(5) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and their specific characteristics. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value.

The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements is defined as follows:

Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the measurement date. The types of financial instruments in this category include unrestricted securities, including equities and derivatives, listed in active markets. The Company will not adjust the quoted price for these instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are either directly or indirectly observable as of the measurement date. The types of financial instruments in this category include less liquid and restricted securities listed in active markets, securities traded in markets that are not active, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. The types of financial instruments in this category include investments in privately held entities, first and second lien debt, non-investment grade residual interests in securitizations and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Pursuant to the framework set forth above, the Company values securities traded in active markets on the measurement date by multiplying the exchange closing price of such traded securities/instruments by the quantity of shares or amount of the instrument held. The Company may also obtain quotes with respect to certain investments from pricing services, brokers or dealers’ quotes, or counterparty marks in order to value liquid assets that are not traded in active markets. Pricing services aggregate, evaluate and report pricing from a variety of sources including observed trades of identical or similar securities, broker or dealer quotes, model-based valuations and internal fundamental analysis and research. When doing so, the Company determines whether the quote obtained is sufficient according to U.S. GAAP to determine the fair value of the security. If determined adequate, the Company uses the quote obtained.

The valuation of investments which are illiquid or for which the pricing source, agent, service, and/or broker (as applicable) does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the Valuation Designee or the Board, does not represent fair value, will each be valued as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee, based on, among other things, the input of the Valuation Firms (as defined below).

As part of the valuation process, the Valuation Designee takes into account relevant factors and appropriate techniques in determining the fair value of the Company’s investments with the assistance of the independent valuation firms ("Valuation Firms"). The valuation techniques may vary by investment but include comparable public market valuations, comparable precedent transaction valuations and discounted cash flow analyses.

Non-controlled debt investments are generally fair valued using the discounted cash flow technique. Expected cash flows are projected based on contractual terms and discounted back to the measurement date based on a discount rate. Discount rate is determined based upon an assessment of current and expected yields for similar investments and risk profiles. Non-controlled equity investments are generally fair valued using a market approach and/or an income approach. The market approach typically utilizes market value multiples of comparable publicly traded companies. The income approach typically utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis of the portfolio company. The Valuation Designee, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

Investment performance data utilized will be the most recently available as of the measurement date which in many cases may reflect up to a one quarter lag in information.

The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the determination, in good faith, of the fair value of the Company’s portfolio investments.

The significant unobservable input used in yield analysis is discount rate based on comparable market yields. Significant increases in discount rates in isolation would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. The significant unobservable input used in the market approach is the comparable company multiple. The multiple is used to estimate the enterprise value of the underlying investment. An increase/decrease in the multiple would result in an increase/decrease, respectively, in the fair value. The significant unobservable inputs used in the income approach are the comparative yield or discount rate. The comparative yield and discount rate are used to discount the estimated future cash flows expected to be received from the underlying investment. An increase/decrease in the comparative yield or discount rate would result in a decrease/increase, respectively, in the fair value.

Financial instruments disclosed but not carried at fair value

The Company’s debt is presented at carrying value on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The fair value of the Company’s 2027 Notes is based on third party pricing received by the Company. The fair value of the Company’s credit facilities, CLO 2025-1 Issued Debt (as defined below), 2029 Notes and 2030 Notes (each as defined in Note 6) is estimated in accordance with the Company's valuation policy. The carrying value, fair value and level of the Company’s debt were as follows:

The carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and debt, approximate fair value. These financial instruments are categorized as Level 3 within the hierarchy.