Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.23.1
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 6 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented have been included. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The current period’s results of operations will not necessarily be indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
As an investment company, the Company applies the accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
Basis of Consolidation
Basis of Consolidation
As provided under ASC 946, the Company will not consolidate its investment in a company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company.
The Company consolidated the results of its wholly-owned subsidiaries HLEND Holdings A, L.P. (“HLEND A”), HLEND Holdings B, L.P. (“HLEND B”), HLEND Holdings C, L.P. (“HLEND C”), HLEND Holdings D, L.P. (“HLEND D”), HLEND Proxima, LLC, HLEND FEP, LLC, HLEND OTM, LLC and HLEND Lux Sarl. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates Use of EstimatesThe preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and highly liquid investments, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company deposits its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.
Investments
Investments
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses primarily reflects the change in investment values, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.
The Company is required to report its investments for which current market values are not readily available at fair value. The Company values its investments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the applicable measurement date. ASC 820 prioritizes the use of observable market prices derived from such prices over entity-specific inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material.

Investments that are listed or traded on an exchange and are freely transferrable are valued at either the closing price (in the case of securities and futures) or the mean of the closing bid and offer (in the case of options) on the principal exchange on which the investment is listed or traded. Investments for which other market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, the Company utilizes a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Where it is possible to obtain reliable, independent market quotations from a third party vendor, the Company uses these quotations to determine the value of its investments. The Company utilizes mid-market pricing (i.e., mid-point of average bid and ask prices) to value these investments. The Adviser obtains these market quotations from independent pricing
services, if available; otherwise from one or more broker quotes. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, the Adviser regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to independent pricing services or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the valuation procedures. The Adviser does not adjust the prices unless it has a reason to believe market quotations are not reflective of the fair value of an investment.

Where prices or inputs are not available or, in the judgment of the Adviser, not reliable, valuation approaches based on the facts and circumstances of the particular investment will be utilized. Securities that are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available, as will be the case for a substantial portion of the Company’s investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee under Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, pursuant to the Company’s valuation policy, and under the oversight of the Board, based on, among other things, the input of one or more independent valuation firms retained by the Company to review the Company’s investments. These valuation approaches involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the investments or market and the investments’ complexity.
With respect to the quarterly valuation of investments, the Company undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of our investments for which reliable market quotations are not readily available as of the last calendar day of each quarter, which includes, among other procedures, the following:

The valuation process begins with each investment being preliminarily valued by the Adviser’s valuation team in consultation with the Adviser’s investment professionals responsible for each portfolio investment;
In addition, independent valuation firms retained by the Company prepare quarter-end valuations of each such investment that was (i) originated or purchased prior to the first calendar day of the quarter and (ii) is not a de minimis investment, as determined by the Adviser. The independent valuation firms provide a final range of values on such investments to the Adviser. The independent valuation firms also provide analyses to support their valuation methodology and calculations;
The Adviser’s valuation committee with respect to the Company (the “Valuation Committee”) reviews each valuation recommendation to confirm they have been calculated in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy and compares such valuations to the independent valuation firms’ valuation ranges to ensure the Adviser’s valuations are reasonable; 
The Adviser’s Valuation Committee then determines fair value marks for each of the Company’s portfolio investments; and
The Board and Audit Committee periodically review the valuation process and provide oversight in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
As part of the valuation process, the Company takes into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of the Company’s investments for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, many of which are loans, including and in combination, as relevant: (i) the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company, generally based on an analysis of discounted cash flows, publicly traded comparable companies and comparable transactions, (ii) the nature and realizable value of any collateral, (iii) the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, (iv) the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and (v) overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity or debt sale occurs, the Adviser considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.
The Company has and will continue to engage independent valuation firms to provide assistance regarding the determination of the fair value of the Company’s portfolio securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of the investment each quarter, and the Adviser and the Company may reasonably rely on that assistance. However, the Adviser is responsible for the ultimate valuation of the portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to the Company’s valuation policy, the Board’s oversight and a consistently applied valuation process.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments
The Company may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies. In a foreign currency forward contract, the Company agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of one currency for another, at a pre-determined price at a future date. Foreign currency forward contracts are marked-to-market at the applicable forward rate. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency forward contracts are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities by counterparty on a net basis, not taking into account collateral posted which is recorded separately, if applicable. Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contract assets and liabilities are presented separately on the Consolidated Schedules of Investments. Purchases and settlements of foreign currency forward contracts having the same settlement date and counterparty are generally settled net and any realized gains or losses are recognized on the settlement date. The Company does not utilize hedge accounting and as such, the Company recognizes its derivatives at fair value with changes in the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency forward contracts recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Additionally, the Company uses interest rate swaps to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the Company's fixed rate liabilities. The fair value of the interest rate swaps are included as derivative assets at fair value or derivative liabilities at fair value, as applicable, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Company designated the interest rate swaps as the hedging instruments in a qualifying fair value hedge accounting relationship, and therefore the change in fair value of the hedging instrument and hedged item are recorded in interest expense and recognized as components of interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The change in fair value of the interest rate swap is offset by a change in the carrying value of the fixed rate debt.The fair value of the Company’s derivatives are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities by security type and counterparty on a net basis, not taking into account collateral posted which is recorded separately, if subject to an enforceable master netting agreement.
Loan Participations
Loan Participations
The Company follows the guidance in ASC 860 Transfers and Servicing when accounting for loan participations and other partial loan sales. Such guidance requires a participation or other partial loan sale to meet the definition of a “participating interest,” as defined in the guidance, in order for sale treatment to be allowed. Participations or other partial loan sales that do not meet the definition of a participating interest remain on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the proceeds are recorded as a secured borrowing until the definition is met. Secured borrowings are carried at fair value to correspond with the related investments, which are carried at fair value. There were no participations that were accounted for as secured borrowings during the period.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Foreign Currency Transactions
Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates effective on the last business day of the period; and (ii) purchases and sales of investments, borrowings and repayments of such borrowings, income, and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates.

The Company does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included within the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments. Fluctuations arising from the translation of non-investment assets and liabilities are included with the net change in unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency translations on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Foreign security and currency translations may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations and future adverse political, social and economic developments, which could cause investments in foreign markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or U.S. government securities.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
Interest Income
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the accretion of discounts and amortizations of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on debt investments purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of debt investments represents the original cost, including loan origination fees and upfront fees received that are deemed to be an adjustment to yield, adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income in the current period. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded non-recurring interest income of $1.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, (e.g. prepayment premiums, accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts).
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Additionally, any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the 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 current and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. Management may make exceptions to this treatment and determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if the
loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were three and zero investments on non-accrual status, representing 0.5% and 0.0% of debt investments at fair value, respectively.
PIK Income
The Company has loans in its portfolio that contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) provisions. PIK represents interest that is accrued and recorded as interest income at the contractual rates, increases the loan principal on the respective capitalization dates, and is generally due at maturity. Such income is included in interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. If at any point the Company believes PIK is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK will be placed on non-accrual status. When a PIK investment is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued, uncapitalized interest is generally reversed through interest income. To maintain the Company’s status as a RIC, this non-cash source of income must be paid out to shareholders in the form of dividends, even though the Company has not yet collected cash. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded PIK income of $4.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Dividend Income
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly-traded portfolio companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not record any dividend income.
Other Income
The Company may receive various fees in the ordinary course of business such as structuring, consent, waiver, amendment, syndication and other miscellaneous fees as well as fees for managerial assistance rendered by the Company to the portfolio companies. Such fees are recognized as income when earned or the services are rendered.
Organization Costs Organization CostsOrganization expenses include, among other things, the cost of incorporating the Company and the cost of legal services and other fees pertaining to the Company's organization. Organization expenses are expensed as incurred.
Offering Expenses
Offering Expenses

The Company's offering expenses include, among other things, legal fees, registration fees and other costs pertaining to the preparation of the Company's registration statement (and any amendments or supplements thereto) relating to the offering and associated marketing materials. Offering costs are capitalized as a deferred charge and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over a twelve-month period from incurrence.
Deferred Financing Costs and Debt Issuance Costs
Deferred Financing Costs and Debt Issuance Costs
Deferred financing and debt issuance costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with the Company’s borrowings. These expenses are deferred and amortized into interest expense over the life of the related debt instrument using the straight-line method. Deferred financing costs related to revolving credit facilities are presented separately as an asset on the Company’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Debt issuance costs related to any issuance of installment debt or notes are presented net against the outstanding debt balance of the related security.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The Company intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. 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 shareholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company would represent obligations of the Company’s investors and would not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

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 reserved 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. The Company intends to make the requisite distributions to its shareholders, which will generally relieve the Company from corporate-level income taxes.

To qualify for and maintain qualification as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Company must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses.

In addition, based on the excise tax distribution requirements, the Company is subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on undistributed income unless the Company distributes in a timely manner in each taxable year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, in prior years. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by the Company that is subject to corporate income tax is considered to have been distributed. To the extent that it determines that estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year distributions from such taxable income, the Company will accrue excise taxes, if any, on estimated undistributed taxable income.
Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains and Losses
Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains and Losses
Income, expenses (other than those attributable to a specific class), gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon the aggregate net asset value of that class in relation to the aggregate net asset value of the Company. Expenses that are specific to a class of shares are allocated to such class directly.
Distributions
Distributions
To the extent that the Company has taxable income available, the Company intends to make monthly distributions to its shareholders. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the record date. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and will depend on the Company’s earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our tax treatment as a RIC, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. Although the gross distribution per share is generally equivalent for each share class, the net distribution for each share class is reduced for any class specific expenses, including distribution and shareholder servicing fees, if any.
The Company has adopted a distribution reinvestment plan pursuant to which shareholders will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company's same class of Common Shares to which the distribution relates unless they elect to receive their distributions in cash.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848),” which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which expanded the scope of Topic 848 to include derivative instruments impacted by discounting transition. ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 are effective for all entities through December 31, 2022. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging transactions as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which deferred the sunset day of this guidance to December 31, 2024. The Company is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the applicable measurement date.
The fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodology used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology that reflect unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.
Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.
Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value measurement.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Adviser’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. 
In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, the Company applies the valuation policy approved by its Board that is consistent with ASC 820. Consistent with the valuation policy, the Company evaluates the source of the inputs, including any markets in which its investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value.
Investments whose values are based on the listed closing price quoted on the securities’ principal exchange are classified within Level 1 and include active listed equities. The Adviser does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs are classified within Level 2. These include investment-grade corporate bonds, structured products, and certain bank loans, less liquid listed equities, and high yield bonds. As Level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally based on available market information.

Investments classified within Level 3 have unobservable inputs, as they trade infrequently, or not at all. When observable prices are not available for these investments, the Adviser uses one or more valuation techniques (e.g., the market approach and the income approach) of which sufficient and reliable data is available. Within Level 3, the use of the market approach generally consists of using comparable market data, while the use of the income approach generally consists of the net present value of estimated future cash flows, which may be adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, market and/or other risk factors.

Investments in senior loans primarily include first and second lien term loans, delayed draws and revolving credit. The Adviser analyzes enterprise value based on the weighted average of discounted cash flows, public comparables and merger and acquisition comparables. This analysis is done to ensure, among other things, that the investments have adequate collateral and asset coverage. Once the investment is determined to have adequate asset coverage, the Adviser monitors yields for senior loan investments made from the time of purchase to the month end average yields for similar investments and risk profiles. The Company uses market data, including newly funded transactions, and secondary market data with respect to high-yield debt instruments and syndicated loans, as inputs in determining the appropriate market yield. The change in yield is utilized by the Adviser to discount the anticipated cash flows of the debt investment in order to arrive at a fair value. Further, the Adviser adjusts for material changes in the underlying fundamentals of the issuer, including changes in leverage, as necessary. If the investment does not have adequate coverage, a tranched valuation approach is considered.

Derivative Instruments: Derivative instruments can be exchange-traded or privately negotiated over the-counter (“OTC”) and include forward currency contracts and swap contracts. Forwards currency contracts and swap contracts are valued by the Adviser using observable inputs, such as market-based quotations received from the counterparty, dealers or brokers, whenever available and considered reliable. In instances where models are used, the value of an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in the contract, as well as the availability and reliability of observable inputs. Such inputs include market prices for reference securities, yield curves, volatility assumptions and correlations of such inputs. Certain OTC derivatives can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded.
Further inputs considered by the Adviser in estimating the value of investments may include the original transaction price, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable issuers, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt capital markets (by the investment or other comparable investments), whether the loan contains call protection and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Adviser in the absence of market information. The fair value measurement of Level 3 investments does not include transaction costs that may have been capitalized as part of the security’s cost basis. Assumptions used by the Adviser due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore the Company’s consolidated results of operations.