bcpi-ncsr_17484.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-5531

 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


1500 Main Street, P.O. Box 15189, Springfield, MA 01115-5189

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Christopher A. DeFrancis, Vice President and Secretary
1500 Main Street, Suite 2800, P.O. Box 15189, Springfield, MA 01115-5189

(Name and address of agent for service)
 

 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 413-226-1000

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

Date of reporting period: 12/31/12

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 110 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.



 
 
 
 
ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

Attached hereto is the annual shareholder report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
BABSON CAPITAL PARTICIPATION INVESTORS
 
Babson Capital Participation Investors is a closed-end investment company, first offered to the public in 1988, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE &  POLICY
 
Babson Capital Participation Investors (the “Trust”) is a closed-end investment company, first offered to the public in 1988, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “MPV”. The Trust’s share price can be found in the financial section of newspapers under either the New York Stock Exchange listings or Closed-End Fund listings.
 
The Trust’s investment objective is to maximize total return by providing a high level of current income, the potential for growth of income, and capital appreciation. The Trust’s principal investments are privately placed, below-investment grade (as defined below), long-term debt obligations purchased directly from their issuers, which tend to be smaller companies. At least half of these investments normally include equity features such as warrants, conversion rights, or other equity features that provide the Trust with the opportunity to realize capital gains. The Trust will also invest in publicly traded debt securities (including high yield securities), again with an emphasis on those with equity features, and in convertible preferred stocks and, subject to certain limitations, readily marketable equity securities. Below-investment grade or high yield securities have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay principal. The Trust is prohibited from purchasing below-investment grade securities if, after giving effect to the purchase, more than 75% of the Trusts’ total assets would be invested in below-investment grade securities, which are securities that are rated, at the time of purchase, BB or B by S&P or Ba or B by Moody’s, or, if unrated, are believed by Babson Capital Management LLC (“Babson Capital”) to be of an equivalent quality. In addition, the Trust will not invest in any debt security that is rated, at the time of acquisition, below B by S&P or Moody’s, or if unrated, is believed by Babson Capital to be of an equivalent quality. In addition, the Trust may temporarily invest in high quality, readily marketable securities.
 
Babson Capital manages the Trust on a total return basis. The Trust distributes substantially all of its net income to shareholders each year. Accordingly, the Trust pays dividends to shareholders four times a year in January, May, August, and November. All registered shareholders are automatically enrolled in the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan unless cash distributions are requested.
 
In this report you will find a complete listing of the Trust’s holdings. We encourage you to read this section carefully for a better understanding of the Trust. We cordially invite all shareholders to attend the Trust’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on April 19, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. in Springfield, Massachusetts.
 

1
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

 
 
 
 
 
*
Data for Babson Capital Participation Investors (the Trust”) represents portfolio returns based on change in the Trusts net asset value assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. These returns differ from the total investment return based on market value of the Trusts shares due to the difference between the Trusts net asset value and the market value of its shares outstanding (see page 12 for total investment return based on market value). Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
 

2
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

 
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
 
I am pleased to share with you the Trust’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
 
The Trust’s net total portfolio rate of return for 2012 was 15.9%, as measured by the change in net asset value and assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The Trust’s total net assets were $127,874,125, or $12.56 per share, as of December 31, 2012.  This compares to $120,319,666 or $11.90 per share, as of December 31, 2011. The Trust paid a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share for each of the four quarters of 2012, for a total annual dividend of $1.08 per share.  In 2011, the Trust also paid four quarterly dividends of $0.27 per share, and declared a special year-end dividend of $0.15 per share, for a total annual dividend of $1.23 per share. Net investment income for the year was $1.08 per share, including approximately $0.06 per share of non-recurring income.  Net investment income for 2011 was $1.14 per share, which included approximately $0.12 per share of non-recurring income.
 
After increasing 14.2% in 2011 and 13.8% in 2010, the Trust’s stock price declined from $15.85 as of December 31, 2011 to $13.91 as of December 31, 2012, or 12.2%. Since year-end, the stock price has rebounded nicely. The Trust’s stock price of $13.91 as of December 31, 2012 equates to a 10.7% premium over the December 31, 2012 net asset value per share of $12.56. The Trust’s average quarter-end premium for the 3, 5 and 10-year periods was 18.3%, 9.7% and 10.5%, respectively.
 
The table below lists the average annual net returns of the Trust’s portfolio, based on the change in net assets and assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Average annual returns of the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and the Russell 2000 Index for the 1, 3, 5 and 10 years ended December 31, 2012 are provided for comparison purposes only.
 
PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY
 
 
The Trust
Barclays Capital U.S.
Corporate High Yield Index
Russell
2000 Index
1 Year
15.89%
15.81%
16.35%
3 Years
15.01%
11.86%
12.25%
5 Years
9.00%
10.34%
3.56%
10 Years
14.30%
10.62%
9.72%
 
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
 

3
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

 
New investment activity for the Trust was strong in 2012, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Trust completed 11 new private placement investments and one add-on investment. For the full year 2012, the Trust closed 21 new private placement investments and 11 add-on investments in nine existing portfolio companies. Total private placement investments purchased in 2012 were $23,001,545. This amount represents an 85.6% increase from the $12,396,081 of new private placement investments completed by the Trust in 2011.  We were certainly pleased with the quantity of new investment activity in 2012, but, more importantly, we were very pleased by the overall quality of these new investments. Leverage multiples were reasonable during the year and pricing and return expectations on new investments were at an acceptable level in 2012.  All in all, market conditions in the private mezzanine investment arena in 2012 were favorable for new investment activity.
 
New private placement investments completed during 2012 were 1492 Acquisition LLC; ABC Industries, Inc.; Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises; AMS Holding LLC; Baby Jogger Holdings LLC; BP SCI LLC; Blue Wave Products, Inc.; Church Services Holding Company; DPL Holding Corporation; ELT Holding Company; GD Dental Services LLC; Healthcare Direct Holding Company; HGGC  Citadel Plastics Holdings; HVAC Holdings, Inc.; JMH Investors LLC; MNX Holding Company; Petroplex Inv Holdings LLC; RM Holding Company; Rose City Holding Co.; Safety Infrastructure Solutions and Stag Parkway Holding Co. In addition, the Trust added to existing private placement investments in CHG Alternative Education Holding Company; Church Services Holding Company; DPC Holdings LLC; DPL Holding Corporation; FCX Holding Corporation; FGI Equity LLC; LPC Holding Company; LTS Scale and Merex Holding Corporation.  A brief description of these investments can be found in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.
 
The condition of the Trust’s existing portfolio continued to strengthen in 2012. Sales and earnings for the Trust’s portfolio as a whole continued their upward momentum – we now have seen 34 consecutive months of increases in the average sales and EBITDA of our portfolio companies since hitting trough levels in late 2009.  Credit upgrades in the portfolio this year once again far outnumbered credit downgrades, while the number of companies on our watch list and in default is at the lowest level we have seen over the last five years.
 
We had 19 companies exit from the Trust’s portfolio during 2012.  In 17 of these exits, the Trust realized a significant positive return on its investment. These investments  were ASAP Industries LLC; Aero Holdings, Inc.; Associated Diversified Services; Barcodes Group, Inc.; Coeur, Inc.; FCX Holding Corporation; FH Equity LLC, Milwaukee Gear Company; Nyloncraft, Inc.; Oak River Technology, Inc.; Power Services Holding Company; REI Delaware Holdings, Inc.; Royal Baths Manufacturing Company; Savage Sports Holding, Inc.; Stanton Carpet Holding Company; THI Acquisition, Inc. and Xaloy Superior Holdings, Inc. Two long-standing troubled investments, KWPI Holdings Corporation and Pacific Consolidated  Holdings LLC, were also realized in 2012 at recovery levels consistent  with their carrying values. In addition, we had a number of companies who took advantage of lower interest rate and improved operating performance to refinance and prepay their debt obligations to the Trust.
 
OUTLOOK FOR 2013
 
Though the mergers and acquisitions market has taken a bit of a breather in early 2013, we expect that deal flow will pick up and be at robust  levels during  the rest of 2013. This should lead to a healthy level of investment opportunities for the Trust. We also have a significant number of portfolio companies that are in various stages of a sale process, and we expect that realization activity will remain strong in 2013.  Strong realization and refinancing activity is a double-edged sword, however, as the resulting loss of income-producing investments could adversely impact the Trust’s ability to sustain its dividend level. We have been fortunate that our new investment activity in recent years has been strong and has had a positive impact on net investment income. We will need to maintain a robust level of new investment activity in the face of expected high levels of realization and refinancing activity.
 

4
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

 
The Trust performed well in 2012.  Despite the unsettled global economic conditions and other challenges, we are optimistic about the Trust’s performance as we proceed through 2013.  Rest assured that regardless of the economic and market environment, the Trust will continue to employ the investment philosophy that has served it well since its inception: investing in companies which we believe have a strong business proposition, solid cash flow and experienced, ethical management. This philosophy, along with Babson Capital’s seasoned investment-management team, positions the Trust well to meet its investment objectives and policies. As always, I would like to thank you for your continued interest in and support of Babson Capital Participation Investors. I look forward to seeing you at the Trust’s annual shareholder meeting in Springfield on April 19, 2013.
 
Lastly, on behalf of the Trust’s shareholders, the members of the Board of Trustees, and the officers of the Trust, I would like to thank Martin T. Hart for his over 21 years of dedicated service to the Trust as a Trustee. Martin was elected as a Trustee in April 1991 and the December 2012 meeting of the Trustees was his last meeting as a Trustee. He has provided the Trust with unique and invaluable insight and guidance throughout his tenure as a Trustee. We will miss him and his contributions to the Trust.
 
Sincerely,
Michael L. Klofas
President
 
Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this report may be “forward looking” statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date in which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment  advice or an indication of the Trust’s trading intent. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the Trust’s current or future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
 
2012
Record
 
Net Investment
   
Short-Term
   
Tax
   
Long-Term
 
Dividends
Date
 
Income
   
Gains
   
Effect
   
Gains
 
Regular
     5/7/2012
    0.2700       -             -  
 
   7/30/2012
    0.2700       -             -  
 
10/29/2012
    0.2700       -             -  
  12/31/2012     0.2319       0.0381       -       -  
      $ 1.0419     $ 0.0381     $ 1.0800       0.0000  
 
The following table summarizes the tax effects of the relation of capital gains for 2012:
 
   
Amount Per Share
   
Form 2439
 
2012 Gains Retained
    0.2571    
Line 1a 
 
Long-Term Gains Retained
    0.2571        
Taxes Paid
    0.0900    
Line 2 *
 
Basis Adjustment       0.1671       **  
 
*
If you are not subject to federal capital gains tax (e.g. charitable organizations, IRAs and Keogh Plans) you may be able to claim a refund by filing Form 990-T.
** 
For federal income tax purposes, you may increase the adjusted cost basis of your shares by this amount (the excess of Line 1a over Line 2).
 
Annual Dividend
   
Qualified For Dividend
Received Deduction***
    Qualified Dividends****    
Interest Earned On
U.S. Gov’t. Obligations
 
Amount
         
Amount
         
Amount
         
Amount
 
Per Share
    Percent    
Per Share
    Percent    
Per Share
    Percent    
Per Share
 
$ 1.08       6.5233 %     0.0703       6.2241     0.0671       0 %     0.0000  
 
***
Not available to individual shareholders
****
Qualified  dividends are reported in Box 1b on IRS Form 1099-Div for 2012
 

5
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2012
 
Assets:
       
Investments
       
(See Consolidated Schedule of Investments)
       
Corporate restricted securities at fair value
       
(Cost - $109,376,327)
 
$
101,530,328
 
Corporate restricted securities at market value
       
(Cost  - $5,279,368)
   
5,534,500
 
Corporate public securities at market value
       
(Cost - $26,343,135)
   
28,306,680
 
Short-term securities at amortized cost
   
7,499,326
 
Total investments (Cost - $148,498,156)
   
142,870,834
 
Cash
   
3,551,088
 
Interest receivable
   
1,131,874
 
Other assets
   
66,814
 
         
Total assets
   
147,620,610
 
         
Liabilities:
       
Note payable
   
15,000,000
 
Dividend payable
   
2,749,477
 
Tax Payable
   
1,065,595
 
Deferred tax liability
   
467,634
 
Investment advisory fee payable
   
287,717
 
Interest payable
   
27,267
 
Accrued expenses
   
148,795
 
         
Total liabilities
   
19,746,485
 
         
Total net assets
 
$
127,874,125
 
         
Net Assets:
       
Common shares, par value $.01 per share
 
$
101,832
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
94,962,681
 
Retained net realized gain on investments, prior years
   
33,733,164
 
Undistributed net investment income
   
1,493,124
 
Accumulated net realized gain on investments
   
3,678,280
 
Net unrealized depreciation of investments
   
(6,094,956)
 
         
Total net assets
 
$
127,874,125
 
         
Common shares issued and outstanding (14,785,750 authorized)
   
10,183,249
 
         
Net asset value per share
 
$
12.56
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Stattements

7
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
 
 
Investment Income:
     
Interest
  $ 12,616,327  
Dividends
    704,628  
Other
    131,954  
         
Total investment income
    13,452,909  
         
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    1,132,533  
Interest
    613,500  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    322,000  
Professional fees
    231,700  
Reports to shareholders
    54,000  
Custodian fees
    28,000  
Other
    106,053  
         
Total expenses
    2,487,786  
         
Investment income - net
    10,965,123  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments:
       
Net realized gain on investments before taxes
    3,515,717  
Income tax expense
    (1,026,921 )
Net realized gain on investments after taxes
    2,488,796  
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments before taxes
    4,024,607  
Net change in deferred income tax expense
    34,494  
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments after taxes
    4,059,101  
         
Net gain on investments
    6,547,897  
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 17,513,020  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Stattements

8
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
 
Net decrease in cash:      
Cash flows from operating activities:
     
Purchases/Proceeds/Maturities from short-term portfolio securities, net
  $ 543,397  
Purchases of portfolio securities
    (44,067,920 )
Proceeds from disposition of portfolio securities
    44,374,220  
Interest, dividends and other income received
    11,514,383  
Interest expense paid
    (616,908 )
Operating expenses paid
    (1,911,382 )
Income taxes paid
    38,674  
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    9,874,464  
         
Cash flows from financing activities:
       
Cash dividends paid from net investment income and realized short-term gains
    (12,469,848 )
Receipts for shares issued on reinvestment of dividends
    1,013,772  
         
Net cash used for financing activities
    (11,456,076 )
         
Net decrease in cash
    (1,581,612 )
Cash - beginning of year
    5,132,700  
         
Cash - end of year
  $ 3,551,088  
         
Reconciliation of net increase in net assets to net
cash provided by operating activities:
       
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 17,513,020  
Increase in investments
    (8,827,872 )
Decrease in interest receivable
    146,273  
Increase in receivable for investments sold
    (66,814 )
Decrease in other assets
    119,260  
Increase in tax payable
    1,065,595  
Decrease in deferred tax liability
    (34,494 )
Increase in investment advisory fee payable
    16,998  
Decrease in interest payable
    (3,408 )
Decrease in accrued expenses
    (54,094 )
         
Total adjustments to net assets from operations
    (7,638,556 )
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 9,874,464  
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Stattements

9
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Increase in net assets:
           
             
Operations:
           
Investment income - net
  $ 10,965,123     $ 11,526,972  
Net realized gain on investments after taxes
    2,488,796       627,341  
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments after taxes
    4,059,101       166,242  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    17,513,020       12,320,555  
                 
Increase from common shares issued on reinvestment of dividends
               
Common shares issued (2012 - 71,363; 2011 - 61,615)
    1,013,772       871,579  
                 
Dividends to shareholders from:
               
Net investment income (2012 - $1.04 per share; 2011 - $1.23 per share)
    (10,584,312 )     (12,387,295 )
Net realized gains (2012 - $0.04 per share; 2011 - $0.00 per share)
    (388,021 )     (25,408 )
Total increase in net assets
    7,544,459       779,431  
                 
Net assets, beginning of year
    120,319,666       119,540,235  
                 
Net assets, end of year (including undistributed net investment
               
income of $1,493,124 and $1,259,710 respectively)
  $ 127,874,125     $ 120,319,666  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data for each share of beneficial interest outstanding:
 
      For the years ended December 31,  
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net asset value:
                             
Beginning of year
  $ 11.90     $ 11.89     $ 10.91     $ 11.10     $ 12.84  
Net investment income (a)
    1.08       1.14       1.02       0.94       1.08  
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
gain (loss) on investments
    0.64       0.08       0.95       (0.13 )     (1.82 )
Total from investment operations
    1.72       1.22       1.97       0.81       (0.74 )
Dividends from net investment
                                       
income to common shareholders
    (1.04 )     (1.23 )     (1.00 )     (1.00 )     (1.00 )
Dividends from net realized gain
                                       
on investments to common shareholders
    (0.04 )     (0.00) (b )     -       -       -  
Increase from dividends reinvested
    0.02       0.02       0.01       0.00 (b )     0.00(b )
Total dividends
    (1.06 )     (1.21 )     (0.99 )     (1.00 )     (1.00 )
Net asset value: End of year
  $ 12.56     $ 11.90     $ 11.89     $ 10.91     $ 11.10  
Per share market value:
                                       
End of year
  $ 13.91     $ 15.85     $ 13.88     $ 12.20     $ 9.05  
Total investment return
                                       
Net asset value (c)
    15.89 %     10.56 %     18.71 %     7.60 %     (6.01 %)
Market value (c)
    (4.54 %)     24.16 %     22.94 %     40.86 %     (25.36 %)
Net assets (in millions):
                                       
End of year
  $ 127.87     $ 120.32     $ 119.54     $ 108.93     $ 110.18  
Ratio of operating expenses
                                       
to average net assets
    1.51 %     1.42 %     1.46 %     1.41 %     1.33 %
Ratio of interest expense
                                       
to average net assets
    0.49 %     0.56 %     0.61 %     0.63 %     0.58 %
Ratio of income tax expense
                                       
to average net assets (d)
    0.83 %     0.20 %     0.46 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
Ratio of total expenses
                                       
to average net assets
    2.83 %     2.18 %     2.53 %     2.04 %     1.91 %
Ratio of net investment income
                                       
to average net assets
    8.82 %     9.33 %     8.96 %     8.55 %     8.74 %
Portfolio turnover
    34 %     21 %     27 %     23 %     32 %
 
(a)
Calculated using average shares.
(b)
Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
(c)
Net asset value return represents portfolio returns based on change in the Trust's net asset value assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions which differs from the total investment return based on the Trust's market value due to the difference between the Trust's net asset value and the market value of its shares outstanding; past performance is no guarantee of future results.
(d)
As additional information, this ratio is included to reflect the taxes paid on retained long-term gains. These taxes paid are netted against realized capital gains in the Statement of Operations. The taxes paid are treated as deemed distributions and a credit for the taxes paid is passed on to shareholders.

Senior borrowings:
                             
Total principal amount (in millions)
  $ 15     $ 15     $ 12     $ 12     $ 12  
Asset coverage per $1,000
                                       
of indebtedness
  $ 9,525     $ 9,021     $ 10,962     $ 10,077     $ 10,181  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities - 83.73%: (A)  
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Private Placement Investments - 79.40%
                       
                         
1492 Acquisition LLC
                         
A leading producer of premium Italian cured meats and deli meats in the U.S.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,140,973    
10/17/12
    $ 1,118,647     $ 1,135,544  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A Common (B)
 
11,364 uts.
   
10/17/12
      11,364       10,795  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A Preferred (B)
 
102 uts.
   
10/17/12
      102,270       97,157  
                      1,232,281       1,243,496  
A E Company, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of machined parts and assembly structures for the commercial and military aerospace industries.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
184,615 shs.
   
11/10/09
      184,615       183,895  
Warrant, exercisable until 2019, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
92,308 shs.
   
11/10/09
      68,566       91,948  
                      253,181       275,843  
A H C Holding Company, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of boilers and water heaters for the commercial sector.  
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 1,437,377    
11/21/07
      1,423,632       1,437,377  
Limited Partnership Interest (B)
 
12.26% int.
   
11/21/07
      119,009       145,595  
                      1,542,641       1,582,972  
A S C Group, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of high reliability encryption equipment, communications products, computing systems and electronic components primarily for the military and aerospace sectors.
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
2,186 uts.
      *       78,340       244,764  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
1,479 uts.
   
10/09/09
      52,999       165,602  
* 10/09/09 and 10/27/10.
                131,339       410,366  
 
A W X Holdings Corporation
A provider of aerial equipment rental, sales and repair services to non-residential construction and maintenance contractors operating in the State of Indiana.
10.5% Senior Secured Term Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 420,000    
05/15/08
      413,944       378,000  
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 (D)
  $ 420,000    
05/15/08
      384,627       -  
Common Stock (B)
 
60,000 shs.
   
05/15/08
      60,000       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
21,099 shs.
   
05/15/08
      35,654       -  
                    894,225       378,000  
ABC Industries, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of mine and tunneling ventilation products in the U.S.
                         
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 500,000    
08/01/12
      449,373       502,196  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
125,000 shs.
   
08/01/12
      125,000       98,544  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
22,414 shs.
   
08/01/12
      42,446       -  
                      616,819       600,740  
 

12
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)  
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
ACP Cascade Holdings LLC
                       
A manufacturer and distributor of vinyl windows and patio doors throughout the northwestern United States.
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
 
32 uts.
   
11/09/12
    $ -     $ -  
                             
Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
                           
A designer and manufacturer of large, custom gearing products for a number of critical customer applications.
 
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,136,065    
12/07/12
      1,119,171       1,134,707  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
1,154 uts.
   
12/07/12
      115,385       109,616  
                    1,234,556       1,244,323  
Advanced Technologies Holdings
                             
A provider of factory maintenance services to industrial companies.
   
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
421 shs.
   
12/27/07
      208,456       684,435  
Convertible Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
28 shs.
   
01/04/11
      21,600       45,151  
                    230,056       729,586  
All Current Holding Company
                             
A specialty re-seller of essential electrical parts and components primarily serving wholesale distributors.
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 603,697    
09/26/08
      575,444       603,697  
Common Stock (B)
 
713 shs.
   
09/26/08
      71,303       104,680  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
507 shs.
   
09/26/08
      46,584       74,436  
                    693,331       782,813  
American Hospice Management Holding LLC
                             
A for-profit hospice care provider in the United States.
                             
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013
  $ 1,687,503       *       1,669,540       1,687,503  
Preferred Class A Unit (B)
 
1,706 uts.
      **       170,600       342,965  
Preferred Class B Unit (B)
 
808 uts.
   
06/09/08
      80,789       89,515  
Common Class B Unit (B)
 
16,100 uts.
   
01/22/04
      1       -  
Common Class D Unit (B)
 
3,690 uts.
   
09/12/06
      -       -  
* 01/22/04 and 06/09/08.
                    1,920,930       2,119,983  
** 01/22/04 and 09/12/06.
                               
                                 
AMS Holding LLC
                               
A leading multi-channel direct marketer of high-value collectible coins and proprietary-branded jewelry and watches.
 
14.25% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,142,472    
10/04/12
      1,120,211       1,142,963  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A  Preferred (B)
 
114 uts.
   
10/04/12
      113,636       107,948  
                      1,233,847       1,250,911  
 

13
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
  Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Apex Analytix Holding Corporation
                       
                         
A provider of audit recovery and fraud detection services and software to commercial and retail businesses in the U.S. and Europe.
 
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 1,012,500    
04/28/09
    $ 921,502     $ 1,012,500  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
1,623 shs.
   
04/28/09
      162,269       108,227  
Common Stock (B)
 
723 shs.
   
04/28/09
      723       48,235  
                    1,084,494       1,168,962  
Arch Global Precision LLC
                             
A leading manufacturer of high tolerance precision components and consumable tools.
                       
14.75% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 771,365    
12/21/11
      753,570       794,506  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
 
28 uts.
   
12/21/11
      28,418       39,523  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C (B)
 
222 uts.
   
12/21/11
      221,582       308,148  
                    1,003,570       1,142,177  
Arrow Tru-Line Holdings, Inc.
                             
A manufacturer of hardware for residential and commercial overhead garage doors in North America.
   
8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 762,004    
05/18/05
      687,447       762,004  
Preferred Stock (B)
 
33 shs.
   
10/16/09
      33,224       -  
Common Stock (B)
 
263 shs.
   
05/18/05
      263,298       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
69 shs.
   
05/18/05
      59,362       -  
                      1,043,331       762,004  
Baby Jogger Holdings LLC
                               
A designer and marketer of premium baby strollers and stroller accessories.
                         
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 937,525    
04/20/12
      920,262       965,651  
Common Stock (B)
 
754 shs.
   
04/20/12
      75,376       108,183  
                      995,638       1,073,834  
Blue Wave Products, Inc.
                               
A distributor of pool supplies.
                               
10% Senior Secured Term Note due 2018
  $ 317,730    
10/12/12
      311,550       316,320  
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 318,436    
10/12/12
      295,372       316,824  
Common Stock (B)
 
51,064 shs.
   
10/12/12
      51,064       48,511  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
20,216 shs.
   
10/12/12
      20,216       202  
                      678,202       681,857  
BP SCI LLC
                               
A leading value-added distributor of branded pipes, valves, and fittings (PVF) to diversified end markets.
   
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,046,065    
10/17/12
      1,025,697       1,041,560  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
417 uts.
   
10/17/12
      41,667       39,584  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
 
167 uts.
   
10/17/12
      166,666       158,337  
                      1,234,030       1,239,481  
 

14
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)   Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Bravo Sports Holding Corporation                          
A designer and marketer of niche branded consumer products including canopies, trampolines, in-line skates, skateboards, and urethane wheels.  
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014
  $ 1,207,902    
06/30/06
    $ 1,187,708     $ 603,951  
Preferred Stock Class A (B)
 
465 shs.
   
06/30/06
      141,946       19,899  
Common Stock (B)
 
1 sh.
   
06/30/06
      152       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
164 shs.
   
06/30/06
      48,760       6,993  
                      1,378,566       630,843  
C D N T, Inc.
                               
A value-added converter and distributor of specialty pressure sensitive adhesives, foams, films, and foils.
   
10.5% Senior Secured Term Note due 2014
  $ 160,901    
08/07/08
      159,846       160,901  
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 429,070    
08/07/08
      408,743       429,070  
Common Stock (B)
 
41,860 shs.
   
08/07/08
      41,860       64,536  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
32,914 shs.
   
08/07/08
      32,965       50,744  
                      643,414       705,251  
Capital Specialty Plastics, Inc.
                               
A producer of desiccant strips used for packaging pharmaceutical products.
                         
Common Stock (B)
 
55 shs.
      *       252       515,888  
*12/30/97 and 05/29/99.
                               

CHG Alternative Education Holding Company
A leading provider of publicly-funded, for profit pre-K-12 education services targeting special needs children at therapeutic day schools and “at risk” youth through alternative education programs.
13.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 733,914    
01/19/11
      698,949       755,931  
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 189,066    
08/03/12
      185,452       192,571  
Common Stock (B)
 
375 shs.
   
01/19/11
      37,500       38,315  
Warrant, exercisable until 2021, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
295 shs.
   
01/19/11
      29,250       30,118  
                    951,151       1,016,935  
Church Services Holding Company
                               
A provider of diversified residential services to homeowners in Houston, Dallas, and Austin markets.
                 
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 406,120    
03/26/12
      393,602       418,303  
Common Stock (B)
 
1,327 shs.
      *       132,700       151,083  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
57 shs.
   
03/26/12
      5,740       6,490  
*03/26/12, 05/25/12 and 06/19/12.
                    532,042       575,876  
 

15
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Clough, Harbour and Associates
                       
An engineering service firm that is located in Albany, NY.
                       
Preferred Stock (B)
 
147 shs.
   
12/02/08
    $ 146,594     $ 252,298  
                             
Connecticut Electric, Inc.
                           
A supplier and distributor of electrical products sold into the retail and wholesale markets.
                 
10% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 771,051    
01/12/07
      719,299       740,686  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
82,613 uts.
   
01/12/07
      82,613       32,686  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C (B)
 
59,756 uts.
   
01/12/07
      59,756       23,642  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class D (B)
671,525 uts.
   
05/03/10
      -       265,687  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class E (B)
 
1,102 uts.
   
05/03/10
      -       436  
                      861,668       1,063,137  
Connor Sport Court International, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of outdoor and indoor synthetic sports flooring and other temporary flooring products.
   
Preferred Stock Series B-2 (B)
 
9,081 shs.
   
07/05/07
      370,796       908,072  
Preferred Stock Series C (B)
 
3,748 shs.
   
07/05/07
      125,207       374,811  
Common Stock (B)
 
380 shs.
   
07/05/07
      4       202  
Limited Partnership Interest (B)
 
6.88% int.
      *       103,135       -  
*08/12/04 and 01/14/05.
                    599,142       1,283,085  
                                 
CorePharma LLC
                               
A manufacturer of oral dose generic pharmaceuticals targeted at niche applications.
       
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.001 per share (B)
 
10 shs.
   
08/04/05
      72,617       445,611  
                             
Crane Rental Corporation
                               
A crane rental company since 1960, headquartered in Florida.
           
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 1,215,000    
08/21/08
      1,150,784       1,208,079  
Common Stock (B)
135,000 shs.
   
08/21/08
      135,000       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
72,037 shs.
   
08/21/08
      103,143       -  
                      1,388,927       1,208,079  
 

16
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Custom Engineered Wheels, Inc.
                         
A manufacturer of custom engineered, non-pneumatic plastic wheels and plastic tread cap tires used primarily for lawn and garden products and wheelchairs.
 
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 1,025,480    
10/27/09
    $ 933,895     $ 1,025,480  
Preferred Stock PIK (B)
 
156 shs.
   
10/27/09
      156,468       169,744  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
114 shs.
   
10/27/09
      104,374       124,018  
Common Stock (B)
 
38 shs.
   
10/27/09
      38,244       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
28 shs.
   
10/27/09
      25,735       -  
                      1,258,716       1,319,242  
DPL Holding Corporation
                               
A distributor and manufacturer of aftermarket undercarriage parts for medium and heavy duty trucks and trailers.
   
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,296,277    
05/04/12
      1,272,096       1,348,128  
Preferred Stock (B)
 
25 shs.
   
05/04/12
      252,434       260,823  
Common Stock (B)
 
25 shs.
   
05/04/12
      28,048       28,042  
                      1,552,578       1,636,993  
Duncan Systems, Inc.
                               
A distributor of windshields and side glass for the recreational vehicle market.
10% Senior Secured Term Note due 2013
  $ 77,143    
11/01/06
      76,960       76,597  
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014
  $ 488,572    
11/01/06
      469,821       483,304  
Common Stock (B)
102,857 shs.
   
11/01/06
      102,857       19,877  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
32,294 shs.
   
11/01/06
      44,663       6,241  
                      694,301       586,019  
E S P Holdco, Inc.
A manufacturer of power protection technology for commercial office equipment, primarily supplying the office equipment dealer network.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 1,298,152    
01/08/08
      1,285,807       1,298,152  
Common Stock (B)
 
349 shs.
   
01/08/08
      174,701       195,609  
                      1,460,508       1,493,761  
E X C Acquisition Corporation
                               
A manufacturer of pre-filled syringes and pump systems used for intravenous drug delivery.
                 
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
11 shs.
   
06/28/04
      40,875       18,452  
 

17
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)  
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Eatem Holding Company                        
A developer and manufacturer of savory flavor systems for soups, sauces, gravies, and other products produced by food manufacturers for retail and foodservice end products.  
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 950,000    
02/01/10
    $ 853,634     $ 961,392  
Common Stock (B)
 
50 shs.
   
02/01/10
      50,000       45,489  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
119 shs.
   
02/01/10
      107,100       108,464  
                      1,010,734       1,115,345  
ELT Holding Company
                               
A provider of web-based ethics and compliance training solutions for companies in the United States.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 924,581    
03/01/12
      907,836       952,319  
Common Stock (B)
 
41 shs.
   
03/01/12
      90,909       101,445  
                      998,745       1,053,764  
F F C Holding Corporation
                               
A leading U.S. manufacturer of private label frozen novelty and ice cream products.
 
16% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 897,252    
09/27/10
      885,097       906,224  
Limited Liability Company Unit Preferred (B)
 
171 uts.
   
09/27/10
      58,345       180,586  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
171 uts.
   
09/27/10
      17,073       95,451  
                      960,515       1,182,261  
F G I Equity LLC
                               
A manufacturer of a broad range of filters and related products that are used in commercial, light industrial, healthcare, gas turbine, nuclear, laboratory, clean room, hotel, educational system, and food processing settings.
14.25% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 112,118    
02/29/12
      112,152       115,482  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-1 (B)
 
65,789 uts.
   
12/15/10
      65,789       137,903  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-2 (B)
 
8,248 uts.
   
12/15/10
      8,248       17,289  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-3 (B)
 
6,522 uts.
   
08/30/12
      15,000       15,281  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class C (B)
 
1,575 uts.
   
12/20/10
      16,009       27,410  
                      217,198       313,365  
Flutes, Inc.
                               
An independent manufacturer of micro fluted corrugated sheet material for the food and consumer products packaging industries.
10% Senior Secured Term Note due 2014 (D)   $ 524,791    
04/13/06
      519,050       498,551  
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 (D)   $ 317,177    
04/13/06
      290,908       -  
                            809,958       498,551  
G C Holdings
                               
A leading manufacturer of gaming tickets, industrial recording charts, security-enabled point-of sale receipts, and medical charts and supplies.
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 1,000,000    
10/19/10
      948,079       1,010,000  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
198 shs.
   
10/19/10
      46,958       425,172  
                      995,037       1,435,172  
 

18
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)  
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
GD Dental Services LLC                        
A provider of convenient "onestop" general, specialty, and cosmetic dental services with 21 offices located throughout South and Central Florida.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,178,854    
10/05/12
    $ 1,155,868     $ 1,181,919  
Limited Liability Company Unit Common (B)
 
767 uts.
   
10/05/12
      767       729  
Limited Liability Company Unit Preferred (B)
 
76 uts.
   
10/05/12
      75,920       72,124  
                    1,232,555       1,254,772  
Golden County Foods Holding, Inc.
                             
A manufacturer of frozen appetizers and snacks.
                             
16% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 (D)
  $ 1,012,500    
11/01/07
      938,215       -  
14% PIK Note due 2015 (D)
  $ 250,259    
12/31/08
      217,699       -  
8% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into
                             
common shares (B)
151,643 shs.
   
11/01/07
      77,643       -  
                    1,233,557       -  
H M Holding Company
                             
A designer, manufacturer, and importer of promotional and wood furniture.
                       
7.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 362,700    
10/15/09
      271,181       36,270  
Preferred Stock (B)
 
21 shs.
      *       21,428       -  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
1,088 shs.
   
10/15/09
      813,544       -  
Common Stock (B)
 
180 shs.
   
02/10/06
      180,000       -  
Common Stock Class C (B)
 
296 shs.
   
10/15/09
      -       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
 
67 shs.
   
02/10/06
      61,875       -  
* 09/18/07 and 06/27/08.
                    1,348,028       36,270  
                                 
Handi Quilter Holding Company
                               
A designer and manufacturer of long-arm quilting machines and related components for the consumer quilting market.
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 461,539    
11/14/11
      431,309       475,385  
Common Stock (B)
 
38 shs.
   
11/14/11
      38,461       48,633  
Warrant, exercisable until 2021, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
28 shs.
   
11/14/11
      25,596       34,824  
                      495,366       558,842  
Healthcare Direct Holding Company
                               
A direct-to-customer marketer of discount dental plans.
                               
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 709,904    
03/09/12
      697,022       668,802  
Common Stock (B)
 
517 shs.
   
03/09/12
      51,724       33,319  
                      748,746       702,121  
 

 19
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
HGGC Citadel Plastics Holdings
                       
A world-leading source for thermoset and thermoplastic compounds.
           
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 914,566      
02/29/12
    $ 898,002     $ 932,341  
Common Stock (B)
 
101 shs.
     
02/29/12
      100,806       106,237  
                      998,808       1,038,578  
Home Décor Holding Company
                               
A designer, manufacturer and marketer of framed art and wall décor products.
Common Stock (B)
   
33 shs.
     
*
      33,216       76,228  
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
   
106 shs.
     
*
      105,618       242,359  
* 06/30/04 and 08/19/04.
                    138,834       318,587  
                                 
HOP Entertainment LLC
                         
A provider of post production equipment and services to producers of television shows and motion pictures.
       
Limited Liability Company Unit Class F (B)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
      -       -  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class G (B)
 
114 uts.
     
10/14/11
      -       -  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class H (B)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
      -       -  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class I (B)
 
47 uts.
     
10/14/11
      -       -  
                    -       -  
Hospitality Mints Holding Company
                             
A manufacturer of individually-wrapped imprinted promotional mints.
                         
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 1,098,837      
08/19/08
      1,050,003       1,048,698  
14% Senior Subordinated Note PIK due 2016
  $ 503,756      
12/31/09
      488,918       480,770  
Common Stock (B)
 
251 shs.
     
08/19/08
      251,163       26,141  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
65 shs.
     
08/19/08
      60,233       6,757  
                      1,850,317       1,562,366  
HVAC Holdings, Inc.
                               
A provider of integrated energy efficiency services and maintenance programs for HVAC systems.
 
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,142,298      
09/27/12
      1,120,080       1,144,768  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
1,127 shs.
     
09/27/12
      112,726       111,163  
Common Stock (B)
 
910 shs.
     
09/27/12
      910       -  
                      1,233,716       1,255,931  
Ideal Tridon Holdings, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of clamps and couplings used in automotive and industrial end markets.
13.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 923,554      
10/27/11
      907,535       942,025  
Common Stock (B)
 
93 shs.
     
10/27/11
      92,854       122,882  
                      1,000,389       1,064,907  
 

 20
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
 
Insurance Claims Management, Inc.
                       
A third party administrator providing auto and property claim administration services for insurance companies.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
47 shs.
   
02/27/07
  $ 1,424   $ 167,951  
 
International Offshore Services LLC
A leading provider of marine transportation services, platform decommissioning, and salvage services to oil and gas producers in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
14.25% Senior Subordinated Secured Note due 2017 (D)
  $ 1,350,000      
07/07/09
      1,236,405       270,000  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
1,647 uts.
     
07/07/09
      98,833       -  
                      1,335,238       270,000  
J A C Holding Enterprises, Inc.
                               
A supplier of luggage racks and accessories to the original equipment manufacturers.
       
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 833,333      
12/20/10
      734,311       810,540  
Preferred Stock A (B)
 
165 shs.
     
12/20/10
      165,000       101,678  
Preferred Stock B (B)
 
0.06 shs.
     
12/20/10
      -       37  
Common Stock (B)
 
33 shs.
     
12/20/10
      1,667       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
12 shs.
     
12/20/10
      105,643       -  
                      1,006,621       912,255  
Jason Partners Holdings LLC
                               
A diversified manufacturing company serving various industrial markets.
                         
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
48 uts.
     
09/21/10
      449,086       25,511  
                                 
JMH Investors LLC
                               
A developer and manufacturer of custom formulations for a wide variety of foods.
           
14.25% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,034,222      
12/05/12
      1,013,699       1,031,073  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
217,391 uts.
     
12/05/12
      217,391       206,521  
                      1,231,090       1,237,594  
K & N Parent, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer and supplier of automotive aftermarket performance air filters and intake systems.
   
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 878,282      
12/23/11
      862,714       904,631  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
102 shs.
     
12/23/11
      96,578       96,577  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
29 shs.
     
12/23/11
      27,335       27,332  
Common Stock (B)
 
130 shs.
     
12/23/11
      6,522       53,118  
                      993,149       1,081,658  
 

 21
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
K N B Holdings Corporation
                       
A designer, manufacturer and marketer of products for the custom framing market.
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $
2,235,132
     
*
   
$
2,073,093
$
2,235,132
 
Common Stock (B)
   
71,053 shs.
     
05/25/06
     
71,053
     
35,018
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
43,600 shs.
     
05/25/06
     
37,871
     
21,488
 
* 5/25/06 and 04/12/11.
                   
2,182,017
     
2,291,638
 

K P H I Holdings, Inc.
A manufacturer of highly engineered plastic and metal components for a diverse range of end-markets, including medical, consumer and industrial, automotive and defense.
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 915,268      
12/10/10
      901,293       933,573  
Common Stock (B)
 
232,826 shs.
     
12/10/10
      232,826       216,519  
                      1,134,119       1,150,092  
K P I Holdings, Inc.
                               
The largest player in the U.S. non-automotive, non-ferrous die casting segment.
                         
12.75% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 1,440,282      
07/16/08
      1,375,363       1,440,282  
Convertible Preferred Stock Series C (B)
 
29 shs.
     
06/30/09
      29,348       58,000  
Convertible Preferred Stock Series D (B)
 
13 shs.
     
09/17/09
      12,958       38,880  
Common Stock (B)
 
235 shs.
     
07/15/08
      234,783       15,625  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
51 shs.
     
07/16/08
      50,836       3,384  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
67 shs.
     
09/17/09
      -       4,486  
                      1,703,288       1,560,657  
LPC Holding Company
                               
A designer and manufacturer of precision-molded silicone rubber components that are utilized in the medical and automotive end markets.
13.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,162,145      
08/15/11
      1,142,137       1,185,388  
Common Stock (B)
 
105 shs.
     
08/15/11
      105,019       112,225  
                      1,247,156       1,297,613  
M V I Holding, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of large precision machined metal components used in equipment which services a variety of industries, including the oil and gas, mining, and defense markets.
Common Stock (B)
   
32 shs.
     
09/12/08
      32,143       67,548  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
35 shs.
     
09/12/08
      34,714       72,950  
                      66,857       140,498  
 

 22
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
Mail Communications Group, Inc.
                       
A provider of mail processing and handling services, lettershop services, and commercial printing services.
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
   
12,764 uts.
     
*
   
$
166,481
$
268,395
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
1,787 shs.
     
05/04/07
     
22,781
     
37,578
 
* 05/04/07 and 01/02/08.
                   
189,262
     
305,973
 
                                 
Manhattan Beachwear Holding Company
                               
A designer and distributor of women's swimwear.
                               
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
 
$
419,971
     
01/15/10
     
379,420
     
419,971
 
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
 
$
108,291
     
10/05/10
     
106,604
     
107,201
 
Common Stock (B)
   
35 shs.
     
10/05/10
     
35,400
     
49,872
 
Common Stock Class B (B)
   
118 shs.
     
01/15/10
     
117,647
     
165,747
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2019, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
104 shs.
     
01/15/10
     
94,579
     
146,685
 
                     
733,650
     
889,476
 
Marshall Physicians Services LLC
A provider of emergency department and hospital medicine services to hospitals located in the state of Kentucky. The company was founded in 1999 and is owned by seven practicing physicians.
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 445,651      
09/20/11
      437,985       458,334  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
2,900 uts.
     
09/20/11
      60,000       39,424  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class D (B)
 
291 uts.
     
09/20/11
      -       3,962  
                      497,985       501,720  
MBWS Ultimate Holdco, Inc.
                               
A provider of  services throughout North Dakota that address the fluid management and related transportation needs of an oil well.
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 1,117,495       *       1,039,475       1,128,670  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
1,388 shs.
   
09/07/10
      138,797       443,369  
Common Stock (B)
 
162 shs.
   
03/01/11
      16,226       51,748  
Common Stock (B)
 
153 shs.
   
09/07/10
      15,282       48,873  
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
103 shs.
   
03/01/11
      10,325       32,901  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
386 shs.
   
09/07/10
      38,623       123,300  
* 09/07/10 and 03/01/11.
                    1,258,728       1,828,861  
 

 23
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)    
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
     
Cost
      Fair Value  
                             
MedSystems Holdings LLC                            
A manufacturer of enteral feeding products, such as feeding tubes and other products related to assisted feeding.
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
 
$
634,782
   
08/29/08
   
$
594,388
 
$
634,782
 
Preferred Unit (B)
   
66 uts.
   
08/29/08
     
66,451
     
91,881
 
Common Unit Class A (B)
   
671 uts.
   
08/29/08
     
671
     
11,641
 
Common Unit Class B (B)
   
250 uts.
   
08/29/08
     
63,564
     
4,331
 
                   
725,074
     
742,635
 
MEGTEC Holdings, Inc.
                             
A supplier of industrial and environmental products and services to a broad array of industries.
 
Preferred Stock (B)
   
56 shs.
   
09/24/08
     
54,040
     
80,376
 
Limited Partnership Interest (B)
   
0.74% int.
   
09/16/08
     
205,932
     
263,045
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
18 shs.
   
09/24/08
     
18,237
     
18,338
 
                   
278,209
     
361,759
 
Merex Holding Corporation
                             
A provider of after-market spare parts and components, as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services for “out of production” or “legacy” aerospace and defense systems that are no longer effectively supported by the original equipment manufacturers.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 424,528    
09/22/11
      417,060       437,264  
Limited Liability Company Unit Series B (B)
155,945 uts.
   
09/22/11
      155,945       173,893  
                    573,005       611,157  
MicroGroup, Inc.
                             
A manufacturer of precision parts and assemblies, and a value-added supplier of metal tubing and bars.
   
7% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 902,727     *       865,676       225,682  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
519 shs.
   
10/10/12
      498,734       -  
Common Stock (B)
 
238 shs.
    *       238,000       -  
Common Stock Series B (B)
 
597 shs.
   
10/10/12
      6       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                             
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
 
87 shs.
    *       86,281       -  
*08/12/05 and 09/11/06.
                  1,688,697       225,682  
                               
MNX Holding Company
                             
An international third party logistics company providing customized logistics services to customers across the globe.
   
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 1,209,241    
11/02/12
      1,185,470       1,202,942  
Common Stock (B)
 
45 shs.
   
11/02/12
      44,643       42,408  
                    1,230,113       1,245,350  
 

 24
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)    
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
     
Cost
      Fair Value  
                         
Monessen Holding Corporation
                       
A designer and manufacturer of a broad line of gas, wood, and electric hearth products and accessories.
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 (D)
  $ 823,794      
06/28/11
    $ 547,745     $ -  
7% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 1,350,000      
06/28/11
      1,281,479       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
 
81 shs.
     
03/31/06
      73,125       -  
                      1,902,349       -  
Motion Controls Holdings
                               
A manufacturer of high performance mechanical motion control and linkage products.
   
14.25% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 940,419      
11/30/10
      926,772       949,823  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-1 (B)
 
93,750 uts.
     
11/30/10
      -       71,218  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B-2 (B)
 
8,501 uts.
     
11/30/10
      -       6,458  
                      926,772       1,027,499  
NABCO, Inc.
                               
A producer of explosive containment vessels in the United States.
           
Common Stock (B)
 
429 shs.
     
12/20/12
      306,091       177,544  
                                 
NetShape Technologies, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of powder metal and metal injection molded precision components used in industrial, consumer, and other applications.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014
  $ 1,061,463      
02/02/07
      982,553       1,008,389  
Limited Partnership Interest of
                               
Saw Mill PCG Partners LLC (B)
 
1.38% int.
     
02/01/07
      588,077       79,846  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class D of
                               
Saw Mill PCG Partners LLC (B)
 
9 uts.
      *       8,873       1,204  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class D-1 of
                               
Saw Mill PCG Partners LLC (B)
 
121 uts.
     
09/30/09
      121,160       16,450  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class D-2 of
                               
Saw Mill PCG Partners LLC (B)
 
68 uts.
     
04/29/11
      34,547       9,225  
*  12/18/08 and 09/30/09.
                    1,735,210       1,115,114  

Nicoat Acquisitions LLC
A manufacturer of water-based and ultraviolet coatings for high-performance graphic arts, packaging and other specialty coating applications.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 484,388      
11/05/10
      450,954       489,232  
Limited Liability Company Unit Series B (B)
 
17,241 uts.
     
11/05/10
      17,241       20,091  
Limited Liability Company Unit Series B (B)
 
34,931 uts.
     
11/05/10
      34,931       40,704  
Limited Liability Company Unit Series F (B)
 
52,172 uts.
     
11/05/10
      -       179,458  
                      503,126       729,485  
 

 25
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)    
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
     
Cost
      Fair Value  
   
 
         
 
       
Northwest Mailing Services, Inc.
                       
A producer of promotional materials for companies that use direct mail as part of their customer retention and loyalty programs.
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 1,492,105       *     $ 1,300,290     $ 1,500,137  
Limited Partnership Interest (B)
 
1,740 uts.
      *       174,006       55,940  
Warrant, exercisable until 2019, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
2,605 shs.
      *       260,479       83,739  
*07/09/09 and 08/09/10.
                    1,734,775       1,639,816  
                                 
NT Holding Company
                               
A leading developer, manufacturer and provider of medical products used primarily in interventional pain management.
   
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2019
  $ 883,117      
02/02/11
      823,518       900,779  
Common Stock (B)
 
126 shs.
      *       125,883       100,618  
Warrant, exercisable until 2021, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
59 shs.
     
02/02/11
      52,987       46,960  
*02/02/11 and 06/30/11.
                    1,002,388       1,048,357  
                                 
O E C Holding Corporation
                               
A provider of elevator maintenance, repair and modernization services.
                         
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 444,445      
06/04/10
      414,553       444,445  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
554 shs.
     
06/04/10
      55,354       24,479  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
311 shs.
     
06/04/10
      31,125       13,764  
Common Stock (B)
 
344 shs.
     
06/04/10
      344       -  
                      501,376       482,688  
Ontario Drive & Gear Ltd.
                               
A manufacturer of all-wheel drive, off-road amphibious vehicles and related accessories.
   
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
1,942 uts.
     
01/17/06
      302,885       823,030  
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
328 shs.
     
01/17/06
      90,424       138,958  
                      393,309       961,988  
P K C Holding Corporation
                               
A manufacturer of plastic film and badges for the general industrial, medical, and food industries.
   
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
  $ 1,616,671      
12/21/10
      1,592,787       1,632,838  
Preferred Stock Class A (B)
 
29 shs.
     
12/21/10
      180,380       282,474  
Common Stock (B)
 
29 shs.
     
12/21/10
      13,500       -  
                      1,786,667       1,915,312  
 

 26
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
P P T Holdings LLC
                       
A high-end packaging solutions provider that targets customers who have multiple packaging needs, require a high number of low volume SKUs, short lead times, technical expertise, and overall supply chain management.
 
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 949,503      
12/20/10
    $ 935,159     $ 951,155  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
33 uts.
     
12/20/10
      106,071       77,858  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
 
33 uts.
     
12/20/10
      1,072       77,858  
                      1,042,302       1,106,871  
Pacific Consolidated Holdings LLC
                               
A manufacturer of rugged, mobile liquid and gaseous oxygen and nitrogen generating systems used in the global defense, oil and gas, and medical sectors.
0% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014    $  42,187       12/18/12       -       42,187  
 
Paradigm Packaging, Inc.
A manufacturer of plastic bottles and closures for the nutritional, pharmaceutical, personal care, and food packaging markets.
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 843,750      
12/19/00
      842,146       843,750  
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
197 shs.
     
12/21/00
      140,625       31,655  
                      982,771       875,405  
Pearlman Enterprises, Inc.
                               
A developer and distributor of tools, equipment and supplies to the natural and engineered stone industry.
 
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
1,236 shs.
     
05/22/09
      59,034       -  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
7,059 shs.
     
05/22/09
      290,050       -  
Common Stock (B)
 
21,462 shs.
     
05/22/09
      993,816       -  
                      1,342,900       -  
Petroplex Inv Holdings LLC
                               
A leading provider of acidizing services to E&P customers in the Permian Basin.
16% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,097,760      
11/29/12
      1,070,700       1,094,626  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
156,250 uts.
     
11/29/12
      156,250       148,437  
                      1,226,950       1,243,063  
Postle Aluminum Company LLC
                               
A manufacturer and distributor of aluminum extruded products.
   
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013
  $ 874,879      
06/03/10
      870,007       874,878  
3% Senior Subordinated PIK Note due 2014
  $ 1,209,017      
10/02/06
      1,112,196       1,209,017  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
733 uts.
     
10/02/06
      270,000       76,260  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
76 uts.
     
05/22/09
      340       7,910  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
4,550 shs.
     
10/02/06
      65,988       473,577  
                      2,318,531       2,641,642  
 

 27
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
Precision Wire Holding Company
                       
A manufacturer of specialty medical wires that are used in non-elective minimally invasive surgical procedures.
14.25% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
 
$
1,414,960
     
11/12/09
   
$
1,320,644
 
$
1,429,110
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2019, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
109 shs.
     
11/12/09
     
107,970
     
129,967
 
                     
1,428,614
     
1,559,077
 
Qualis Automotive LLC
                               
A distributor of aftermarket automotive brake and chassis products.
 
Common Stock (B)
 
187,500 shs.
     
05/28/04
     
187,500
     
137,946
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
199,969 shs.
     
05/28/04
     
199,969
     
147,119
 
                     
387,469
     
285,065
 
R A J Manufacturing Holdings LLC
                               
A designer and manufacturer of women’s swimwear sold under a variety of licensed brand names.
 
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014
 
$
747,145
     
12/15/06
     
726,240
     
716,927
 
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
   
1,497 uts.
     
12/15/06
     
149,723
     
69,212
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
2 shs.
     
12/15/06
     
69,609
     
32,661
 
                     
945,572
     
818,800
 
REVSpring, Inc.
                               
A provider of accounts receivable management and revenue cycle management services to customers in the healthcare, financial and utility industries.
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,137,807       *       1,118,370       1,168,429  
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
13,548 uts.
      *       135,477       124,158  
* 10/21/11 and 08/03/12.
                    1,253,847       1,292,587  
                                 
RM Holding Company
                               
A specialty distributor of home medical care equipment.
                               
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 460,318    
02/09/12
      434,893       473,460  
Common Stock (B)
 
369 shs.
   
02/09/12
      4       54,187  
Preferred Stock Series (B)
 
39,679 shs.
   
02/09/12
      39,678       42,313  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
preferred stock A at $.01 per share (B)
 
12,088 shs.
   
02/09/12
      11,980       12,727  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
preferred stock B at $.01 per share (B)
 
7,067 shs.
   
02/09/12
      7,067       7,537  
Warrant, exercisable until 2022, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
185 shs.
   
02/09/12
      -       27,171  
                      493,622       617,395  
 

 28
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)    
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
     
Cost
      Fair Value  
                         
Rose City Holding Company
                       
A designer and printer of folding cartons and packaging for food and beverage manufacturers on the West Coast.
 
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 585,934      
12/11/12
    $ 574,296     $ 585,063  
Common Stock (B)
 
43 shs.
     
12/11/12
      4       4  
Preferred Stock (B)
 
39,062 shs.
     
12/11/12
      39,062       37,109  
                      613,362       622,176  
Safety Infrastructure Solutions
                               
A provider of trench safety equipment to a diverse customer base across multiple end markets in Texas and the Southwestern United States.
15% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 656,250      
03/30/12
      647,214       685,323  
Preferred Stock Series (B)
 
2,098 shs.
     
03/30/12
      83,920       87,935  
Common Stock (B)
 
983 shs.
     
03/30/12
      9,830       28,551  
                      740,964       801,809  
Sencore Holding Company
                               
A designer, manufacturer, and marketer of decoders, receivers and modulators sold to broadcasters, satellite, cable and telecom operators for encoding/decoding analog and digital transmission video signals.
 
12.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 1,157,231      
01/15/09
      826,004       -  
                                 
Smart Source Holdings LLC
                               
A short-term computer rental company.
                               
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 1,176,924       *       1,125,813       1,176,924  
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
328 uts.
      *       337,796       304,211  
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
83 shs.
      *       87,231       77,057  
* 08/31/07 and 03/06/08.
                    1,550,840       1,558,192  
 
Snacks Parent Corporation
The world's largest provider of trail mixes and a leading provider of snack nuts, dried fruits, and other healthy snack products.
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 887,366      
11/12/10
      846,160       884,525  
Preferred Stock A (B)
 
1,132 shs.
     
11/12/10
      107,498       129,254  
Preferred Stock B (B)
 
525 shs.
     
11/12/10
      49,884       59,979  
Common Stock (B)
 
6,579 shs.
     
11/12/10
      6,579       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
1,806 shs.
     
11/12/10
      1,806       -  
                      1,011,927       1,073,758  
 

 29
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
SouthernCare Holdings, Inc.
                       
A hospice company providing palliative care services to terminally ill patients.
 
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 928,955      
12/01/11
    $ 912,741     $ 956,461  
Common Stock (B)
 
909 shs.
     
12/01/11
      90,909       93,647  
                      1,003,650       1,050,108  
Spartan Foods Holding Company
                               
A manufacturer of branded pizza crusts and pancakes.
                               
14.25% Senior Subordinated PIK Note due 2017
  $ 1,200,671      
12/15/09
      1,070,657       1,145,420  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
136 shs.
     
12/15/09
      120,234       40,507  
                      1,190,891       1,185,927  
Specialty Commodities, Inc.
                               
A distributor of specialty food ingredients.
                               
Common Stock (B)
 
15,882 shs.
     
10/23/08
      158,824       82,748  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
5,852 shs.
     
10/23/08
      53,285       30,490  
                      212,109       113,238  
Stag Parkway Holding Co.
                               
A distributor of RV parts and accessories in the United States.
           
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 1,131,797      
12/19/12
      1,077,551       1,134,430  
Common Stock (B)
 
118 shs.
     
12/19/12
      118,203       112,290  
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
35 shs.
     
12/19/12
      31,848       -  
                      1,227,602       1,246,720  
Strata/WLA Holding Corporation
                               
A leading independent anatomic pathology laboratory that conducts over 320,000 tests annually to customers in 40 U.S. states and in Canada and Venezuela.
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
  $ 959,148      
07/01/11
      943,251       960,587  
Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
76 shs.
     
07/01/11
      76,046       33,195  
                      1,019,297       993,782  
Sundance Investco LLC
                               
A provider of post-production services to producers of movies and television shows.
   
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
 
3,405 shs.
     
03/31/10
      -       -  
 

 30
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
Sunrise Windows Holding Company
                       
A manufacturer and marketer of premium vinyl windows exclusively selling to the residential remodeling and replacement market.
 
14% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 1,002,535      
12/14/10
    $ 956,535     $ 998,299  
14% Senior Subordinated PIK Note due 2017
  $ 78,837      
08/14/12
      75,492       78,504  
Common Stock (B)
 
38 shs.
     
12/14/10
      38,168       16,878  
Warrant, exercisable until 2020, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
37 shs.
     
12/14/10
      37,249       16,471  
                      1,107,444       1,110,152  
Synteract Holdings Corporation
                               
A provider of outsourced clinical trial management services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
       
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2017
  $ 1,429,365      
09/02/08
      1,368,816       1,429,364  
Redeemable Preferred Stock Series A (B)
 
678 shs.
     
09/02/08
      6,630       21,048  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
6,778 shs.
     
09/02/08
      59,661       -  
                      1,435,107       1,450,412  
Terra Renewal LLC
A provider of wastewater residual management and required environmental reporting, permitting, nutrient management planning and record keeping to companies involved in poultry and food processing.
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 664,062       *       644,369       -  
7.44% Term Note due 2013 (C)
  $ 711,757    
08/10/12
      711,757       604,994  
9.25% Term Note due 2013 (C)
  $ 1,443    
08/31/12
      1,443       1,227  
Common Stock Class B
 
32 shs.
      *       4,448       -  
Limited Partnership Interest of
                               
Saw Mill Capital Fund V, LLC (B)
 
2.27% int.
      **       117,464       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
41 shs.
   
04/28/06
      33,738       -  
* 04/28/06 and 09/13/06.
                    1,513,219       606,221  
**03/01/05 and 10/10/08.
                               
                                 
Torrent Group Holdings, Inc.
A contractor specializing in the sales and installation of engineered drywells for the retention and filtration of stormwater and nuisance water flow.
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014 (D)
  $ 1,300,003      
10/26/07
      1,136,835       1,243,168  
Series B Preferred Stock (B)
 
97 shs.
     
03/31/10
      -       97,664  
Common Stock (B)
 
273 shs.
     
03/31/10
      219,203       -  
                      1,356,038       1,340,832  
 

 31
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
Transpac Holding Company
                       
A designer, importer, and wholesaler of home décor and seasonal gift products.
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
 
$
938,651
     
10/31/07
   
$
893,322
 
$
938,651
 
Common Stock (B)
   
110 shs.
     
10/31/07
     
110,430
     
-
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
50 shs.
     
10/31/07
     
46,380
     
-
 
                     
1,050,132
     
938,651
 
Tranzonic Companies (The)
A producer of commercial and industrial supplies, such as safety products, janitorial supplies, work apparel, washroom and restroom supplies and sanitary care products.
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015
  $ 542,400      
02/05/98
      541,372       542,400  
Common Stock (B)
 
315 shs.
     
02/04/98
      315,000       276,243  
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
222 shs.
     
02/05/98
      184,416       194,686  
                      1,040,788       1,013,329  
Truck Bodies & Equipment International
                               
A designer and manufacturer of accessories for heavy and medium duty trucks, primarily dump bodies, hoists, various forms of flat-bed bodies, landscape bodies and other accessories.
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013
  $ 1,222,698       *       1,166,255       1,221,562  
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
 
128 shs.
     
10/20/08
      127,677       98,004  
Common Stock (B)
 
393 shs.
      *       423,985       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
 
81 shs.
      *       84,650       -  
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
558 shs.
     
10/20/08
      -       -  
* 07/19/05 and 12/22/05.
                    1,802,567       1,319,566  
                                 
TruStile Doors, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer and distributor of interior doors.
                               
Limited Liability Company Unit (B)
 
5,888 uts.
     
02/28/11
      125,000       184,794  
Warrant, exercisable until 2013, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
3,060 shs.
     
04/11/03
      36,032       13,447  
                      161,032       198,241  
U-Line Corporation
                               
A manufacturer of high-end, built-in, undercounter ice making, wine storage and refrigeration appliances.
         
Common Stock (B)
 
96 shs.
     
04/30/04
      96,400       105,105  
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
 
122 shs.
     
04/30/04
      112,106       133,017  
                      208,506       238,122  
 

32
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)    
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
     
Cost
      Fair Value  
   
 
         
 
       
U M A Enterprises, Inc.
                       
An importer and wholesaler of home décor products.
 
Convertible Preferred Stock (B)
   
470 shs.
     
02/08/08
   
$
469,565
   
$
786,975
 
                                 
Visioneering, Inc.
                               
A designer and manufacturer of tooling and fixtures for the aerospace industry.
         
10.5% Senior Secured Term Loan due 2013
$
 
414,706
     
05/17/07
     
414,084
     
411,123
 
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2014
$
 
370,588
     
05/17/07
     
359,154
     
365,289
 
18% PIK Convertible Preferred Stock (B)
   
21,361 shs.
     
03/13/09
     
41,440
     
23,419
 
Common Stock (B)
   
70,588 shs.
     
05/17/07
     
70,588
     
-
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2014, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
20,003 shs.
     
05/17/07
     
31,460
     
-
 
                     
916,726
     
799,831
 
Vitex Packaging Group, Inc.
                               
A manufacturer of specialty packaging, primarily envelopes and tags used on tea bags.
       
10% Senior Subordinated PIK Note due 2013
$
 
111,931
     
10/29/09
     
111,872
     
230,623
 
5% Senior Subordinated PIK Note due 2013 (D)
$
 
476,866
     
06/30/07
     
470,305
     
476,866
 
Class B Unit (B)
   
406,525 uts.
     
10/29/09
     
184,266
     
-
 
Class C Unit (B)
   
450,000 uts.
     
10/29/09
     
413,244
     
225,000
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class A (B)
383,011 uts.
     
*
     
229,353
     
-
 
Limited Liability Company Unit Class B (B)
   
96,848 uts.
     
07/19/04
     
96,848
     
-
 
* 07/19/04 and 10/29/09.
                   
1,505,888
     
932,489
 
                                 
Wellborn Forest Holding Company
                               
A manufacturer of semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinetry.
                 
12.13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2016
$
 
911,250
     
11/30/06
     
867,531
     
820,125
 
Common Stock (B)
   
101 shs.
     
11/30/06
     
101,250
     
-
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2016, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.01 per share (B)
   
51 shs.
     
11/30/06
     
45,790
     
-
 
                     
1,014,571
     
820,125
 
Wheaton Holding Corporation
                               
A distributor and manufacturer of laboratory supply products and packaging.
                         
Preferred Stock Series B (B)
   
703 shs.
     
06/08/10
     
70,308
     
45,141
 
Common Stock (B)
   
353 shs.
     
06/08/10
     
353
     
22,636
 
                     
70,661
     
67,777
 
 

 33
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Principal Amount,
Shares, Units or
Ownership Percentage
   
Acquisition
Date
   
Cost
    Fair Value  
                         
Whitcraft Holdings, Inc.
                       
A leading independent manufacturer of precision formed, machined, and fabricated flight-critical aerospace components.
 
12% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
$
 
794,521
     
12/16/10
   
$
740,244
   
$
802,466
 
Common Stock (B)
   
205 shs.
     
12/16/10
     
205,480
     
159,706
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2018, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
   
55 shs.
     
12/16/10
     
49,334
     
42,919
 
                     
995,058
     
1,005,091
 
Workplace Media Holding Company
                               
A direct marketer specializing in providing advertisers with access to consumers in the workplace.
 
13% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 (D)
$
 
654,247
     
05/14/07
     
601,454
     
-
 
Limited Partnership Interest (B)
12.26% int.
     
05/14/07
     
61,308
     
-
 
Warrant, exercisable until 2015, to purchase
                               
common stock at $.02 per share (B)
   
47 shs.
     
05/14/07
     
44,186
     
-
 
                     
706,948
     
-
 
WP Supply Holding Corporation
                               
A distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocery wholesalers and foodservice distributors in the upper Midwest.
 
14.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018
$
 
874,960
     
11/03/11
     
859,697
     
885,264
 
Common Stock (B)
   
1,500 shs.
     
11/03/11
     
150,000
     
113,915
 
                     
1,009,697
     
999,179
 
                                 
Total Private Placement Investments (E)
                  $
109,376,327
    $
101,530,328
 
 

 34
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
                 
Shares or
             
   
Interest
     
Maturity
   
Principal
         
Market
 
Corporate Restricted Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Rate
     
Date
   
Amount
   
Cost
   
Value
 
                                 
Rule 144A Securities - 4.33%:
                               
                                 
Bonds - 4.33%
                               
ArcelorMittal
    6.125 %    
06/01/18
    $ 500,000     $ 514,319     $ 506,750  
Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P.
    9.625      
08/01/20
      500,000       491,326       543,750  
First Data Corporation
    7.375      
06/15/19
      250,000       250,000       258,750  
FMG Resources
    7.000      
11/01/15
      250,000       257,077       262,500  
Hilcorp Energy Company
    7.625      
04/15/21
      325,000       311,689       354,250  
J.B. Poindexter Co., Inc.
    9.000      
04/01/22
      500,000       500,000       516,875  
MEG Energy Corporation
    6.375      
01/30/23
      500,000       500,000       521,250  
Penske Corporation
    4.875      
07/11/22
      500,000       497,951       516,500  
Samson Investment Company
    9.750      
02/15/20
      350,000       344,177       370,125  
ServiceMaster Company
    7.000      
08/15/20
      500,000       500,000       501,250  
Unit Corporation
    6.625      
05/15/21
      500,000       493,981       513,125  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
    7.000      
10/01/20
      250,000       250,803       271,875  
Welltec A/S
    8.000      
02/01/19
      375,000       368,045       397,500  
Total Bonds
                            5,279,368       5,534,500  
                                         
Convertible Preferred Stock - 0.00%
                                       
ETEX Corporation (B)
                    194       -       -  
Total Convertible Preferred Stock
                            -       -  
                                         
Preferred Stock - 0.00%
                                       
TherOX, Inc. (B)
                    26       -       -  
Total Preferred Stock
                            -       -  
                                         
Common Stock - 0.00%
                                       
Touchstone Health Partnership (B)
                    292       -       -  
Total Common Stock
                            -       -  
                                         
Total Rule 144A Securities
                            5,279,368       5,534,500  
                                         
Total Corporate Restricted Securities
                          $ 114,655,695     $ 107,064,828  
 

 35
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
   
Interest
     
Maturity
   
Principal
         
Market
 
Corporate Public Securities - 22.14%: (A)
 
Rate
     
Date
   
Amount
   
Cost
   
Value
 
                                 
Bonds - 22.12%
                               
Accuride Corp
    9.500 %    
08/01/18
    $ 500,000     $ 482,286     $ 482,500  
Alcoa, Inc.
    6.150      
08/15/20
      600,000       629,744       655,286  
Alere, Inc.
    9.000      
05/15/16
      300,000       314,922       316,500  
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    6.875      
09/15/20
      500,000       537,148       549,375  
Ally Financial, Inc.
    5.500      
02/15/17
      750,000       765,245       802,322  
Alta Mesa Financial Services
    9.625      
10/15/18
      750,000       727,280       772,500  
Anglogold Holdings PLC
    5.375      
04/15/20
      600,000       605,271       619,237  
Avis Budget Car Rental
    9.750      
03/15/20
      375,000       375,000       433,125  
B E Aerospace, Inc.
    6.875      
10/01/20
      250,000       256,682       278,125  
Bank of America Corporation
    5.875      
01/05/21
      600,000       623,193       718,369  
Bill Barrett Corporation
    7.000      
10/15/22
      500,000       479,450       515,000  
Brunswick Corporation
    7.125      
08/01/27
      500,000       504,931       511,250  
C R H America, Inc.
    5.300      
10/15/13
      500,000       484,687       516,516  
Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P.
    9.375      
05/01/19
      375,000       350,895       406,875  
CCO Holdings Capital Corporation
    5.250      
09/30/22
      500,000       495,118       506,250  
Centurytel, Inc.
    5.000      
02/15/15
      500,000       507,521       531,450  
CHC Helicopter SA
    9.250      
10/15/20
      1,000,000       929,409       1,052,500  
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
    6.775      
03/15/19
      375,000       368,931       375,469  
CIT Group, Inc.
    5.000      
08/15/22
      500,000       500,000       533,158  
Citigroup, Inc.
    5.500      
04/11/13
      500,000       495,523       505,152  
Continental Resources, Inc.
    5.000      
09/15/22
      500,000       511,517       538,750  
DaVita, Inc.
    5.750      
08/15/22
      500,000       500,000       526,875  
Duke Realty Limited Partnership
    3.875      
10/15/22
      500,000       508,857       509,131  
Ensco PLC
    3.250      
03/15/16
      600,000       598,488       636,238  
EP Energy/EP Finance, Inc.
    9.375      
05/01/20
      500,000       508,313       563,750  
Equifax, Inc.
    4.450      
12/01/14
      500,000       507,840       527,185  
GATX Corporation
    4.750      
05/15/15
      500,000       503,412       534,243  
General Electric Capital Corporation
    5.500      
01/08/20
      500,000       498,506       591,855  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
    4.750      
07/15/13
      500,000       489,058       510,486  
Headwaters, Inc.
    7.625      
04/01/19
      305,000       305,138       324,063  
Health Management Association
    6.125      
04/15/16
      250,000       256,372       270,000  
HealthSouth Corporation
    7.750      
09/15/22
      450,000       451,044       493,313  
Hertz Corporation
    6.750      
04/15/19
      220,000       216,955       240,075  
International Game Technology
    7.500      
06/15/19
      500,000       499,796       591,872  
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
    4.700      
09/15/22
      500,000       499,960       525,625  
Kraft Foods, Inc.
    5.375      
02/10/20
      500,000       513,304       603,630  
 

 36
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
                 
Shares or
             
   
Interest
     
Maturity
   
Principal
         
Market
 
Corporate Public Securities: (A) (Continued)
 
Rate
     
Date
   
Amount
   
Cost
   
Value
 
                                 
Masco Corporation
    7.125 %    
03/15/20
      350,000     $ 349,996     $ 407,201  
Morgan Stanley
    5.500      
01/26/20
      500,000       497,941       560,897  
NBC Universal Media LLC
    5.150      
04/30/20
      500,000       499,439       592,727  
Nexeo Solutions LLC
    8.375      
03/01/18
      20,000       20,000       18,900  
Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC
    8.875      
03/15/18
      500,000       505,867       513,750  
Omnova Solutions, Inc.
    7.875      
11/01/18
      750,000       764,079       773,437  
Peabody Energy Corporation
    6.000      
11/15/18
      500,000       500,587       531,250  
Perry Ellis International, Inc.
    7.875      
04/01/19
      375,000       371,479       391,875  
Precision Drilling Corporation
    6.625      
11/15/20
      250,000       257,482       268,750  
Qwest Diagnostic, Inc.
    4.750      
01/30/20
      500,000       498,990       552,173  
Sealed Air Corporation
    7.875      
06/15/17
      500,000       494,837       533,125  
Sprint Nextel Corporation
    6.000      
12/01/16
      500,000       511,625       543,750  
Steelcase, Inc.
    6.375      
02/15/21
      500,000       507,493       532,688  
Tech Data Corporation
    3.750      
09/21/17
      500,000       507,087       512,904  
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation
    9.000      
12/15/17
      250,000       264,615       266,250  
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    5.000      
02/01/20
      500,000       492,234       582,167  
Tyson Foods, Inc.
    4.500      
06/15/22
      500,000       516,145       541,258  
Weatherford International Limited
    4.500      
04/15/22
      500,000       521,137       530,630  
Total Bonds
                            26,330,564       28,286,179  
                                         
Common Stock - 0.02%
                                       
Intrepid Potash, Inc. (B)
                    185     $ 5,920       3,939  
Nortek, Inc. (B)
                    100       1       6,625  
Rue21, Inc. (B)
                    350       6,650       9,937  
Total Common Stock
                            12,571       20,501  
                                         
Total Corporate Public Securities  
                          $
 26,343,135
    $
28,306,680
 
 

 37
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
   
Interest
     
Maturity
   
Principal
         
Fair
 
   
Rate/Yield^
     
Date
   
Amount
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Short-Term Securities:
                               
Commercial Paper - 5.86%
                               
MidAmerican Energy Holdings
    0.310 %    
01/11/13
    $ 2,500,000     $ 2,499,785     $ 2,499,785  
Pentair Finance SA
    0.400      
01/07/13
      2,500,000       2,499,833       2,499,833  
Ryder System, Inc.
    0.300      
01/15/13
      2,500,000       2,499,708       2,499,708  
Total Short-Term Securities
                          $ 7,499,326     $ 7,499,326  
Total Investments
    111.73 %                   $ 148,498,156     $ 142,870,834  
Other Assets
    3.71                               4,749,776  
Liabilities
    (15.44 )                             (19,746,485 )
Total Net Assets
    100.00 %                           $ 127,874,125  
 
(A)
In each of the convertible note, warrant, and common stock investments, the issuer has agreed to provide certain registration rights.
(B)
Non-income producing security.
(C)
Variable rate security; rate indicated is as of December 31, 2012.
(D)
Defaulted security; interest not accrued.
(E)
Illiquid security.  As of December 31, 2012, the values of these securities amounted to $101,530,328 or 79.40% of net assets.
^
Effective yield at purchase
PIK - Payment-in-kind
 

38
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
   
Fair Value/
       
Fair Value/
 
Industry Classification:
 
Market Value
       
Market Value
 
                 
AEROSPACE - 2.75%
   
BROADCASTING & ENTERTAINMENT - 0.92%
 
A E Company, Inc.
  $ 275,843    
HOP Entertainment LLC
  $ -  
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    549,375    
NBC Universal Media LLC
    592,727  
B E Aerospace, Inc.
    278,125    
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    582,167  
Merex Holding Corporation
    611,157    
Sundance Investco LLC
    -  
Visioneering, Inc.
    799,831    
Workplace Media Holding Company
    -  
Whitcraft Holdings, Inc.
    1,005,091           1,174,894  
      3,519,422    
BUILDINGS & REAL ESTATE - 1.74%
       
AUTOMOBILE - 6.23%
   
ACP Cascade Holdings LLC
    -  
Accuride Corp
    482,500    
Duke Realty Limited Partnership
    509,131  
Avis Budget Car Rental
    433,125    
Masco Corporation
    407,201  
DPL Holding Corporation
    1,636,993    
Sunrise Windows Holding Company
    1,110,152  
Ideal Tridon Holdings, Inc.
    1,064,907    
TruStile Doors, Inc.
    198,241  
J A C Holding Enterprises, Inc.
    912,255           2,224,725  
Jason Partners Holdings LLC
    25,511    
CHEMICAL, PLASTICS & RUBBER - 1.58%
 
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    564,397    
Capital Specialty Plastics, Inc.
    515,888  
K & N Parent, Inc.
    1,081,658    
Nicoat Acquisitions LLC
    729,485  
Ontario Drive & Gear Ltd.
    961,988    
Omnova Solutions, Inc.
    773,437  
Penske Corporation
    516,500           2,018,810  
Qualis Automotive LLC
    285,065    
CONSUMER PRODUCTS - 8.01%
 
      7,964,899    
AMS Holding LLC
    1,250,911  
BEVERAGE, DRUG & FOOD - 7.71%
   
Baby Jogger Holdings LLC
    1,073,834  
1492 Acquisition LLC
    1,243,496    
Bravo Sports Holding Corporation
    630,843  
Eatem Holding Company
    1,115,345    
Custom Engineered Wheels, Inc.
    1,319,242  
F F C Holding Corporation
    1,182,261    
Handi Quilter Holding Company
    558,842  
Golden County Foods Holding, Inc.
    -    
K N B Holdings Corporation
    2,291,638  
Hospitality Mints Holding Company
    1,562,366    
Manhattan Beachwear Holding Company
    889,476  
JMH Investors LLC
    1,237,594    
Perry Ellis International, Inc.
    391,875  
Kraft Foods, Inc.
    603,630    
R A J Manufacturing Holdings LLC
    818,800  
Snacks Parent Corporation
    1,073,758    
Tranzonic Companies (The)
    1,013,329  
Spartan Foods Holding Company
    1,185,927           10,238,790  
Specialty Commodities, Inc.
    113,238              
Tyson Foods, Inc.
    541,258              
      9,858,873              
 

39
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
   
Fair Value/
       
Fair Value/
 
Industry Classification: (Continued)
 
Market Value
       
Market Value
 
                 
CONTAINERS, PACKAGING & GLASS - 5.07%
   
DIVERSIFIED/CONGLOMERATE,
 
Flutes, Inc.
  $ 498,551    
SERVICE - 10.05%
     
P K C Holding Corporation
    1,915,312    
A S C Group, Inc.
  $ 410,366  
P P T Holdings LLC
    1,106,871    
A W X Holdings Corporation
    378,000  
Paradigm Packaging, Inc.
    875,405    
Advanced Technologies Holdings
    729,586  
Rose City Holding Company
    622,176    
Anglogold Holdings PLC
    619,237  
Sealed Air Corporation
    533,125    
Apex Analytix Holding Corporation
    1,168,962  
Vitex Packaging Group, Inc.
    932,489    
Bank of America Corporation
    718,369  
      6,483,929    
C R H America, Inc.
    516,516  
DISTRIBUTION - 4.20%
         
Church Services Holding Company
    575,876  
Blue Wave Products, Inc.
    681,857    
Clough, Harbour and Associates
    252,298  
BP SCI LLC
    1,239,481    
Crane Rental Corporation
    1,208,079  
Duncan Systems, Inc.
    586,019    
ELT Holding Company
    1,053,764  
RM Holding Company
    617,395    
Equifax, Inc.
    527,185  
Stag Parkway Holding Co.
    1,246,720    
HVAC Holdings, Inc.
    1,255,931  
WP Supply Holding Corporation
    999,179    
Insurance Claims Management, Inc.
    167,951  
      5,370,651    
Mail Communications Group, Inc.
    305,973  
DIVERSIFIED/CONGLOMERATE,
         
Nexeo Solutions LLC
    18,900  
MANUFACTURING - 12.84%
         
Northwest Mailing Services, Inc.
    1,639,816  
A H C Holding Company, Inc.
    1,582,972    
Pearlman Enterprises, Inc.
    -  
Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    1,244,323    
Safety Infrastructure Solutions
    801,809  
Arrow Tru-Line Holdings, Inc.
    762,004    
ServiceMaster Company
    501,250  
C D N T, Inc.
    705,251           12,849,868  
F G I Equity LLC
    313,365    
ELECTRONICS - 1.64%
       
G C Holdings
    1,435,172    
Connecticut Electric, Inc.
    1,063,137  
HGGC Citadel Plastics Holding
    1,038,578    
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
    525,625  
J.B. Poindexter Co., Inc.
    516,875    
Tech Data Corporation
    512,904  
K P H I Holdings, Inc.
    1,150,092           2,101,666  
K P I Holdings, Inc.
    1,560,657    
FINANCIAL SERVICES - 6.73%
       
LPC Holding Company
    1,297,613    
Ally Financial, Inc.
    802,322  
MEGTEC Holdings, Inc.
    361,759    
Alta Mesa Financial Services
    772,500  
Nortek, Inc.
    6,625    
CIT Group, Inc.
    533,158  
O E C Holding Corporation
    482,688    
Citigroup, Inc.
    505,152  
Postle Aluminum Company LLC
    2,641,642    
GATX Corporation
    534,243  
Truck Bodies & Equipment International
    1,319,566    
General Electric Capital Corporation
    591,855  
      16,419,182    
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
    510,486  
           
Morgan Stanley
    560,897  
           
Pentair Finance SA
    2,499,833  
           
REVSpring, Inc.
    1,292,587  
                  8,603,033  
 

40
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
 
Fair Value/
       
Fair Value/
 
Industry Classification: (Continued)
Market Value
       
Market Value
 
                 
HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION & CHILDCARE - 8.64%
   
MACHINERY - 4.87%
     
Alere, Inc.
  $ 316,500    
ABC Industries, Inc.
  $ 600,740  
American Hospice Management Holding LLC
    2,119,983    
Arch Global Precision LLC
    1,142,177  
CHG Alternative Education Holding Company
    1,016,935    
E S P Holdco, Inc.
    1,493,761  
DaVita, Inc.
    526,875    
M V I Holding, Inc.
    140,498  
GD Dental Services LLC
    1,254,772    
Motion Controls Holdings
    1,027,499  
Healthcare Direct Holding Company
    702,121    
NetShape Technologies, Inc.
    1,115,114  
HealthSouth Corporation
    493,313    
Pacific Consolidated Holdings LLC
    42,187  
Marshall Physicians Services LLC
    501,720    
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation
    266,250  
Qwest Diagnostic, Inc.
    552,173    
Welltec A/S
    397,500  
SouthernCare Holdings, Inc.
    1,050,108           6,225,726  
Strata/WLA Holding Corporation
    993,782    
MEDICAL DEVICES/BIOTECH - 3.02%
 
Synteract Holdings Corporation
    1,450,412    
E X C Acquisition Corporation
    18,452  
Touchstone Health Partnership
    -    
ETEX Corporation
    -  
Wheaton Holding Corporation
    67,777    
Health Management Association
    270,000  
      11,046,471    
MedSystems Holdings LLC
    742,635  
HOME & OFFICE FURNISHINGS, HOUSEWARES,
   
MicroGroup, Inc.
    225,682  
AND DURABLE CONSUMER PRODUCTS - 3.87%
   
NT Holding Company
    1,048,357  
Connor Sport Court International, Inc.
    1,283,085    
Precision Wire Holding Company
    1,559,077  
H M Holding Company
    36,270    
TherOX, Inc.
    -  
Home Décor Holding Company
    318,587           3,864,203  
Monessen Holding Corporation
    -    
MINING, STEEL, IRON & NON-PRECIOUS
       
Steelcase, Inc.
    532,688    
METALS - 1.13%
       
Transpac Holding Company
    938,651    
Alcoa, Inc.
    655,286  
U-Line Corporation
    238,122    
FMG Resources
    262,500  
U M A Enterprises, Inc.
    786,975    
Peabody Energy Corporation
    531,250  
Wellborn Forest Holding Company
    820,125           1,449,036  
      4,954,503    
NATURAL RESOURCES - 2.61%
       
LEISURE, AMUSEMENT, ENTERTAINMENT - 0.86%
   
ArcelorMittal
    506,750  
Brunswick Corporation
    511,250    
Headwaters, Inc.
    324,063  
International Game Technology
    591,872    
Intrepid Potash, Inc.
    3,939  
      1,103,122    
MidAmerican Energy Holdings
    2,499,785  
                  3,334,537  
 

41
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
December 31, 2012
 
   
Fair Value/
       
Fair Value/
 
Industry Classification: (Continued)
 
Market Value
       
Market Value
 
                 
OIL & GAS - 7.82%
       
TRANSPORTATION - 4.08%
     
Bill Barrett Corporation
  $ 515,000    
CHC Helicopter SA
  $ 1,052,500  
Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P.
    950,625    
Hertz Corporation
    240,075  
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
    375,469    
MNX Holding Company
    1,245,350  
Continental Resources, Inc.
    538,750    
NABCO, Inc.
    177,544  
Ensco PLC
    636,238    
Ryder System, Inc.
    2,499,708  
EP Energy/EP Finance, Inc.
    563,750           5,215,177  
Hilcorp Energy Company
    354,250    
WASTE MANAGEMENT / POLLUTION - 1.52%
International Offshore Services LLC
    270,000    
Terra Renewal LLC
    606,221  
MBWS Ultimate Holdco, Inc.
    1,828,861    
Torrent Group Holdings, Inc.
    1,340,832  
MEG Energy Corporation
    521,250           1,947,053  
Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC
    513,750              
Petroplex Inv Holdings LLC
    1,243,063              
Precision Drilling Corporation
    268,750              
Samson Investment Company
    370,125    
Total Investments - 111.73%
  $ 142,870,834  
Unit Corporation
    513,125              
Weatherford International Limited
    530,630              
      9,993,636              
PHARMACEUTICALS - 0.56%
                   
CorePharma LLC
    445,611              
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
    271,875              
      717,486              
RETAIL STORES - 0.01%
                   
Rue21, Inc.
    9,937              
                     
TECHNOLOGY - 1.42%
                   
First Data Corporation
    258,750              
Sencore Holding Company
    -              
Smart Source Holdings LLC
    1,558,192              
      1,816,942              
TELECOMMUNICATIONS - 1.85%
             
All Current Holding Company
    782,813              
CCO Holdings Capital Corporation
    506,250              
Centurytel, Inc.
    531,450              
Sprint Nextel Corporation
    543,750              
      2,364,263              
 

42
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. History  
Trust’s securities and has delegated responsibility for applying those procedures to Babson Capital. Babson Capital has established a Pricing Committee which is responsible for setting the guidelines used in following the procedures adopted by the Trustees ensuring that those guidelines are being followed. Babson Capital considers all relevant factors that are reasonably available, through either public information or information available to Babson Capital, when determining the fair value of a security. The Trustees meet at least once each quarter to approve the value of the Trust’s portfolio securities as of the close of business on the last business day of the preceding quarter. This valuation requires the approval of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of Babson Capital. In approving valuations, the Trustees will consider reports by Babson Capital analyzing each portfolio security in accordance with the procedures and guidelines referred to above, which include the relevant factors referred to below. Babson Capital has agreed to provide such reports to the Trust at least quarterly. The consolidated financial statements include private placement restricted securities valued at $101,530,328 (79.40% of net assets) as of December 31, 2012 whose values have been estimated by the Trustees based on the process described above in the absence of readily ascertainable market values. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the differences could be material.

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets recorded at fair value.

Corporate Public Securities – Corporate Bonds, Preferred Stocks and Common Stocks

The Trust uses external independent third-party pricing services to determine the fair values of its Corporate Public Securities. At December 31, 2012, 100% of the carrying value of these investments was from external pricing services. In the event that the primary pricing service does not provide a price, the Trust utilizes the pricing provided by a secondary pricing service.

Public debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Trust’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where significant market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where significant market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal underlying prepayments, collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value.
 
Babson Capital Participation Investors (the “Trust”) was organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated April 7, 1988. Effective December 16, 2011, the Trust’s name was changed to Babson Capital Participation Investors. Prior to December 16, 2011, the Trust’s name was MassMutual Participation Investors.

The Trust is a diversified closed-end management investment company. Babson Capital Management LLC (“Babson Capital”), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”), acts as its investment adviser. The Trust’s investment objective is to maximize total return by providing a high level of current income, the potential for growth of income, and capital appreciation. The Trust’s principal investments are privately placed, below-investment grade, long-term debt obligations purchased directly from their issuers, which tend to be smaller companies. At least half of these investments normally include equity features such as common stock, warrants, conversion rights, or other equity features that provide the Trust with the opportunity to realize capital gains. The Trust will also invest in publicly traded debt securities (including high yield securities), again with an emphasis on those with equity features, and in convertible preferred stocks and, subject to certain limitations, readily marketable equity securities. Below-investment grade or high yield securities have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay capital. In addition, the Trust may temporarily invest in high quality, readily marketable securities.

On January 27, 1998, the Board of Trustees authorized the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust (“PI Subsidiary Trust”) for the purpose of holding certain investments. The results of the PI Subsidiary Trust are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. Footnote 2.D below discusses the Federal tax consequences of the PI Subsidiary Trust.
 
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies  
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed consistently by the Trust in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
A. Fair Value Measurements:
Under U.S. GAAP, fair value represents the price that should be received to sell an asset (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
 
Determination of Fair Value
The determination of the fair value of the Trust’s investments is the responsibility of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”). The Trustees have adopted procedures for the valuation of the
 
       

43
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 
Public equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sales price of that day.

Annually, Babson Capital conducts reviews of the primary pricing vendors to validate that the inputs used in that vendors’ pricing process are deemed to be market observable as defined in the standard. While Babson Capital is not provided access to proprietary models of the vendors, the reviews have included on-site walk-throughs of the pricing process, methodologies and control procedures for each asset class and level for which prices are provided. The review also included an examination of the underlying inputs and assumptions for a sample of individual securities across asset classes, credit rating levels and various durations, a process Babson Capital continues to perform annually. In addition, the pricing vendors have an established challenge process in place for all security valuations, which facilitates identification and resolution of prices that fall outside expected ranges. Babson Capital believes that the prices received from the pricing vendors are representative of prices that would be received to sell the assets at the measurement date (exit prices) and are classified appropriately in the hierarchy.

Corporate Restricted Securities – Corporate Bonds
 
The fair value of certain notes is determined using an internal model that discounts the anticipated cash flows of those notes using a specific discount rate. Changes to that discount rate are driven by changes in general interest rates, probabilities of default and credit adjustments. The discount rate used within the models to discount the future anticipated cash flows is considered a significant unobservable input. Significant increases/(decreases) in the discount rate would result in a significant (decrease)/ increase to the notes’ fair value.

The fair value of certain distressed notes is based on an enterprise waterfall methodology which is discussed in the equity security valuation section below.

Corporate Restricted Securities – Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Partnerships & LLC’s

The fair value of equity securities is determined using an enterprise waterfall methodology. Under this methodology, the enterprise value of the company is first estimated and that value is then allocated to the company’s outstanding debt and equity securities based on the documented priority of each class of securities in the capital structure. Generally, the waterfall proceeds from senior debt tranches of the capital structure to senior then junior subordinated debt, followed by each class of preferred stock and finally the common stock.
 
Both the company’s EBITDA and valuation multiple as well as the discount are considered significant unobservable inputs. Significant increases / (decreases) to the company’s trailing twelve months EBITDA and / or the valuation multiple would result in significant increases / (decreases) to the equity value. An increase / (decrease) to the discount would result in a (decrease) / increase to the equity value.
 
Short-Term Securities
Short-term securities, of sufficient credit quality, with more than sixty days to maturity are valued at fair value, using external independent third-party services. Short-term securities having a maturity of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The following table represents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2012.
     
Valuation
Unobservable
 
Weighted
     
Technique
Inputs
Range
Average
             
   
Corporate
Bonds
Discounted
Cash Flows
Discount
Rate
0.2% to
16.1%
12.2%
             
   
Equity
Securities
Market
Approach
Valuation
Multiple
3.3x to
9.9x
6.3x
             
       
Discount for lack
of marketability
0% to
5%
3.8%
             
       
EBITDA
$2.2 million to
$142.4 million
22.2 million
   
Fair Values Hierarchy
The Trust categorizes its investments measured at fair value in three levels, based on the inputs and assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are as follows:
 
 
To estimate a company’s enterprise value, the company’s trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) is multiplied by a valuation multiple. A discount for lack of marketability is applied to the end result.
 
Level 1:    quoted prices in active markets for identical securities  
Level 2:    other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3:    significant  unobservable  inputs  (including  the Trust’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 

44
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Trust's net assets as of December 31, 2012:
 
Assets:
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Restricted Securities
                       
Corporate Bonds
  $ 86,595,256     $ -     $ 5,534,500     $ 81,060,756  
Common Stock - U.S.
    7,793,109       -       -       7,793,109  
Preferred Stock
    5,786,187       -       -       5,786,187  
Partnerships and LLCs
    6,890,276       -       -       6,890,276  
Public Securities
                               
Corporate Bonds
    28,286,179       -       28,286,179       -  
Common Stock - U.S.
    20,501       20,501       -       -  
Short-term Securities
    7,499,326       -       7,499,326       -  
Total
  $ 142,870,834     $ 20,501     $ 41,320,005     $ 101,530,328  
                                 
See information disaggregated by security type and industry classification in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.
 
There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 assets.

Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
 
Assets:
 
Beginning
balance
at 12/31/2011
   
Included in
earnings
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Prepayments
   
Transfers
into Level 3
   
Transfers out
of Level 3
   
Ending
balance at
12/31/2012
 
Restricted Securities
                                               
Corporate Bonds
  $ 84,969,256     $ 1,756,136     $ 24,959,545     $ (13,192,548 )   $ (17,431,633 )   $ -     $ -     $ 81,060,756  
Common Stock - U.S.
    9,972,142       2,061,866       1,140,298       (5,381,197 )     -       -       -       7,793,109  
Preferred Stock
    5,965,999       632,738       1,151,556       (1,964,106 )     -       -       -       5,786,187  
Partnerships and LLCs
    6,021,318       1,244,966       974,131       (1,350,139 )     -       -       -       6,890,276  
    $ 106,928,715     $ 5,695,706     $ 28,225,530     $ (21,887,990 )   $ (17,431,633 )   $ -     $ -     $ 101,530,328  
 
Income, Gains and Losses included in Net Increase in Net Assets resulting from Operations for the period are presented in the following accounts on the Statement of Operations for Level 3 assets:
 
 
Net Increase in Net
Assets Resulting from
Operations
 
Change in Unrealized Gains & (Losses) in Net Assets from assets still held
 
Interest (Amortization)
690,657
 
-
 
         
Net realized gain on
       
investments before taxes
2,759,405
 
-
 
         
Net change in unrealized
       
depreciation of investments
       
before taxes.
2,245,644
 
4,169,496
 
 

45
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 
B.     Accounting for Investments:
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis, including the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on bonds held using the yield-to-maturity method. The Trust does not accrue income when payment is delinquent and when management believes payment is questionable.

Realized gains and losses on investment transactions and unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments are reported for financial statement and Federal income tax purposes on the identified cost method.

C.     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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

D.     Federal Income Taxes:
The Trust has elected to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code, and intends to maintain this qualification and to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income to its shareholders. In any year when net long-term capital gains are realized by the Trust, management, after evaluating the prevailing economic conditions, will recommend that Trustees either designate the net realized long-term gains as undistributed and pay the federal capital gains taxes thereon, or distribute all or a portion of such net gains. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust had a net realized taxable long-term capital gain balance of $2,618,572 which the Trustees voted to retain and pay the Federal capital gain tax thereon. The Trust has incurred income tax expense of $916,500 and $296,098 respectively, on the Statement of Operations related to the 2012 and 2011 retained realized capital gains.

The Trust is taxed as a regulated investment company and is therefore limited as to the amount of non-qualified income that it may receive as the result of operating a trade or business, e.g. the Trust's pro rata share of income allocable to the Trust by a partnership operating company. The Trust’s violation of this limitation could result in the loss of its status as a regulated investment company, thereby subjecting all of its net income and capital gains to corporate taxes prior to distribution to its shareholders. The Trust, from time-to-time, identifies investment opportunities in the securities of entities that could cause such trade or business income to be allocable to the Trust. The PI Subsidiary Trust (described in Footnote 1, above) was formed in order to allow investment in such securities without adversely affecting the Trust’s status as a regulated investment company.

Net investment income and net realized gains or losses of the Trust as presented under U.S. GAAP may differ from distributable
 
taxable earnings due to earnings from the PI Subsidiary Trust as well as certain permanent and temporary differences in the recognition of income and realized gains or losses on certain investments. Permanent differences will result in reclassifications to the capital accounts. In 2012, the Trust increased undistributed net investment income by $239,577, decreased accumulated net realized gains by $781,769, increased retained net realized gain on investments, prior years by $549,895 and decreased additional paid in capital by $7,703 to more accurately display the Trust’s capital financial position on a tax-basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These re-classifications had no impact on net asset value.

The PI Subsidiary Trust is not taxed as a regulated investment company. Accordingly, prior to the Trust receiving any distributions from the PI Subsidiary Trust, all of the PI Subsidiary Trust’s taxable income and realized gains, including non-qualified income and realized gains, is subject to taxation at prevailing corporate tax rates.

The components of income taxes included in the consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:
   
   
Current:
     
   
Federal
  $ 129,799  
   
State
    30,264  
   
Total current
    160,063  
   
Deferred:
       
   
Federal
    (29,576 )
   
State
    (4,918 )
   
Total deferred
    (34,494 )
             
   
Total income tax expense from operations continuing
  $ 125,569  
   
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of the existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:
 
    Deferred tax liabilities:        
    Unrealized gain on investments     467,634  
    Total deferred tax liabilities     467,634  
    Net deferred tax liability   $ (467,634 )
             
   
Beginning with the 2009 annual financial statements, the Trust recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant taxing authority’s widely understood administrative practices and precedents. If this threshold is met, the Trust measures the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than
               

46
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 
fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Trust has evaluated and determined that the tax positions did not have a material effect on the Trust’s financial position and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
A reconciliation of the differences between the PI Subsidiary Trust’s income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the prevailing U.S. federal tax rate to pretax income for the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:
3.
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services
 
A. Services:
Under an Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract (the “Contract”) with the Trust, Babson Capital has agreed to use its best efforts to present to the Trust a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Trust. Babson Capital represents the Trust in any negotiations with issuers, investment banking firms, securities brokers or dealers and other institutions or investors relating to the Trust’s investments. Under the Contract, Babson Capital also provides administration of the day-to-day operations of the Trust and provides the Trust with office space and office equipment, accounting and bookkeeping services, and necessary executive, clerical and secretarial personnel for the performance of the foregoing services.
 
B. Fee:
For its services under the Contract, Babson Capital is paid a quarterly investment advisory fee equal to 0.225% of the value of the Trust’s net assets as of the last business day of each fiscal quarter, an amount approximately equivalent to 0.90% on an annual basis. A majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of Babson Capital, approve the valuation of the Trust's net assets as of such day.
 
                     
       
Amount
   
Percentage
     
 
Provision for income taxes at the
                 
 
U.S. federal rate
      122,375       35.00 %    
 
State tax, net of federal effect
      12,500       3.58 %    
 
Change in valuation allowance
      (28,513 )     (8.15 %)    
 
Other
      19,207       5.49 %    
 
Income tax expense
      125,569       35.91 %    
                         
 
Each of the Trust’s Federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
E.     Distributions to Shareholders:
   
  The Trust records distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, on the ex-dividend date. The Trust’s net investment income dividend is declared four times per year, in April, July, October, and December. The Trust’s net realized capital gain distribution, if any, is declared in December.

The components capital shown in the following table represent the Trust’s undistributed net investment income, undistributed net capital gains, losses the Trust may be able to offset against gains in future taxable years, as well as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities and other fund investments, if any, at December 31, 2012, each of which determined on a U.S. federal tax basis:
 
 
4.
 
Senior Secured Indebtedness

MassMutual holds the Trust’s $15,000,000 Senior Fixed Rate Convertible Note (the “Note”) issued by the Trust on December 13, 2011. The Note is due December 13, 2023 and accrues interest at 4.09% per annum. MassMutual, at its option, can convert the principal amount of the Note into common shares. The dollar amount of principal would be converted into an equivalent dollar amount of common shares based upon the average price of the common shares for ten business days prior to the notice of conversion. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust incurred total interest expense on the Note of $613,500.

The Trust may redeem the Note, in whole or in part, at the principal amount proposed to be redeemed together with the accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the redemption date plus the Make Whole Premium. The Make Whole Premium equals the excess of (i) the present value of the scheduled payments of principal and interest which the Trust would have paid but for the proposed redemption, discounted at the rate of interest of U.S. Treasury obligations whose maturity approximates that of the Note plus 0.50% over (ii) the principal of the Note proposed to be redeemed.

Management estimates that the fair value of the Note was $15,208,200 as of December 31, 2012
 
 
Undistributed
(Overdistributed)
Undistributed Accumulated
Net Investment
Income
   
Net Capital Gain
   
Loss
Carryforward
   
Net Unrealized Appreciation  (Depreciation) on Securities
and Other
Investments
     
                                   
  $ 1,484,941     $ 2,618,141     $ 0     $ (3,449,918 )    
                                   
 
The tax character of distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
   
                                 
 
Distributions paid from:
      2012       2011      
 
Ordinary Income
    $ 10,972,333     $ 12,412,703      
 
Long-term Capital Gains
    $ -     $ -        
                           

47
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments   7.
Aggregate Remuneration Paid to Officers, Trustees, and their Affiliated Persons
             
     
For the year ended
12/31/2012
   
For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust paid its Trustees aggregate remuneration of $296,400. During the year, the Trust did not pay any compensation to any of its Trustees who are "interested persons" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Trust classifies Messrs. Noreen and Joyal as "interested persons" of the Trust.
 
All of the Trust's officers are employees of Babson Capital or MassMutual. Pursuant to the Contract, the Trust does not compensate its officers who are employees of Babson Capital (except for the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust unless assumed by Babson Capital). For the year ended December 31, 2012, Babson Capital paid the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust.
 
Mr. Noreen, one of the Trust's Trustees, is an "affiliated person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of MassMutual and Babson Capital.
 
The Trust did not make any payments to Babson Capital for the year ended December 31, 2012, other than amounts payable to Babson Capital pursuant to the Contract.
     
Cost of
Investments
Acquired
   
Proceeds
from Sales or Maturities
   
  Corporate restricted securities   $ 34,491,127     $ 43,442,960    
  Corporate public securities     9,576,793       931,260    
 
 
The aggregate cost of investments is substantially the same for financial reporting and Federal income tax purposes as of December 31, 2012. The net unrealized depreciation of investments for financial reporting and Federal tax purposes as of December 31, 2012 is $6,686,070 and consists of $13,512,675 appreciation and $20,198,745 depreciation.

Net unrealized depreciation of investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects the balance net of a deferred tax liability of $467,634 on net unrealized gains on the PI Subsidiary Trust.
 
   
6.  Quarterly Results of Investment Operations (Unaudited)   8. Certifications
                       
     
March 31, 2012
    As required under New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Corporate Governance Rules, the Trust's principal executive officer has certified to the NYSE that he was not aware, as of the certification date, of any violation by the Trust of the NYSE's Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Trust's principal executive and principal financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as applicable.
     
Amount
   
Per Share
   
 
Investment income
  $ 3,397,647            
 
Net investment income
    2,774,324     $ 0.27    
 
Net realized and unrealized
                 
 
gain on investments (net of taxes)
    (223,921 )     (0.02 )  
           
     
June 30, 2012
   
     
Amount
   
Per Share
     
 
Investment income
  $ 3,181,794           9. Subsequent Events
 
Net investment income
    2,521,978     $ 0.25      
 
Net realized and unrealized
                  The Trust has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in this report through February 27, 2013. The Trust has determined that there are no material events that would require recognition or disclosure in this report through this date.
 
gain on investments (net of taxes)
    1,102,771       0.11      
             
     
September 30, 2012
     
     
Amount
   
Per Share
     
 
Investment income
  $ 3,204,878              
 
Net investment income
    2,533,303     $ 0.25      
 
Net realized and unrealized
                   
 
gain on investments (net of taxes)
    3,574,928       0.35      
             
     
December 31, 2012
     
     
Amount
   
Per Share
     
 
Investment income
  $ 3,668,590              
 
Net investment income
    3,135,518     $ 0.31      
 
Net realized and unrealized
                   
 
gain on investments (net of taxes)
    2,094,119       0.21      
 

48
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
KPMG LLP
Two Financial center
60 South Street Boston,
MA 02111
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Babson Capital Participation Investors

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of Babson Capital Participation Investors (the “Trust”), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the consolidated selected financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated selected financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and consolidated selected financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and consolidated selected financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and consolidated selected financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Babson Capital Participation Investors as of December 31, 2012, the results of their consolidated operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the consolidated selected financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
Boston, Massachusetts
February 27, 2013
 
 
 
   
 

49
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

INTERESTED TRUSTEES
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
Portfolios Overseen
in Fund Complex
Other Directorships
Held by Director
           
Clifford M. Noreen* (55)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
Trustee
/ Chairman
Term expires
2015; Trustee
since 2009
President of Babson Capital (since 2008), Vice Chairman (2007-2008), Member of the Board of Managers (since 2006), Managing Director (since 2000), Babson Capital; President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005) of the Trust.

2
Chairman and Trustee (since 2009), President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; President (since 2009), Senior Vice President (1996-2009), HYP Management LLC (LLC Manager); Director (2005-2013), MassMutual Corporate Value Limited (investment company); Director (2005-2013), MassMutual Corporate Value Partners Limited (investment company); Senior Vice President (1996-2008), MMHC Investment LLC (passive investor); Managing Director (2006-2009), MassMutual Capital Partners LLC (investment company); Director (since 2008), Jefferies Finance LLC (a finance company); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2009), Manager (since 2007), MMC Equipment Finance LLC; Chairman (since 2009), Trustee (since 2005), President (2005-2009), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust; and Member of Investment Committee (since 1999), Diocese of Springfield.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Mr. Noreen is classified as an “interested person” of the Trust and Babson Capital (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) because of his position as an Officer of the Trust and President of Babson Capital.
 

50
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
INTERESTED TRUSTEES  
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
Portfolios Overseen
in Fund Complex
Other Directorships
Held by Director
           
Robert E. Joyal* (68)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
Trustee /
Nominee
Term expires
2013; Trustee
since 2003
Retired (since 2003); President (2001-2003), Babson Capital; and President (1993 - 2003) of the Trust.
97
Trustee (since 2003), President (1993-2003), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 2006), Jefferies Group, Inc. (financial services); Director (2003-2010), Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc. (aircraft maintenance and overhaul); Director (2007-2011), Scottish Re Group Ltd. (global life reinsurance specialist); Director (2005-2006), York Enhanced Strategy Fund (closed-end fund); Trustee (since 2003), MassMutual Select Funds (an open- end investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since 2003), MML Series Investment Fund (an open-end investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Series Investment Fund II (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual); and Director (since 2012), Ormat Technologies, Inc. (a geothermal energy company).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Mr. Joyal retired as President of Babson Capital in June 2003. In addition and as noted above, Mr. Joyal is a director of Jefferies Group, Inc., which has a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary that may execute portfolio transactions and/or engage in principal transactions with the Trust, other investment companies advised by Babson Capital or any other advisory accounts over which Babson Capital has brokerage placement discretion. Accordingly, the Trust has determined to classify Mr. Joyal as an “interested person” of the Trust and Babson Capital (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended).
 

51
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
Portfolios Overseen
in Fund Complex
Other Directorships
Held by Director
           
William J. Barrett (73)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires
2015; Trustee
since 2006
President  (since  2010),  WJ
Barrett   Associates,   Inc.;
President   (2002 - 2010),
Barrett-Gardner  Associates,
Inc. (private merchant bank).
2
Trustee (since 2006), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 1979), TGC Industries, Inc. (geophysical services); Director and Secretary (since 2001 and from 1996-1997), Chase Packaging Corporation (agricultural services); Chairman and Director (since 2000), Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust Company (commercial bank and trust company); and Director (since 1983), Executive Vice President. Secretary and Assistant Treasurer (since 2004), Supreme Industries, Inc. (specialized truck and body manufacturer).
Donald E. Benson* (82)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires 2013; Trustee since 1986 for MCI and since 1988 for MPV Executive Vice President and Director (since 1992), Marquette Financial Companies (financial services); and Partner (since 1996), Benson Family Limited Partnership No. 1 and Benson Family Limited Partnership No.2 (investment partnerships).  2 Trustee (since 1986), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (1997-2008), MAIR Holdings, Inc. (commuter airline holding company); and Director (since 1997), First California Financial Group, Inc. (bank holding company).
Michael H. Brown (56)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires 2014; Trustee since 2005
Private Investor; and Managing Director (1994-2005), Morgan
Stanley.
2
Trustee (since 2005), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Independent Director (since 2006), derivative trading company owned indirectly by MassMutual).
 
 
*
Due to the Trust's mandatory retirement policy, Mr. Benson's term will expire on April 19, 2013.
 

52
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
Portfolios Overseen
in Fund Complex
Other Directorships
Held by Director
           
Donald Glickman*^ (79)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires 2013; Trustee since 1992
Chairman (since 1992), Donald Glickman and Company, Inc .
(private investments); and Partner (since 1992), J.F. Lehman & Co.
(private investments).

2
Trustee (since 1992), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 1984), Monro Muffler and Brake, Inc. (automobile repair service); and Lead Director (1998-2009), MSC Software Corp. (simulation software).
Edward P. Grace III (62)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee /
Nominee
Term expires 2013; Trustee since 2012
President (since 1997), Phelps Grace International, Inc. (investment management);
Managing Director (since 1998), Grace Ventures Partners LP (venture capital fund); Senior Advisor (since 2011), Angelo Gordon & Co. (investment adviser).
 2 Trustee (since 2012), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 2010), Larkburger,Inc. (restaurant chain); Director (since 2012), Benihana, Inc. (restaurant chain); Director(since 2011), Firebirds Wood Fired Holding Corporation (restaurant chain); Director (since 1998), Shawmut Design and Construction (construction management and general contracting firm); Director (2004-2012), Not Your Average Joe’s, Inc. (restaurant chain); Director (2008-2010), Logan’s Roadhouse, Inc. (restaurant); Director (2007-2009), Claim Jumper Restaurants (restaurant chain); Director (1996-2008), RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (restaurant chain); Director (2006-2008), Quintess/Dream Catchers Retreats; Director (2004-2009), The Gemesis Corporation (cultivator of cultured diamonds); Trustee (1999- 2008), Bryant University; Trustee (1977-2010), Johnson & Wales University.
 
*
MassMutual and its affiliates are limited partners in three private investment funds in which affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Co. serve as the general partner and adviser and as such hold a carried interest. During the past two fiscal years, MassMutual and its affiliates have paid approximately $339,812 in management fees to these J.F. Lehman affiliates attributable to the investments in the limited partnerships.
 
^
Due to the Trust's mandatory retirement policy, Mr. Glickman's term will expire on April 19, 2013.
 

53
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
Portfolios Overseen
in Fund Complex
Other Directorships
Held by Director
           
Martin T. Hart* (77)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires 2015; Trustee since 1991
Private Investor; and President and Director (since 1983), H Investment Company LLC (family partnership).

2
Trustee (since 1991), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 2004), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (operates restaurant chain); and Director (since 1999), Value Click, Inc. (internet advertising company).
Susan B. Sweeney (60)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee /
Nominee
Term expires 2013; Trustee since 2012
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (since 2010), Selective Insurance Company of
America; Senior Managing
Director (2008-2010), Ironwood Capital.
93
Trustee (since 2012), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Trustee (since 2009), MassMutual Select Funds (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since 2009), MML Series Investment Fund (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (an open-ended investment company advised by MassMutual.
Maleyne M. Syracuse (56)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
 
 
Trustee
Term expires 2014; Trustee since 2007
Private Investor; Managing Director (2000-2007), JP Morgan Securities, Inc . (investments and banking); Managing Director (1981 - 2000), Deutsche Bank Securities.
2
Trustee  (since  2007),  Babson  Capital  Corporate Investors.
 
*
Due to the Trust's mandatory retirement policy, Mr. Hart resigned as Trustee of Trust on December 14, 2012.
 

54
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
       
       
Michael L. Klofas (52)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
President
Since 2009
Vice President (1998-2009), of the Trust; President (since 2009), Vice President (1998- 2009), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Managing Director (since 2000), Babson Capital; and President (since 2009), Vice President (2005-2009), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
Christopher A. DeFrancis (46)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 
Vice
President and
Secretary
Since 2010
Associate Secretary (2008-2010), of the Trust; Vice President and Secretary (since 2010), Associate Secretary (2008-2010), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Co-General Counsel, Secretary, and Managing Director (since 2010), Senior Counsel, Assistant Secretary and Managing Director (2010), Assistant Secretary and Counsel (2008-2009), Babson Capital; Counsel (2001-2009), Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company; Vice President and Secretary (since 2010), Assistant Secretary (2009-2010), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
James M. Roy (50)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
Vice
President
and Chief
Financial
Officer
Since 2005
Treasurer (2003-2005), Associate Treasurer (1999-2003) of the Trust; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 2005), Treasurer (2003-2005), Associate Treasurer (1999-2003), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Managing Director (since 2005), Director (2000-2005), Babson Capital; and Trustee (since 2005), Treasurer (since 2005), Controller (2003-2005), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
John T. Davitt, Jr. (45)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
Comptroller
Since 2001
Comptroller (since 2001), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Director (since 2000), Babson Capital; and Controller (since 2005), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
Melissa M. LaGrant (39)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
Chief
Compliance
Officer
Since 2006
Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Chief Compliance Officer (since 2012) Babson Capital Global Short Duration High Yield Fund; Managing Director (since 2005), Babson Capital; Vice President and Senior Compliance Trading Manager (2003-2005), Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.; and Assistant Vice President-Business Risk Management Group (2002-2003), Assistant Vice President-Investment Compliance (2001-2002), Zurich Scudder Investments/Deutsche Asset Management.
Daniel J. Florence (40)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
Treasurer
Since 2008
Associate Treasurer (2006-2008) of the Trust; Treasurer (since 2008), Associate Treasurer (2006-2008), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; and Associate Director (since 2008), Analyst (2000-2008), Babson Capital.


*
Officers hold their position with the Trust until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. Officers are generally elected annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The officers were last elected on July 18, 2012.
 

55
 
 

 
Babson Capital Participation Investors

OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
 
Name (Age), Address
Position With
The Trust
Office Team / Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past 5 Years
       
   
 
 
Sean Feeley (45)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
Vice
President
Since 2011
Vice President (since 2011), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Vice President (since 2012), Babson Capital Global Short Duration High Yield Fund; Managing Director (since 2003), Babson Capital; and Vice President (since 2011), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
Michael P. Hermsen (52)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
Vice
President
Since 1998
Since 1998 Vice President (since 1998), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Managing Director (since 2000), Babson Capital; Vice President (since 2005), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust; Director (since 2009), Babson Capital Asia Limited; and Director (since 2009), Babson Capital Australia Holding Company Pty. Ltd. and Babson Capital Australia Pty. Ltd.
Mary Wilson Kibbe (59)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 
 Vice
President
Since 1992
Since 1992 Vice President (since 1992), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Head of Fixed Income Team (since 2000), Managing Director (since 2000), Babson Capital.
Richard E. Spencer, II (50)
Babson Capital
Participation Investors
1500 Main Street
P.O. Box 15189
Springfield, MA 01115-5189
 
 Vice
President
Since 2002
Since 2002 Vice President (since 1992), Babson Capital Corporate Investors; Managing Director (since 2000), Babson Capital; and Vice President (since 2005), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust.
 
*
Officers hold their position with the Trust until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. Officers are generally elected annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The officers were last elected on July 18, 2012.
 

56
 
 

 
2012 Annual Report
 
Members of the Board of Trustrees   DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
 
William J. Barrett
President,
W J Barrett
Associates, Inc.
 
Babson Capital Participation Investors (the “Trust”) offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides a simple and automatic way for shareholders to add to their holdings in the Trust through the receipt of dividend shares issued by the Trust or through the reinvestment of cash dividends in Trust shares purchased in the open market. The dividends of each shareholder will be automatically reinvested in the Trust by DST Systems, Inc., the Transfer Agent, in accordance with the Plan, unless such shareholder elects not to participate by providing written notice to the Transfer Agent. A shareholder may terminate his or her participation by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing.
 
Participating shareholders may also make additional contributions to the Plan from their own funds. Such contributions may be made by personal check or other means in an amount not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 per quarter. Cash contributions must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five days (but no more then 30 days) before the payment date of a dividend or distribution.
 
Whenever the Trust declares a dividend payable in cash or shares, the Transfer Agent, acting on behalf of each participating shareholder, will take the dividend in shares only if the net asset value is lower than the market price plus an estimated brokerage commission as of the close of business on the valuation day. The valuation day is the last day preceding the day of dividend payment. When the dividend is to be taken in shares, the number of shares to be received is determined by dividing the cash dividend by the net asset value as of the close of business on the valuation date or, if greater than net asset value, 95% of the closing share price. If the net asset value of the shares is higher than the market value plus an estimated commission, the Transfer Agent, consistent with obtaining the best price and execution, will buy shares on the open market at current prices promptly after the dividend payment date.
 
The reinvestment of dividends does not, in any way, relieve participating shareholders of any federal, state or local tax. For federal income tax purposes, the amount reportable in respect of a dividend received in newly-issued shares of the Trust will be the fair market value of the shares received, which will be reportable as ordinary income and/ or capital gains.
 
As compensation for its services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee of 5% of any dividend and cash contribution (in no event in excess of $2.50 per distribution per shareholder.)
 
Any questions regarding the Plan should be addressed to DST Systems, Inc., Agent for Babson Capital Participation Investors’ Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan, P.O. Box 219086, Kansans City, MO 64121-9086.
 
 
Officers
       
   
 
Donald E. Benson*
Executive Vice President
and Director,
Marquette Financial
Companies
       
   
 
Michael H. Brown*
Private Investor
 
       
   
 
Donald Glickman
Chairman,
Donald Glickman
& Company, Inc.
 
 
    Edward P. Grace
President
Phelps Grace
International, Inc.
Clifford M. Noreen
Chairman
Michael L. Klofas
President
James M. Roy
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Christopher A. DeFrancis
Vice President and
Secretary
    Sean Feeley
Michael P. Hermsen
Richard E. Spencer, II
Daniel J. Florence
   
 
Vice President Vice President Vice President Treasurer
      John T. Davitt, Jr.
Melissa M. LaGrant
   
     
 
Comptroller Chief Complaince Officer    
   
 
Martin T. Hart
Private Investor
       
               
   
 
Robert E. Joyal
Retired President,
Babson Capital
Management LLC
       
 
   
 
Clifford M. Noreen
President,
Babson Capital
Management LLC
 
 
         
   
 
Susan B. Sweeney
Senior Vice President and
Chief Investment Officer
Selective Insurance
Company of America
 
 
         
      Maleyne M. Syracuse*
Private Investor
 
 
*Member of the Audit Committee
 

57
 
 

 
 
 

 
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Registrant adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (the "Code") on October 17, 2003, which is available on the Registrant's website at www.babsoncapital.com/mpv. During the period covered by this Form N-CSR, there were no amendments to, or waivers from, the Code.

 
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that Mr. Donald E. Benson, a Trustee of the Registrant and a member of its Audit Committee, is an audit committee financial expert. Mr. Benson is "independent" for purposes of this Item 3 as required by applicable regulation.

 
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Fees Billed to the Registrant
    KPMG LLP     KPMG LLP  
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Audit Fees
  $ 61,500     $ 61,500  
Audit-Related Fees
    0       0  
Tax Fees
    44,100       32,235  
All Other Fees
    0       0  
Total Fees
  $ 105,600     $ 93,735  

Non-Audit Fees Billed to Babson Capital and MassMutual
    KPMG LLP     KPMG LLP  
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Audit-Related Fees
  $ 685,475     $ 928,575  
Tax Fees
    93,100       9,000  
All Other Fees
    0       0  
Total Fees
  $ 778,575     $ 937,575  
 
 
The category "Audit-Related Fees" reflects fees billed by KPMG for various non-audit and non-tax services rendered to the Registrant, Babson Capital Management LLC ("Babson Capital"), and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual"), such as SAS 70 review, IFRS consulting and agreed upon procedures reports. Preparation of Federal, state and local income tax returns and tax compliance work are representative of the fees reported in the "Tax Fees" category. The category "All Other Fees" represents fees billed by KPMG for consulting rendered to Babson Capital and MassMutual. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and its implementing regulations allows the Registrant's Audit Committee to establish a pre-approval policy for certain services rendered by the Registrant's independent accountants. During 2012, the Registrant's Audit Committee approved all of the services rendered to the Registrant by KPMG and did not rely on such a pre-approval policy for any such services.
 
 

 
The Audit Committee has also reviewed the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by KPMG for 2011 and 2012 for the Registrant and for the non-audit services provided to Babson Capital, and Babson Capital's parent, MassMutual. As part of this review, the Audit Committee considered whether the provision of such non-audit services was compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.

The 2011 fees billed represent final 2011 amounts, which may differ from the preliminary figures available as of the filing date of the Registrant's 2012 Annual Form N-CSR and includes, among other things, fees for services that may not have been billed as of the filing date of the Registrant's 2012 Annual Form N-CSR, but are now properly included in the 2011 fees billed to the Registrant, Babson Capital and MassMutual.
 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The Registrant maintains an Audit Committee composed exclusively of Trustees of the Registrant who qualify as "independent" Trustees under the current listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written Audit Committee Charter, which is available (1) on the Registrant's website, www.babsoncapital.com/mpv; and (2) without charge, upon request, by calling, toll-free 866-399-1516. The current members of the Audit Committee are Donald E. Benson, Michael H. Brown and Maleyne M. Syracuse.
 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

A schedule of investments for the Registrant is included as part of this report to shareholders under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
 

ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Summary of Babson Capital’s Proxy Voting Policy:

Babson Capital views the voting of proxies as an integral part of its investment management responsibility and believes, as a general principle, that proxies should be acted upon (voted or abstained) solely in the best interest of its clients (i.e. in a manner it believes is most likely to enhance the economic value of the underlying securities held in client accounts).  To implement this general principle, Babson Capital engages a proxy service provider (the “Service Provider”) that is responsible for processing and maintaining records of proxy votes.  In addition, the Service Provider will retain the services of an independent third party research provider (the “Research Provider”) to provide research and recommendations on proxies.  Babson Capital’s Proxy Voting Policy is generally to vote proxies in accordance with the recommendations of the Research Provider.  In circumstances where the Research Provider has not provided recommendations with respect to a proxy, Babson Capital will vote in accordance with the Research Provider’s proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”).  In circumstances where the Research Provider has not provided a recommendation or has not contemplated an issue within its Guidelines, the proxy will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

Babson Capital recognizes that there may be times when it is in the best interest of clients to vote proxies (i) against the Research Provider’s recommendations or (ii) in instances where the Research Provider has not provided a recommendation vote against the Guidelines.  Babson Capital can vote, in whole or in part, against the Research Provider’s recommendations or Guidelines, as it deems appropriate.  The procedures set forth in the Proxy Voting Policy are designed to ensure that votes against the Research Provider’s recommendations or Guidelines are made in the best interests of clients and are not the result of any material conflict of interest (a “Material Conflict”).  For purposes of the Proxy Voting Policy, a Material Conflict is defined as any position, relationship or interest, financial or otherwise, of Babson Capital or a Babson Capital associate that could reasonably be expected to affect the independence or judgment concerning proxy voting.
 
 

 
Summary of Babson Capital’s Proxy Voting Procedures:

Babson Capital will vote all client proxies for which it has proxy voting discretion, where no Material Conflict exists, in accordance with the Research Provider’s recommendations or Guidelines, unless (i) Babson Capital is unable or determines not to vote a proxy in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policy or (ii) an authorized investment person or designee (a “Proxy Analyst”) determines that it is in the client’s best interests to vote against the Research Provider’s recommendations or Guidelines.  In such cases where a Proxy Analyst believes a proxy should be voted against the Research Provider’s recommendations or Guidelines, the Proxy Administrator will vote the proxy in accordance with the Proxy Analyst’s recommendation as long as (i) no other Proxy Analyst disagrees with such recommendation and (ii) no known Material Conflict is identified by the Proxy Analyst(s) or the Proxy Administrator.  If a Material Conflict is identified by a Proxy Analysis or the Proxy Administrator, the proxy will be submitted to the Trading Practices Committee to determine how the proxy is to be voted in order to achieve that client’s best interests.

No associate, officer, director or board of managers/directors of Babson Capital or its affiliates (other than those assigned such responsibilities under the Proxy Voting Policy) can influence how Babson Capital votes client proxies, unless such person has been requested to provide assistance by a Proxy Analyst or Trading Practices Committee member and has disclosed any known Material Conflict.  Pre-vote communications are prohibited.  In the event that pre-vote communications occur, it should be reported to the Trading Practices Committee or Babson Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel prior to voting.  Any questions or concerns regarding proxy-solicitor arrangements should be addressed to Babson Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer and/or General Counsel.

Investment management agreements generally delegate the authority to vote proxies to Babson Capital in accordance with Babson Capital’s Proxy Voting Policy.  In the event an investment management agreement is silent on proxy voting, Babson Capital should obtain written instructions from the client as to their voting preference.  However, when the client does not provide written instructions as to their voting preferences, Babson Capital will assume proxy voting responsibilities.  In the event that a client makes a written request regarding voting, Babson Capital will vote as instructed.

Obtaining a Copy of the Proxy Voting Policy:

Clients may obtain a copy of Babson Capital’s Proxy Voting Policy and information about how Babson Capital voted proxies related to their securities, free of charge, by contacting the Chief Compliance Officer, Babson Capital Management LLC, 1500 Main Street, Suite 2800, P.O. Box 15189, Springfield, MA 01115-5189, or calling toll-free, 1-877-766-0014.

 
 

 
ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

The following disclosure item is made as of the date of this Form N-CSR unless otherwise indicated.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER. Michael L. Klofas serves as the President of the Registrant (since 2009) and as one of its Portfolio Managers. Mr. Klofas began his service to the Registrant in 1998 as a Vice President. With over 25 years of industry experience, Mr. Klofas is a Managing Director of the Mezzanine and Private Equity Group of Babson Capital Management LLC ("Babson Capital"). Mr. Klofas joined MassMutual in 1988. Prior to joining MassMutual, he spent two years at a small venture capital firm and two years at a national public accounting firm. At MassMutual and then Babson Capital, Mr. Klofas has analyzed and invested in traditional private placements and high yield public bonds. He also spent four years leading Babson Capital's workout and restructuring activities. Since 1993, he has focused on originating, analyzing, structuring and documenting mezzanine and private equity investments. Mr. Klofas holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from Babson College as well as a Certified Public Accountant designation. Mr. Klofas also presently serves as President of MassMutual Participation Investors, another closed-end management investment company advised by Babson Capital.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM. Mr. Klofas has primary responsibility for overseeing the investment of the Registrant's portfolio, with the day-to-day investment management responsibility of the Registrant's portfolio being shared with the following Babson Capital investment professionals (together with the Portfolio Manager, the "Portfolio Team").

Michael P. Hermsen is a Vice President of the Registrant and a Managing Director of Babson Capital who oversees the Global Private Finance Group and manages Babson Capital's Mezzanine Investment and Private Equity Investments Team which is responsible for finding, analyzing, negotiating and servicing mezzanine private placement securities for the Registrant.

Mr. Hermsen joined MassMutual in 1990 and has been an officer of the Registrant since 1998. Previously, he worked at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association where he was a generalist private placement analyst. At MassMutual and then Babson Capital, Mr. Hermsen has analyzed and invested in traditional private placements, high yield public and private bonds, and leveraged bank loans. He has also been responsible for managing a small portfolio of distressed investments. Since 1993, he has focused on originating, analyzing, structuring and documenting mezzanine and private equity investments. He holds a B.A. from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Mr. Spencer is a Vice President of the Registrant and a Managing Director of Babson Capital who also manages Babson Capital's Finance and Portfolio Analytics Group. Mr. Spencer joined MassMutual in 1989 after three years as a corporate loan analyst at a major New England bank. He has been an officer of the Registrant since 2002. At MassMutual and then Babson Capital, Mr. Spencer has analyzed and invested in traditional private placements, high yield public and private bonds, leveraged bank loans, mezzanine debt and private equity. From 1993 to 1999, he was the lead restructuring professional at Babson Capital. Since 1999, Mr. Spencer has been focused on the origination, analysis, structuring and documentation of mezzanine and private equity investments. He holds a B.A. from Bucknell University and an M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
 
Sean Feeley is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Registrant’s public high yield and investment grade fixed income portfolio. Mr. Feeley has been a Vice President of the Registrant since 2011. Mr. Feeley is a Managing Director of Babson Capital and head of the High Yield Research Team with over 22 years of industry experience in high yield bonds and loans in various investment strategies. Prior to joining Babson Capital in 2003, he was a Vice President at Cigna Investment Management in project finance and a Vice President at Credit Suisse in leveraged loan finance. Mr. Feeley holds a B.S. from Canisius College and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. Mr. Feeley is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO TEAM. The members of the Registrant's portfolio Team also have primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of other Babson Capital advisory accounts, including, among others, closed-end and open-end investment companies, private investment funds, MassMutual-affiliated accounts, as well as separate accounts for institutional clients. These advisory accounts are identified below.
 
 

 
 
            NUMBER OF        
            ACCOUNTS   APPROXIMATE    
        TOTAL   WITH   ASSET SIZE OF    
        NUMBER   APPROXIMATE   PERFORMANCE-   PERFORMANCE-
PORTFOLIO   ACCOUNT   OF   TOTAL ASSET   BASED   BASED ADVISORY
TEAM   CATEGORY   ACCOUNTS   SIZE (A)   ADVISORY FEE   FEE ACCOUNTS (A)
                     
 
 
Registered
  1   $257.4 million   0   N/A
Clifford M.
 
Investment
               
Noreen (B)
 
Companies
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other Pooled
  6   $123.9 million   6   $123.9 million
 
 
Investment
               
 
 
Vehicles
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Accounts
               
                     
                     
 
 
Registered
  4   $1.1 billion   0   N/A
Sean
 
Investment
               
Feeley
 
Companies
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other Pooled
  3   $1.9 billion   3   $1.9 billion
 
 
Investment
               
 
 
Vehicles
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other
  2   $127.9 million   2   $127.9 million
 
 
Accounts (C)
               
                     
 
                   
 
 
Registered
  1   $257.4 million   0   N/A
Michael P.
 
Investment
               
Hermsen (D)
 
Companies
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other Pooled
  6   $1.4 billion   6   $1.4 billion
 
 
Investment
               
 
 
Vehicles (E)
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Accounts
               
                     
                     
 
 
Registered
  1   $257.4 million   0   N/A
Michael L.
 
Investment
               
Klofas
 
Companies
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other Pooled
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Investment
               
 
 
Vehicles (E)
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Accounts
               
                     
                     
 
 
Registered
  1   $257.4 million   0   N/A
Richard E.
 
Investment
               
Spencer, II
 
Companies
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other Pooled
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Investment
               
 
 
Vehicles (E)
               
                     
                     
 
 
Other
  0   N/A   0   N/A
 
 
Accounts
               
 
 
(A)
Account asset size has been calculated as of December 31, 2012.

(B)
Mr. Noreen, as head of Babson Capital’s Fixed Income Group, has overall responsibility for all investment grade publicly traded assets, including corporate debt securities, as well as structured credit products managed by Babson Capital.  Except for the accounts noted in the table above, Mr. Noreen is not primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the other accounts managed by Babson Capital’s Fixed Income Group.

(C)
Mr. Feeley manages the high yield sector of the general investment account of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and C.M. Life Insurance Company; however, these assets are not represented in the table above.

(D)
Mr. Hermsen, as head of Babson Capital’s Global Private Finance Group, has overall responsible for private bonds, mezzanine and private equity investments.
 
(E)
Messrs. Hermsen, Klofas and Spencer manage private placement mezzanine debt securities for the general investment account of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and C.M. Life Insurance Company; however these assets are not represented in the table above.
 
 

 
MATERIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. The potential for material conflicts of interest may exist as the members of the Portfolio Management Team, have responsibilities for the day-to-day management of multiple advisory accounts. These conflicts may be heightened to the extent the individual, Babson Capital and/or an affiliate has an investment in one or more of such accounts. Babson Capital has identified (and summarized below) areas where material conflicts of interest are most likely to arise, and has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonable designed to address such conflicts.

Transactions with Affiliates: Babson Capital or its affiliates, including MassMutual and its affiliates, may from time to time, acting as principal, buy securities or other investments for itself from or sell securities or other investments it owns to its advisory clients. Likewise, Babson Capital may either directly or on behalf of MassMutual, purchase and/or hold securities or other investments that are subsequently sold or transferred to advisory clients. Babson Capital has a conflict of interest in connection with a transaction where it or an affiliate is acting as principal since it may have an incentive to favor itself or its affiliates over its advisory clients in connection with the transaction. To address these conflicts of interest, Babson Capital has adopted a Transactions with Affiliates Policy, which ensures any such transaction is consistent with Babson Capital’s fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its clients, including its ability to obtain best execution in connection with the transaction, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Cross Trades: Babson Capital may effect cross-trades on behalf of its advisory clients whereby one advisory client buys securities or other investments from or sells securities or other investments to another advisory client. Babson Capital may also effect cross-transactions involving advisory accounts or funds in which it or its affiliates, including MassMutual, and their respective employees, have an ownership interest or for which Babson Capital is entitled to earn a performance or incentive fee. As a result, Babson Capital has a conflict of interest in connection with the cross-transaction since it may have an incentive to favor the advisory client or fund in which it or its affiliate has an ownership interest and/or is entitled to a performance or incentive fee. To address these conflicts of interest, Babson Capital has adopted a Transactions with Affiliates Policy, which ensures any such cross-transaction is consistent with Babson Capital’s fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of each of its advisory clients, including its ability to obtain best execution for each advisory client in connection with the cross-trade transaction, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Babson Capital will not receive a commission or any other remuneration (other than its advisory fee) for effecting cross-transactions between advisory clients.

Loan Origination Transactions: While Babson Capital or its affiliates generally do not act as an underwriter or member of a syndicate in connection with a securities offering, Babson Capital or its affiliates (or an unaffiliated entity in which Babson Capital or its affiliates has an ownership interest) may act as an underwriter, originator, agent, or member of a syndicate in connection with the origination of senior secured loans or other lending arrangements with borrowers, where such loans may be purchased by Babson Capital advisory clients during or after the original syndication. Babson Capital advisory clients may purchase such loans directly from Babson Capital or its affiliates (or an unaffiliated entity in which Babson Capital or its affiliates has an ownership interest) or from other members of the lending syndicate. Babson Capital or its affiliates may directly or indirectly receive underwriting, origination, or agent fees in connection with such loan originations. As a result, Babson Capital has a conflict of interest in connection with such loan origination transactions since it has an incentive to base its investment recommendation to its advisory clients on the amount of compensation, underwriting, origination or agent fees it would receive rather than on its advisory clients’ best interests. To address this conflict of interest, Babson Capital has adopted a Transactions with Affiliates Policy, which ensures any such transaction is consistent with Babson Capital’s fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its clients, including its ability to obtain best execution in connection with the transaction, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

 
 

 
MML Investors Services, LLC (“MMLISI”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual, is an SEC-registered broker-dealer that may act as an introducing broker for the purpose of effecting securities transactions for brokerage customers. While a Babson Capital advisory client could request that MMLISI effect securities transactions for it that would result in commissions to MMLISI, currently no Babson Capital advisory client directs Babson Capital to effect securities transactions for its account through MMLISI.

Investments by Advisory Clients: Babson Capital may invest client assets in securities or other investments that are also held by (i) Babson Capital or its affiliates, including MassMutual, (ii) other Babson Capital advisory accounts, (iii) funds or accounts in which Babson Capital or its affiliates or their respective employees have an ownership or economic interest or (iv) employees of Babson Capital or its affiliates. Babson Capital may also, on behalf of its advisory clients, invest in the same or different securities or instruments of issuers in which (i) Babson Capital or its affiliates, including MassMutual, (ii) other Babson Capital advisory accounts, (iii) funds or accounts in which Babson Capital, its affiliates, or their respective employees have an ownership or economic interest or (iv) employees of Babson Capital or its affiliates, have an ownership interest as a holder of the debt, equity or other instruments of the issuer. Babson Capital has a conflict of interest in connection with any such transaction since investments by its advisory clients may directly or indirectly benefit Babson Capital and/or its affiliates and employees by potentially increasing the value of the securities or instruments it holds in the issuer. Any investment by Babson Capital on behalf of its advisory clients will be consistent with its fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its advisory clients, and otherwise be consistent with such clients’ investment objectives and restrictions.

Babson Capital or its affiliates may also recommend that clients invest in registered or unregistered investment companies, including private investment funds such as hedge funds, private equity funds or structured funds (i) advised by Babson Capital or an affiliate, (ii) in which Babson Capital, an affiliate or their respective employees has an ownership or economic interest or (iii) with respect to which Babson Capital or an affiliate has an interest in the entity entitled to receive the fees paid by such funds. Babson Capital has a conflict of interest in connection with any such recommendation since it may have an incentive to base its recommendation to invest in such investment companies or private funds on the fees that Babson Capital or its affiliates would earn as a result of the investment by its advisory clients in the investment companies or private funds. Any recommendation to invest in a Babson Capital advised fund or other investment company will be consistent with Babson Capital’s fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its advisory clients, consistent with such clients’ investment objectives and restrictions. Babson Capital may, in certain limited circumstances, offer to clients that invest in private investment funds that it advises an equity interest in entities that receive advisory fees and carried profits interest from such funds.

Employee Co-Investment: Babson Capital may permit certain of its portfolio managers and other employees to invest in private investment funds advised by Babson Capital or its affiliates and/or share in the performance or incentive fees received by Babson Capital from such funds. If the portfolio manager or other employee was responsible for both the portfolio management of the private fund and other Babson Capital advisory accounts, such person would have a conflict of interest in connection with investment decisions since the person may have an incentive to direct the best investment ideas, or to allocate trades, in favor of the fund in which he or she is invested or otherwise entitled to share in the performance or incentive fees received from such fund. To address these conflicts of interest, Babson Capital has adopted a Side by Side Management of Private Investment Funds and Other Advisory Accounts Policy which requires, among others things, that Babson Capital treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Babson Capital from favoring any particular advisory account as a result of the ownership or economic interests of Babson Capital, its affiliates or employees, in such advisory account. Any investment by a Babson Capital employee in one of its private funds is also governed by Babson Capital’s Employee Co-Investment Policy, which ensures that any co-investment by a Babson Capital employee is consistent with Babson Capital’s Code of Ethics.

Management of Multiple Accounts: As noted above, Babson Capital’s portfolio managers are often responsible for the day-to-day management of multiple accounts, including, among others, separate accounts for institutional clients, closed-end and open-end registered investment companies, and/or private investment funds (such as hedge funds, private equity funds and structured funds), as well as for proprietary accounts of Babson Capital and its affiliates, including MassMutual and its affiliates. The potential for material conflicts of interest exist whenever a portfolio manager has responsibility for the day-to-day management of multiple advisory accounts. These conflicts may be heightened to the extent a portfolio manager is responsible for managing a proprietary account for Babson Capital or its affiliates or where the portfolio manager, Babson Capital and/or an affiliate has an investment in one or more of such accounts or an interest in the performance of one or more of such accounts (e.g., through the receipt of a performance or incentive fee).

 
 

 
Investment Allocation: Such potential conflicts include those relating to allocation of investment opportunities. For example, it is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for more than one account managed by Babson Capital, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for all accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by multiple accounts. A conflict arises where the portfolio manager has an incentive to treat an account preferentially because the account pays Babson Capital or its affiliates a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, Babson Capital or an affiliate has an ownership or other economic interest in the account. As noted above, Babson Capital also acts as an investment manager for certain of its affiliates, including MassMutual. These affiliate accounts co-invest jointly and concurrently with Babson Capital’s other advisory clients and therefore share in the allocation of such investment opportunities. To address these conflicts of interest associated with the allocation of trading and investment opportunities, Babson Capital has adopted an Investment Allocation Policy and trade allocation procedures that govern the allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple advisory accounts, including affiliated accounts. In addition, as noted above, to address these conflicts of interest, Babson Capital has adopted a Side by Side Management of Private Investment Funds and Other Advisory Accounts Policy which requires, among others things, that Babson Capital treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Babson Capital from favoring any particular advisory account as a result of the ownership or economic interests of Babson Capital, its affiliates or employees, in such advisory accounts. Any investment by a Babson Capital employee in one of its private funds is also governed by Babson Capital’s Employee Co-Investment Policy, which ensures that any co-investment by a Babson Capital employee is consistent with Babson Capital’s Code of Ethics.

Personal Securities Transactions; Short Sales: Potential material conflicts of interest may also arise related to the knowledge and timing of an account’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Babson Capital and its portfolio managers have information about the size, timing and possible market impact of the trades of each account they manage. It is possible that portfolio managers could use this information for their personal advantage and/or the advantage or disadvantage of various accounts which they manage. For example, a portfolio manager could, or cause a favored account to, “front run” an account’s trade or sell short a security for an account immediately prior to another accounts sale of that security. To address these conflicts, Babson Capital has adopted policies and procedures, including a Short Sales Policy, which ensures that the use of short sales by Babson Capital is consistent with Babson Capital’s fiduciary obligations to its clients, a Side by Side Management of Private Investment Funds and Other Advisory Accounts Policy, which requires, among other things, that Babson Capital treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Babson Capital from favoring any particular account as a result of the ownership or economic interest of Babson Capital, its affiliates or employees and a Code of Ethics.

Trade Errors: Potential material conflicts of interest may also arise if a trade error occurs in a client account. A trade error is deemed to occur if there is a deviation by Babson Capital from the applicable standard of care in connection with the placement, execution or settlement of a trade for an advisory account that results in (1) Babson Capital purchasing securities not permitted or authorized by a client’s investment advisory agreement or otherwise failing to follow a client’s specific investment directives; (2) Babson Capital purchasing or selling the wrong security or the wrong amount of securities on behalf of a client’s account; or (3) Babson Capital purchasing or selling securities for, or allocating securities to, the wrong client account. When correcting these errors, conflicts of interest between Babson Capital and its advisory accounts may arise as decisions are made on whether to cancel, reverse or reallocate the erroneous trades. In order to address these conflicts, Babson Capital has adopted an Errors Policy governing the resolution of trading errors, and will follow the Errors Policy in order to ensure that trade errors are handled promptly and appropriately and that any action taken to remedy an error places the interest of a client ahead of Babson Capital’s interest.

Best Execution; Directed Brokerage: With respect to securities transactions for most of the accounts it manages, Babson Capital determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its fiduciary duty to seek best execution of the transaction. Babson Capital manages certain accounts, however, for clients who limit its discretion with respect to the selection of brokers or direct it to execute such client’s transaction through a particular broker. In these cases, trades for such an account in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, those in the same security for other accounts. Placing separate transaction orders for a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or otherwise affect the execution of the transaction to the possible detriment of one or more of the other account(s) involved. In order to address these conflicts, Babson Capital has adopted a Best Execution Policy, which establishes the necessary controls to satisfy its obligations regarding best execution and ensures it places advisory client trades in such a manner that the advisory client’s total costs or proceeds are the most favorable under the circumstances, and a Directed Brokerage Policy, which ensures all directed brokerage instructions are executed in accordance with written client instructions and applicable legal requirements.

Babson Capital and its portfolio managers or employees may have other actual or potential conflicts of interest in managing an advisory account, and the list above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist.
 
COMPENSATION. The current Babson Capital compensation and incentive program for investment professionals is designed to attract, motivate and retain high-performing individuals.

To help Babson Capital make informed decisions, Babson Capital participates in annual compensation surveys of investment management firms using McLagan | Aon Hewitt, in addition to other industry specific resources. The firms selected for periodic peer-group comparisons typically have similar asset size or business mix. Annually, a review is conducted of total compensation versus market, to ensure that individual pay is competitive with the defined overall market.
 
 

 
The compensation package for the members of the Portfolio Team is comprised of a market-driven base salary, a performance-driven annual bonus, and discretionary long-term incentives. The performance-driven annual bonus is based on the overall performance of Babson Capital as well as the performance of the accounts managed by the members of the Portfolio Team relative to appropriate benchmarks, including with respect to the Registrant, to the Russell 2000 Index and Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index. Performance of the Registrant, like other accounts Portfolio Team members manage, are evaluated on a pre-tax basis, and are reviewed over one and three-year periods, with greater emphasis given to the latter. There are other factors that affect bonus awards to a lesser extent, such as client satisfaction, teamwork, employee individual performance in relation to pre-determined goals, and the assets under management. Such factors are considered as a part of the overall annual bonus evaluation process by the management of Babson Capital.

Long-Term incentives are designed to share with participants the longer-term value created in Babson Capital. Long-term incentives may take the form of deferred cash awards (including deferred cash awards that provide a portfolio manager with the economic equivalent of a "shareholder" interest in Babson Capital by linking the value of the award to a formula which is meant to represent the value of the business), and/or, in the case of a portfolio manager who manages a private investment fund with a performance fee, a deferred cash award or a direct profit sharing interest that results in the portfolio manager receiving amounts based on the amount of the performance fee paid by such fund. These long-term incentives vest over time and are granted annually, based upon the same criteria used to determine the performance-driven annual bonus detailed above. Because the Portfolio Team members are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Registrant), they are compensated on the overall performance of the accounts that they manage, rather than a specific account, except for the portion of compensation relating to any performance fee award.
 
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. As of December 31, 2012, members of the Portfolio Team beneficially owned the following dollar range of equity securities in the Registrant:
 
Portfolio Team:
Dollar Range of Beneficially
Owned* Equity Securities of the Registrant:
Clifford M. Noreen
None
Sean Feeley
None
Michael P. Hermsen
$10,001-$50,000
Michael L. Klofas
None
Richard E. Spencer II
None

*
Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (Shares "beneficially owned" include the number of shares of the Registrant represented by the value of a Registrant-related investment option under Babson Capital's non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain officers of Babson Capital (the "Plan"). The Plan has an investment option that derives its value from the market value of the Registrant's shares. However, neither the Plan nor the participation in the Plan has an actual ownership interest in the Registrant'sshares.)

 
ITEM 9.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable for this filing.
 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable for this filing.

 
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 
(a)
The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act")) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report and based on that evaluation have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

 
(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the Registrant's second fiscal half year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 
(a)(1)
ANY CODE OF ETHICS, OR AMENDMENTS THERETO, THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY ITEM 2, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE REGISTRANT INTENDS TO SATISFY THE ITEM 2 REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE FILING OF AN EXHIBIT.

None.

 
(a)(2)
A SEPARATE CERTIFICATION FOR EACH PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE REGISTRANT AS REQUIRED BY RULE 30a-2 UNDER THE ACT.

Attached hereto as EX-99.31.1
Attached hereto as EX-99.31.2

 
(a)(3)
ANY WRITTEN SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE SECURITIES UNDER RULE 23c-1 UNDER THE ACT (17 CFR 270.23c-1) SENT OR GIVEN DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE REPORT BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT TO 10 OR MORE PERSONS.

Not applicable for this filing.

 
(b)
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 302-2(b) UNDER THE ACT.

Attached hereto as EX-99.32
 
 

 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
(Registrant): Babson Capital Participation Investors  
     
     
By: /s/ Michael L. Klofas  
 
Michael L. Klofas, President
 
     
Date:
March 11, 2013
 
     

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
By: /s/ Michael L. Klofas  
 
Michael L. Klofas, President
 
     
Date:
March 11, 2013
 
     
     
By: /s/ James M. Roy  
 
James M. Roy, Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
     
Date:
March 11, 2013