A business development company (“BDC”) is a type of closed-end fund that was created by an amendment to the Investment Company Act of 1940 called the Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980. As the name suggests, the structure was created to promote investment in an important part of the U.S. economy, small and middle market businesses. Comprised of more than 200,000 companies generating over $10 trillion in annual revenue1, the middle market is a driving force of the U.S. economy.
Most BDCs are organized as Regulated Investment Companies (“RICs”), which means they must derive a minimum of 90% of income from capital gains, interest, or dividends earned on investments. BDCs are also required to invest no less than 70% of total assets in private U.S. companies or public U.S. companies with market capitalizations of less than $250 million. Companies that fit this profile typically have fewer options to raise capital to facilitate growth and support daily operations when compared to their larger, public counterparts.
Most BDCs provide financing solutions to middle market businesses by raising money from individual and institutional investors and deploying it in the form of senior secured, floating rate loans. Interest payments on these loans are paid to the fund, which is then required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income back to its investors.
As RICs, BDC dividend payments are not subject to entity-level tax on distributed income. This flow through treatment creates tax efficiency by avoiding the possibility of double taxation of shareholders, provided the fund meets periodic asset, income, and distribution requirements.
BDCs typically fall under one of three categories: Private Placement, Non-traded, and Public. BDCs can be offered in different ways and their investment strategies can vary significantly.
Private placement BDC | Non-traded BDC | Public BDC | |
---|---|---|---|
Cell label Offering type | Cell label Private placement | Cell label Continuous offering, up to a stated limit | Traditional IPO |
Cell label Can offer multiple share classes | Cell label No | Cell label Yes | Cell label No |
Cell label Liquidity | Cell label Typically, none while private; Liquidity event when portfolio is listed or wound down | Cell label Typically, periodic share repurchases | Cell label Exchange-traded |
BDCs present several potential benefits for investors, including:
As with any investment, there are certain risks and trade-offs associated with BDCs and the underlying assets they contain.
Publicly traded BDCs, for example, have exposure to the volatility risk of public markets but offer daily liquidity; while non-traded BDCs are considered less liquid but can offer illiquidity premiums. BDCs may contain equity or debt investments but are usually associated with the latter in the form of leveraged loans. Credit risk is the risk of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal payments on a debt investment. Should a borrower fail to make a payment, or default, this may affect the overall return to the portfolio. Although fees vary from one BDC to the next, they may involve substantial costs. Anyone considering an investment in BDCs should thoroughly review the corresponding offering documents for information regarding risks, fees and expenses.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of Blue Owl and are subject to change as markets and other conditions fluctuate. Blue Owl is under no obligation to update or keep current the information presented.
Endnote
Important information
Unless otherwise noted the Report Date referenced herein is as of December 31, 2024.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Assets Under Management (“AUM”) refers to the assets that we manage and is generally equal to the sum of (i) net asset value (“NAV”); (ii) drawn and undrawn debt; (iii) uncalled capital commitments; (iv) total managed assets for certain Credit and Real Assets products; and (v) par value of collateral for collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other securitizations.
The webpage presented is proprietary information regarding Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”), its affiliates and investment program, funds sponsored by Blue Owl, including the Blue Owl Credit, GP Strategic Capital Funds and the Real Assets Funds (collectively the “Blue Owl Funds”) as well as investment held by the Blue Owl Funds.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle entails a high degree of risk. Prospective investors should consider all of the risk factors set forth in the "Certain Risk Factors and Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest" of the PPM or Prospectus, each of which could have an adverse effect on the Fund or other investment vehicle and on the value of Interests.
An investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity associated with an investment in the Fund or other investment vehicle. Investors in the Fund or other investment vehicle must be prepared to bear such risks for an indefinite period of time. There will be restrictions on transferring interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle, and the investment performance of the Fund or other investment vehicle may be volatile. Investors must be prepared to hold their interests in the Fund or other investment vehicle until its dissolution and should have the financial ability and willingness to accept the risk characteristics of the Fund's or other investment vehicle’s investments.
There can be no assurances or guarantees that the Fund's or other investment vehicles investment objectives will be realized that the Fund's or other investment vehicle investment strategy will prove successful or that investors will not lose all or a portion of their investment in the Fund.
Furthermore, investors should not construe the performance of any predecessor funds or other investment vehicle as providing any assurances or predictive value regarding future performance of the Fund.
The views expressed and, except as otherwise indicated, the information provided are as of the report date and are subject to change, update, revision, verification, and amendment, materially or otherwise, without notice, as market or other conditions change. Since these conditions can change frequently, there can be no assurance that the trends described herein will continue or that any forecasts are accurate. In addition, certain of the statements contained in this webpage may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on the current views and assumptions of Blue Owl and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including those discussed below) that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements may be forward-looking by reason of context or identified by words such as “may, will, should, expects, plans, intends, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue” and other similar expressions. Neither Blue Owl, its affiliates, nor any of Blue Owl’s or its affiliates' respective advisers, members, directors, officers, partners, agents, representatives or employees or any other person (collectively the “Blue Owl Entities”) is under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained in this webpage.
This webpage contains information from third party sources which Blue Owl has not verified. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by or on behalf of the Blue Owl Entities as to the accuracy, fairness, correctness or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this webpage and no liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) is accepted by the Blue Owl Entities for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this webpage or its contents, or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
All investments are subject to risk, including the loss of the principal amount invested. These risks may include limited operating history, uncertain distributions, inconsistent valuation of the portfolio, changing interest rates, leveraging of assets, reliance on the investment advisor, potential conflicts of interest, payment of substantial fees to the investment advisor and the dealer manager, potential illiquidity, and liquidation at more or less than the original amount invested. Diversification will not guarantee profitability or protection against loss. Performance may be volatile, and the NAV may fluctuate.
This webpage is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation to sell or subscribe for any fund or other investment vehicle and does not constitute investment, legal, regulatory, business, tax, financial, accounting, or other advice or a recommendation regarding any securities of Blue Owl, of any fund or investment vehicle managed by Blue Owl, or of any other issuer of securities. Only a definitive offering document (i.e.: Prospectus or Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material) can make such an offer. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Attorney General of the State of New York nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if the Prospectus, Private Placement Memorandum or other offering material is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Securities are offered through Blue Owl Securities LLC, member of FINRA/SIPC, as Dealer Manager.