Deferred financing costs paid

     (1,624     (4,447

Proceeds from credit facilities

     —         115,000  

Repayments of credit facilities

     (100,000     (46,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in ) provided by financing activities

   $ (101,624   $ 53,688  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (32,531   $ (36,984

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   $ 220,074     $ 160,995  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 187,543     $ 124,011  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental and non-cash financing activities

    

Interest expense paid

   $ 5,913     $ 2,604  

Deemed return of unused capital contribution from Members

   $ —       $ 7,876  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

1.    Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization: TCW Direct Lending VII LLC (the “Company”) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on May 23, 2017. The Company engaged in a private offering of its common limited liability company units (the “Units”) to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In addition, the Company may issue preferred units (“Preferred Units”), though it currently has no intention to do so. On August 18, 2017, the Company sold and issued 10 Units at an aggregate purchase price of $1 to TCW Asset Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”), an affiliate of the TCW Group, Inc. The Company commenced operations during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company has also elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a Regulated Investment Company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the U.S Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), beginning fiscal year 2018. The Company will be required to meet the minimum distribution and other requirements for RIC qualification. As a BDC and a RIC, the Company will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements.

On February 12, 2020, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, TCW DLG Funding VII 2020-1 LLC, a single member Delaware limited liability company.

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant

intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Term: The term of the Company will continue until the sixth anniversary of the Initial Closing Date (as defined below), April 13, 2024, unless extended or sooner dissolved as provided in the Company’s amended and restated limited liability agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) or by operation of law. The Company may extend the term for two additional one-year periods upon written notice to the holders of the Units (the “Unitholders) and holders of preferred units, if any, (together with the Unitholders, the “Members”) at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the term or the end of the first one-year period. Thereafter, the term may be extended for successive one-year periods, with the vote or consent of a supermajority in interest of the holders of the Units.

Commitment Period: The Commitment Period commenced on April 13, 2018 (the “Initial Closing Date”), the day on which the Company completed the first closing of the sale of its Units to persons not affiliated with the Adviser and will end on May 16, 2021, which is the later of (a) April 13, 2021, three years from the Initial Closing Date and (b) May 16, 2021, three years from the date in which the Company first completed an investment.

The Commitment Period is subject to termination upon the occurrence of a Key Person Event defined as follows: A “Key Person Event” will occur if, during the Commitment Period, (i) Richard T. Miller and one or more of Suzanne Grosso, Mark Gertzof or James S. Bold (each of such four persons, a “Key Person”) fail to devote substantially all of their business time to the investment activities of the Company, the prior funds, any successor funds and any fund(s) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser that co-invest or potentially co-invest with the Company, on a combined basis (together, the “Related Entities”); or (ii) Ms. Grosso, Mr. Gertzof and Mr. Bold all fail to devote substantially all of their business time to the investment activities of the Company and the Related Entities, in each case other than as a result of a temporary disability; provided, that, if a replacement has been approved as described in the paragraphs below, such replacement shall be specifically designated to take the place of one of the above-named individuals and the definition of “Key Person Event” will be amended to take into account such successor. Upon the occurrence of a Key Person Event, and in the event that the Adviser fails to replace the above-referenced individuals in the manner contemplated in this paragraph, the Commitment Period shall be automatically terminated upon such Key Person Event. The Commitment Period will be re-instated upon the vote or written consent of 66 2/3% in interest of the Unitholders. The Adviser is permitted at any time to replace any person designated above with a senior professional (including a Key Person) selected by the Adviser, provided that such replacement has been approved by a majority of the Unitholders (in which case, the approved substitute will be a Key Person in lieu of the person replaced). If such replacement(s) end the occurrence of a Key Person Event, the Commitment Period will automatically be reinstated.

If, during the Commitment Period, any Key Person shall fail to devote substantially all of his or her business time to the investment activities of the Company and the Related Entities other than as a result of a temporary disability (the occurrence of such event, a “Key Person Departure”), the Company shall provide written notice to Unitholders of such Key Person Departure within 30 days of the date of such Key Person Departure.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

1.    Organization and Basis of Presentation (Continued)

 

If a Key Person Departure occurs during the Commitment Period and the Adviser determines to replace such Key Person, the Company shall obtain the approval of such replacement by a majority in interest of the Unitholders no later than the date of the Company’s next annual meeting; provided that the Company may, in its discretion, determine to obtain the approval of such replacement no later than 90 days after the date that the Adviser informs the Company of its proposed replacement of the Key Person.

If the Company fails to obtain approval of a replacement of a Key Person following a Key Person Departure as provided in the paragraph above, then the Key Person Departure shall be permanent and the Adviser shall not be permitted to replace such Key Person.

In accordance with the Company’s LLC Agreement, the Company may complete investment transactions that were significantly in process as of the end of the Commitment Period and which the Company reasonably expects to be consummated prior to 90 days subsequent to the expiration date of the Commitment Period. The Company may also effect follow-on investments up to an aggregate maximum of 10% of Capital Commitments (as defined below).

Capital Commitments: On the Initial Closing Date, the Company began accepting subscription agreements from investors for the private sale of its Units. On January 14, 2019, the Company completed its fourth and final closing sale of Units. The Company sold 13,734,010 Units for an aggregate offering price of $1,373,401. Each Unitholder is obligated to contribute capital equal to its respective capital commitment to the Company (the “Commitment”) and each Unit’s Commitment obligation is $100.00 per unit. The sale of the Units was made pursuant to subscription agreements entered into by the Company and each investor. Under the terms of the subscription agreements, the Company may draw down all or any portion of the undrawn commitment with respect to each Unit generally upon at least ten business days’ prior written notice to the unitholders. The amount of capital that remains to be drawn down and contributed is referred to as an “Undrawn Commitment”.

The commitment amount funded does not include amounts contributed in anticipation of a potential investment that the Company did not consummate and therefore returned to the Members as unused capital. As of March 31, 2020, aggregate Commitments, Undrawn Commitments, percentage of Commitments funded and the number of subscribed for Units of the Company were as follows:

 

     Commitments      Undrawn
Commitments
     % of
Commitments
Funded
    Units  

Unitholder

   $ 1,373,401      $ 548,401        60.1     13,734,010  

Recallable Amount: A Unitholder may be required to re-contribute amounts distributed equal to (a) such Unitholder’s share of all portfolio investments that are repaid to the Company, or otherwise recouped by the Company, and distributed to the Unitholder, in whole or in part, during or after the Commitment period, reduced by (b) all re-contributions made by such Unitholder. This amount, (the “Recallable Amount”) is excluded from the calculation of the accrual based net asset value.

The Recallable Amount as of March 31, 2020 was $4,639.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies, (“ASC 946”). The Company has also consolidated the results of its wholly-owned subsidiaries in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 946.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the reported amounts of income and expenses during the years presented and (iii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.

Investments: The Company measures the fair value of its investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“ASC 820”). Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market (which may be a hypothetical market) that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company considers the principal market of its investments to be the market in which the investment trades with the greatest volume and level of activity.

Transactions: The Company records investment transactions on the trade date. The Company considers the trade date for investments not traded on a recognizable exchange, or traded in the over-the-counter markets, to be the date on which the Company receives legal or contractual title to the asset and bears the risk of loss.

Income Recognition: Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis unless doubtful of collection or the related investment is in default. Realized gains and losses on investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. The Company typically receives a fee in the form of a discount to the purchase price at the time it funds an investment in a loan. The discount is accreted to interest income over the life of the respective loan, using the effective-interest method assuming there are no questions as to collectability, and reflected in the amortized cost basis of the investment. Discounts associated with a revolver as well as fees associated with a delayed draw that remains unfunded are treated as a discount to the issuer’s term loan. Ongoing facility, commitment or other additional fees including prepayment fees, consent fees and forbearance fees are recognized immediately when earned as income.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.    

Deferred Financing Costs: Deferred financing costs incurred by the Company in connection with the Credit Facilities (as defined in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), including arrangement fees, upfront fees and legal fees, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective credit facility.

Organization and Offering Costs: The Company expensed organization costs totaling $740 (net of $380 in Adviser reimbursement) since its inception through December 31, 2018. Offering costs totaling $633 (net of $324 in Adviser reimbursement) was charged directly to Members’ Capital on December 31, 2018. No additional organization and offering costs were incurred subsequent to December 31, 2018. The Company did not bear more than an amount equal to 10 basis points of the aggregate capital commitments for organization and offering expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of acquisition to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents are comprised of demand deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are carried at amortized costs which approximates fair value, and are classified as Level 1 in the GAAP valuation hierarchy.

Income Taxes: The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Company also elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2018. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The updated guidance modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by (1) removing certain disclosure requirements including policies related to valuation processes and the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, (2) amending disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty from the use of significant unobservable inputs, and (3) adding certain new disclosure requirements including changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. As permitted by the ASU, the Company early adopted the following applicable provisions of the ASU:

 

   

removed the Company’s disclosure of policy for timing of transfers between levels;

 

   

removed the disclosure describing the Company’s valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements;

 

   

for investments measured using net asset values, disclosed (1) the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and (2) the date when redemption restrictions will lapse, to the extent that such information has been publicly announced by the investee; and

 

   

disclosed information about the uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date, rather than at a point in the future.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company adopted the remaining provisions of the ASU which included adding the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements

Investments at Fair Value: Investments held by the Company are valued at fair value. Fair value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices or official closing prices on the primary exchange in which each security trades, or if no sales are reported, based on the midpoint of the valuation range obtained for debt investments from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or pricing service.

Investments for which market quotes are not readily available or are not considered reliable are valued at fair value and approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) based on similar instruments, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Assets and liabilities are classified by the Company into three levels based on valuation inputs used to determine fair value:

Level 1 values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets and quoted prices in inactive markets or other market observable inputs.

Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the assets.

Categorization within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

3. Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

Level 1 Assets (Investments): The valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value are as follows:

Equity, (Level 1), includes common stock valued at the closing price on the primary exchange in which the security trades.

Level 2 Assets (Investments): The valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value are as follows:

Equity, (Level 2), includes warrants valued using quotes for comparable investments.

Level 3 Assets (Investments): The following valuation techniques and significant inputs are used to determine the fair value of investments in private debt and equity for which reliable market quotations are not available. Some of the inputs are independently observable however, a significant portion of the inputs and the internal assumptions applied are unobservable.

Debt, (Level 3), includes investments in privately originated senior secured debt. Such securities are valued based on specific pricing models, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs. A discounted cash flow approach incorporating a weighted average cost of capital is generally used to determine fair value or, in some cases, an enterprise value waterfall method. Valuation may also include a shadow rating method. Standard pricing inputs include but are not limited to the financial health of the issuer, place in the capital structure, value of other issuer debt, credit, industry, and market risk and events.

Equity, (Level 3), includes common stock and warrants. Such securities are valued based on specific pricing models, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs. A market approach is generally used to determine fair value. Pricing inputs include, but are not limited to, financial health and relevant business developments of the issuer; EBITDA; market multiples of comparable companies; comparable market transactions and recent trades or transactions; issuer, industry and market events; and contractual or legal restrictions on the sale of the security. When a Black-Scholes pricing model is used it follows the income approach. The pricing model takes into account the contract terms as well as multiple inputs, including: time value, implied volatility, equity prices and interest rates. A liquidity discount based on current market expectations, future events, minority ownership position and the period management reasonably expects to hold the investment may be applied.

Pricing inputs and weightings applied to determine value require subjective determination. Accordingly, valuations do not necessarily represent the amounts that may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments.

The following is a summary by major security type of the fair valuations according to inputs used in valuing investments listed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2020:

 

Investments

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Debt

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,251,376      $ 1,251,376  

Equity

     112        1,552        2,934        4,598  

Cash equivalents

     165,734        —          —          165,734  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 165,846      $ 1,552      $ 1,254,310      $ 1,421,708  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following is a summary by major security type of the fair valuations according to inputs used in valuing investments listed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2019:

 

Investments

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Debt

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,360,505      $ 1,360,505  

Equity

     163        4,277        608        5,048  

Cash equivalents

     177,610        —          —          177,610  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 177,773      $ 4,277      $ 1,361,113      $ 1,543,163  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

3. Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for total investments that use Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

     Debt      Equity      Total  

Balance, January 1, 2020

   $ 1,360,505      $ 608      $ 1,361,113  

Purchases*

     210,355        1,250        211,605  

Sales and paydowns of investments

     (260,844      —          (260,844

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net

     2,483        —          2,483  

Net realized gains

     1,943        —          1,943  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     (63,066      1,076        (61,990
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2020

   $ 1,251,376      $ 2,934      $ 1,254,310  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation in investments
held as of March 31, 2020

   $ (61,810    $ 1,076      $ (60,734

 

*

Includes payments received in-kind

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for total investments that use Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

     Debt      Total  

Balance, January 1, 2019

   $ 538,926      $ 538,926  

Purchases*

     119,388        119,388  

Sales and paydowns of investments

     (22,233      (22,233

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net

     852        852  

Net realized gains

     418        418  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     4,964        4,964  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2019

   $ 642,315      $ 642,315  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation in investments held as of
March 31, 2019

   $ 5,029      $ 5,029  

 

*

Includes payments received in-kind

The Company did not have any transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

3. Investment Valuations and Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

Level 3 Valuation and Quantitative Information: The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and quantitative information utilized in determining the fair value of the Level 3 investments as of March 31, 2020:

 

Investment Type

   Fair Value      Valuation
Technique
   Unobservable
Input
   Range      Weighted
Average*
    Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input

Debt

   $ 1,214,036      Income Method    Discount Rate      6.4% to 22.3%        10.4   Decrease

Debt

   $ 37,340      Market Method    EBITDA Multiple      5.8x to 7.0x        N/A     Increase
         Revenue Multiple      0.6x to 0.8x        N/A     Increase

Equity

   $ 2,934      Market Method    EBITDA Multiple      4.3x to 10.0x        N/A     Increase

 

*

Weighted based on fair value

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and quantitative information utilized in determining the fair value of the Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2019:

 

Investment Type

   Fair Value      Valuation
Technique
     Unobservable
Input
   Range      Weighted
Average*
    Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input

Debt

   $ 1,331,271        Income Method      Discount Rate      6.1% to 22.3%        9.5   Decrease

Debt

   $ 29,234        Income Method      Discount Rate      6.2% to 7.4%        7.0   Decrease
         Take Out Indication      101.1% to 101.1%        101.1   Increase

Equity

   $ 608        Market Method      EBITDA Multiple      4.3x to 5.3x        N/A     Increase

 

*

Weighted based on fair value

The Company utilizes the midpoint of a valuation range provided by an external, independent valuation firm in determining fair value.

4. Agreements and Related Party Transactions

Advisory Agreement: On December 29, 2017, the Company entered into the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, its registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisory Agreement became effective upon its execution. Unless earlier terminated, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by (i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Company, the Adviser or any of their respective affiliates (the “Independent Directors”). The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an assignment by the Adviser.

The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party, by vote of the Company’s Board, or by a vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding voting units, without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ prior written notice to the applicable party. If the Advisory Agreement is terminated according to this paragraph, the Company will pay the Adviser a pro-rated portion of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee (each as defined below). The Advisory Agreement was reapproved by the Company’s Board on August 12, 2019.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

4. Agreements and Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will:

 

   

determine the composition of the Company’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the Company’s portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments the Company makes (including performing due diligence on the Company’s prospective portfolio companies);

 

   

determine the assets the Company will originate, purchase, retain or sell;

 

   

close, monitor and administer the investments the Company makes, including the exercise of any rights in the Company’s capacity as a lender; and

 

   

provide the Company such other investment advice, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, require.

The Company pays to the Adviser, quarterly in arrears, a management fee in cash (the “Management Fee”) calculated as follows: 0.375% (i.e., 1.50% per annum) of the average gross assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, with the average determined based on the gross assets of the Company as of the end of the three most recently completed calendar months. “Gross assets” means the amortized cost of portfolio investments of the Company (including portfolio investments purchased with borrowed funds and other forms of leverage, such as Preferred Units, public and private debt issuances, derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and other similar instruments or arrangements) that have not been sold, distributed to the members, or written off for tax purposes (but reduced by any portion of such cost basis that has been written down to reflect a permanent impairment of value of any portfolio investment), and excluding cash and cash equivalents. The Management Fee payable for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro-rated. The Adviser may defer its right to receive current payment of such fee until the Company is notified otherwise.

In addition, the Adviser will receive an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) as follows:

 

  (a)

First, no Incentive Fee will be owed until the Unitholders have collectively received cumulative distributions pursuant to this clause equal to their aggregate contributions to the Company in respect of all Units;

 

  (b)

Second, no Incentive Fee will be owed until the Unitholders have collectively received cumulative distributions equal to a 9% internal rate of return on their aggregate contributions to the Company in respect of all Units (the “Hurdle”);

 

  (c)

Third, the Adviser will be entitled to an Incentive Fee out of 100% of additional amounts otherwise distributable to Unitholders until such time as the Incentive Fee paid to the Adviser is equal to 20% of the sum of (i) the amount by which the Hurdle exceeds the aggregate capital contributions of the Unitholders in respect of all Units and (ii) the amount of Incentive Fee being paid to the Adviser pursuant to this clause (c); and

 

  (d)

Thereafter, the Adviser will be entitled to an Incentive Fee equal to 20% of additional amounts otherwise distributable to Unitholders in respect of all Units, with the remaining 80% distributed to the Unitholders.

The Incentive Fee is calculated on a cumulative basis and the amount of the Incentive Fee payable in connection with any distribution (or deemed distribution) will be determined in accordance with the foregoing formula each time amounts are to be distributed to the Unitholders.

For purposes of calculating the Incentive Fee, aggregate contributions shall not include Earnings Balancing Contributions or Late-Closer Contributions, and the distributions to Unitholders shall not include distributions attributable to Late-Closer Contributions. Earnings Balancing Contributions received by the Company will not be treated as amounts distributed to Unitholders for purposes of calculating the Incentive Fee. In addition, if distributions to which a Defaulting Member otherwise would have been entitled have been withheld pursuant to 6.2.4 of the TCW Direct Lending VII LLC Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”), the amounts so withheld shall be treated for such purposes as having been distributed to such Defaulting Member. The amount of any distribution of securities made in kind shall be equal to the fair market value of those securities at the time of distribution determined pursuant to 13.4 of the LLC Agreement.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

4. Agreements and Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

If the Advisory Agreement terminates early for any reason other than (i) the Adviser voluntarily terminating the agreement or (ii) the Company terminating the agreement for cause (as set out in the Advisory Agreement), the Company will be required to pay the Adviser a final incentive fee payment (the “Final Incentive Fee Payment”). The Final Incentive Fee Payment will be calculated as of the date the Advisory Agreement is so terminated and will equal the amount of Incentive Fee that would be payable to the Adviser if (A) all of the Company’s investments were liquidated for their current value (but without taking into account any unrealized appreciation of any portfolio investment), and any unamortized deferred portfolio investment-related fees were deemed accelerated, (B) the proceeds from such liquidation were used to pay all of the Company’s outstanding liabilities, and (C) the remainder were distributed to Unitholders and paid as Incentive Fee in accordance with the “waterfall” (i.e., clauses (a) through (d)) described above for determining the amount of the Incentive Fee. The Company will make the Final Incentive Fee Payment in cash on or immediately following the date the Advisory Agreement is so terminated.

Adviser Return Obligation: After the Company has made its final distribution of assets in connection with its dissolution, if the Adviser has received aggregate payments of Incentive Fees in excess of the amount the Adviser was entitled to receive pursuant to “Incentive Fee” above, then the Adviser will return to the Company, on or before 90 days after such final distribution of assets, an amount equal to such excess (the “Adviser Return Obligation”). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event will the Adviser be required to return to the Company an amount greater than the aggregate Incentive Fees paid to the Adviser, reduced by the excess of (a) the aggregate federal, state and local income tax liability the Adviser incurred in connection with the payment of such Incentive Fees, over (b) an amount equal to the U.S. federal and state tax benefits available to the Adviser by virtue of the payment made by the Adviser pursuant to its Adviser Return Obligation.

Administration Agreement: On September 25, 2018, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with TCW Asset Management Company LLC (the “Administrator”), which amended and restated the Admiration Agreement between the Company and the Administrator entered into on April 16, 2018. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator (or one or more delegated service providers) will oversee the maintenance of the Company’s financial records and otherwise assist with the Company’s compliance with regulations applicable to a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; monitor the payment of the Company’s expenses; oversee the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others; be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain; prepare and disseminate reports to Unitholders and reports and other materials to be filed with the SEC or other regulators; assist the Company in determining and publishing (as necessary or appropriate) its net asset value; oversee the preparation and filing of tax returns; generally oversee the payment of expenses; and provide such other services as the Administrator, subject to review of the Company’s board of directors, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. Payments under the Administration Agreement will be equal to an amount that reimburses the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the Administration Agreement. The Administrator shall seek such reimbursement from the Company no more than once during any calendar year and shall only seek such reimbursement when all Company Expenses (as defined below) for such calendar year have been paid or accrued. Amounts paid pursuant to the Administration Agreement are subject to the annual cap on Company Expenses (as defined below), as described more fully below.

The Company, and indirectly the Unitholders, will bear all costs, expenses and liabilities, other than Adviser Operating Expenses (as defined below) (which shall be borne by the Adviser), in connection with the organization, operations, administration and transactions of the Company (“Company Expenses”). Company Expenses shall include, without limitation: (a) organizational expenses and expenses associated with the issuance of the Units; (b) expenses of calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); (c) fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants, attorneys or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; (d) expenses incurred by the Adviser or the Administrator payable to third parties, including agents, consultants, attorneys or other advisors, relating to or associated with monitoring the financial and legal affairs for the Company, providing administrative services, monitoring or administering the Company’s investments and performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments and the corresponding portfolio companies; (e) costs associated with the Company’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable federal or state securities laws; (f) fees and expenses incurred in connection with debt incurred to finance the Company’s investments or operations, and payment of interest and repayment of principal on such debt; (g) expenses related to sales and purchases of Units and other securities; (h) Management Fees and Incentive Fees; (i) administrator fees, if any, payable under the Administration Agreement; (j) transfer agent, sub-administrator and custodial fees;

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

4. Agreements and Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

(k) expenses relating to the issue, repurchase and transfer of Units to the extent not borne by the relevant transferring Unitholders and/or assignees; (l) federal and state registration fees; (m) federal, state and local taxes and other governmental charges assessed against the Company; (n) independent directors’ fees and expenses and the costs associated with convening a meeting of the Company’s board of directors or any committee thereof; (o) fees and expenses and the costs associated with convening a meeting of the Unitholders or holders of any Preferred Units of the Company, as well as the compensation of an investor relations professional responsible for the coordination and administration of the foregoing; (p) costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to Unitholders, including printing and mailing costs; (q) costs and expenses related to the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and tax returns; (r) the Company’s allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (s) direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, and copying; (t) independent auditors and outside legal costs, including legal costs associated with any requests for exemptive relief, “no-action” positions or other guidance sought from a regulator, pertaining to the Company; (u) compensation of other third party professionals to the extent they are devoted to preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements or tax returns or providing similar “back office” financial services to the Company; (v) Adviser costs and expenses (excluding travel) in connection with identifying and investigating investment opportunities for the Company, monitoring the investments of the Company and disposing of any such investments; (w) portfolio risk management costs; (x) commissions or brokerage fees or similar charges incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities (including merger fees); (y) costs and expenses attributable to normal and extraordinary investment banking, commercial banking, accounting, auditing, appraisal, valuation, administrative agent activities, custodial and registration services provided to the Company, including in each case services with respect to the proposed purchase or sale of securities by the Company that are not reimbursed by the issuer of such securities or others (whether or not such purchase or sale is consummated); (z) costs of amending, restating or modifying the LLC Agreement or Advisory Agreement or related documents of the Company or related entities; (aa) fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the termination, liquidation or dissolution of the Company or related entities and (bb) all other properly and reasonably chargeable expenses incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) that results in a Public Company (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or an Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement), including a Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) pursuant to which the Company becomes the Public Company (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement), the fees, costs and expenses associated with any such restructuring, initial public offering, listing of equity securities or reorganization will be borne appropriately by the Public Company (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) (and indirectly only by Unitholders that elect to become investors in the Public Company (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement)), as the case may be, and no others will directly or indirectly bear such fees, costs or expenses.

However, the Company will not bear (a) more than an amount equal to 10 basis points of investors’ aggregate Commitments for organizational expenses and offering expenses in connection with the offering of Units through the date that is six months after the Initial Closing Date, as it may be extended by the Adviser, and (b) more than an amount equal to 12.5 basis points of aggregate Commitments computed annually for Company Expenses; provided, that, any amount by which actual annual expenses in (b) exceed the 12.5 basis point limit shall be carried over to the next year, without limitation, as additional expense until the earlier of the Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the dissolution of the Company, with any partial year assessed on a pro rata basis; and provided, further, that in determining the Company Expenses subject to the 12.5 basis point limit in (b), the following expenses shall be excluded and shall be borne by the Company as incurred without regard to the 12.5 basis point limit in (b): the Management Fee, the Incentive Fee, organizational and offering expenses (which are subject to the separate cap), amounts incurred in connection with the Company’s borrowings (including interest, bank fees, legal fees and other transactional expenses arising out of or related to any borrowing or borrowing facility and similar costs), transfer agent fees, federal, state and local taxes and other governmental charges assessed against the Company, out-of-pocket expenses of calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm engaged for that purpose and the costs and expenses of the valuation of the Company’s portfolio investments performed by the Company’s independent auditors in order to comply with applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards), out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with arranging or structuring investments and their ongoing operations (including expenses and liabilities related to the formation and ongoing operations of any special purpose entity or entities in connection with an investment), out-of-pocket legal costs associated with any requests for exemptive relief, “no-action” positions or other guidance sought from a regulator pertaining to the Company, out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to any Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or liquidation of the Company, and any extraordinary expenses (such as litigation expenses and indemnification payments). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Company carryforward to future periods the amount by which actual annual Company Expenses for a year exceed the 12.5 basis point limit for more than three years from the date on which such expenses were reimbursed.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

4. Agreements and Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

“Adviser Operating Expenses” means overhead and operating and administrative expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Adviser or any of its affiliates, including the Company, in connection with maintaining and operating the Adviser’s office, including salaries and other compensation (including compensation due to its officers), rent, routine office equipment expense and liability and insurance premiums (other than those incurred in maintaining fidelity bonds and indemnitee insurance policies), in furtherance of providing supervisory investment management services for the Company. Adviser Operating Expenses also includes any expenses incurred by the Adviser or its Affiliates in connection with the Adviser’s registration as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or with its compliance as a registered investment adviser thereunder.

All Adviser Operating Expenses and all expenses of the Company that the Company will not bear will, as set forth above, will be borne by the Adviser or its affiliates.

5. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company had the following unfunded commitments and unrealized depreciation by investment as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 

     Maturity /
Expiration
   March 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Unfunded Commitments

   Amount      Unrealized
Depreciation
     Amount      Unrealized
Depreciation
 

AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC

   September 2025    $ —      $ —      $ 2,767      $ 28  

Caiman Merger Sub LLC

   November 2024      1,017        14        1,031        8  

Cassavant Holdings, LLC

   December 2024      1,899        61        —          —    

Dura-Supreme Holdings, Inc.

   October 2024      —          —          1,514        6  

GEON Performance Solutions, LLC

   October 2024      1,816        35        3,133        19  

Encompass Digital Media, Inc.

   September 2023      —          —          794        18  

FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC

   November 2024      —          —          1,062        6  

FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC

   November 2024      —          —          4,827        29  

Gold Star Foods Inc.

   April 2020      —          —          2,754        8  

Gold Star Foods Inc.

   October 2024      —          —          4,589        14  

Hometown Food Company

   August 2023      772        13        5,881        82  

Mondee Holdings LLC

   December 2024      7,708        903        8,613        146  

Need It Now Delivers, LLC

   December 2020      4,992        208        6,025        24  

Powerhouse Intermediate, LLC

   October 2024      —          —          2,423        10  

United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.

   June 2024      5,985        520        6,506        215  

WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC

   October 2024      3,006        37        7,302        73  

Wellbore Integrity Solutions

   December 2020      932        21        953        4  

Winsight, LLC

   November 2023      13,469        417        13,887        83  

Winsight, LLC

   November 2021      667        21        2,217        13  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 42,263      $ 2,250      $ 76,278      $ 786  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

From time to time, the Company may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of its business. As of March 31, 2020, the Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

5. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts which provide a variety of representations and warranties, and that provide general indemnifications. Such contracts include those with certain service providers, brokers and trading counterparties. Any exposure to the Company under these arrangements is unknown as it would involve future claims that may be made against the Company; however, based on the Company’s experience, the risk of loss is remote and no such claims are expected to occur. As such, the Company has not accrued any liability in connection with such indemnifications.

6. Members’ Capital

The Company’s Unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2020      2019  

Units at beginning of period

     13,734,010        10,672,260  

Units issued and committed

     —          3,061,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Units issued and committed at end of period

     13,734,010        13,734,010  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

No deemed distributions and contributions were processed during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

7. Credit Facilities

On May 10, 2018, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Natixis Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as borrower, and Natixis, New York Branch (“Natixis”), as administrative agent and the committed lenders, conduit lenders and funding agents. The Natixis Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit line (the “Natixis Revolving Credit Facility”) of up to $150,000 (the “Natixis Maximum Commitment”), subject to the lesser of the “Natixis Borrowing Base” assets or the Natixis Maximum Commitment. The Natixis Borrowing Base assets equal the sum of a percentage of unfunded commitments from certain classes of eligible investors in the Company (the “Natixis Available Commitment”). The Natixis Revolving Credit Facility is generally secured by the Natixis Borrowing Base assets.

The Natixis Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by the Company, up to an aggregate amount of $1 billion. The maturity date of the Natixis Credit Agreement is May 10, 2021, unless such date is extended at the Company’s option no more than two times for a term of up to 364 days after the maturity date per such extension. Borrowings under the Natixis Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to either (a) a base rate calculated in a customary manner plus 0.55% or (b) an adjusted eurodollar rate calculated in a customary manner plus 1.55%. On September 21, 2018, the Natixis Maximum Commitment increased from $150,000 to $275,000. On November 5, 2018, the Natixis Maximum Commitment increased from $275,000 to $400,000.

The Natixis Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest, subject to customary exceptions, in (i) all of the capital commitments of the investors in the Company, (ii) the Company’s right to make capital calls, receive payment of capital contributions from the investors and enforce payment of the capital commitments and capital contributions under the Company’s operating agreement and (iii) a cash collateral account into which the capital contributions from the investors are made. The Natixis Revolving Credit Facility may be terminated, and any outstanding amounts thereunder may become due and payable, should the Company fail to satisfy certain covenants. As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with such covenants.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

7. Credit Facilities (Continued)

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Natixis Borrowing Base assets were less than the Natixis Maximum Commitment. A summary of amounts outstanding and available under the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

Natixis Revolving Credit Facility

   Maximum
Commitment
     Borrowings
Outstanding
     Available
Amount(1)
 

As of March 31, 2020

   $ 400,000      $ 252,000      $ 30,866  

As of December 31, 2019

   $ 400,000      $ 252,000      $ 30,866  

 

(1)

The amount available considers any limitations related to the debt facility borrowing.

On January 29, 2019, TCW DL VII Financing LLC (the “Borrower” or “TCW DL VII Financing”), a newly-formed, wholly-owned, special purpose financing subsidiary of the Company, entered into a senior secured credit facility (the “PNC Credit Facility” and together with the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) pursuant to a credit and security agreement (the “PNC Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as facility agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as collateral agent.

Under the PNC Credit Facility, the lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $400,000 of revolving and term loans (the “PNC Maximum Commitment”), subject to compliance with a borrowing base (the “PNC Borrowing Base”). The PNC Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by the Borrower up to an aggregate principal amount of $900,000, subject to lender consent and obtaining commitments for the increase. The Borrower may make borrowings of (i) a revolving loan (the “PNC Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility, the “Revolving Credit Facilities”) under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ending on January 29, 2022 and (ii) a term loan (the “PNC Term Loan”) under the PNC Credit Facility during the period which commenced on January 29, 2019 and ended on January 29, 2020, unless, there is an earlier termination of the PNC Credit Facility or event of default thereunder. The PNC Credit Facility will mature on January 29, 2024. Loans under the PNC Credit Facility bear interest at a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to, at the Borrower’s option, either (i) three-month LIBOR plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum or (ii) the Base Rate plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum.

On April 11, 2019, the Borrower amended and restated the PNC Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended PNC Credit Agreement”) for the PNC Credit Facility. The Amended PNC Credit Agreement, among other things, (a) increased the total commitments under the PNC Credit Facility from $400,000 to $600,000 (the “Amended PNC Maximum Commitment”) and (b) made certain modifications to the calculation of the borrowing base under the prior facility, including the eligibility requirements of collateral obligations pledged under the PNC Credit Facility and loan portfolio concentration limits.

On March 17, 2020, the Borrower amended and restated the Amended PNC Credit Agreement (as further amended the “Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement, among other things, increased the total commitments under the PNC Credit Facility from $600,000 to $795,000 (the “Second Amended PNC Maximum Commitment”). The Second Amended PNC Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by the Borrower up to an aggregate principal amount of $900,000, subject to lender consent and obtaining commitments for the increase. The Borrower may make borrowings of (i) revolving loans under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ending on January 29, 2022 and (ii) term loans under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ending on March 17, 2020, unless, in the case of (i) and (ii), there is an earlier termination of the PNC Credit Facility or event of default thereunder. The PNC Credit Facility will mature on January 29, 2024. Loans under the PNC Credit Facility will bear interest at a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to, at the Borrower’s option, either (i) three-month LIBOR plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum or (ii) the Base Rate plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum.

The Borrower’s obligations under the PNC Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of the Borrower, including its portfolio of loans that has been contributed by the Company to the Borrower in exchange for 100% of the membership interests of the Borrower and any payments received in respect of such loans. The Company may contribute or sell to the Borrower additional loans from time to time after the closing date, which shall be pledged in favor of the lenders under the PNC Credit Facility.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

7. Credit Facilities (Continued)

 

Under the PNC Credit Facility, the Borrower has made customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The PNC Credit Facility also includes events of default that are customary for similar credit facilities. As of March 31, 2020, the Borrower was in compliance with such covenants.

Borrowings of the Borrower are non-recourse to the Company but are considered borrowings of the Company for purposes of complying with the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the PNC Borrowing Base assets were greater than the Second Amended and Amended PNC Maximum Commitment, respectively. A summary of amounts outstanding and available under the PNC Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

PNC Credit Facility

   Maximum
Commitment
     Borrowings
Outstanding
     Available
Amount(1)
 

As of March 31, 2020

   $  795,000      $ 405,000      $ 390,000  

As of December 31, 2019

   $ 600,000      $ 505,000      $ 95,000  

(1) The amount available considers any limitations related to the facility borrowing.

Borrowings under the PNC Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of $166,500 and $325,000, respectively, from the PNC Revolving Credit Facility (i.e., revolving line of credit) and $238,500 and $180,000, respectively, of PNC Term Loan.

The Company incurred financing costs of $3,463 and $4,433, in connection with the Natixis Credit Agreement and the PNC Credit Agreement, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred an additional $2,070 and $1,531 in financing costs in connection with the Amended and Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement, respectively. Costs associated with the Revolving Credit Facilities were primarily recorded by the Company as deferred financing costs on its Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the costs are being amortized over the respective lives of the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility and PNC Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $6,109 and $5,574, respectively, of such deferred financing costs had yet to be amortized. Costs associated with the PNC Term Loan are deferred and amortized over the term of the PNC Term Loan. Such deferred financing costs are netted against the carrying value of the PNC Term Loan on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

A reconciliation of amounts presented on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities versus amounts outstanding on the PNC Term Loan is as follows:

 

     As of
March 31, 2020
     As of
December 31, 2019
 

Principal amount outstanding on PNC Term Loan

   $ 238,500      $ 180,000  

Deferred financing costs

     (1,985      (1,613
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

PNC Term Loan (as presented on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities)

   $ 236,515      $ 178,387  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amounts of the Credit Facilities, which are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximates their respective fair values. Valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value include Company details; credit, market and liquidity risk and events; financial health of the Company; place in the capital structure; interest rate; and the Credit Facilities’ terms and conditions.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

7. Credit Facilities (Continued)

 

The summary information regarding the Credit Facilities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2020     2019  

Credit Facilities interest expense

   $ 6,270     $ 3,091  

Unused commitment fees

     253       448  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     717       418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,240     $ 3,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

     3.72     4.09

Average outstanding balance

   $ 666,890     $ 302,089  

8. Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and has elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it will generally not pay corporate-level U.S. Federal income or excise taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its Unitholders as dividends. The Company elected to be taxed as a RIC in 2018. The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its consolidated financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reversed and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

Federal Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Company to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and distribute all of its net taxable income and any net realized gains on investments to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s aggregate investment unrealized appreciation and depreciation for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     As of
March 31, 2020
     As of
December 31,

2019
 

Cost of investments for federal income tax purposes

   $ 1,308,805      $ 1,531,227  

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 6,633      $ 21,471  

Unrealized depreciation

   $ 59,465      $ 10,322  

Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on investments

   $ (52,832    $ 11,149  

The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019, nor were there any increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits for the period then ended; therefore, no interest or penalties were accrued. The Company is subject to examination by the U.S federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the prior two years.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

9. Financial Highlights

Selected data for a unit outstanding throughout the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below.

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2020(1)     2019(1)  

Net Asset Value Per Unit (accrual base), Beginning of Period

   $ 99.36     $ 100.23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Common Unitholder NAV from Prior Period

     —         (0.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net investment income

     2.57       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain

     (4.68     0.39  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     (2.11     0.64  

Less Distributions:

 

From distributable earnings

     —         (0.14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     —         (0.14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Unit (accrual base), End of Period

   $ 97.25     $ 100.68  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unitholder Total Return(2)(3)

     (3.5 )%      2.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unitholder IRR before incentive fees(4)

     3.0     12.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unitholder IRR after all fees and expenses(4)

     3.0     9.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

Members’ Capital, end of period

   $ 787,235     $ 399,286  

Units outstanding, end of period

     13,734,010       13,734,010  

Ratios based on average net assets of Members’ Capital:

 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(5)

     0.38     12.75

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(5)

     0.38     12.75

Ratio of financing cost to average net assets(3)

     0.89     1.12

Ratio of net investment income before expense recapture to average net assets(5)

     17.45     3.92

Ratio of incentive fees to average net assets(5)

     (6.01 )%      5.06

Credit facilities payable

     655,015       369,000  

Asset coverage ratio

     2.2       2.1  

Portfolio turnover rate(3)

     16.0     4

 

(1)

Per unit data was calculated using the number of Common Units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(2)

The Total Return for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was calculated by taking the net investment income of the Company for the period divided by the weighted average capital contributions from the Members during the period. The return is net of management fees and expenses.

(3)

Not annualized.

(4)

The IRR since inception for the Common Unitholders, after management fees, financing costs and operating expenses, but before incentive fees is 3.0%. The IRR since inception for the Common Unitholders, after management fees, financing costs, operating expenses and Advisor incentive fees is 3.0%. The IRR is computed based on cash flow due dates contained in notices to Members (contributions from and distributions to the Unitholders) and the net assets (residual value) of the Members’ Capital account at period end. The IRR is calculated based on the fair value of investments using principles and methods in accordance with GAAP and does not necessarily represent the amounts that may be realized from sales or other dispositions. Accordingly, the return may vary significantly upon realization.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for unit data)

March 31, 2020

 

10. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no subsequent events that require recognition or disclosure in these consolidated financial statements other than those described below.

The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted economic markets and its corresponding impact on the financial results of the Company depend on highly uncertain and unpredictable future developments such as the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, the future financial results of the Company may be materially impacted. For additional information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company see “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q.

 

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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 on Form 10-Q. Some of the statements in this report (including in the following discussion) constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future events or future performance or financial condition of TCW Direct Lending VII LLC. For simplicity, this report uses the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to TCW Direct Lending VII LLC.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about us, our prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation:

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, including our and their ability to achieve our objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

an economic downturn, including as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

 

   

a contraction of available credit, including as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

   

interest rate volatility could affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their financial and other business objectives;

 

   

competition with other entities and our affiliates for investment opportunities;

 

   

the impact of changing market conditions and lending standards on our ability to compete with other industry participants, including other business development companies, private and public funds, individual and institutional investors, and financial institutions for investment opportunities;

 

   

uncertainty surrounding the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the financial stability of the global economy;

 

   

the social, geopolitical, financial, trade and legal implications of Brexit, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on ongoing negotiations between the United Kingdom and various countries in the European Union;

 

   

pandemics or other serious public health events, such as the recent global outbreak of COVID-19;

 

   

an inability to replicate the historical success of any previously launched fund managed by the direct lending team of our investment adviser, TCW Asset Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”);

 

   

the speculative and illiquid nature of our investments;

 

   

the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

   

the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital;

 

   

the costs associated with being an entity registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

the loss of key personnel;

 

   

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

   

the ability of the Adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;

 

   

the ability of The TCW Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries to attract and retain highly talented professionals that can provide services to the Adviser in its capacity as our investment adviser and administrator;

 

   

our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” and as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the related tax implications;

 

   

the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; and

 

   

the other risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify under “Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020 and in this report.

 

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Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, some of those assumptions are based on the work of third parties and any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate; as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could prove to be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, except as required by applicable law. The safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “1934 Act”), which preclude civil liability or certain forward-looking statements, do not apply to the forward-looking statements in this report because we are an investment company.

Overview

We were formed on May 23, 2017 as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. We conducted a private offering of our common limited liability company units (the “Units”) to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

On August 18, 2017 (“Inception Date”), we sold and issued 10 Units at an aggregate purchase price of $1,000 to TCW Asset Management Company LLC (“TAMCO”), an affiliate of the TCW Group, Inc.

On December 29, 2017, we filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We elected, and intend to qualify annually, to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements.

On April 13, 2018 (the “Initial Closing Date”), we began accepting subscription agreements from investors for the private sale of our Units and on January 14, 2019, we completed our fourth and final closing sale of our Units. We have sold 13,734,010 Units for an aggregate offering price of approximately $1.4 billion. Each Unitholder is obligated to contribute capital equal to their Commitment and each Unit’s Commitment obligation is $100.00 per Unit. The sale of the Units was made pursuant to subscription agreements entered into by us and each investor. Under the terms of the subscription agreements, we may draw down all or any portion of the undrawn commitment with respect to each Unit generally upon at least ten business days’ prior written notice to the unitholders. The amount of capital that remains to be drawn down and contributed is referred to as an “Undrawn Commitment.”

We commenced operations during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Revenues

We generate revenues in the form of interest income and capital appreciation by providing private capital to middle market companies operating in a broad range of industries primarily in the United States. The historical investment philosophy, strategy and approach of the direct lending team of the Adviser (the “Direct Lending Team”) has generally not involved the use of payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance that generally becomes due at maturity, or similar arrangements. Although we do not currently expect the Direct Lending Team to originate a significant amount of investments for us with PIK interest features, from time to time we may make, and currently have, investments that contain such features. We may have investments with PIK interest features in limited circumstances involving debt restructurings or work-outs of current investments. Our highly negotiated private investments may include senior secured loans, unsecured senior loans, subordinated and mezzanine loans, convertible securities, notes and other non-convertible debt securities, equity securities, and equity-linked securities such as options and warrants. However, our investment bias will be towards adjustable-rate, senior secured loans. We do not anticipate a secondary market developing for our private investments.

We are primarily focused on investing in senior secured debt obligations, although there may be occasions where the investment may be unsecured. We may also consider an equity investment as the primary security, in combination with a debt obligation, or as a part of total return strategy. Our investments will mostly be in corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Additionally, in certain circumstances, we may co-invest with other investors and/or strategic partners indirectly in a company through a joint venture partnership or other special purpose vehicle. While we intend to invest primarily in U.S. companies, there may be certain instances where we will invest in companies domiciled elsewhere.

Expenses

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided through the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2018 (the “Administration Agreement”) and the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2017, (the “Advisory Agreement”).

 

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We, and indirectly our Unitholders, will bear all costs, expenses and liabilities, other than Adviser Operating Expenses (which shall be borne by the Adviser), in connection with our organization, operations, administration and transactions (“Company Expenses”). Company Expenses shall include, without limitation: (a) organizational expenses and expenses associated with the issuance of the Units; (b) expenses of calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); (c) fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants, attorneys or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; (d) expenses incurred by the Adviser or the Administrator payable to third parties, including agents, consultants, attorneys or other advisors, relating to or associated with monitoring our financial and legal affairs, providing administrative services, monitoring or administering our investments and performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments and the corresponding portfolio companies; (e) costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and other applicable federal or state securities laws; (f) fees and expenses incurred in connection with debt incurred to finance our investments or operations, and payment of interest and repayment of principal on such debt; (g) expenses related to sales and purchases of Units and other securities; (h) Management Fees and Incentive Fees; (i) administrator fees, if any, payable under the Administration Agreement; (j) transfer agent, sub-administrator and custodial fees; (k) expenses relating to the issue, repurchase and transfer of Units to the extent not borne by the relevant transferring Unitholders and/or assignees; (l) federal and state registration fees; (m) federal, state and local taxes and other governmental charges assessed against us; (n) independent directors’ fees and expenses and the costs associated with convening a meeting of our board of directors or any committee thereof; (o) fees and expenses and the costs associated with convening a meeting of the Unitholders or holders of any Preferred Units, as well as the compensation of an investor relations professional responsible for the coordination and administration of the foregoing; (p) costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to Unitholders, including printing and mailing costs; (q) costs and expenses related to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and tax returns; (r) our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (s) direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, and copying; (t) independent auditors and outside legal costs, including legal costs associated with any requests for exemptive relief, “no-action” positions or other guidance sought from a regulator, pertaining to us; (u) compensation of other personnel (including employees and secretarial and other staff of the Administrator) to the extent they are devoted to preparing our consolidated financial statements or tax returns or providing similar “back office” financial services to us; (v) Adviser costs and expenses (excluding travel) in connection with identifying and investigating investment opportunities for us, monitoring our investments and disposing of any such investments; (w) portfolio risk management costs; (x) commissions or brokerage fees or similar charges incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities (including merger fees); (y) costs and expenses attributable to normal and extraordinary investment banking, commercial banking, accounting, auditing, appraisal, valuation, administrative agent activities, custodial and registration services provided to us, including in each case services with respect to the proposed purchase or sale of securities by us that are not reimbursed by the issuer of such securities or others (whether or not such purchase or sale is consummated); (z) costs of amending, restating or modifying the LLC Agreement or Advisory Agreement or related documents of us or related entities; (aa) fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the termination, liquidation or dissolution of the Company or related entities; and (bb) all other properly and reasonably chargeable expenses incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering our business. However, in the event of a Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) that results in a Public Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or an Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement), including a Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) pursuant to which the Company becomes the Public Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement), the fees, costs and expenses associated with any such restructuring, initial public offering, listing of equity securities or reorganization will be borne appropriately by the Public Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) (and indirectly only by Unitholders that elect to become investors in the Public Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the Extension Fund (as defined in the LLC Agreement)), as the case may be, and no others will directly or indirectly bear such fees, costs or expenses.

However, we will not bear (a) more than an amount equal to 10 basis points of our aggregate Commitments for organizational expenses and offering expenses in connection with the offering of Units through January 14, 2019 and (b) more than an amount equal to 12.5 basis points of our aggregate Commitments computed annually for Company Expenses; provided, that, any amount by which actual annual expenses in (b) exceed the 12.5 basis point limit shall be carried over to the next year, without limitation, as additional expense until the earlier of the Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or the dissolution of the Company, with any partial year assessed on a pro rata basis; and provided, further, that in determining the Company Expenses subject to the 12.5 basis point limit in (b), the following expenses shall be excluded and shall be borne by us as incurred without regard to the 12.5 basis point limit in (b): the Management Fee, the Incentive Fee, organizational and offering expenses (which are subject to the separate cap), amounts incurred in connection with our borrowings (including interest, bank fees, legal fees and other transactional expenses arising out of or related to any borrowing or borrowing facility and similar costs), transfer agent fees, federal, state and local taxes and other governmental charges assessed against us, expenses of calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm engaged for that purpose and the costs and expenses of the valuation of our portfolio investments performed by our independent auditors in order to comply with applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards), costs and expenses incurred in connection with arranging or structuring investments and their ongoing operations (including expenses and liabilities related to the formation and ongoing operations of any special purpose entity or entities in connection with an investment), legal costs associated with any requests for exemptive relief, “no-action” positions or other guidance sought from a regulator pertaining to us, costs and expenses relating to any Reorganization (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or liquidation of the

 

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Company and any extraordinary expenses (such as litigation expenses and indemnification payments). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Company carryforward to future periods the amount by which actual annual Company Expenses for a year exceed the 12.5 basis point limit for more than three years from the date on which such expenses were reimbursed.

“Adviser Operating Expenses” means overhead and operating and administrative expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Adviser or any of its affiliates, including us, in connection with maintaining and operating the Adviser’s office, including salaries and other compensation (including compensation due to its officers), rent, routine office equipment expense and liability and insurance premiums (other than those incurred in maintaining fidelity bonds and Indemnitee insurance policies), in furtherance of providing supervisory investment management services for us. Adviser Operating Expenses include any expenses incurred by the Adviser or its affiliates in connection with the Adviser’s registration as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or with its compliance as a registered investment adviser thereunder.

All Adviser Operating Expenses and all our expenses that we will not bear, as set forth above, will be borne by the Adviser or its affiliates.

In connection with borrowings, our lenders require us to pledge assets, Commitments and/or the right to draw down on Commitments. In this regard, the subscription agreement entered into with each of our investors contractually obligates each investor to fund its respective Commitments in order to pay amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations.

We expensed organization costs totaling $0.7 million (net of $0.4 million in Adviser reimbursement) since our inception through December 31, 2018. Offering costs totaling $0.6 million (net of $0.3 million in Adviser reimbursement) was charged directly to Members’ Capital on December 31, 2018. No additional organization and offering costs were incurred subsequent to December 31, 2018. We did not bear more than an amount equal to 10 basis points of the aggregate capital commitments for organization and offering expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Investments at Fair Value

Investments which we hold for which market quotes are not readily available or are not considered reliable are valued at fair value and approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) based on similar instruments, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Assets and liabilities are classified by us into three levels based on valuation inputs used to determine fair value:

Level 1 values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets and quoted prices in inactive markets or other market observable inputs.

Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect our determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the assets.

Categorization within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Level 1 Assets (Investments): The valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value are as follows:

Equity, (Level 1), includes common stock valued at the closing price on the primary exchange in which the security trades.

Level 2 Assets (Investments): The valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value are as follows:

Equity, (Level 2), includes warrants valued using quotes for comparable investments.

Level 3 Assets (Investments): The following valuation techniques and significant inputs are used to determine the fair value of investments in private debt and equity for which reliable market quotations are not available. Some of the inputs are independently observable however, a significant portion of the inputs and the internal assumptions applied are unobservable.

Debt, (Level 3), includes investments in privately originated senior secured debt. Such securities are valued based on specific pricing models, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs. A discounted cash flow approach incorporating a weighted average cost of capital is generally used to determine fair value or, in some cases, an enterprise value waterfall method. Valuation may also include a shadow rating method. Standard pricing inputs include but are not limited to the financial health of the issuer, place in the capital structure, value of other issuer debt, credit, industry, and market risk and events.

 

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Equity, (Level 3), includes common stock and warrants. Such securities are valued based on specific pricing models, internal assumptions and the weighting of the best available pricing inputs. A market approach is generally used to determine fair value. Pricing inputs include, but are not limited to, financial health and relevant business developments of the issuer; EBITDA; market multiples of comparable companies; comparable market transactions and recent trades or transactions; issuer, industry and market events; and contractual or legal restrictions on the sale of the security. When a Black-Scholes pricing model is used it follows the income approach. The pricing model takes into account the contract terms as well as multiple inputs, including: time value, implied volatility, equity prices and interest rates. A liquidity discount based on current market expectations, future events, minority ownership position and the period management reasonably expects to hold the investment may be applied.

Pricing inputs and weightings applied to determine value require subjective determination. Accordingly, valuations do not necessarily represent the amounts that may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments.

Investment Activity

As of March 31, 2020, our non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio consisted of 51 debt investments and five equity investments. Based on fair values as of March 31, 2020, our non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio was 99.6% invested in debt investments which were mostly senior secured, term loans. The remaining 0.4% represented our equity investments.    

As of December 31, 2019, our non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio consisted of 50 debt investments and four equity investments. Based on fair values as of December 31, 2019, our non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio was 99.6% invested in debt investments which were mostly senior secured, term loans. The remaining 0.4% represented our equity investments.    

The table below describes our non-controlled/non-affiliated investments by industry classification and enumerates the percentage, by fair value, of the total portfolio assets in industries as March 31, 2020:

 

Industry

   Percent of Total Investments  

Aerospace & Defense

     17

Food Products

     9

Media

     8

Energy Equipment and Services

     8

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     7

Chemicals

     6

Software

     5

Information Technology Services

     5

Health Care Providers & Services

     4

Metals & Mining

     4

Household Products

     3

Household Durables

     3

Personal Products

     3

Multiline Retail

     3

Diversified Consumer Services

     2

Construction Materials

     2

Commercial Services and Supplies

     2

Auto Components

     2

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     2

Electronic Equipment, Instrument & Components

     2

Construction and Engineering

     1

Air Freight & Logistics

     1

Beverages

     1
  

 

 

 

Total

     100  % 
  

 

 

 

Interest income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments, including interest income paid-in-kind, was $35.9 million and $14.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we also earned $0.1 million in other fee income from our non-controlled/non-affiliated investments.    

 

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Results of Operations

Our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
     2020     2019  

Total investment income

   $ 36,052     $ 14,548  

Expenses

     760       11,130  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     35,292       3,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    

Net realized gain on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     1,943       418  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     (66,230     4,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in Members’ Capital from operations

   $ (28,995   $ 8,747  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

Total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $36.1 million and $14.5 million, respectively. Our total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included $0.1 million of other fee income from our non-controlled/non-affiliated investments. Our total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was entirely attributable to interest income from our non-controller/non-affiliated investments.

The increase in total investment income during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the increase in our portfolio of investments. Our portfolio of investments increased to 56 total debt and equity investments as of March 31, 2020, compared to 24 as of March 31, 2019.

Net investment income

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $35.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The increase in our net investment income during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to our net investment income during the three months ended March 31, 2019 is due to the larger size of our investment portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019. Further, total operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was significantly lower compared to our total operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2019, as the current quarter expense included a $12.1 million reversal of previously accrued incentive fees. This reversal took place during the current quarter as result of our internal rate of return (“IRR”) falling below the hurdle rate stipulated in our Advisory Agreement.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2019 were as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

     For the three
months ended
March 31, 2020
    For the three
months ended
March 31, 2019
 

Expenses:

    

Interest and credit facilities’ expenses

   $ 7,240     $ 3,957  

Management fees

     4,955       2,105  

Administrative fees

     363       185  

Professional fees

     195       320  

Directors’ fees

     98       94  

Incentive fees

     (12,148     4,413  

Other expenses

     57       56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

   $ 760     $ 11,130  

Our total expenses were $0.8 million and $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our expenses included management fees attributed to the Adviser of $5.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively; and incentive fees attributed to the Adviser of ($12.1) million and $4.4 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the reversal of previously accrued incentive fees in conjunction with the decrease in our IRR. As of March 31, 2020,

 

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our IRR fell below the hurdle rate specified in our Advisory Agreement. This credit was partially offset by higher interest and credit facilities’ expenses resulting from a higher average debt outstanding balance during the current quarter compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019. Lastly, management fees attributed to our Adviser also increased, consistent with the overall increase in the size of our investment portfolio.    

Net realized gain on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

Our net realized gain on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $1.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Our net realized gain during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to our partial or full dispositions of the following investments (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

Issuer

   Investment    Realized Gain  

Powerhouse Intermediate, LLC

   Term Loan    $ 346  

AVI-SPL, Inc.

   Term Loan      331  

Westrock Coffee Company, LLC

   Term Loan      306  

Gold Star Foods Inc.

   Term Loan      270  

AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC

   Term Loan      344  

Dura-Supreme Holdings, Inc.

   Term Loan      170  

Hunter Fan Company

   Term Loan      78  

Geon Performance Solutions, LLC

   Term Loan      53  

Mondee Holdings, LLC

   Term Loan      45  
  

 

  

 

 

 

Total realized gain

      $ 1,943  

Our net realized gain on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was due to the partial disposition of our term loans to SMTC Corporation.

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

Our net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on non-controlled/non-affiliated investments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was ($66.2) million and $4.9 million, respectively. Our net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to the following investments (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

Issuer

   Investment    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
 

Production Resource Group, LLC

   Term Loan    $ (9,634

Mondee Holdings, LLC

   Term Loan      (7,403

Slogic Holdings Corp.

   Term Loan      (5,348

Centric Brands Inc.

   Term Loan      (4,931

Keeco Holdings, LLC

   Term Loan      (3,111

UniTek Acquisition, Inc.

   Term Loan      (2,664

Greenfield World Trade, Inc.

   Term Loan      (2,557

Akumin, Inc.

   Term Loan      (2,488

Innerworkings, Inc.,

   Warrants      (2,302

Innerworkings, Inc.,

   Term Loan      (1,971

Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC

   Term Loan      (1,683

FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC

   Term Loan      (1,610

United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.

   Term Loan      (1,433

PSS Industrial Group Corp.

   Term Loan      (1,354

Sparton Corporation

   Term Loan      (1,057

Shipston Group U.S. Inc.

   Term Loan      (1,011

Greenfield World Trade, Inc.

   Warrants      1,481  

All others

   Various      (17,154
  

 

  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

      $ (66,230

 

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Our net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was affected by the widening of credit spreads as well as other consequences of the uncertainty and economic volatility caused by COVID-19; in addition to other business conditions unique to our respective issuers.

Our net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was largely due to our term loans to DBM Global, Inc., Centric Brands, Inc., Sparton Corporation, Greenfield World Trade Inc., and Production Resource Group, LLC, which collectively recognized $4.5 million in unrealized appreciation, in addition to approximately $1.3 million in other mark to market adjustments during the quarter. These were partially offset by our term loans to Profrac Services, LLC and SMTC Corporation, for which, we recorded an aggregate of $0.9 million in unrealized depreciation during the quarter.

Net (decrease) increase in Members’ Capital from operations

Our net (decrease) increase in members’ capital from operations during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was ($29.0) million and $8.7 million, respectively. The decrease in members’ capital during the during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the increase during three months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to our net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation during the current quarter which, as previously described was a net depreciation of $66.2 million during the current quarter compared to a net appreciation of $4.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019. This was partially offset by the increase in our net investment income during the current quarter compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

On April 13, 2018, we completed the first closing of the sale of our Units to persons not affiliated with the Adviser. We also commenced operations during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. On January 14, 2019, we completed our fourth and final closing sale of our Units. We generate cash from (1) drawing down capital in respect of Units, (2) cash flows from investments and operations and (3) borrowings from banks or other lenders.

Our primary use of cash is for (1) investments in portfolio companies and other investments to comply with certain portfolio diversification requirements, (2) the cost of operations (including expenses, the Management Fee, the Incentive Fee, and any indemnification obligations), (3) debt service of any borrowings and (4) cash distributions to the Unitholders.

As of March 31, 2020, aggregate Commitments, Undrawn Commitments, percentage of Commitments funded and the number of subscribed for Units of the Company were as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2020  

Commitments

   $ 1,373,401  

Undrawn commitments

   $ 548,401  

Percentage of commitments funded

     60.1

Units

     13,734,010  

On May 10, 2018, we entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Natixis Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as borrower, and Natixis, New York Branch (“Natixis”), as administrative agent and the committed lenders, conduit lenders and funding agents. The Natixis Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit line (the “Natixis Credit Facility”) of up to $150.0 million (the “Natixis Maximum Commitment”), subject to the lesser of the “Natixis Borrowing Base” assets or the Natixis Maximum Commitment. The Natixis Borrowing Base assets equal the sum of a percentage of unfunded commitments from certain classes of eligible investors in the Company (the “Natixis Available Commitment”). The Natixis Credit Facility is generally secured by the Natixis Borrowing Base assets.

The Natixis Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by us, up to an aggregate amount of $1 billion. The maturity date of the Natixis Credit Agreement is May 10, 2021, unless such date is extended at our option, no more than two times for a term of up to 364 days after the maturity date per such extension. Borrowings under the Natixis Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to either (a) a base rate calculated in a customary manner plus 0.55% or (b) an adjusted eurodollar rate calculated in a customary manner plus 1.55%. On September 21, 2018, the Natixis Maximum Commitment increased from $150.0 million to $275.0 million. On November 5, 2018, the Natixis Maximum Commitment increased from $275.0 million to $400.0 million.

The Natixis Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest, subject to customary exceptions, in (i) all of the capital commitments of the investors in the Company, (ii) our right to make capital calls, receive payment of capital contributions from the investors and enforce payment of the capital commitments and capital contributions under our operating agreement and (iii) a cash collateral account into which the capital contributions from the investors are made. The Natixis Credit Facility may be

 

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terminated, and any outstanding amounts thereunder may become due and payable, should we fail to satisfy certain covenants. As of March 31, 2020 we were in compliance with such covenants.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Natixis Borrowing Base assets were less than the Natixis Maximum Commitment. A summary of amounts outstanding and available under the Natixis Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

Natixis Revolving Credit Facility

   Maximum
Commitment
     Borrowings
Outstanding
     Available
Amount(1)
 

As of March 31, 2020

   $ 400,000      $ 252,000      $ 30,866  

As of December 31, 2019

   $ 400,000      $ 252,000      $ 30,866  

 

(1)

The amount available considers any limitations related to the debt facility borrowing.

On January 29, 2019, TCW DL VII Financing LLC (the “Borrower” or “TCW DL VII Financing”), a newly-formed, wholly-owned, special purpose financing subsidiary of ours, entered into a senior secured credit facility (the “PNC Credit Facility” and together with the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) pursuant to a credit and security agreement (the “PNC Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as facility agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as collateral agent.

Under the PNC Credit Facility, the lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $400.0 million of revolving and term loans (the “PNC Maximum Commitment”), subject to compliance with a borrowing base (the “PNC Borrowing Base”). The PNC Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by the Borrower up to an aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million, subject to lender consent and obtaining commitments for the increase. The Borrower may make borrowings of (i) a revolving loan (the “PNC Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility, the “Revolving Credit Facilities”) under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ending on January 29, 2022 and (ii) a term loan (the “PNC Term Loan”) under the PNC Credit Facility during the period which commenced on January 29, 2019 and ended on January 29, 2020, unless, in the case of (i) and (ii), there is an earlier termination of the PNC Credit Facility or event of default thereunder. The PNC Credit Facility will mature on January 29, 2024. Loans under the PNC Credit Facility bear interest at a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to, at the Borrower’s option, either (i) three-month LIBOR plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum or (ii) the Base Rate plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum.

On April 11, 2019, the Borrower amended and restated the PNC Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended PNC Credit Agreement”) for the PNC Credit Facility. The Amended PNC Credit Agreement, among other things, (a) increased the total commitments under the PNC Credit Facility from $400.0 million to $600.0 million (the “Amended PNC Maximum Commitment”) and (b) made certain modifications to the calculation of the borrowing base under the prior facility, including the eligibility requirements of collateral obligations pledged under the PNC Credit Facility and loan portfolio concentration limits.

On March 17, 2020, the Borrower further amended and restated the Amended PNC Credit Agreement (as further amended the “Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement, among other things, increased the total commitments under the PNC Credit Facility from $600.0 million to $795.0 million (the “Second Amended PNC Maximum Commitment”). The Second Amended PNC Maximum Commitment may be periodically increased in amounts designated by the Borrower up to an aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million, subject to lender consent and obtaining commitments for the increase. The Borrower may make borrowings of (i) revolving loans under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ending on January 29, 2022 and (ii) term loans under the PNC Credit Facility during the period commencing January 29, 2019 and ended on March 17, 2020, unless, there is an earlier termination of the PNC Credit Facility or event of default thereunder. The PNC Credit Facility will mature on January 29, 2024. Loans under the PNC Credit Facility will bear interest at a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to, at the Borrower’s option, either (i) three-month LIBOR plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum or (ii) the Base Rate plus the facility margin of 2.30% per annum.

The Borrower’s obligations under the PNC Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of the Borrower, including its portfolio of loans that has been contributed by the Company to the Borrower in exchange for 100% of the membership interests of the Borrower and any payments received in respect of such loans. The Company may contribute or sell to the Borrower additional loans from time to time after the closing date, which shall be pledged in favor of the lenders under the PNC Credit Facility.

Under the PNC Credit Facility, the Borrower has made customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The

 

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PNC Credit Facility also includes events of default that are customary for similar credit facilities. As of March 31, 2020, the Borrower was in compliance with such covenants.

Borrowings of the Borrower are non-recourse to us but are considered our borrowings for purposes of complying with the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the PNC Borrowing Base were greater than the Second Amended and Amended PNC Maximum Commitment, respectively. A summary of amounts outstanding and available under the PNC Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

PNC Credit Facility

   Maximum
Commitment
     Borrowings
Outstanding
     Available
Amount(1)
 

As of March 31, 2020

   $  795,000      $ 405,000      $ 390,000  

As of December 31, 2019

   $ 600,000      $ 505,000      $ 95,000  

 

 

(1)

The amount available considers any limitations related to the debt facility borrowing.

Borrowings under the PNC Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of $166.5 million and $325.0 million, respectively, from the PNC Revolving Credit Facility (i.e., revolving line of credit) and $238.5 million and $180.0 million, respectively, of PNC Term Loan.

We incurred financing costs of $3.4 million and $4.4 million, in connection with the Natixis Credit Agreement and the PNC Credit Agreement, respectively. In addition, we incurred an additional $2.1 million and $1.5 million in financing costs in connection with the Amended and Second Amended PNC Credit Agreement, respectively. We recorded most of the costs associated with the Revolving Credit Facilities as deferred financing costs on our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the costs are being amortized over the respective lives of the Natixis Revolving Credit Facility and PNC Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $6.1 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of such deferred financing costs had yet to be amortized. Costs associated with the PNC Term Loan are deferred and amortized over the term of the PNC Term Loan. Such deferred financing costs are netted against the carrying value of the PNC Term Loan on our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $2.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of such deferred financing costs have yet to be amortized.

The summary information regarding the Credit Facilities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2020     2019  

Credit Facilities interest expense

   $ 6,270     $ 3,091  

Unused commitment fees

     253       448  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     717       418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,240     $ 3,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

     3.72     4.09

Average outstanding balance

   $ 666,890     $ 302,089  

 

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We had the following unfunded commitments and unrealized depreciation by investment as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

     Maturity /
Expiration
   March 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Unfunded Commitments

   Amount      Unrealized
Depreciation
     Amount      Unrealized
Depreciation
 

AMCP Staffing Intermediate Holdings III, LLC

   September 2025    $ —        $ —        $ 2,767      $ 28  

Caiman Merger Sub LLC

   November 2024      1,017        14        1,031        8  

Cassavant Holdings, LLC

   December 2024      1,899        61        —            —      

Dura-Supreme Holdings, Inc.

   October 2024      —            —            1,514        6  

GEON Performance Solutions, LLC

   October 2024      1,816        35        3,133        19  

Encompass Digital Media, Inc.

   September 2023      —            —            794        18  

FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC

   November 2024      —            —            1,062        6  

FM Restaurants Holdco, LLC

   November 2024      —            —            4,827        29  

Gold Star Foods Inc.

   April 2020      —            —            2,754        8  

Gold Star Foods Inc.

   October 2024      —            —            4,589        14  

Hometown Food Company

   August 2023      772        13        5,881        82  

Mondee Holdings LLC

   December 2024      7,708        903        8,613        146  

Need It Now Delivers, LLC

   December 2020      4,992        208        6,025        24  

Powerhouse Intermediate, LLC

   October 2024      —            —            2,423        10  

United Poly Systems Holding, Inc.

   June 2024      5,985        520        6,506        215  

WDE TorcSill Holdings LLC

   October 2024      3,006        37        7,302        73  

Wellbore Integrity Solutions

   December 2020      932        21        953        4  

Winsight, LLC

   November 2023      13,469        417        13,887        83  

Winsight, LLC

   November 2021      667        21        2,217        13  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 42,263      $ 2,250      $ 76,278      $ 786  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2020, 100.0% 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. As of March 31, 2020, the percentage of our floating rate debt investments that bore interest based on an interest rate floor was 56.7%. Floating rate investments subject to a floor generally reset by reference to the current market index after one to six months only if the index exceeds the floor.

Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Because we fund a portion of our investments with borrowings, our net investment income is affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. We assess our portfolio companies periodically to determine whether such companies will be able to continue making interest payments in the event that interest rates increase. There can be no assurances that the portfolio companies will be able to meet their contractual obligations at any or all levels of increases in interest rates.

Based on our March 31, 2020 consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, the following table shows the annual impact on net investment income (excluding the related incentive compensation impact) of base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

Basis Point Change

   Interest Income      Interest Expense      Net Investment Income  

Up 300 basis points

   $ 43,585      $ 19,984      $ 23,601  

Up 200 basis points

     29,057        13,323        15,734  

Up 100 basis points

     14,528        6,661        7,867  

Down 100 basis points

     (951      (6,845      5,894  

Down 200 basis points

     (1,108      (8,667      7,559  

Down 300 basis points

     (547      (8,667      8,120  

 

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 President 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 President 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.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us. From time to time, we may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under loans to or other contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth within the Form 10-Q, consideration should be given to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K that we filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed April 29, 2020, and the following risk factor regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has materially and adversely affected certain of our portfolio companies, and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In late 2019 and early 2020, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and related respiratory disease (“COVID-19”) was first reported in China and spread rapidly to across the world, including to the United States. This outbreak has led and for an unknown period of time will continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby. With respect to the United States credit markets (in particular for middle market loans), this outbreak has resulted in, and until fully resolved is likely to continue to result in, the following (among other things): (i) government imposition of various forms of “stay at home” orders and the closing of “non-essential” businesses, resulting in significant disruption to the businesses of many middle-market loan borrowers including supply chains, demand and practical aspects of their operations, as well as in lay-offs of employees, and, while these effects are hoped to be temporary, some effects could be persistent or even permanent; (ii) increased draws by borrowers on revolving lines of credit; (iii) increased requests by borrowers for amendments and waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by such borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing at the maturity dates of their loans; (iv) volatility and disruption of these markets including greater volatility in pricing and spreads and difficulty in valuing loans during periods of increased volatility, and liquidity issues; and (v) rapidly evolving proposals and/or actions by state and federal governments to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general which may not adequately address the problems facing the loan market and middle market businesses. This outbreak is having, and any future outbreaks could have, an adverse impact on our portfolio companies and on the markets and the economy in general, and that impact could be material. For example, if the temporary closure of many corporate offices, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities and factories in the jurisdictions, including the United States, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were to continue for an extended period of time it could result in reduced cash flows to us from our existing portfolio companies, which could reduce cash available for distribution to our Unitholders.

Further, from an operational perspective, many of our Adviser’s investment professionals are currently working remotely. An extended period of remote work arrangements could increase operational risks, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks and risks related to business continuity capacity, which may impair our ability to manage our business. In addition, we are highly dependent on third party services providers for certain communication and information systems. As a result, we rely upon the successful implementation and execution of the business continuity planning of such providers in the current environment. If one or more of these third parties to whom we outsource certain critical business activities experience operational failures as a result of the impacts from the spread of COVID-19, or claim that they cannot perform due to a force majeure, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, and its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

In addition, the United States capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions may also increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events have limited and could continue to limit our investment originations, and limit our ability to grow and could have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

 

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To the extent the COVID-19 outbreak has an adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources, or overall business operations, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed April 29, 2020, any of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings we make with the SEC.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Sales of unregistered securities

None.

Issuer purchases of equity securities

None.

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

 

Item 5.

Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6.

Exhibits.

(a) Exhibits

 

3.1    Certificate of Formation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to a registration on Form 10 filed on September  1, 2017)
3.2    Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated June  29, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to a registration on Form 10 filed on September 1, 2017)
3.3    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated October  2, 2017 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.3 to a registration on Form 10 filed on October 16, 2017)
3.4    Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of September  10, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 6, 2018).
3.5    Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of January  14, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2019).
10.1    Investment Advisory and Management Agreement dated December  29, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2018).
10.2    Administration Agreement dated December  29, 2017, by and between TCW Direct Lending VII LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2018).
10.3    Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, dated as of September  25, 2018, between TCW Direct Lending VII LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November  6, 2018).
10.4    Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May  10, 2018, among TCW Direct Lending VII LLC, as borrower, and Natixis, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Committed Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2018).
10.5    Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of January  29, 2019, among TCW DL VII Financing LLC, as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as facility agent, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2019).
10.6    First Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of April  11, 2019, among TCW DL VII Financing LLC, as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as facility agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2019).
10.7    Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of March  17, 2020, among TCW DL VII Financing LLC, as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as facility agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2020).
31.1*    Certification of President Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1*    Certification of President Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)
32.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

 

 

* 

Filed herewith

 

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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.

 

   

TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC

Date: May 11, 2020

   

By: 

 

/s/ Richard T. Miller

            Richard T. Miller
            President

 

Date: May 11, 2020

   

By: 

 

/s/ James G. Krause

            James G. Krause
            Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

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