Company Description
CION Investment Corporation (NYSE: CION) is a publicly listed business development company (BDC) that operates as an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. It has elected to be regulated as a BDC and focuses on the finance and insurance sector, with activities aligned to the securities and investment markets. According to company disclosures, CION has reported having approximately $1.9 billion in total assets in recent periods and is advised by CION Investment Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser and an affiliate of CION.
CION’s stated investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation for investors. To pursue this objective, the company focuses primarily on senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies. These loans are generally secured by a borrower’s assets and occupy a senior position in the capital structure. CION’s portfolio also includes, to a lesser extent, other types of debt and equity investments, including second lien loans, unitranche loans, collateralized securities, structured products and similar instruments, unsecured debt, and equity interests in private and thinly traded middle-market companies.
As described in its public materials, CION’s investment portfolio is composed largely of senior secured first lien investments, with the remainder allocated among other debt and equity positions. The company invests across a range of industries and maintains exposure to numerous portfolio companies. Its approach includes funding new investment commitments, supporting existing portfolio companies, and managing repayments, sales, and restructurings within the portfolio over time.
CION is externally managed, meaning that day-to-day investment decisions and portfolio management are conducted by its adviser, CION Investment Management, LLC, under an investment advisory agreement. The adviser provides investment selection, monitoring, and administrative services, and is compensated pursuant to the terms of that agreement. CION has also disclosed an administration agreement with its adviser, which covers certain administrative and operational functions.
The company’s capital structure includes a mix of senior secured credit facilities and unsecured notes and term loans. CION has entered into senior secured credit facilities, including a three-year $125 million senior secured credit facility with UBS, under which the floating interest rate payable on advances is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a stated credit spread. The company has also issued senior unsecured notes, including notes due 2027 and 2029, which are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of CION. These notes bear fixed interest rates and may be redeemed at CION’s option under specified terms.
CION’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol CION. In addition, CION has 7.50% Notes due 2029 listed on the NYSE under the symbol CICB. As a regulated BDC, CION is subject to asset coverage and other regulatory requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and provides regular financial reporting through quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K, and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Distributions are an important component of CION’s shareholder proposition. The company’s board of directors has delegated to CION’s executive officers the authority to determine the amount, record dates, payment dates, and other terms of base distributions to shareholders, subject to quarterly ratification by the board. CION has declared base distributions on its common stock on a recurring basis, historically on a quarterly schedule and, as disclosed in its filings, transitioning to a monthly payment schedule beginning in early 2026. These base distributions are intended to reflect the company’s focus on generating current income from its investment portfolio.
CION’s SEC filings and press releases provide detail on its portfolio composition, including the proportion of investments in senior secured first lien debt, second lien debt, unsecured debt, collateralized securities and structured products, and equity. They also describe the number of portfolio companies, the distribution of investments across industries, and the status of investments on non-accrual. These disclosures are designed to help investors understand the credit profile, diversification, and risk characteristics of the portfolio.
In addition to its investment activities, CION’s public disclosures cover topics such as share repurchase activity, changes in its share repurchase policy, and the renewal of its investment advisory and administration agreements. The company has reported repurchases of its common stock under a 10b5-1 trading plan and has noted board approvals to increase the aggregate amount authorized for share repurchases.
As a listed BDC, CION regularly communicates with investors through earnings releases and conference calls. The company announces the timing of its quarterly and annual financial results, hosts earnings calls to discuss performance and portfolio developments, and provides accompanying slide presentations in the investor resources section of its website. These communications are referenced in CION’s Form 8-K filings and are intended to complement its formal SEC reports.
Overall, CION Investment Corporation offers investors exposure to a managed portfolio of primarily senior secured loans and related debt and equity investments in U.S. middle-market companies, within a BDC structure that emphasizes current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. Its operations, capital structure, and distribution policies are described in detail in its SEC filings and public announcements.