GAIN 8-K
Gladstone Investment Corporation\De (GAIN)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Title of Each Class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 4.1 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture between Gladstone Investment Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, dated as of December 17, 2024. | |
| 4.2 | Form of Global Note with respect to the 7.875% Notes due 2030, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 hereto. | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto). | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
Gladstone Investment Corporation | ||||||
| Date: December 17, 2024 | By: | /s/ Taylor Ritchie | ||||
Taylor Ritchie Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||||
Exhibit 4.1
FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
between
GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
and
UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
Dated as of December 17, 2024
THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of December 17, 2024, is between Gladstone Investment Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture (as defined below).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020 (the “Base Indenture” and, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Company previously entered into the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020, the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2021, the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 18, 2021, and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 31, 2023 (collectively, the “Prior Supplemental Indentures”), each of which amended and supplemented the Base Indenture. None of the Prior Supplemental Indentures is applicable to the Notes (as defined below).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to initially issue and sell up to $126,500,000 aggregate principal amount (including up to $16,500,000 aggregate principal amount pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option) of the Company’s 7.875% Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, Sections 2.01, 9.01(d) and 9.01(f) of the Base Indenture provide that, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture to (i) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Base Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; and (ii) establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish the form and terms of the Notes and to modify, alter, supplement and change certain provisions of the Base Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes (except as may be provided in a future supplemental indenture to the Indenture (each, a “Future Supplemental Indenture”)); and
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Notes and all acts and things necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding, and legal obligation of the Company and to constitute a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done and performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:
ARTICLE I
TERMS OF THE NOTES
Section 1.01. Terms of the Notes. The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:
(a) The Notes shall constitute a series of Securities having the title “7.875% Notes due 2030”. The Notes shall bear a CUSIP number of 376546 867 and an ISIN number of US3765468679, as may be supplemented or replaced from time to time.
(b) The aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, and 9.04 of the Base Indenture and Section 3.02(a) of the Indenture) shall be $126,500,000 (including up to $16,500,000 aggregate principal amount pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option). As authorized under a Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company and the Trustee may enter into a Future Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case, “Additional Notes”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Notes; provided that, if such Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes (or any other tranche of Additional Notes) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then such Additional Notes shall have different CUSIP numbers from the Notes (and any such other tranche of Additional Notes). Any Additional Notes and the existing Notes shall constitute a single series under the Indenture, and all references to the relevant Notes herein shall include the Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.
(c) The entire outstanding principal of the Notes shall be payable on February 1, 2030 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
(d) The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 7.875% per annum. The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be December 17, 2024, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing February 1, 2025 (provided that, if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment); the initial interest period shall be the period from and including December 17, 2024, to, but excluding, the initial Interest Payment Date, and the subsequent interest periods shall be the periods from and including an Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name the Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 15, April 15, July 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and any such interest on the Notes shall be made at the office of the Trustee located at 928 Grand Boulevard, 12th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, Attention: Gladstone Investment Corporation (7.875% Notes Due 2030) or at such other address as designated by the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register; provided, further, however, that, at the request of the registered Holder, the Company will pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in Kansas City, Missouri, on the date when such amount is due and payable and as further set forth in Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture; provided, further, however, that, so long as the Notes are registered to Cede & Co., such payment shall be made by wire transfer in accordance with the procedures established by DTC and the Trustee. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(e) The Notes shall be initially issuable in global form (each such Note, a “Global Note”). The Global Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each Global Note shall represent the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any new Global Note reflecting the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture.
(f) The depositary for such Global Notes (the “Depository”) shall be DTC. The Security Registrar with respect to the Global Notes shall be the Trustee.
(g) The Notes shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture and as follows:
(i) The Notes shall be redeemable in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, at the option of the Company, on or after February 1, 2027, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
(ii) Notice of redemption shall be given in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, at the Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 3.02(a) of the Indenture.
(iii) Any exercise of the Company’s option to redeem the Notes shall be done in compliance with the Indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.
(iv) If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Notes, the Trustee or, with respect to the Global Notes, the Depository shall determine the method for selecting the particular Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 3.02(b) of the Indenture, the Investment Company Act and the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Notes are listed, in each case to the extent applicable.
(v) Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption hereunder.
(h) The Notes shall not be subject to any sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.04 of the Base Indenture.
(i) The Notes shall be issuable in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.
(j) Holders of the Notes shall not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the Stated Maturity.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 2.01. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article 1 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following defined terms to Section 1.01 in appropriate alphabetical sequence, as follows:
“‘Commission’ means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.”
“‘GAAP’ means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.”
“Investment Company Act’ means the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable, and any statute successor thereto.”
“‘Maturity’, when used with respect to any Note, means the date on which the principal of such Note or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.”
“‘Redemption Date’, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.”
“‘Redemption Price’, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.”
“‘Regular Record Date’ for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Notes means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 1.01(d) of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.”
Section 2.02. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article 1 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the definitions of “Business Day” and “Trustee” in Section 1.01 with the following:
“‘Business Day’, when used with respect to any particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Notes, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, Kansas City, Missouri or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located or that particular location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.”
“‘Trustee’ means UMB Bank, National Association, and, subject to the provisions of Article 7 of the Base Indenture, its successors and assigns under the Indenture.”
Section 2.03. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, the first paragraph of Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended and restated as follows:
The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument. Any reference to “execute”, “executed”, “sign”, “signed”, “signature” or any other like term hereunder shall include execution by electronic signature (including, without limitation, any .pdf file, .jpeg file, or any other electronic or image file, or any “electronic signature” as defined under the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) or the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA), which includes any electronic signature provided using Orbit, Adobe Fill & Sign, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, or any other similar platform identified by the Company and reasonably available at no undue burden or expense to the Trustee), except to the extent the Trustee requests otherwise. Any such electronic signatures shall be valid, effective and legally binding as if such electronic signatures were handwritten signatures and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered for all purposes hereunder.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 3.01. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, the first paragraph of Section 3.02(a) of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the text thereof with the following:
“In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.”
Section 3.02. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 3.02(b) of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the text thereof with the following:
“If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee, or by the Depository in the case of Global Notes, in compliance with the requirements of DTC, from the Outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed (if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange), or if the Notes are not held through DTC or not listed on any national securities exchange, or DTC prescribed no method of selection, by lot or such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for the Notes or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of the Notes of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for the Notes; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Note not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for the Notes.”
Section 3.03. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 3.03(a) of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the text thereof with the following:
“If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.03).”
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article 4 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following new Sections 4.06, 4.07 and 4.08 thereto, each as set forth below:
“Section 4.06. Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act.
The Company hereby agrees that for the period of time during which Notes are Outstanding, the Company will not violate Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions, whether or not the Company continues to be subject to such provisions of the Investment Company Act, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission.”
“Section 4.07. Section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Investment Company Act.
The Company hereby agrees that for the period of time during which Notes are Outstanding, the Company shall not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in stock of the Company), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of the Company’s capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, the Company has an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, to any no-action relief granted by the Commission to another business development company and upon which the Company may reasonably rely (or to the Company if it determines to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the business development company to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act, in order to maintain such business development company’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.”
“Section 4.08. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.
If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the Commission, the Company agrees to furnish to Holders of the Notes and the Trustee for the period of time during which the Notes are Outstanding: (i) within 90 days after the end of the each fiscal year of the Company, audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company and (ii) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company (other than the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter), unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company. All such financial statements shall be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP.”
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 6.01(a) of the Base Indenture shall be amended and restated as follows:
“(a) Whenever used herein with respect to the Notes, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:
| (1) | default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or |
| (2) | default in the payment of the principal of any Note when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or |
| (3) | default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Note (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than the Notes), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; |
| (4) | the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: |
| a. | commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law, |
| b. | consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it, |
| c. | consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding, |
| d. | consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or |
| e. | makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or |
| (5) | a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: |
| a. | is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding, or |
| b. | adjudges the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, or |
| c. | appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or |
| d. | orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, |
and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
| (6) | if, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) and 61 of the Investment Company Act, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months the Notes shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) of less than 100%.” |
Section 5.02. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 6.01(b) of the Base Indenture shall be amended and restated as follows:
“(b) In each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable.”
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.01. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
Section 6.02. In case any provision in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 6.03. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Fifth Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 6.04. The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument with respect to the Notes. All provisions included in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture supersede any conflicting provisions included in the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes, unless not permitted by law. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.
Section 6.05. The provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.
Section 6.06. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the terms and provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to the Notes and shall not apply to any other series of Securities under the Indenture, and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall not and does not otherwise affect, modify, alter, supplement or change the terms and provisions of any other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding.
Section 6.07. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Notes or any Additional Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, authenticate the Notes and any Additional Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or any Additional Notes or the proceeds thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
| GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ David Gladstone | |
| Name: | David Gladstone | |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Lara L. Stevens | |
| Name: | Lara L. Stevens | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
[Signature page to Fifth Supplemental Indenture]
Exhibit A — Form of Global Note
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
Gladstone Investment Corporation
| No. | $ | |
| CUSIP No. 376546 867 | ||
| ISIN No. US3765468679 |
7.875% Notes due 2030
Gladstone Investment Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ (U.S. $____________) on February 1, 2030, and to pay interest thereon from December 17, 2024 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing February 1, 2025, at the rate of 7.875% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, whether or not a Business Day, as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holders of the Notes on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. This Security may be issued as part of a series.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and any such interest on this Security shall be made at the office of the Trustee located at 928 Grand Boulevard, 12th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, Attention: Gladstone Investment Corporation (7.875% Notes Due 2030) or at such other address as designated by the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that, at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register; provided, further, however, that, at the request of the registered Holder, the Company will pay the principal of (and
premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in Kansas City, Missouri, on the date when such amount is due and payable and as further set forth in Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture; provided, further, however, that so long as this Security is registered to Cede & Co., such payment shall be made by wire transfer in accordance with the procedures established by DTC and the Trustee.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
| GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION | ||
| By: |
||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Attest |
| By: ___________________________________ |
| Name: |
| Title: |
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
| UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
||
| Name: Title: | ||
Gladstone Investment Corporation
7.875% Notes due 2030
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020 (herein called the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and UMB Bank, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Base Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 17, 2024, by and between the Company and the Trustee (herein called the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture,” the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture collectively are herein called the “Indenture”). In the event of any conflict between the Base Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall govern and control.
This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, which series is initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $126,500,000 (including up to $16,500,000 aggregate principal amount pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option). Under a Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Securities, issue additional Securities of this series (in any such case “Additional Securities”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Securities; provided that, if such Additional Securities are not fungible with the Securities (or any other tranche of Additional Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then such Additional Securities shall have a different CUSIP number from the Securities (and any such other tranche of Additional Securities). Any Additional Securities and the existing Securities shall constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Securities herein shall include the Additional Securities unless the context otherwise requires. The aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.
The Securities of this series are subject to redemption in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, at the option of the Company, on or after February 1, 2027, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption shall be given in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, at the Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 3.02(a) of the Indenture.
Any exercise of the Company’s option to redeem the Securities shall be done in compliance with the Indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.
If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Securities, the Trustee or, with respect to global Securities, the Depository will determine the method for selecting the particular Securities to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 1.01 of the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and Section 3.02(b) of the Indenture. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities called for redemption.
Holders of Securities do not have the option to have the Securities repaid prior to February 1, 2030.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity, security, or both, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity and/or security. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company, the Trustee, or the Security Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, or the Security Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Trustee, or the Security Registrar shall treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, or any agent thereof shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
To the extent any provision of this Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
Exhibit 5.1
| 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. | ||||
| Washington, D.C. 20004 | ||||
| United States | ||||
| Facsimile: | ||||
| +1 202 389 5000 | +1 202 389 5200 | |||
| www.kirkland.com | ||||
December 17, 2024
Gladstone Investment Corporation
1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100
McLean, VA 22102
| Re: | Gladstone Investment Corporation – 7.875% Notes due 2030 |
We are issuing this opinion in our capacity as special legal counsel to Gladstone Investment Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed issuance by the Company of $126,500,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) pursuant to (i) a Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Registration No. 333-277452) initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 28, 2024 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (as such registration statement is amended or supplemented, the “Registration Statement”), and (ii) the prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus Supplement”).
In connection therewith, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion, including (i) the organizational documents of the Company, (ii) minutes and records of the corporate proceedings of the Company with respect to the issuance and sale of the Notes, (iii) the Registration Statement, (iv) the Prospectus Supplement, (v) the indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement, between the Company and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (vi) the fifth supplemental indenture (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), dated as of May 31, 2023, and (vii) a specimen form of the Notes.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.
Austin Bay Area Beijing Boston Brussels Chicago Dallas Frankfurt Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Miami Munich New York Paris Riyadh Salt Lake City Shanghai
Gladstone Investment Corporation
December 17, 2024
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Notes have been duly authorized and are binding obligations of the Company.
Our opinion expressed above is subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies, and (iv) any laws except the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing).
We have also assumed that the execution and delivery of the Indenture and the Notes and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company is bound.
We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the issuance of the Notes.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the internal law of the State of New York or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise after the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on or about the date hereof. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Gladstone Investment Corporation
December 17, 2024
Page 3
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
| KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |