The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report.

Some of the statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

• our future operating results;

• our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

• the impact of investments that we expect to make;

• our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

• the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

• the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

• our expected financings and investments;

• the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and

• the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.

We generally use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this report on information available to us on the date of this report, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including any annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

OVERVIEW

Apollo Investment was incorporated under the Maryland General Corporation Law in February 2004. We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As such, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in "qualifying assets," including securities of private or thinly traded public U.S. companies, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, for federal income tax purposes we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Pursuant to this election and assuming we qualify as a RIC, we generally do not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any income we distribute to our stockholders. Apollo Investment commenced operations on April 8, 2004 upon completion of its initial public offering that raised $870 million in net proceeds selling 62 million shares of its common stock at a price of $15.00 per share. Since then, and through March 31, 2009, we have raised approximately $1.4 billion in net proceeds from additional offerings of common stock.

Investments

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital available to middle market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment and the competitive

environment for the types of investments we make. As a business development company, we must not acquire any assets other than "qualifying assets" specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Qualifying assets include investments in "eligible portfolio companies." Pursuant to rules adopted in 2006, the SEC expanded the definition of "eligible portfolio company" to include certain public companies that do not have any securities listed on a national securities exchange. The SEC recently adopted an additional new rule under the 1940 Act to expand the definition of "eligible portfolio company" to include companies whose securities are listed on a national securities exchange but whose market capitalization is less than $250 million. This new rule became effective July 21, 2008.

Revenue

We generate revenue primarily in the form of interest and dividend income from the debt and preferred securities we hold and capital gains, if any, on investment securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. Our debt investments, whether in the form of mezzanine or senior secured loans, generally have a stated term of five to ten years and bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate usually determined on the basis of a benchmark: LIBOR, EURIBOR, GBP LIBOR, or the prime rate. While U.S. subordinated debt and corporate notes typically accrue interest at fixed rates, some of these investments may include zero coupon, payment-in-kind ("PIK") and/or step-up bonds that accrue income on a constant yield to call or maturity basis. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semiannually. In some cases, some of our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of dividends paid to us on common equity investments as well as revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and, if applicable, consulting fees, etc.

Expenses

All investment professionals of the investment adviser and their staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of that personnel which is allocable to those services are provided and paid for by AIM. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to:

• investment advisory and management fees;

• expenses incurred by AIM payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies;

• calculation of our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

• direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent registered public accounting and legal costs;

• costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC;

• interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;

• offerings of our common stock and other securities;

• registration and listing fees;

• fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments;

• transfer agent and custodial fees;

• taxes;

• independent directors' fees and expenses;

• the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing and postage costs;

• our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

• organization and offering; and

• all other expenses incurred by us or the Administrator in connection with administering our business, such as our allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs.

We expect our general and administrative operating expenses related to our ongoing operations to increase moderately in dollar terms. During periods of asset growth, we expect our general and administrative operating expenses to decline as a percentage of our total assets and increase during periods of asset declines. Incentive fees, interest expense and costs relating to future offerings of securities, among others, may also increase or reduce overall operating expenses based on portfolio performance, benchmarks LIBOR and EURIBOR, and offerings of our securities relative to comparative periods, among other factors.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

During our fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, we invested $435 million across 12 new and 13 existing portfolio companies. This compares to investing $1.8 billion in 27 new and 15 existing portfolio companies for the previous fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Investments sold or prepaid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 totaled $340 million versus $714 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

At March 31, 2009, our net portfolio consisted of 72 portfolio companies and was invested 27% in senior secured loans, 59% in subordinated debt, 4% in preferred equity and 10% in common equity and warrants measured at fair value versus 71 portfolio companies invested 22% in senior secured loans, 57% in subordinated debt, 6% in preferred equity and 15% in common equity and warrants at March 31, 2008.

The weighted average yields on our senior secured loan portfolio, subordinated debt portfolio and total debt portfolio at our current cost basis were 8.2%, 13.2% and 11.7%, respectively, at March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2008, the yields were 10.0%, 12.8%, and 12.0%, respectively.

Since the initial public offering of Apollo Investment Corporation in April 2004 and through March 31, 2009, invested capital totals $5.6 billion in 124 portfolio companies. Over the same period, Apollo Investment has also completed transactions with more than 85 different financial sponsors.

Senior secured loans and European mezzanine loans typically accrue interest at variable rates determined on the basis of a benchmark: LIBOR, EURIBOR, GBP LIBOR, or the prime rate, with stated maturities at origination that typically range from 5 to 10 years. While subordinated debt issued within the United States will typically accrue interest at fixed rates, some of these investments may include zero-coupon, PIK and/or step bonds that accrue income on a constant yield to call or maturity basis. At March 31, 2009, 69% or $1.5 billion of our interest-bearing investment portfolio is fixed rate debt and 31% or $0.7 billion is floating rate debt, measured at fair value. At March 31, 2008, 62% or $1.6 billion of our interest-bearing investment portfolio was fixed rate debt and 38% or $1.0 billion was floating rate debt.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make

estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition to the discussion below, our critical accounting policies are further described in the notes to the financial statements.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

Under procedures established by our Board of Directors, we value investments, including certain subordinated debt, senior secured debt and other debt securities with maturities greater than 60 days, for which market quotations are readily available, at such market quotations (unless they are deemed not to represent fair value). We typically obtain market quotations from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise from a principal market maker or a primary market dealer or other independent pricing service). We utilize mid-market pricing as a practical expedient for fair value unless a different point within the range is more representative. If and when market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, we typically utilize independent third party valuation firms to assist us in determining fair value. Given the general market dislocation, the lack of trading activity and the forced sellers we noted in the market during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, our research and diligence concluded that the limited but available market quotations on a number of performing or outperforming credits may not be representative of fair value under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. Accordingly, such investments went through our multi-step valuation process as described below. In each case, our independent valuation firms considered observable market inputs together with significant unobservable inputs in arriving at their valuation recommendations for such Level 3 categorized assets. Investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates fair value. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors. Such determination of fair values may involve subjective judgments and estimates.

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

(1) our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of our investment adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;

(2) preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with senior management of our investment adviser;

(3) independent valuation firms engaged by our board of directors conduct independent appraisals and review our investment adviser's preliminary valuations and make their own independent assessment;

(4) the audit committee of the board of directors reviews the preliminary valuation of our investment adviser and that of the independent valuation firm and responds to the valuation recommendation of the independent valuation firm to reflect any comments; and

(5) the board of directors discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, the respective independent valuation firm and the audit committee.

Investments are valued utilizing a market approach, an income approach, or both approaches, as appropriate. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present amount (discounted). The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. In following these approaches, the types of factors that we may take into account in fair value pricing our investments include, as relevant: available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading

and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and multiples, security covenants, call protection provisions, information rights, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments, its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public, M&A comparables, our principal market (as the reporting entity) and enterprise values, among other factors.

In September, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 157, Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those years. We adopted this statement for our first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008.

SFAS No. 157 classifies the inputs used to measure these fair values into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, accessible by the Company at the measurement date.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other observable inputs other than quoted prices.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

In all cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each investment.

On October 10, 2008, FASB Staff Position 157-3-Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active ("FAS 157-3") was issued. FAS 157-3 provides examples of how to determine fair value in a market that is not active. FAS 157-3 did not change the fair value measurement principles set forth in FAS 157. Furthermore, on April 9, 2009, FASB Staff Position 157-4-Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly ("FAS 157-4") was issued. FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FAS 157-4 also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. According to FAS 157-4, in the above circumstances, more analysis and significant adjustments to transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. FAS 157-4 is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. We are currently reviewing FAS 157-4 and the future impact, if any, it will have on our financial position or results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

We record interest and dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and securities with contractual PIK interest or dividends, which represents contractual interest or dividends accrued and added to the balance that generally becomes due at maturity; we may not accrue PIK income if the portfolio company valuation indicates that the PIK income is not collectible, among other factors. We do not accrue as a receivable interest or dividends on loans and securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such income. Loan origination fees, original issue discount, and market discount are capitalized and we amortize such amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or security, any unamortized loan origination fees are recorded as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and securities as interest income when we receive such amounts.

Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation

We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, but considering unamortized upfront fees and prepayment penalties. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.

Within the context of these critical accounting policies, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different amounts being reported.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results comparisons are for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Investment Income

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, gross investment income totaled $377.3 million, $357.9 million and $266.1 million, respectively. The increase in gross investment income from fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2009 was primarily due to changes in the composition of the portfolio as compared to the previous fiscal year. The increase in gross investment income from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2008 was primarily due to the growth of our investment portfolio as compared to the previous fiscal year. Origination, closing and/or commitment fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are accreted into interest income over the respective terms of the applicable loans.

Expenses

Net operating expenses totaled $170.5 million, $154.4 million and $139.7 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, of which $111.3 million, $90.3 million and $98.5 million, respectively, were base management fees and performance-based incentive fees and $48.9 million, $55.8 million and $34.4 million, respectively, were interest and other credit facility expenses. Of these net operating expenses, general and administrative expenses totaled $10.3 million, $8.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Net expenses consist of base investment advisory and management fees, insurance expenses, administrative services fees, legal fees, directors' fees, audit and tax services expenses, and other general and administrative expenses. The increase in net expenses from fiscal 2008 to 2009 was primarily related to the increase in performance-based incentive expenses accrued during fiscal 2009 as compared to those accrued during fiscal 2008. Accrued performance-based incentive expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 reflect an accrual reduction of $16.0 million attributable to the difference between the amount of net realized capital gains based incentive fees accrued at March 31, 2007 and what was ultimately earned and paid in December 31, 2007. The increase in net expenses from fiscal 2007 to 2008 were primarily related to increases in base management fees, performance-based incentive fees and other general and administrative expenses related to the growth of our investment portfolio as compared to the previous period. In addition, excise tax expense totaled $0.5 million, $1.9 million, and $1.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Net Investment Income

The Company's net investment income totaled $206.3 million, $201.6 million and $125.3 million, or $1.48, $1.82, and $1.49, on a per share basis, respectively, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Net Realized Gains

The Company had investment sales and prepayments totaling $340 million, $714 million and $845 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Net realized losses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 were $83.7 million. Net realized gains for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $54.3 million and $132.9 million, respectively.

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments, Cash Equivalents and Foreign Currencies

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, net change in unrealized depreciation on the Company's investments, cash equivalents, foreign currencies and other assets and liabilities totaled $734.5 million and $289.3 million, respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, net change in unrealized appreciation on the Company's investments, cash equivalents, foreign currencies and other assets and liabilities totaled $54.0 million. A material increase in unrealized depreciation was recognized for the most recent fiscal year from significantly lower fair value determinations on many of our investments. Lower fair values were driven primarily from the general market dislocation, the illiquid capital markets, and the current market expectations for pricing increased credit risk and default assumptions.

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $611.9 million and $33.4 million, respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the Company had a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $312.2 million. The loss per share was $4.39 and $0.30 for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the year ended March 31, 2007, earnings per share were $3.64.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's liquidity and capital resources are generated and generally available through periodic follow-on equity offerings, through its senior secured, multi-currency $1.7 billion, five-year, revolving credit facility maturing in April 2011, through investments in special purpose entities in which we hold and finance particular investments on a non-recourse basis, as well as from cash flows from operations, investment sales of liquid assets and prepayments of senior and subordinated loans and income earned from investments and cash equivalents. At March 31, 2009, the Company had $1.06 billion in borrowings outstanding and $0.64 billion of unused capacity. Given our asset coverage requirements, use of the capital resources available to us has been significantly curtailed due to the effect of unrealized depreciation on our leverage ratio. In addition, we currently expect any present liquidity needs to be met from continued cash flows from operations and investment sales and prepayments, among other actions. In the future, the Company may raise additional equity or debt capital off its shelf registration, among other considerations. The primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies, cash distributions to our stockholders, reductions in debt outstanding and other general corporate purposes. On May 16, 2008, the Company closed on its most recent follow-on public equity offering of 22.3 million shares of common stock at $17.11 per share raising approximately $369.6 million in net proceeds.

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