equus_10qa.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q/A

Amendment No. 1

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period __________ to __________

Commission File Number 814-00098

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		76-0345915
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

700 Louisiana St., 48th Floor Houston, Texas		77002
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

__________________________________________________________________

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 529-0900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☐ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒

Smaller Reporting Company ☐

Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company. Yes ☐ No ☒

There were 13,518,146 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.001 par value, outstanding, as of June 30, 2022.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Equus Total Return, Inc. (“Equus” or the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A (“Amended 10-Q”) which supersedes and replaces in its entirety the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2022 (“Original Filing”).

The sole purpose of this Amended 10-Q is to provide the required Inline XBRL tagging, which was inadvertently omitted from the Original Filing. No other changes to the Original Filing have been made.

This Amended 10-Q does not reflect events occurring after the Original Filing except as noted above. This Amended 10-Q continues to speak as of the date of the Original Filing and the Company has not otherwise updated disclosures contained therein or herein to reflect events that occurred at a later date.

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

(A Delaware Corporation)

INDEX

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements	4
	Condensed Balance Sheets	4
	Condensed Statements of Operations	5
	Condensed Statements of Changes in Net Assets	6
	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows	7
	Supplemental Information—Selected Per Share Data and Ratios	8
	Schedules of Investments	9
	Notes to Condensed Financial Statements	13
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	31
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk	38
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	38
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	39
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	39
Item 6.	Exhibits	40
	SIGNATURE	41

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements


	June 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
(in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Assets
Investments in portfolio securities at fair value:
Control investments (cost at $7,961 and $7,961, respectively)	$	15,500		$	13,000
Total investments in portfolio securities at fair value		15,500			13,000
Temporary cash investments		4,000			2,500
Cash and cash equivalents		21,555			23,465
Restricted cash		40			25
Accounts receivable from affiliates		350			350
Other assets		77			376
Total assets		41,522			39,716
Liabilities and net assets
Accounts payable		65			46
Accrued compensation		301			792
Accounts payable to related parties		1			13
Borrowing under margin account		4,000			2,500
Total liabilities		4,367			3,351

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 2)

Net assets
Common stock, $.001 par value per share; 100,000,000 and 50,000,000 shares authorized and 13,518,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		-			-

Preferred stock, $.001 par value per share; 10,000,000 and 5,000,000 shares authorized, respectively Common stock, par value	$	13		$	13
Capital in excess of par value		74,685			74,685
Accumulated deficit		(37,543	)		(38,333	)
Total net assets	$	37,155		$	36,365
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding, $.001 par value, 100,000 and 50,000 shares authorized, respectively		13,518			13,518
Shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding, $.001 par value, 10,000 and 5,000 shares authorized, respectively		—			—
Net asset value per share	$	2.75		$	2.69

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2022			2021			2022			2021
Expenses:
Compensation expense		345			334			689			840
Professional fees		106			173			456			468
Professional liability expenses		177			82			298			166
Director fees and expenses		92			97			168			173
General and administrative expenses		31			27			61			56
Mailing, printing and other expenses		29			26			36			57
Taxes		—			11			—			14
Interest expense		—			1			2			2
Total expenses		780			751			1,710			1,776

Net investment loss		(780	)		(751	)		(1,710	)		(1,776	)

Net realized loss:
Escrow receivable		—			—			—			(177	)
Net realized loss		—			—			—			(177	)

Net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities:
Control investments		500			1,400			2,500			2,900
Net change in net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities		500			1,400			2,500			2,900

Net(decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	(280	)	$	649		$	790		$	947

Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations per share:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.02	)	$	0.05		$	0.06		$	0.07
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		13,518			13,518			13,518			13,518

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock
	Number of				Capital in Excess of Par		Accumulated			Total Net
(in thousands)	Shares		Par Value		Value		Deficit			Assets
Balances at January 1, 2021		13,518	$	13	$	56,142	$	(22,378	)	$	33,777
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		—		—		—		298			298
Balances at March 31, 2021		13,518	$	13	$	56,142	$	(22,080	)	$	34,075
Recharacterization of net capital losses		—		—		18,543		(18,543	)		—
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		—		—		—		649			649

Balances at June 30, 2021		13,518	$	13	$	74,685	$	(39,974	)	$	34,724

Balances at January 1, 2022		13,518	$	13	$	74,685	$	(38,333	)	$	36,365
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		—		—		—		1,070			1,070
Balances at March 31, 2022		13,518	$	13	$	74,685	$	(37,263	)	$	37,435
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		—		—		—		(280	)		(280	)
Balances at June 30, 2022		13,518	$	13	$	74,685	$	(37,543	)	$	37,155

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months ended June 30,
(in thousands)	2022			2021
Reconciliation of (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	790		$	947
Adjustments to reconcile net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net realized loss
Escrow receivable		—			177
Net change in unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities
Control investments		(2,500	)		(2,900	)
Net proceeds from dispositions of portfolio securities		—			—
(Purchases) sales of temporary cash investments, net		(1,500	)		23,650
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued esrow receivable		—			2,536
Other assets		299			163
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(472	)		(284	)
Accounts payable to related parties		(12	)		1
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(3,395	)		24,290
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under margin account		7,000			—
Repayments under margin account		(5,500	)		(24,000	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,500			(24,000	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(1,895	)		290
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		23,490			23,879

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	21,595		$	24,169
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	2		$	1
Income taxes paid	$	38		$	3

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION—SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS

(Unaudited)

	Six months ended June 30,
	2022			2021
Expenses	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.13	)

Net investment loss		(0.13	)		(0.13	)

Net realized loss		—			(0.01	)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities		0.19			0.21
Net increase in net assets		0.06			0.07
Net assets at beginning of period		2.69			2.50
Net assets at end of period, basic and diluted	$	2.75		$	2.57
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during period,
in thousands		13,518			13,518
Market price per share:
Beginning of period	$	2.38		$	2.16
End of period	$	2.61		$	1.93
Selected information and ratios:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets		4.65	%		5.19	%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets	(4.65		%)	(5.19		%)
Ratio of net increase in net assets resulting from operations to average net
assets		2.15	%		2.76	%
Return on net asset value		2.23	%		2.80	%
Total return on market price ⁽¹⁾		9.66	%	(10.65%)

(1) Total return = [(ending market price per share - beginning price per share) / beginning market price per share].

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

JUNE 30, 2022

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

Name and Location of Portfolio Company

Industry

Date of Initial

Investment

Principal

Cost of

Investment

Fair

Value⁽¹⁾

Control Investments: Majority-owned ⁽²⁾:

Equus Energy, LLC ⁽³⁾

Member interest

Houston, TX

Energy

December 2011

(100%)

7,961

15,500

Total Control Investments: Majority-owned (represents 79.5% of total investments at fair value)

7,961

15,500

Temporary Cash Investments

U.S. Treasury Bill

Government

June 2022

UST 0% 7/22

4,000

Total Temporary Cash Investments (represents 20.5% of total investments at fair value)

4,000

Total Investments

11,961

19,500

⁽¹⁾See Note 3 to the financial statements, Valuation of Investments.

⁽²⁾Majority owned investments are generally defined under the 1940 Act as companies in which we own more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.

⁽³⁾Level 3 Portfolio Investment.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (Continued)

JUNE 30, 2022

(Unaudited)

All of our portfolio securities are restricted from public sale without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (hereafter, the “Securities Act”) or other relevant regulatory authority. We negotiate certain aspects of the method and timing of the disposition of our investment in each portfolio company, including registration rights and related costs.

As a business development company (“BDC”), we may invest up to 30% of our assets in non-qualifying portfolio investments, as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Specifically, we may invest up to 30% of our assets in entities that are not considered “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the 1940 Act), including companies located outside of the United States, entities that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act, and publicly-traded entities with a market capitalization exceeding $250 million. As of June 30, 2022, we had invested 37.3% of our assets in securities of portfolio companies that constituted qualifying investments under the 1940 Act. As of June 30, 2022, all of our investments are in enterprises that are considered eligible portfolio companies under the 1940 Act. We provide significant managerial assistance to our sole remaining portfolio company that comprises 100% of the total value of the investments in portfolio securities as of June 30, 2022.

We are classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means we are not limited in the proportion of our assets that may be invested in the securities of a single user. The value of one segment called “Energy” includes our sole remaining portfolio company and was 41.7% of our net asset value, 37.3% of our total assets and 100% of our investments in portfolio company securities (at fair value) as of June 30, 2022. Changes in business or industry trends or in the financial condition, results of operations, or the market’s assessment of any single portfolio company will affect the net asset value and the market price of our common stock to a greater extent than would be the case if we were a “diversified” company holding numerous investments.

Our investments in portfolio securities consist of the following types of securities as of June 30, 2022 (in thousands):

Type of Securities	Cost		Fair Value		Fair Value as Percentage of Net Assets
Limited liability company investments	$	7,961	$	15,500		41.7	%

Total	$	7,961	$	15,500		41.7	%

The following is a summary by industry of the Fund’s investments in portfolio securities as of June 30, 2022 (in thousands):

Industry

Fair Value

Fair Value as Percentage of

Net Assets

Energy

15,500

41.7

Total

15,500

41.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2021

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

Name and Location of Portfolio Company

Industry

Date of Initial

Investment

Principal

Cost of

Investment

Fair

Value⁽¹⁾

Control Investments: Majority-owned ⁽²⁾:

Equus Energy, LLC ⁽³⁾

Member interest

Houston, TX

Energy

December 2011

(100%)

7,961

13,000

Total Control Investments: Majority-owned (represents 83.9% of total investments at fair value)

7,961

13,000

Temporary Cash Investments

U.S. Treasury Bill

Government

December 2021

UST 0% 1/22

2,500

Total Temporary Cash Investments (represents 16.1% of total investments at fair value)

2,500

Total Investments

10,461

15,500

⁽¹⁾See Note 3 to the financial statements, Valuation of Investments.

⁽²⁾Majority owned investments are generally defined under the 1940 Act as companies in which we own more than 50% of the voting securities of the company.

⁽³⁾Level 3 Portfolio Investment.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2021

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

All of our portfolio securities are restricted from public sale without prior registration under the Securities Act or other relevant regulatory authority. We negotiate certain aspects of the method and timing of the disposition of our investment in each portfolio company, including registration rights and related costs.

As a BDC, we may invest up to 30% of our assets in non-qualifying portfolio investments, as permitted by the 1940 Act. Specifically, we may invest up to 30% of our assets in entities that are not considered “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the 1940 Act), including companies located outside of the United States, entities that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act, and publicly- traded entities with a market capitalization exceeding $250 million. As of December 31, 2020, we had invested 11.9% of our assets in securities of portfolio companies that constituted qualifying investments under the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2020, all of our investments were in enterprises that are considered eligible portfolio companies under the 1940 Act. We provide significant managerial assistance to our sole remaining portfolio company that comprises 100% of the total value of the investments in portfolio securities as of December 31, 2020.

We are classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means we are not limited in the proportion of our assets that may be invested in the securities of a single user. The value of one segment called “Energy” includes our sole remaining portfolio company and was 20.7% of our net asset value, 11.9% of our total assets and 100% of our investments in portfolio company securities (at fair value) as of December 31, 2020. Changes in business or industry trends or in the financial condition, results of operations, or the market’s assessment of any single portfolio company will affect the net asset value and the market price of our common stock to a greater extent than would be the case if we were a “diversified” company holding numerous investments.

Our investments in portfolio securities consist of the following types of securities as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):

Type of Securities	Cost		Fair Value		Fair Value as Percentage of Net Assets
Limited liability company investments	$	7,961	$	13,000		35.7	%

Total	$	7,961	$	13,000		35.7	%

The following is a summary by industry of the Fund’s investments in portfolio securities as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):

Industry

Fair Value

Fair Value as Percentage of

Net Assets

Energy

13,000

35.7

Total

13,000

35.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2022

(Unaudited)

(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business—Equus Total Return, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Equus” the “Company” and the “Fund”), a Delaware corporation, was formed by Equus Investments II, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on August 16, 1991. On July 1, 1992, the Partnership was reorganized and all of the assets and liabilities of the Partnership were transferred to the Fund in exchange for shares of common stock of the Fund. Our shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol ‘EQS’. On August 11, 2006, our shareholders approved the change of the Fund’s investment strategy to a total return investment objective. This strategy seeks to provide the highest total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. In connection with this strategic investment change, the shareholders also approved the change of name from Equus II Incorporated to Equus Total Return, Inc.

We attempt to maximize the return to stockholders in the form of current investment income and long-term capital gains by investing in the debt and equity securities of companies with a total enterprise value between $5.0 million and $75.0 million, although we may engage in transactions with smaller or larger investee companies from time to time. We seek to invest primarily in companies pursuing growth either through acquisition or organically, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts and recapitalizations of existing businesses or special situations. Our income-producing investments consist principally of debt securities including subordinated debt, debt convertible into common or preferred stock, or debt combined with warrants and common and preferred stock. Debt and preferred equity financing may also be used to create long-term capital appreciation through the exercise and sale of warrants received in connection with the financing. If we remain a BDC, we will seek to achieve capital appreciation by making investments in equity and equity-oriented securities issued by privately-owned companies in transactions negotiated directly with such companies. Given market conditions over the past several years and the performance of our portfolio, our Management and Board of Directors believe it prudent to continue to review alternatives to refine and further clarify the current strategies.

We elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, although our shareholders have previously authorized us to withdraw this election as part of our efforts to transform Equus into an operating company, and may likely grant such an authorization in the future (see Note 6 “Conversion to an Operating Company – Authorization to Withdraw BDC Election” below). We currently qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, are not required to pay corporate income taxes on any income or gains that we distribute to our stockholders. We have certain wholly owned taxable subsidiaries (“Taxable Subsidiaries”) each of which holds one or more portfolio investments listed on our Schedules of Investments. The purpose of these Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit us to hold certain income- producing investments or portfolio companies organized as limited liability companies, or LLCs, (or other forms of pass-through entities) and still satisfy the RIC tax requirement that at least 90% of our gross revenue for income tax purposes must consist of investment income. Absent the Taxable Subsidiaries, a portion of the gross income of these income-producing investments or of any LLC (or other pass-through entity) portfolio investment, as the case may be, would flow through directly to us for the 90% test. To the extent that such income did not consist of investment income, it could jeopardize our ability to qualify as a RIC and, therefore, cause us to incur significant federal income taxes. The income of the LLCs (or other pass-through entities) owned by Taxable Subsidiaries is taxed to the Taxable Subsidiaries and does not flow through to us, thereby helping us preserve our RIC status and resultant tax advantages. We do not consolidate the Taxable Subsidiaries for income tax purposes and they may generate income tax expense because of the Taxable Subsidiaries’ ownership of the portfolio companies. We reflect any such income tax expense on our Statements of Operations.

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Impact of COVID-19—In 2019, SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious pathogen which causes COVID-19, coronavirus disease, or simply, the ‘coronavirus’, arose in Wuhan Province, China and spread to most of the world by the end of the first quarter of 2020. For over 2-½ years, the spread of Covid-19 had a destabilizing effect on business and society globally, including labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, civil unrest, and unprecedented public borrowing to stimulate business and consumer economic activity. Although the global economy largely recovered from the initial slowdowns and business interruptions, the longer term impact of worker displacement, inflationary fiscal policy, and supply chain constraints, combined with the continued presence of new variants of the coronavirus, has led to substantial economic challenges in the U.S and internationally. As of June 30, 2022, the number of worldwide deaths attributable to the coronavirus stood at over 6.3 million.

The highly contagious nature of the coronavirus caused numerous private and public organizations to substantially alter the way in which they operate. Many such organizations have, to the extent possible, made long-term arrangements for their employees to work remotely, either intermittently or permanently, to reduce opportunities for contagion. We are presently unable to predict either the potential near-term or longer-term impact that the coronavirus may have on our financial and operating results due to numerous uncertainties regarding the duration and severity of the crisis. The ultimate impact of the coronavirus pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change, and our business, results of operations, and financial condition have been and will likely continue to be impacted by future developments concerning the pandemic and the resulting economic disruption.

We have taken steps to minimize the exposure of our employees and service providers by allowing all such persons to work from a remote location. We utilize a cloud-based storage and retrieval system for our records and can communicate electronically or by telephone or video conference with third parties such as our financial institutions, legal and accounting advisors, and our portfolio companies. Our day-to-day operations and management has not, therefore, been materially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Impact of Geopolitical Events and the Coronavirus on the Oil and Gas Sector—The substantial volatility in world markets has been prominent in the oil and gas sector, with crude prices falling to 18-year lows in mid-March 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, only to increase to multi-year highs in the first half of 2022, largely as a result of high industrial and consumer demand, a reluctance of U.S. producers and OPEC nations to generate additional supply, and the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, gas prices have also experienced similar volatility and price appreciation. The increased prices for oil and gas, including the forward pricing curves for these commodities, has improved the outlook and prospects for remaining small oil and gas firms such as Equus Energy that hold development rights in low-cost production reservoirs such as those underlying the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford Shale regions.

Basis of Presentation—In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), we do not consolidate portfolio company investments, including those in which we have a controlling interest. Our interim unaudited financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), for interim financial information and in accordance with the requirements of reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, they are unaudited and exclude some disclosures required for annual financial statements. We believe that we have made all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for the fair presentation of these interim financial statements.

The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the remainder of the year. The interim unaudited financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC.

(2) Liquidity and Financing Arrangements

Liquidity—There are several factors that may materially affect our liquidity during the reasonably foreseeable future. We are evaluating the impact of current market conditions on our portfolio company valuations and their ability to provide current income. We have followed valuation techniques in a consistent manner; however, we are cognizant of current market conditions that might affect future valuations of portfolio securities.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents—As of June 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $21.6 million. We had $15.5 million of our net assets of $37.2 million invested in portfolio securities.

As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23.5 million. We had $13.0 million of our net assets of $36.4 million invested in portfolio securities.

We exclude “Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments” used for purposes of complying with RIC requirements from cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments—As of June 30, 2022, we had $4.0 million of restricted cash and temporary cash investments, including primarily the proceeds of a quarter-end margin loan that we incurred to maintain the diversification requirements applicable to a RIC. Of this amount, $4.0 million was invested in U.S. Treasury bills and $0.04 million represented a required 1% brokerage margin deposit. These securities were held by a securities brokerage firm and pledged along with other assets to secure repayment of the margin loan. The U.S. Treasury bills matured on July 5, 2022 and we subsequently repaid this margin loan, plus interest.

As of December 31, 2021, we had $2.5 million of restricted cash and of temporary cash investments, including primarily the proceeds of a quarter-end margin loan that we incurred to maintain the diversification requirements applicable to a RIC. Of this amount,

$2.5 million was invested in U.S. Treasury bills and $0.03 million represented a required 1% brokerage margin deposit. These securities were held by a securities brokerage firm and pledged along with other assets to secure repayment of the margin loan. The U.S. Treasury bills matured on January 5, 2022 and we subsequently repaid this margin loan, plus interest.

Dividends—So long as we remain a BDC, we will pay out net investment income and/or realized net capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the 1940 Act.

Investment Commitments—Under certain circumstances, we may be called on to make follow-on investments in certain portfolio companies. If we do not have sufficient funds to make follow-on investments, the portfolio company in need of the investment may be negatively impacted. Also, our equity interest in the estimated fair value of the portfolio company could be reduced.

As of June 30, 2022, we had a follow-on commitment of $150,000 to invest in additional equity of Equus Energy, LLC.

RIC Borrowings, Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments—We may periodically borrow sufficient funds to maintain the Fund’s RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We cannot assure you that any such arrangement will be available in the future. If we are unable to borrow funds to make qualifying investments, we may no longer qualify as a RIC. We would then be subject to corporate income tax on the Fund’s net investment income and realized capital gains, and distributions to stockholders would be subject to income tax as ordinary dividends. If we remain a BDC and do not become an operating company as described in Note 6 – Conversion to an Operating Company below, our failure to continue to qualify as a RIC could be materially adverse to us and our stockholders.

As of June 30, 2022, we borrowed $4.0 million to maintain our RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We collateralized such borrowings with restricted cash and temporary cash investments in U.S. Treasury bills of $4.04 million.

As of December 31, 2021, we borrowed $2.5 million to maintain our RIC status by utilizing a margin account with a securities brokerage firm. We collateralized such borrowings with restricted cash and temporary cash investments in U.S. Treasury bills of $2.53 million.

Asset Coverage Ratio—Under the 1940 Act, BDCs are required to have an asset coverage ratio of 200%, meaning that the maximum debt that may be incurred by a BDC is the BDC’s net asset value. Pursuant to amendments made to the 1940 Act in March 2018, BDCs may now, with stockholder or board of directors approval, reduce this ratio to 150%, meaning that the maximum debt that may be incurred by a BDC is two times the BDC’s net asset value. In November 2019, we obtained approval of our shareholders to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150%. This authorization permits Equus to borrow up to twice the value of the Fund’s net assets. Other than the margin loan obtained by the Fund from time to time to acquire U.S. Treasury bills to maintain our RIC status as described above, we have not yet undertaken any other additional borrowings.

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Certain Risks and Uncertainties—Market and economic volatility which has become endemic in the past few years, together with the economic dislocation caused by the onset of the coronavirus, has constrained the availability of debt financing for small and medium- sized companies such as Equus and its portfolio companies. Such debt financing generally has shorter maturities, higher interest rates and fees, and more restrictive terms than debt facilities available in the past. In addition, during these years and continuing into the third quarter of 2021, the price of our common stock remained well below our net asset value, thereby making it undesirable to issue additional shares of our common stock below net asset value.

Because of these challenges, our near-term strategies shifted from originating debt and equity investments to preserving liquidity necessary to meet our operational needs. Key initiatives that we have previously undertaken to provide necessary liquidity include monetizations, the suspension of dividends and the internalization of management. We are also evaluating potential opportunities that could enable us to effect a change to our business and become an operating company as described in Note 6 – Conversion to an Operating Company. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our operating requirements for 12 months from the date of this filing.

(3) Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of our financial statements:

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these financial statements and related notes are reasonable in light of known facts and circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation of Investments—For most of our investments, market quotations are not available. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or when such market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, our Board has approved a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

	1.	Each portfolio company or investment is reviewed by our investment professionals;

	2.	With respect to investments with a fair value exceeding $2.5 million that have been held for more than one year, we engage independent valuation firms to assist our investment professionals. These independent valuation firms conduct independent valuations and make their own independent assessments;

	3.	Our Management produces a report that summarizes each of our portfolio investments and recommends a fair value of each such investment as of the date of the report;

	4.	The Audit Committee of our Board reviews and discusses the preliminary valuation of our portfolio investments as recommended by Management in their report and any reports or recommendations of the independent valuation firms, and then approves and recommends the fair values of our investments so determined to our Board for final approval; and

	5.	The Board discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each portfolio investment in good faith based on the input of our Management, the respective independent valuation firm, as applicable, and the Audit Committee.

During the first twelve months after an investment is made, we rely on the original investment amount to determine the fair value unless significant developments have occurred during this twelve-month period which would indicate a material effect on the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in general market conditions).

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Investments are valued utilizing various methodologies and approaches, including a yield analysis, enterprise value (“EV”) analysis, net asset value analysis, liquidation analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, or a combination of methods, as appropriate. The yield analysis uses loan spreads and other relevant information implied by market data involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Under the EV analysis, the EV of a portfolio company is first determined and allocated over the portfolio company’s securities in order of their preference relative to one another (i.e., “waterfall” allocation). To determine the EV, we typically use a market multiples approach that considers relevant and applicable market trading data of guideline public companies, transaction metrics from precedent M&A transactions and/or a discounted cash flow analysis. The net asset value analysis is used to derive a value of an underlying investment (such as real estate property) by dividing a relevant earnings stream by an appropriate capitalization rate. For this purpose, we consider capitalization rates for similar properties as may be obtained from guideline public companies and/or relevant transactions. The liquidation analysis is intended to approximate the net recovery value of an investment based on, among other things, assumptions regarding liquidation proceeds based on a hypothetical liquidation of a portfolio company’s assets. The discounted cash flow analysis uses valuation techniques to convert future cash flows or earnings to a range of fair values from which a single estimate may be derived utilizing an appropriate discount rate. The measurement is based on the net present value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.

In estimating the fair value of our interest in Equus Energy, we have given more emphasis to a market approach that examines developed and undeveloped reserves and mineral acreage values, as well as a market approach that examines comparable industry transactions involving oil and gas assets in proximity to the leasehold interests held by Equus Energy. Our management received advice and assistance from a third-party valuation firm to support our determination of the fair value of this investment.

In applying these methodologies, additional factors that we consider in fair value pricing our investments may include, as we deem relevant: security covenants, call protection provisions, and information rights; the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the portfolio company’s ability to make payments; the principal markets in which the portfolio company does business; publicly available financial ratios of peer companies; the principal market; and enterprise values, among other factors. Also, any failure by a portfolio company to achieve its business plan or obtain and maintain its financing arrangements could result in increased volatility and result in a significant and rapid change in its value.

Our general intent is to hold our loans to maturity when appraising our privately held debt investments. As such, we believe that the fair value will not exceed the cost of the investment. However, in addition to the previously described analysis involving allocation of value to the debt instrument, we perform a yield analysis assuming a hypothetical current sale of the security to determine if a debt security has been impaired. The yield analysis considers changes in interest rates and changes in leverage levels of the portfolio company as compared to the market interest rates and leverage levels. Assuming the credit quality of the portfolio company remains stable, the Fund will use the value determined by the yield analysis as the fair value for that security if less than the cost of the investment.

We record unrealized depreciation on investments when we determine that the fair value of a security is less than its cost basis, and will record unrealized appreciation when we determine that the fair value is greater than its cost basis.

Fair Value Measurement—Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and sets out a fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Inputs are broadly defined as assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

Level 3—Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The inputs into the determination of fair value are based upon the best information under the circumstances and may require significant management judgment or estimation.

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In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment.

Investments for which prices are not observable are generally private investments in the debt and equity securities of operating companies. A primary valuation method used to estimate the fair value of these Level 3 investments is the discounted cash flow method (although a liquidation analysis, option theoretical, or other methodology may be used when more appropriate). The discounted cash flow approach to determine fair value (or a range of fair values) involves applying an appropriate discount rate(s) to the estimated future cash flows using various relevant factors depending on investment type, including comparing the latest arm’s length or market transactions involving the subject security to the selected benchmark credit spread, assumed growth rate (in cash flows), and capitalization rates/multiples (for determining terminal values of underlying portfolio companies). The valuation based on the inputs determined to be the most reasonable and probable is used as the fair value of the investment. In the case of our investment in Equus Energy, we also examine acreage values in comparable transactions and assess the impact upon the working interests held by Equus Energy. The determination of fair value using these methodologies may take into consideration a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance, financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment and anticipated financing transactions after the valuation date.

To assess the reasonableness of the discounted cash flow approach, the fair value of equity securities, including warrants, in portfolio companies may also consider the market approach—that is, through analyzing and applying to the underlying portfolio companies, market valuation multiples of publicly-traded firms engaged in businesses similar to those of the portfolio companies. The market approach to determining the fair value of a portfolio company’s equity security (or securities) will typically involve: (1) applying to the portfolio company’s trailing twelve months (or current year projected) EBITDA a low to high range of enterprise value to EBITDA multiples that are derived from an analysis of publicly-traded comparable companies, in order to arrive at a range of enterprise values for the portfolio company; (2) subtracting from the range of calculated enterprise values the outstanding balances of any debt or equity securities that would be senior in right of payment to the equity securities we hold; and (3) multiplying the range of equity values derived therefrom by our ownership share of such equity tranche in order to arrive at a range of fair values for our equity security (or securities). Application of these valuation methodologies involves a significant degree of judgment by Management.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of Level 3 investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that may ultimately be received or settled. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded instruments. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we might realize significantly less than the value at which such investment had previously been recorded. With respect to Level 3 investments, where sufficient market quotations are not readily available or for which no or an insufficient number of indicative prices from pricing services or brokers or dealers have been received, we undertake, on a quarterly basis, our valuation process as described above.

We assess the levels of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the subsequent measurement date closest in time to the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers among Level 1, 2 and 3 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021.

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As of June, 2022, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations:

			Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2022
*(in thousands)*	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Investments:
Control investments	$	15,500	$	—	$	—	$	15,500
Total investments		15,500		—		—		15,500
Temporary cash investments		4,000		4,000		—		—
Total investments and temporary cash investments	$	19,500	$	4,000	$	—	$	15,500

As of December 31, 2021, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations:

			Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2021
*(in thousands)*	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Investments:
Control investments	$	13,000	$	—	$	—	$	13,000
Total investments		13,000		—		—		13,000
Temporary cash investments		2,500		2,500		—		—
Total investments and temporary cash investments	$	15,500	$	2,500	$	—	$	13,000

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The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ended June 30, 2022 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:

	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
*(in thousands)*	Control Investments		Affiliate Investments		Non-affiliate Investments		Total
Fair value as of January 1, 2022	$	13,000	$	—	$	—	$	13,000
Change in unrealized appreciation		2,500		—		—		2,500
Fair value as of June 30, 2022	$	15,500	$	—	$	—	$	15,500

The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ended June 30, 2021 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:

	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
*(in thousands)*	Control Investments		Affiliate Investments		Non-affiliate Investments		Total
Fair value as of January 1, 2021	$	7,000	$	—	$	—	$	7,000
Change in unrealized appreciation		2,900		—		—		2,900
Purchases of portfolio securities		350		—		—		350
Fair value as of June 30, 2021	$	10,250	$	—	$	—	$	10,250

Our investment portfolio is not composed of homogeneous debt and equity securities that can be valued with a small number of inputs. Instead, the majority of our investment portfolio is composed of complex debt and equity securities with distinct contract terms and conditions. As such, our valuation of each investment in our portfolio is unique and complex, often factoring in numerous different inputs, including historical and forecasted financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, project cash flows, market multiples comparable market transactions, the priority of our securities compared with those of other investors, credit risk, interest rates, independent valuations and reviews and other inputs.

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The following table summarizes the significant non-observable inputs in the fair value measurements of our Level 3 investments by category of investment and valuation technique as of June 30, 2022 (fair value expressed in thousands; acreage range expressed in dollars and not rounded):

					Range
*(in thousands)*	Fair Value		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Minimum			Maximum			Weighted Average
				Acreage Value (per acre)	$	1,500		$	11,000		$	4,062
			Guideline Transaction	Proved Reserve Multiple		3.8	x		9.3	x		7.4	x
Limited liability company investments	$	15,500	Method	Daily Production Multiple		29,466.6	x		45,285.2	x		44,850.1	x
			Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate		11.0	%		11.0	%		11.0	%

The following table summarizes the significant non-observable inputs in the fair value measurements of our Level 3 investments by category of investment and valuation technique as of December 31, 2021 (fair value expressed in thousands; acreage range expressed in dollars and not rounded):

					Range
*(in thousands)*	Fair Value		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Minimum			Maximum			Weighted Average
				Acreage Value (per acre)	$	1,500		$	10,000		$	5,750
			Guideline Transaction	Proved Reserve Multiple		3.6	x		7.3	x		7.2	x
Limited liability company investments	$	13,000	Method	Daily Production Multiple		15,425.3	x		37,215.1	x		36,393.7	x
			Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate		11.0	%		11.0	%		11.0	%

Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, amounting to $15.5 million and $13.0 million as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, our fair value determinations may materially differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for these securities.

We adjust our net asset value for the changes in the value of our publicly held securities, if applicable, and material changes in the value of private securities, generally determined on a quarterly basis or as announced in a press release, and report those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Our net asset value appears in various publications, including Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal.

Investment Transactions—Investment transactions are recorded on the accrual method. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are computed on a specific identification basis.

We classify our investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which the Fund owns more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as those non-control investments in companies in which we own between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. Under the 1940 Act, “Non-affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. See also Note 4 for discussion of related party investment transactions.

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Interest and Dividend Income Recognition—We record interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We accrete or amortize discounts and premiums on securities purchased over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discount and/or amortization of premium on debt securities. We stop accruing interest on investments when we determine that interest is no longer collectible. We may also impair the accrued interest when we determine that all or a portion of the current accrual is uncollectible. If we receive any cash after determining that interest is no longer collectible, we treat such cash as payment on the principal balance until the entire principal balance has been repaid, before we recognize any additional interest income. We will write off uncollectible interest upon the occurrence of a definitive event such as a sale, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the relevant portfolio interest. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared by the portfolio company or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution.

Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in 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 change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the net change in the fair value of the portfolio company investments 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.

Payment in Kind Interest (PIK)—From time to time, we have loans in our portfolio that may pay PIK interest. We add PIK interest, if any, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must pay out to stockholders this non-cash source of income in the form of dividends even if we have not yet collected any cash in respect of such investments. To the extent we remain BDC and a RIC, we will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the 1940 Act.

Earnings Per Share—Basic and diluted per share calculations are computed utilizing the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, the unvested shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to our equity compensation plans are participating securities and, therefore, are included in the basic earnings per share calculation. As a result, for all periods presented, there is no difference between diluted earnings per share and basic earnings per share amounts.

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Distributable Earnings—The components that make up distributable earnings (accumulated undistributed deficit) on the Condensed Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows:

	As of June 30, 2022			As of December 31, 2021
Accumulated undistributed net investment losses	$	(45,511	)	$	(43,801	)
Unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities, net		7,539			5,039
Accumulated undistributed net capital gains		429			429
Accumulated deficit	$	(37,543	)	$	(38,333	)

Taxes—So long as we remain a BDC, we intend to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a RIC and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gains) which is distributed to stockholders. As of December 31, 2021, we accrued a $0.04 million in corporate level income and excise tax in lieu of making a distribution of the net capital gain for the sale of PalletOne, Inc. We borrow money from time to time to maintain our tax status under the Internal Revenue Code as a RIC. See Note 1 for discussion of Taxable Subsidiaries and see Note 2 for further discussion of the Fund’s RIC borrowings.

Texas margin tax applies to legal entities conducting business in Texas. The margin tax is based on our Texas sourced taxable margin. The tax is calculated by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenue and expenses and therefore has the characteristics of an income tax. As a result, we have no provision for margin tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and we expect no in state income tax for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Cash Flows—For purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, we consider all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We exclude “Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments” used for purposes of complying with RIC requirements from cash equivalents.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sums to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

	As of June 30, 2022		As of December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	21,555	$	23,465
Restricted cash at end of period		40		25
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	21,595	$	23,490

Recent Accounting Standards—We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASUs not listed below were assessed and either determined to be not applicable or expected to have minimal impact on our financial statements.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted— In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions”, which was issued to (1) clarify the guidance in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security, (2) to amend a related illustrative example, and (3) to introduce new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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In May 2020, the SEC adopted rule amendments that will impact the requirement of investment companies, including BDCs, to disclose the financial statements of certain of their portfolio companies or acquired funds (the “Final Rules”). The Final Rules adopted a new definition of “significant subsidiary” set forth in Rule 1-02(w)(2) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. Rules 3-09 and 4-08(g) of Regulation S-X require investment companies to include separate financial statements or summary financial information, respectively, in such investment company’s periodic reports for any portfolio company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary.” The Final Rules amend the definition of “significant subsidiary” in a manner that is intended to more accurately capture those portfolio companies that are more likely to materially impact the financial condition of an investment company. The Final Rules became effective on January 1, 2021, but voluntary compliance was permitted in advance of the effective date. The Company elected to comply with the Final Rules effective June 30, 2020 which reduced the requirement for the Company to provide separate audited financial statements and summarized financial information for its controlled portfolio companies going forward.

(4) Related Party Transactions and Agreements

Except as noted below, as compensation for services to the Fund, each Independent Director receives an annual fee of $40,000 paid quarterly in arrears, a fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof attended in person, a fee of $1,000 for participation in each telephonic meeting of the Board or committee thereof, and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. The chair of each of our standing committees (audit, compensation, and nominating and governance) also receives an annual fee of $50,000, payable quarterly in arrears. We may also pay other one-time or recurring fees to members of our Board of Directors in special circumstances. None of our interested directors receive annual fees for their service on the Board of Directors.

In respect of services provided to the Fund by members of the Board not in connection with their roles and duties as directors, the Fund pays a rate of $300 per hour for such services.

(5) Portfolio Securities

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, with respect to our holding in Equus Energy, LLC, we recorded an increase in the fair value of this investment by $2.5 million. Such change in fair value was principally due to increases in mineral acreage prices and a substantial increase in short-and long-term prices for crude oil and natural gas.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we made a follow-on investment of $0.35 million in Equus Energy, LLC.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized a capital loss of $0.2 million due to the change in the estimated fair value of our escrow receivable related to PalletOne, Inc.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation of $2.9 million, to a net unrealized appreciation of $2.3 million. Such change in unrealized appreciation resulted primarily from an increase in fair value of our holding in Equus Energy, LLC of $2.9 million, principally due to increases in mineral acreage prices and a substantial increase in short-and long-term prices for crude oil and natural gas.

(6) Conversion to an Operating Company

Authorization to Withdraw BDC Election—On August 17, 2021, holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock of the Fund approved our cessation as a BDC under the 1940 Act and authorized our Board to cause the Fund’s withdrawal of its election to be classified as a BDC, effective as of a date designated by the Board and our Chief Executive Officer. Although this authorization has since expired, we expect to receive a further authorization from our shareholders later in 2022 as a consequence of our expressed intent to transform Equus into an operating company or a permanent capital vehicle. Notwithstanding any such authorization to withdraw our BDC election, we will not submit any such withdrawal unless and until Equus has entered into a definitive agreement to effect a transformative transaction. Further, even if we are again authorized to withdraw our election as a BDC, we will require a subsequent affirmative vote from holders of a majority of our outstanding voting shares to enter into any such definitive agreement or change the nature of our business. While we are presently evaluating various opportunities that could enable us to accomplish this transformation, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so within any particular time period or at all, and, although we expect that our shareholders will extend our current authorization, we do not expect to cause the Fund to withdraw its election to be classified as BDC prior to September 30, 2022. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the terms of any such transformative transaction would be acceptable to us.

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Increase in Authorized Shares—On January 20, 2021, holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock of the Fund approved the restatement of our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000, and the number of our authorized shares of preferred stock from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000. The increase is intended to help facilitate the transformation of Equus into an operating company and provide sufficient authorized shares to evaluate larger business concerns as possible acquisition or merger candidates.

(7) 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

Share-Based Incentive Compensation—On June 13, 2016, our shareholders approved the adoption of our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”). On January 10, 2017, the SEC issued an order approving the Incentive Plan and certain awards intended to be made thereunder. The Incentive Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Fund by encouraging officers, employees, and directors of the Fund and its affiliates to acquire or increase their equity interest in the Fund and to provide a means whereby they may develop a proprietary interest in the development and financial success of the Fund, to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Fund, thereby advancing the interests of the Fund and its stockholders. The Incentive Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the Fund and its affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Fund. The Incentive Plan permits the award of restricted stock as well as common stock purchase options. The maximum number of shares of common stock that are subject to awards granted under the Incentive Plan is 2,434,728 shares. The term of the Incentive Plan will expire on June 13, 2026. On March 17, 2017, we granted awards of restricted stock under the Incentive Plan to certain of our directors and executive officers in the aggregate amount of 844,500 shares. The awards are each subject to a vesting requirement over a 3-year period unless the recipient thereof is terminated or removed from their position as a director or executive officer without “cause”, or as a result of constructive termination, as such terms are defined in the respective award agreements entered into by each of the recipients and the Fund. As of March 31, 2020, all awards granted under the Incentive Plan were fully vested. We account for share-based compensation using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC 718. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, we measure the grant date fair value based upon the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant and amortize the fair value of the awards as share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term.

(8) Equus Energy, LLC

Equus Energy, LLC (“Equus Energy”) was formed in November 2011 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund to make investments in companies in the energy sector, with particular emphasis on income-producing oil & gas properties. In December 2011, we contributed $250,000 to the capital of Equus Energy. On December 27, 2012, we invested an additional $6.8 million in Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital and to fund the purchase of $6.6 million in working interests presently consisting of 136 producing and non- producing oil and gas wells. On September 30, 2020, the Fund provided an additional $0.6 million in capital to Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital. On June 30, 2021, the Fund provided an additional $0.3 million in capital to Equus Energy for the purpose of additional working capital. The working interests include associated development rights of approximately 21,320 acres situated on 9 separate properties in Texas and Oklahoma. The working interests range from a de minimus amount to 50% of the leasehold that includes these wells.

The wells are operated by a number of operators, including Burk Royalty, which has operating responsibility for all of Equus Energy’s 22 producing well interests located in the Conger Field, a productive oil and gas field on the edge of the Permian Basin that has experienced successful gas and hydrocarbon extraction in multiple formations. Equus Energy, which holds a 50% working interest in each of these Conger Field wells, is seeking to effect a recompletion program of existing Conger Field wells to the Wolfcamp formation, a zone containing oil as well as gas and natural gas liquids. A substantial part of Equus Energy’s acreage rights described above also includes a 50% working interest in possible new drilling to the base of the Canyon formation (appx. 8,500 feet) on 2,400 acres in the Conger Field. Also included in the interests acquired by Equus Energy are working interests of 7.5% and 2.5% in the Burnell and North Pettus Units, respectively, which collectively comprise approximately 13,000 acres located in the area known as the “Eagle Ford Shale” play.

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The gradual recovery of the world economy, largely buoyed by fiscal and monetary stimulus, resulted in a strong recovery in energy prices through to the end of 2021. The buildup and subsequent invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in February 2022 added additional impetus to short-term commodity prices, with oil increasing 40.4% in the first half of 2022 and natural gas increasing 71.2% during the same period. Given such price volatility, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has changed its 2022 WTI and gas price forecasts substantially throughout the year, starting with an estimated year-long average of $75.00 for WTI in January 2022, a revised estimate of $113.00 in March 2022, and a most recent estimate in June 2022 of $98.79. The UEIA’s estimate for average gas prices continued to climb throughout 2022, starting with an estimate of $3.79 per MMBTU in January, increasing to $6.02 per MMBTU in its most recent revised forecast in June 2022.

The Impact of COVID-19 and Other Events—Recent years have witnessed unprecedented systemic events, such as Covid-19, government-induced consumer demand, and, most recently, armed conflict, that had a material effect on oil prices globally, which has continued through the first half of 2022 where crude and natural gas prices are at substantial multi-year highs.

Notwithstanding present pricing conditions and forecasts for the remainder of 2022, operators of the leasehold interests held by Equus Energy have not yet undertaken significant capital expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect upon the operations and long-term financial condition of Equus Energy. To conserve existing cash resources or create additional cash resources during the next year, Equus Energy intends to either: (i) attempt to secure equity or debt financing from one or more institutional sources, which sources may include the Fund, a commercial lender, or other investors, (ii) request that its operators shut-in additional wells, (iii) sell certain of its oil and gas holdings, or (iv) undertake a combination of the foregoing. However, we cannot assure you that Equus Energy will be able to implement these plans successfully, or that such plans will generate sufficient liquidity to continue as a going concern. The factors discussed above, therefore, raise substantial doubt about Equus Energy’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Going-Concern—The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Equus Energy have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and other commitments in the normal course of business. As such, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets and their carrying amount, or the amount and classification of liabilities that may result should the Equus Energy be unable to continue as a going concern.

Revenue and Income—During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Equus Energy’s revenue, operating revenue less direct operating expenses, and net loss were $0.3 million, $0.15 million, and ($0.1) million, respectively, as compared to revenue, operating revenue less direct operating expenses, and net loss which were $0.2 million, $0.04 million, and ($0.01) million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, Equus Energy’s revenue, operating revenue less direct operating expenses, and net gain were $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $0.23 million, respectively, as compared to revenue, operating revenue less direct operating expenses, and net loss which were $0.4 million, $0.06 million, and ($0.10) million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Capital Expenditures—During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, Equus Energy’s investment, respectively, in capital expenditures for small repairs and improvements was not significant.

We do not consolidate Equus Energy or its wholly-owned subsidiaries and accordingly only the value of our investment in Equus Energy is included on our balance sheets. Our investment in Equus Energy is valued in accordance with our normal valuation procedures and is based in part on a reserve report prepared for Equus Energy by Lee Keeling & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering firm, the transactions and values of comparable companies in this sector, and the estimated value of leasehold mineral interests associated with the acreage held by Equus Energy. A valuation of Equus Energy was performed by a third-party valuation firm, who recommended a value range of Equus Energy consistent with the fair value determined by our Management (See Schedule of Investments).

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Below is summarized unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for Equus Energy as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in thousands):

EQUUS ENERGY, LLC

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	June 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	494		$	640
Accounts receivable		375			215
Total current assets		869			855
Oil and gas properties		8,097			8,097
Less: accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization		(8,094	)		(8,093	)
Net oil and gas properties		3			4
Total assets	$	872		$	859

Liabilities and member's equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other	$	92		$	103
Due to affiliate		350			350
Total current liabilities		442			453
Asset retirement obligations		215			214
Total liabilities		657			667

Total member's equity		215			192

Total liabilities and member's equity	$	872		$	859

Revenue and direct operating expenses for the various oil and gas assets included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations below represent the net collective working and revenue interests acquired by Equus Energy.

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EQUUS ENERGY, LLC

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2022		2021		2022		2021

Operating revenue	$	294	$	177	$	621	$	386
Operating expenses
Direct operating expenses		145		135		129		328
General and administrative		255		50		468		124
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion		1		2		1		3
Impairment of oil and gas properties		—		—		—		32
Total operating expenses		401		187		598		487
Net income (loss)		(

Amendment: SEC Form 10-Q/A filed by Equus Total Return Inc.