SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2023 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation |
Basis of Presentation
MSC Income Fund’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). For each of the periods presented herein, MSC Income Fund’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSIF and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Investment Portfolio, as used herein, refers to all of MSC Income Fund’s investments in Private Loan portfolio companies, investments in LMM portfolio companies, investments in Middle Market portfolio companies and Other Portfolio investments (see Note C — Fair Value Hierarchy for Investments — Portfolio Composition — Investment Portfolio Composition for additional discussion of MSC Income Fund’s Investment Portfolio and definitions for the defined terms Private Loan and Other Portfolio). MSC Income Fund’s results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and financial position as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, are presented on a consolidated basis. The effects of all intercompany transactions between MSIF and its consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
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| Principles of Consolidation |
Principles of Consolidation
Under ASC 946, MSC Income Fund is precluded from consolidating other entities in which MSC Income Fund has equity investments, including those in which it has a controlling interest, unless the other entity is another investment company. An exception to this general principle in ASC 946 occurs if MSC Income Fund holds a controlling interest in an operating company that provides all or substantially all of its services directly to MSC Income Fund. Accordingly, as noted above, MSC Income Fund’s consolidated financial statements include the financial position and operating results for the Taxable Subsidiaries and the Structured Subsidiaries. MSC Income Fund has determined that none of its portfolio investments qualify for this exception. Therefore, MSC Income Fund’s Investment Portfolio is carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, as discussed further in Note B.1. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Valuation of the Investment Portfolio, with any adjustments to fair value recognized as “Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)” until the investment is realized, usually upon exit, resulting in any gain or loss being recognized as a “Net Realized Gain (Loss),” in both cases on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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| Portfolio Investment Classification and Valuation of the Investment Portfolio |
Portfolio Investment Classification
MSC Income Fund classifies its Investment Portfolio in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, (a) “Control Investments” are defined as investments in which MSC Income Fund owns more than 25% of the voting securities or has rights to maintain greater than 50% of the board representation, (b) “Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments in which MSC Income Fund owns between 5% and 25% (inclusive) of the voting securities and does not have rights to maintain greater than 50% of the board representation and (c) “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. For purposes of determining the classification of its Investment Portfolio, MSC Income Fund has excluded consideration of any voting securities or board appointment rights held by Main Street and third-party investment funds advised by the Adviser.
Valuation of the Investment Portfolio
MSC Income Fund accounts for its Investment Portfolio at fair value. As a result, MSC Income Fund follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires MSC Income Fund to assume that the portfolio investment is to be sold in the principal market to independent market participants, which may be a hypothetical market. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.
MSC Income Fund’s portfolio strategy calls for it to invest primarily in debt securities issued by Middle Market companies and illiquid debt and equity securities issued by privately held, LMM companies. The Middle Market companies in which MSC Income Fund invests are generally larger in size than the LMM companies and their debt securities can be more liquid than the debt securities issued by LMM companies. MSC Income Fund categorizes some of its investments in Middle Market companies and LMM companies as Private Loan portfolio investments, which are primarily debt securities in privately held companies that have primarily been originated directly by our Adviser or, to a lesser extent, through our Adviser’s strategic relationships with other investment funds on a collaborative basis through investments that are often referred to in the debt markets as “club deals” because of the small lender group size. In both cases, MSC Income Fund’s Private Loan investments are typically made to support a company owned by or in the process of being acquired by a private equity sponsor. Private Loan investments are made in companies that are generally consistent with the size of companies MSC Income Fund invests in through its Middle Market portfolio and LMM portfolio. MSC Income Fund’s portfolio also includes Other Portfolio investments which primarily consist of investments that are not consistent with the typical profiles for its Private Loan, LMM or Middle Market portfolio investments, including investments which may be managed by third parties. MSC Income Fund’s portfolio investments may be subject to restrictions on resale.
Private Loan investments may include investments which have no established market or have established markets that are not active, while LMM investments and Other Portfolio investments generally have no established trading market. Middle Market portfolio investments generally have established markets that are not active. MSC Income Fund determines
in good faith the fair value of its Investment Portfolio pursuant to a valuation policy in accordance with ASC 820, with such valuation process approved by its Board of Directors and in accordance with the 1940 Act. MSC Income Fund’s valuation policies and processes are intended to provide a consistent basis for determining the fair value of MSC Income Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
For Private Loan and Middle Market portfolio investments in debt securities for which it has determined that third-party quotes or other independent pricing are not available or appropriate, MSC Income Fund generally estimates the fair value based on the assumptions that it believes hypothetical market participants would use to value the investment in a current hypothetical sale using the yield-to-maturity model (“Yield-to-Maturity”) valuation method. For LMM portfolio investments, MSC Income Fund generally reviews external events, including private mergers, sales and acquisitions involving comparable companies, and includes these events in the valuation process by using an enterprise value waterfall methodology (“Waterfall”) for its LMM equity investments and an income approach using a Yield-to-Maturity valuation method for its LMM debt investments. For Middle Market portfolio investments in debt securities for which it has determined that third-party quotes or other independent prices are available, MSC Income Fund primarily uses quoted prices in the valuation process. MSC Income Fund determines the appropriateness of the use of third-party broker quotes, if any, in determining fair value based on its understanding of the level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer, the depth and consistency of broker quotes and the correlation of changes in broker quotes with underlying performance of the portfolio company and other market indices. For its Other Portfolio equity investments, MSC Income Fund generally calculates the fair value of the investment primarily based on the net asset value (“NAV”) of the fund and adjusts the fair value for other factors deemed relevant that would affect the fair value of the investment. All of the valuation approaches for MSC Income Fund’s portfolio investments estimate the value of the investment as if MSC Income Fund was to sell, or exit, the investment as of the measurement date.
These valuation approaches consider the value associated with MSC Income Fund’s ability to control the capital structure of the portfolio company, as well as the timing of a potential exit. For valuation purposes, “control” portfolio investments are composed of debt and equity securities in companies for which MSC Income Fund has a controlling interest in the equity ownership of the portfolio company or the ability to nominate a majority of the portfolio company’s board of directors. For valuation purposes, “non-control” portfolio investments are generally composed of debt and equity securities in companies for which MSC Income Fund does not have a controlling interest in the equity ownership of the portfolio company or the ability to nominate a majority of the portfolio company’s board of directors.
Under the Waterfall valuation method, MSC Income Fund estimates the enterprise value of a portfolio company using a combination of market and income approaches or other appropriate valuation methods, such as considering recent transactions in the equity securities of the portfolio company or third-party valuations of the portfolio company, and then performs a Waterfall calculation by allocating the enterprise value over the portfolio company’s securities in order of their preference relative to one another. The enterprise value is the fair value at which an enterprise could be sold in a transaction between two willing parties, other than through a forced or liquidation sale. Typically, privately held companies are bought and sold based on multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), cash flows, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. There is no single methodology for estimating enterprise value. For any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally described as a range of values from which a single estimate of enterprise value is derived. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, MSC Income Fund analyzes various factors including the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results. Due to SEC deadlines for MSC Income Fund’s quarterly and annual financial reporting, the operating results of a portfolio company used in the current period valuation are generally the results from the period ended three months prior to such valuation date and may include unaudited, projected, budgeted or pro forma financial information and may require adjustments for non-recurring items or to normalize the operating results that may require significant judgment in determining. In addition, projecting future financial results requires significant judgment regarding future growth assumptions. In evaluating the operating results, MSC Income Fund also analyzes the impact of exposure to litigation, loss of customers or other contingencies. After determining the appropriate enterprise value, MSC Income Fund allocates the enterprise value to investments in order of the legal priority of the various components of the portfolio company’s capital structure. In applying the Waterfall valuation method, MSC Income Fund assumes the loans are paid-off at the principal amount in a change in control transaction and are not assumed by the buyer, which MSC Income Fund believes is consistent with its past transaction history and standard industry practices.
Under the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method, MSC Income Fund also uses the income approach to determine the fair value of debt securities based on projections of the discounted future free cash flows that the debt security will likely generate, including analyzing the discounted cash flows of interest and principal amounts for the debt security, as set forth in the associated loan agreements, as well as the financial position and credit risk of the portfolio company. MSC Income Fund’s estimate of the expected repayment date of its debt securities is generally the maturity date of the instrument, as MSC Income Fund generally intends to hold its loans and debt securities to maturity. The Yield-to-Maturity analysis also considers changes in leverage levels, credit quality, portfolio company performance, changes in market-based interest rates and other factors. MSC Income Fund will generally use the value determined by the Yield-to-Maturity analysis as the fair value for that security; however, because of MSC Income Fund’s general intent to hold its loans to maturity, the fair value will not exceed the principal amount of the debt security valued using the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method. A change in the assumptions that MSC Income Fund uses to estimate the fair value of its debt securities using the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method could have a material impact on the determination of fair value. If there is deterioration in credit quality or if a debt security is in workout status, MSC Income Fund may consider other factors in determining the fair value of the debt security, including the value attributable to the debt security from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would most likely be received in a liquidation analysis.
Under the NAV valuation method, for an investment in an investment fund that does not have a readily determinable fair value, MSC Income Fund measures the fair value of the investment predominately based on the NAV of the investment fund as of the measurement date and adjusts the investment’s fair value for factors known to MSC Income Fund that would affect that fund’s NAV, including, but not limited to, fair values for individual investments held by the fund if MSC Income Fund holds the same investment or for a publicly traded investment. In addition, in determining the fair value of the investment, MSC Income Fund considers whether adjustments to the NAV are necessary in certain circumstances, based on the analysis of any restrictions on redemption of MSC Income Fund’s investment as of the measurement date, recent actual sales or redemptions of interests in the investment fund, and expected future cash flows available to equity holders, including the rate of return on those cash flows compared to an implied market return on equity required by market participants, or other uncertainties surrounding MSC Income Fund’s ability to realize the full NAV of its interests in the investment fund.
Pursuant to its internal valuation process and the requirements under the 1940 Act, MSC Income Fund performs valuation procedures on each of its portfolio investments quarterly. In addition to its internal valuation process, in arriving at estimates of fair value for its investments in its Private Loan portfolio companies, MSC Income Fund, among other things, consults with a nationally recognized independent financial advisory services firm (the “Financial Advisory Firm”). The Financial Advisory Firm analyzes and provides observations and recommendations and an assurance certification regarding MSC Income Fund’s determinations of the fair value of its Private Loan portfolio company investments. The Financial Advisory Firm is generally consulted relative to MSC Income Fund’s investments in each Private Loan portfolio company at least once every calendar year, and for MSC Income Fund’s investments in new Private Loan portfolio companies, at least once in the twelve-month period subsequent to the initial investment. In certain instances, MSC Income Fund may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in its stockholders’ best interest, to consult with the Financial Advisory Firm on its investments in one or more Private Loan portfolio companies. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of MSC Income Fund’s investment in a Private Loan portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total Investment Portfolio. MSC Income Fund consulted with and received an assurance certification from the Financial Advisory Firm in arriving at its determination of fair value for its investments in a total of 55 and 51 Private Loan portfolio companies during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing 79% and 83% of the total Private Loan portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Excluding its investments in Private Loan portfolio companies that, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as applicable, had not been in the Investment Portfolio for at least twelve months subsequent to the initial investment and its investments in Private Loan portfolio companies that were not reviewed because the investment is valued based upon third-party quotes or other independent pricing, 90% and 94% of the Private Loan portfolio at fair value was reviewed and certified by the Financial Advisory Firm for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
For valuation purposes, all of MSC Income Fund’s Private Loan portfolio investments are either non-control or affiliate investments. For Private Loan portfolio investments for which it has determined that third-party quotes or other independent pricing are not available or appropriate, MSC Income Fund generally estimates the fair value based on the assumptions that it believes hypothetical market participants would use to value such Private Loan debt investments in a
current hypothetical sale using the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method and such Private Loan equity investments in a current hypothetical sale using the Waterfall valuation method.
In addition to its internal valuation process, in arriving at estimates of fair value for its investments in its LMM portfolio companies, MSC Income Fund, among other things, consults with the Financial Advisory Firm. The Financial Advisory Firm analyzes and provides observations, recommendations and an assurance certification regarding MSC Income Fund’s determinations of the fair value of its LMM portfolio company investments. The Financial Advisory Firm is generally consulted relative to MSC Income Fund’s investments in each LMM portfolio company at least once every calendar year, and for MSC Income Fund’s investments in new LMM portfolio companies, at least once in the twelve-month period subsequent to the initial investment. In certain instances, MSC Income Fund may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in its stockholders’ best interest, to consult with the Financial Advisory Firm on its investments in one or more LMM portfolio companies. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of MSC Income Fund’s investment in a LMM portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total Investment Portfolio. MSC Income Fund consulted with and received an assurance certification from the Financial Advisory Firm in arriving at MSC Income Fund’s determination of fair value for its investments in a total of 46 and 44 LMM portfolio companies during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing 95% and 97% of the total LMM portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Excluding its investments in LMM portfolio companies that, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as applicable, had not been in the Investment Portfolio for at least twelve months subsequent to the initial investment or whose primary purpose is to own real estate for which a third-party appraisal is obtained on at least an annual basis, over 99% of the LMM portfolio at fair value was reviewed and certified by the Financial Advisory Firm for both of the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
For valuation purposes, all of MSC Income Fund’s Middle Market portfolio investments are non-control investments. To the extent sufficient observable inputs are available to determine fair value, MSC Income Fund uses observable inputs to determine the fair value of these investments through obtaining third-party quotes or other independent pricing. For Middle Market portfolio investments for which it has determined that third-party quotes or other independent pricing are not available or appropriate, MSC Income Fund generally estimates the fair value based on the assumptions that it believes hypothetical market participants would use to value such Middle Market debt investments in a current hypothetical sale using the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method and such Middle Market equity investments in a current hypothetical sale using the Waterfall valuation method. MSC Income Fund generally consults on a limited basis with the Financial Advisory Firm in connection with determining the fair value of its Middle Market portfolio investments due to the nature of these investments. The vast majority (97% and 91% as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively) of the Middle Market portfolio investments (i) are valued using third-party quotes or other independent pricing services or (ii) MSC Income Fund has consulted with and received an assurance certification from the Financial Advisory Firm within the last twelve months.
For valuation purposes, all of MSC Income Fund’s Other Portfolio investments are non-control, affiliate or control investments. MSC Income Fund’s Other Portfolio investments comprised 2.3% and 2.7% of MSC Income Fund’s Investment Portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Similar to the LMM investment portfolio, market quotations for Other Portfolio equity investments are generally not readily available. For its Other Portfolio equity investments, MSC Income Fund generally determines the fair value of these investments using the NAV valuation method.
Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation process, MSC Income Fund’s determination of fair value for its Investment Portfolio may differ materially from the values that would have been determined had a ready market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned. MSC Income Fund determines the fair value of each individual investment and records changes in fair value as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
MSC Income Fund uses an internally developed portfolio investment rating system in connection with its investment oversight, portfolio management and analysis and investment valuation procedures for its Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio companies. This system takes into account both quantitative and qualitative factors of each Private Loan, LMM and Middle Market portfolio company.
Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act permits a BDC’s board of directors to designate its executive officers or investment adviser as a valuation designee to determine the fair value for its investment portfolio, subject to the active oversight of the board. MSC Income Fund’s Board of Directors has approved policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 2a-5 (the “Valuation Procedures”) and has designated the Adviser, led by a group of Main Street’s and the Adviser’s executive officers, to serve as the Board of Directors’ valuation designee. MSC Income Fund believes its Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 approximates fair value as of those dates based on the markets in which it operates and other conditions in existence on those reporting dates.
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| Use of Estimates |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions or assumptions. Additionally, as explained in Note B.1. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Valuation of the Investment Portfolio, the consolidated financial statements include investments in the Investment Portfolio whose values have been estimated by MSC Income Fund pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved and overseen by MSC Income Fund’s Board of Directors, in the absence of readily ascertainable market values. Because of the inherent uncertainty of the Investment Portfolio valuations, those estimated values may differ materially from the values that would have been determined had a ready market for the securities existed.
Macroeconomic factors, including pandemics, risk of recession, inflation, supply chain constraints or disruptions, geopolitical disruptions and changing market index interest rates, and the related effect on the U.S. and global economies, have impacted, and may continue to impact, the businesses and operating results of certain of MSC Income Fund’s portfolio companies. As a result of these and other current effects of macroeconomic factors, as well as the uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of their impact, the valuation of MSC Income Fund’s Investment Portfolio has and may continue to experience increased volatility.
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| Cash and Cash Equivalents |
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $20.8 million of cash equivalents invested in AAA-rated money market funds. These highly liquid, short-term investments are included in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash balances totaling $9.0 million and $11.7 million, respectively, exceeded Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance protection levels, subjecting the Company to risk related to the uninsured balance.
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| Interest |
MSC Income Fund records interest and dividend income on the accrual basis to the extent amounts are expected to be collected. Dividend income is recorded when dividends are declared by the portfolio company or at such other time that an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution. MSC Income Fund evaluates accrued interest and dividend income periodically for collectability. When a loan or debt security becomes 90 days or more past due, and if MSC Income Fund otherwise does not expect the debtor to be able to service its debt obligation, MSC Income Fund will generally place the loan or debt security on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan or debt security until the borrower has demonstrated the ability and intent to pay contractual amounts due. If a loan or debt security’s status significantly improves regarding the debtor’s ability to service the debt obligation, or if a loan or debt security is sold or written off, MSC Income Fund removes it from non-accrual status.
Interest income from investments in the “equity” class of security of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) funds (typically subordinated notes) is recorded based upon an estimation of an effective yield to expected maturity utilizing estimated projected cash flows in accordance with ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. MSC Income Fund monitors the expected cash inflows from its investment in a CLO, including the expected residual payments, and the effective yield is determined and updated periodically.
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| Dividend | MSC Income Fund holds certain debt and preferred equity instruments in its Investment Portfolio that contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest and cumulative dividend provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each debt agreement, is periodically added to the principal balance of the debt and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of this interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income, and any dividends in arrears are added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred equity is redeemed or sold. To maintain RIC tax treatment (as discussed in Note B.7. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Income Taxes below), these non-cash sources of income may need to be paid out to stockholders in the form of distributions, even though MSC Income Fund may not have collected the PIK interest and cumulative dividends in cash. MSC Income Fund stops accruing PIK interest and cumulative dividends and writes off any accrued and uncollected interest and dividends in arrears when it determines that such PIK interest and dividends in arrears are no longer collectible. |
| Fee Income |
MSC Income Fund may periodically provide services, including structuring and advisory services, to its portfolio companies or other third parties. For services that are separately identifiable and evidence exists to substantiate fair value, fee income is recognized as earned. Fees received in connection with debt financing transactions are generally deferred and accreted into income over the life of the financing.
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| Deferred Financing Costs |
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs include commitment fees and other direct costs incurred in connection with arranging MSC Income Fund’s borrowings. These costs were incurred in connection with MSC Income Fund’s multi-year revolving Credit Facilities (as defined below in Note E — Debt) and have been capitalized as an asset and reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Deferred financing costs. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the Series A Notes (as defined below in Note E — Debt) are a direct deduction from the principal amount outstanding.
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| Unearned Income—Debt Origination Fees and Original Issue Discount and Discounts / Premiums to Par Value |
Unearned Income — Debt Origination Fees and Original Issue Discount and Discounts / Premiums to Par Value MSC Income Fund capitalizes debt origination fees received in connection with financings and reflects such fees as unearned income netted against the applicable debt investments. The unearned income from the fees is accreted into income over the life of the financing.
In connection with its portfolio debt investments, MSC Income Fund sometimes receives nominal cost warrants or warrants with an exercise price below the fair value of the underlying equity (together, “nominal cost equity”) that are valued as part of the negotiation process with the particular portfolio company. When MSC Income Fund receives nominal cost equity, it allocates its cost basis in its investment between its debt security and its nominal cost equity at the time of origination based on amounts negotiated with the particular portfolio company. The allocated amounts are based upon the fair value of the nominal cost equity, which is then used to determine the allocation of cost to the debt security. Any discount recorded on a debt investment resulting from this allocation is reflected as unearned income, which is netted against the applicable debt investment, and accreted into interest income over the life of the debt investment. The actual collection of this interest is deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.
MSC Income Fund may also purchase debt securities at a discount or at a premium to the par value of the debt security. In the case of a purchase at a discount, MSC Income Fund records the investment at the par value of the debt security net of the discount, and the discount is accreted into interest income over the life of the debt investment. In the case of a purchase at a premium, MSC Income Fund records the investment at the par value of the debt security plus the premium, and the premium is amortized as a reduction to interest income over the life of the debt investment.
To maintain RIC tax treatment (as discussed in Note B.7. — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Income Taxes below), these non-cash sources of income may need to be paid out to stockholders in the form of distributions, even though MSC Income Fund may not have collected the interest income. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 2.5%, 2.5%, and 5.7%, respectively, of MSC Income Fund’s total investment income was attributable to interest income from the accretion of discounts associated with debt investments, net of any premium amortization.
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| Income Taxes |
Income Taxes MSIF has elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC. MSIF’s taxable income includes the taxable income generated by MSIF and certain of its subsidiaries, including the Structured Subsidiaries, which are treated as disregarded entities for tax purposes. As a RIC, MSIF generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary taxable income or capital gains that MSIF distributes to its stockholders. MSIF must generally distribute at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which is generally its net ordinary taxable income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its tax-exempt income to maintain its RIC status (pass-through tax treatment for amounts distributed). As part of maintaining RIC status, undistributed taxable income (subject to a 4% non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax) pertaining to a given fiscal year may be distributed up to twelve months subsequent to the end of that fiscal year, provided such dividends are declared on or prior to the later of (i) the filing of the U.S. federal income tax return for the applicable fiscal year or (ii) the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of the year in which such taxable income was generated.
The Taxable Subsidiaries primarily hold certain equity investments for MSC Income Fund. The Taxable Subsidiaries permit MSC Income Fund to hold equity investments in portfolio companies which are “pass-through” entities for tax purposes and to continue to comply with the “source-of-income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions of the Code. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated with MSC Income Fund for U.S. GAAP financial reporting purposes, and the portfolio investments held by the Taxable Subsidiaries are included in MSC Income Fund’s consolidated financial statements as portfolio investments and recorded at fair value. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with MSIF for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense, or benefit, and tax assets and liabilities, as a result of their ownership of certain portfolio investments. The taxable income, or loss, of the Taxable Subsidiaries may differ from their book income, or loss, due to temporary book and tax timing differences and permanent differences. The Taxable Subsidiaries are each taxed at corporate income tax rates based on their taxable income. The income tax expense, or benefit, if any, and the related tax assets and liabilities, of the Taxable Subsidiaries are reflected in MSC Income Fund’s consolidated financial statements.
The Taxable Subsidiaries use the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, using statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided, if necessary, against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. MSC Income Fund’s net assets as included on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets include an adjustment to classification as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, which include differences in the book and tax treatment of income and expenses.
Taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. Taxable income generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
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| Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation |
Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period net of recoveries and realized gains or losses from in-kind redemptions. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the net change in the fair value of the Investment Portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.
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| Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value estimates are made at discrete points in time based on relevant information. These estimates may be subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. MSC Income Fund believes that the carrying amounts of its financial instruments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other liabilities approximate the fair values of such items due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
To estimate the fair value of MSC Income Fund’s Series A Notes as disclosed in Note E — Debt, MSC Income Fund uses the Yield-to-Maturity valuation method based on projections of the discounted future free cash flows that the debt security will likely generate, including both the discounted cash flows of the associated interest and principal amounts for the debt security. The inputs used to value MSC Income Fund’s debt instrument are considered to be Level 2 according to the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy.
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| Earnings per Share |
Earnings per Share Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share and net investment income per share are computed utilizing the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.
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| Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards |
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference rate reform (Topic 848) — Facilitation of the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in this update provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to certain contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform and became effective upon issuance for all entities. The Company has agreements that have LIBOR as a reference rate with certain portfolio companies and also with certain lenders. Many of these agreements include language for choosing an alternative successor rate if LIBOR reference is no longer considered to be appropriate. Contract modifications are required to be evaluated in determining whether the modifications result in the establishment of new contracts or the continuation of existing contracts. The Company adopted this amendment in March 2020 and plans to apply the amendments in this update to account for contract modifications due to changes in reference rates when LIBOR reference is no longer used.
In November 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference rate reform (Topic 848) — Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024 after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. The Company utilized the optional expedients and exceptions provided by ASU 2020-04 and extended by ASU 2022-06 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the effect of which was not material to the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The Company will continue to utilize the optional expedients provided by ASU 2020-04 and extended by ASU 2022-06 through December 31,
2024. The Company does not expect ASU 2022-06 to have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this update provide that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments in this update also require additional disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sales restrictions. ASU 2022-03 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2023, though early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2022-03 as of December 31, 2022 and it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update require more disaggregated information on income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Company has not elected to adopt this provision as of the date of the financial statements contained in this report. The Company is still assessing the impact of the new guidance. However, it does not expect ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. The Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards and any that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
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| Fair Value Measurement |
ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. MSC Income Fund accounts for its investments at fair value.
Fair Value Hierarchy
In accordance with ASC 820, MSC Income Fund has categorized its investments based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical investments (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Investments recorded on MSC Income Fund’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1 — Investments whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market that MSC Income Fund has the ability to access (examples include investments in active exchange-traded equity securities and investments in most U.S. government and agency securities).
Level 2 — Investments whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the investment. Level 2 inputs include the following:
•Quoted prices for similar assets in active markets (for example, investments in restricted stock);
•Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets (for example, investments in thinly traded public companies);
•Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the investment (for example, market interest rate indices); and
•Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the investment.
Level 3 — Investments whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (for example, investments in illiquid securities issued by privately held companies). These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the investment.
As required by ASC 820, when the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore, unrealized appreciation and depreciation related to such investments categorized within the Level 3 tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3).
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, MSC Income Fund’s Private Loan portfolio investments primarily consisted of investments in secured debt investments. The fair value determination for these investments consisted of a combination of observable inputs in non-active markets for which sufficient observable inputs were not available to determine the fair value of these investments and unobservable inputs. As a result, all of MSC Income Fund’s Private Loan portfolio investments were categorized as Level 3 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, all of MSC Income Fund’s LMM portfolio investments consisted of illiquid securities issued by privately held companies and the fair value determination for these investments primarily consisted of unobservable inputs. As a result, all of MSC Income Fund’s LMM portfolio investments were categorized as Level 3 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, MSC Income Fund’s Middle Market portfolio investments consisted primarily of investments in secured and unsecured debt investments and independently rated debt investments. The fair value determination for these investments consisted of a combination of observable inputs in non-active markets for which sufficient observable inputs were not available to determine the fair value of these investments and unobservable inputs. As a result, all of MSC Income Fund’s Middle Market portfolio investments were categorized as Level 3 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, MSC Income Fund’s Other Portfolio investments consisted of illiquid securities issued by privately held entities and the fair value determination for these investments primarily consisted of unobservable inputs. As a result, all of MSC Income Fund’s Other Portfolio investments were categorized as Level 3 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, all money market funds included in cash and cash equivalents were valued using Level 1 inputs.
The fair value determination of each portfolio investment categorized as Level 3 required one or more of the following unobservable inputs:
•Financial information obtained from each portfolio company, including unaudited statements of operations and balance sheets for the most recent period available as compared to budgeted numbers;
•Current and projected financial condition of the portfolio company;
•Current and projected ability of the portfolio company to service its debt obligations;
•Type and amount of collateral, if any, underlying the investment;
•Current financial ratios (e.g., fixed charge coverage ratio, interest coverage ratio and net debt/ EBITDA ratio) applicable to the investment;
•Current liquidity of the investment and related financial ratios (e.g., current ratio and quick ratio);
•Pending debt or capital restructuring of the portfolio company;
•Projected operating results of the portfolio company;
•Current information regarding any offers to purchase the investment;
•Current ability of the portfolio company to raise any additional financing as needed;
•Changes in the economic environment which may have a material impact on the operating results of the portfolio company;
•Internal occurrences that may have an impact (both positive and negative) on the operating performance of the portfolio company;
•Qualitative assessment of key management;
•Contractual rights, obligations or restrictions associated with the investment; and
•Other factors deemed relevant.
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