TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
|
Page |
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
S-1 |
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS |
S-2 |
SUMMARY |
S-3 |
USE OF
PROCEEDS |
S-5 |
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION |
S-5 |
LEGAL
MATTERS |
S-5 |
EXPERTS |
S-5 |
WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION |
S-5 |
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
S-6 |
PROSPECTUS
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS |
1 |
MONMOUTH REAL
ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION |
1 |
RISK
FACTORS |
2 |
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
9 |
USE OF
PROCEEDS |
10 |
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDENDS |
10 |
DESCRIPTION OF
CAPITAL STOCK |
10 |
DESCRIPTION OF
DEBT SECURITIES |
16 |
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BY-LAWS |
22 |
MATERIAL
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
25 |
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION |
41 |
LEGAL
MATTERS |
42 |
EXPERTS |
42 |
WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION |
42 |
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
42 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You
should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference
into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any “free
writing prospectus” we may authorize to be delivered to you. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We
are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the securities only in
jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus, any “free writing prospectus” or the documents incorporated by
reference is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have
changed since those dates.
This
document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which
adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the
documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus. The second
part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some
of which may not apply to this offering.
In this
prospectus supplement, the words “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation and its subsidiaries unless the context
indicates otherwise.
Statements
contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
including the documents that are incorporated by reference, that are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”). Also, when we use any of the words “anticipate,” “assume,”
“believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” or similar expressions, we are making
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees
and are based on our current intentions and on our current expectations and
assumptions. These statements, intentions, expectations and assumptions involve
risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control that could cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those we anticipate or
project, such as:
|
·
the ability of our tenants to make payments under their respective
leases;
|
|
·
our
reliance on certain major tenants and our ability to re-lease properties
that are currently vacant or that become
vacant; |
|
·
our ability to obtain suitable tenants for our
properties;
|
|
·
changes in real estate market conditions and general economic
conditions;
|
|
·
the inherent risks associated with owning real estate, including local
real estate market conditions, governing laws and regulations and
illiquidity of real estate
investments;
|
|
·
our ability to sell properties at an attractive
price;
|
|
·
our ability to repay debt financing
obligations;
|
|
·
our ability to refinance amounts outstanding under our credit facilities
at maturity on terms favorable to
us;
|
|
·
the loss of any member of our management
team;
|
|
·
our ability to comply with certain debt
covenants;
|
|
·
our ability to integrate acquired properties and operations into existing
operations;
|
|
·
continued availability of debt or equity
capital;
|
|
·
market conditions affecting our equity
capital;
|
|
·
changes in interest rates under our current credit facilities and under
any additional variable rate debt arrangements that we may enter into in
the future;
|
|
·
our ability to implement successfully our selective acquisition
strategy;
|
|
·
our ability to maintain internal controls and procedures to ensure all
transactions are accounted for properly, all relevant disclosures and
filings are timely made in accordance with all rules and regulations
and any potential fraud or embezzlement is thwarted or
detected;
|
|
·
changes in federal or state tax rules or regulations that could have
adverse tax consequences; and
|
|
·
our ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust for federal
income tax purposes.
|
You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as events
described or implied in such statements may not occur. We undertake no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
The
following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information
and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in,
or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus.
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation is a Maryland corporation operating as a
qualified real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856 through
859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”). Currently, we seek to invest in well-located, modern
buildings leased to investment grade tenants on long-term leases and derive our
income primarily from the rental of these facilities. At June 30, 2009, we owned
approximately 6,070,000 square feet of property, of which approximately
2,810,000 square feet, or 46%, was leased to Federal Express Corporation and its
subsidiaries and approximately 279,000 square feet, or 5%, was leased to Keebler
Company, a subsidiary of the Kellogg Company. During fiscal 2008,
2007 and 2006 rental and reimbursement revenue from properties leased to these
two companies approximated 61%, 55% and 55%, respectively, of our total rental
and reimbursement revenue.
At June
30, 2009, we had investments in fifty-seven industrial properties and one
shopping center. These properties are located in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and
Wisconsin. All properties are managed by a management company affiliated with
one of our directors. All properties are leased on a net basis except the
property located in Monaca, Pennsylvania and the shopping center in Somerset,
New Jersey.
We
anticipate acquiring additional properties in the fourth quarter of 2009. The
funds for these acquisitions are expected to come from our available line of
credit, mortgages, other bank borrowings, proceeds from the Dividend
Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) and private or public placements
of additional common or preferred stock. To the extent that funds or appropriate
properties are not available, few or no acquisitions may be made. Because of the
contingent nature of contracts to purchase real property, we will announce
acquisitions only upon closing.
We
compete with other investors in real estate for attractive investment
opportunities. These investors include other “equity” real estate investment
trusts, limited partnerships, syndications and private investors, among
others. Competition in the market areas in which we operate is
significant and affects our ability to acquire or expand properties, occupancy
levels, rental rates and operating expenses of certain
properties. Management has built relationships with merchant builders
that have historically provided us with investment opportunities that fit our
investment policy.
We have a
flexible investment policy concentrating our investments in the area of
long-term net-leased industrial properties to investment grade tenants. Our
strategy is to obtain a favorable yield spread between the yield from the
net-leased industrial properties and interest costs. We anticipate that we will
continue to purchase net-leased, well-located industrial properties because our
management believes that these investments offer a potential for long-term
capital appreciation. There is the risk that, on expiration of
current leases, the properties can become vacant or re-leased at lower rents.
The results we obtain by re-leasing the properties will depend on the market for
industrial properties at that time.
We also
continue to invest in both debt and equity securities of other
REITs. We, from time to time, may purchase these securities on margin
when the interest and dividend yields exceed the cost of the
funds. This securities portfolio, to the extent not pledged to secure
borrowing, provides us with liquidity and additional income. Such
securities are subject to risk arising from adverse changes in market rates and
prices, primarily interest rate risk relating to debt securities and equity
price risk relating to equity securities. From time to time, we may
use derivative instruments to mitigate interest rate risk.
Prior to
July 31, 2007, we operated as part of a group of three public companies (all
REITs) which included UMH Properties, Inc. (“UMH”) and Monmouth Capital
Corporation (“Monmouth Capital” and together with UMH, the “affiliated
companies”). Monmouth Capital was merged into us on July 31, 2007. We continue
to operate in conjunction with UMH. UMH has focused its investing in
manufactured home communities. General and administrative expenses are allocated
between the two remaining affiliated companies based on use or services
provided. We currently have nine employees. Allocations of salaries and benefits
are made between the affiliated companies based on the amount of the employees’
time dedicated to each affiliated company.
Our
executive offices are located at Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-C, 3499
Route 9 North, Freehold, New Jersey 07728, and our telephone number is
(732) 577-9996. Our website is located at www.mreic.com. Information
contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus
supplement.
The
following is a brief summary of some of the terms of this
offering. For a more complete description of the terms of our Common
Stock see “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying
prospectus.
Issuer
|
|
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation.
|
Securities
Offered
|
|
1,730,200 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.
|
Price
per Share
|
|
$
6.50
|
Common
Stock outstanding after this offering
|
|
27,513,979
shares
|
NASDAQ
Global Select Market symbol
|
|
MNRTA
|
Restriction
on Ownership and Transfer
|
|
No
person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution
rules of the Code more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares of
our outstanding stock (other than shares of our excess stock), subject to
certain exceptions. In addition, no person may own, or be deemed to own,
shares of our stock (other than shares of our excess stock) that would
result in shares of our stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons,
us being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code
or us otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code. See
“Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in
the accompanying prospectus.
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
|
We
intend to use the proceeds of this offering to purchase additional
properties in the ordinary course of our business and for general
corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page S-5 of
this prospectus supplement.
|
Risk
Factors
|
|
You
should read carefully the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of the
accompanying prospectus and page 5 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, for certain considerations
relevant to investing in the Common
Stock.
|
We
estimate the net proceeds from the sale of all the Common Stock offered hereby
will be approximately $10.5 million, assuming a public offering price of
$6.50 per share and after deducting the placement agent fee and other estimated
expenses of approximately $792,000. We intend to use the net proceeds
to purchase additional properties in the ordinary course of our business and for
general corporate purposes. Until we use the net proceeds from this
offering, they may be deposited in interest bearing cash accounts or invested in
short-term securities, including securities that may not be investment grade.
We are
offering the shares of our Common Stock through a placement
agent. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the placement
agent agreement, dated October 15, 2009, CSCA Capital Advisors, LLC ("CSCA") has
agreed to act as the placement agent for this offering. CSCA may be
an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with its
placement agent activities in this offering.
CSCA has
no commitment to purchase any shares of our Common Stock and will act only as an
agent in obtaining indications of interest in our Common Stock from certain
investors. We agreed to pay the placement agent a fee of 5.0% of the
gross proceeds and to pay certain of its expenses.
We have
agreed to indemnify the placement agent and each of its partners, directors,
officers, associates, affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, consultants,
attorneys, agents, and each person, if any, controlling the placement agent and
any of its affiliates, against liabilities resulting from this offering and to
contribute to payments the placement agent may be required to make for these
liabilities.
In
connection with this offering, CSCA may engage broker dealers as sub-placement
agents to participate in the placement of the Common Stock. Such sub-placement
agents may receive a portion of the placement agent fee paid to CSCA as well as
other compensation and fees.
In the
ordinary course of business, CSCA and/or its affiliates have engaged, and may in
the future engage, in financial advisory, investment banking and other
transactions with us for which customary compensation has been, and will be,
paid.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of purchase agreements dated October 15, 2009,
certain institutional investors have agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to
sell 1,730,200 shares of Common Stock at a negotiated purchase price of $6.50
per share. The purchase agreements provide that the obligations of
the purchasers to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to
customary closing conditions. In negotiating the offering price per
share of our Common Stock, we considered the dilution to our stockholders that
will result from this offering.
Weeden
& Co. LP is acting as settlement agent in connection with the sale of our
Common Stock under the purchase agreement and will receive a fee of
$34,604.
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents
that we file with them. That means we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we
later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this
information.
We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we
make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, until we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus
supplement.
|
· Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on December 11,
2008.
|
|
·
|
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on February 5,
2009.
|
|
·
|
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on May 7,
2009.
|
|
·
|
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on August 6,
2009.
|
|
· All
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act since September 30, 2008, except for information
furnished under Current Reports on Form 8-K, which is not deemed
filed and not incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
·
|
The
description of our common stock which is contained in a registration
statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or reports
filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
|
You may
request a free copy of these filings (other than the exhibits thereto, unless
they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents) by writing or
telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation
Attention:
Stockholder Relations
3499
Route 9 N, Suite 3-C
Juniper
Business Plaza
Freehold,
NJ 07728
(732)
577-9996
$115,000,000
MONMOUTH
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Common
Stock
Preferred
Stock
Debt
Securities
We may use this prospectus to offer and sell our common stock,
preferred stock or debt securities from time to time. The aggregate
public offering prices of the common stock, preferred stock and debt securities
covered by this prospectus, which we refer to collectively as the securities,
will not exceed $115,000,000. The securities may be offered,
separately or together, in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and
on terms to be determined at the time of the offering and set forth in one or
more supplements to this prospectus. Our common stock is listed
and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
“MNRTA.” Our 7.625% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock is
listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
“MNRTP.”
We will
provide the specific terms and conditions of these securities in supplements to
this prospectus in connection with each offering. Such specific terms may
include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on
transfer of the securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our
status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership
and Transfer.” Please read this prospectus and the applicable
prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
We may
offer the securities directly, through agents designated by us from time to
time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents,
underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their
names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement between or among them will be set forth or will be calculable from
the information set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors”
beginning on page 2 of this prospectus for a discussion of risk factors that you
should consider in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is September 14, 2009.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS |
1 |
MONMOUTH REAL
ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION |
1 |
RISK
FACTORS |
2 |
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
9 |
USE OF
PROCEEDS |
10 |
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDENDS |
10 |
DESCRIPTION OF
CAPITAL STOCK |
10 |
DESCRIPTION OF
DEBT SECURITIES |
16 |
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BY-LAWS |
22 |
MATERIAL
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
25 |
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION |
41 |
LEGAL
MATTERS |
42 |
EXPERTS |
42 |
WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION |
42 |
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
42 |
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using
a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may from time to time
sell in one or more offerings any of the securities described in this
prospectus, or any combination thereof, up to a total amount of
$100,000,000. In addition, we may sell up to an additional
$15,000,000 in Common or Preferred Stock. In this prospectus, we
refer collectively to our common stock and preferred stock as our “capital
stock,” and collectively to our senior and subordinated debt as our “debt
securities.”
You
should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together
with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find
More Information” in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may add, update
or change the information contained in this prospectus. The registration
statement that contains this prospectus and the exhibits to that registration
statement contain additional important information about us and the securities
offered under this prospectus. Specifically, we have filed certain legal
documents that control the terms of the securities as exhibits to the
registration statement. We may file certain other legal documents that control
the terms of the securities as exhibits to reports we file with the SEC. That
registration statement and the other reports can be read at the SEC’s website or
at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More
Information,” or can be obtained by writing or telephoning us at the following
address and telephone number:
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation
Attention: Stockholder
Relations
3499
Route 9 N, Suite 3-C
Juniper
Business Plaza
Freehold,
NJ 07728
(732)
577-9996
MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation is a Maryland corporation operating as a
qualified REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code (the
“Code”). Currently, we seek to invest in well-located, modern buildings leased
to investment grade tenants on long-term leases and derive our income primarily
from the rental of these facilities. At June 30, 2009, we owned approximately
6,070,000 square feet of property, of which approximately 2,810,000 square feet,
or 46%, was leased to Federal Express Corporation and its subsidiaries and
approximately 279,000 square feet, or 5%, was leased to Keebler Company, a
subsidiary of the Kellogg Company. During fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 rental and
reimbursement revenue from properties leased to these two companies approximated
61%, 55% and 55%, respectively, of our total rental and reimbursement
revenue.
At June
30, 2009, we owned fifty-seven industrial properties and one shopping center.
These properties are located in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. All
properties are managed by a management company. All properties are leased on a
net basis except the property located in Monaca, Pennsylvania and the shopping
center in Somerset, New Jersey.
We
anticipate acquiring additional properties in the second half of 2009. The funds
for these acquisitions are expected to come from our available line of credit,
mortgages, other bank borrowings, proceeds from the Dividend Reinvestment and
Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) and private or public placements of additional
common or preferred stock. To the extent that funds or appropriate properties
are not available, few or no acquisitions may be made. Because of the contingent
nature of contracts to purchase real property, we will announce acquisitions
only upon closing.
We
compete with other investors in real estate for attractive investment
opportunities. These investors include other “equity” real estate investment
trusts, limited partnerships, syndications and private investors, among
others. Competition in the market areas in which we operate is
significant and affects our ability to acquire or expand properties, occupancy
levels, rental rates and operating expenses of certain
properties. Management has
built
relationships with merchant builders that have historically provided us with
investment opportunities that fit our investment policy.
We have a
flexible investment policy concentrating our investments in the area of
long-term net-leased industrial properties to investment grade tenants. Our
strategy is to obtain a favorable yield spread between the yield from the
net-leased industrial properties and interest costs. We anticipate that we will
continue to purchase net-leased, well-located industrial properties, because our
management believes these investments offer a potential for long-term capital
appreciation. There is the risk that, on expiration of current leases, the
properties can become vacant or re-leased at lower rents. The results we obtain
by re-leasing the properties will depend on the market for industrial properties
at that time.
We also
continue to invest in both debt and equity securities of other REITs. We from
time to time may purchase these securities on margin when the interest and
dividend yields exceed the cost of the funds. This securities portfolio, to the
extent not pledged to secure borrowing, provides us with liquidity and
additional income. Such securities are subject to risk arising from
adverse changes in market rates and prices, primarily interest rate risk
relating to debt securities and equity price risk relating to equity
securities. From time to time, we may use derivative instruments to
mitigate interest rate risk.
Prior to
July 31, 2007, we operated as part of a group of three public companies (all
REITs) which included UMH Properties, Inc. (“UMH”) and Monmouth Capital
Corporation (“Monmouth Capital” and together with UMH, the “affiliated
companies”). Monmouth Capital was merged into us on July 31, 2007. We continue
to operate in conjunction with UMH. UMH has focused its investing in
manufactured home communities. General and administrative expenses are allocated
between the two remaining affiliated companies based on use or services
provided. We currently have nine employees. Allocations of salaries and benefits
are made between the affiliated companies based on the amount of the employees’
time dedicated to each affiliated company.
Our
executive offices are located at Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-C, 3499 Route 9
North, Freehold, New Jersey 07728, and our telephone number is (732) 577-9996.
Our website is located at www.mreic.com. Information contained on our website is
not a part of this prospectus.
Set forth
below are the risks that we believe are important to investors in our
securities. Before you decide to purchase our securities, you should consider
carefully the risks described below, together with the information provided in
the other parts of this prospectus and any related prospectus
supplement.
Real
Estate Industry Risks
We face risks
associated with local real estate conditions in areas where we own
properties. We may be affected adversely by general economic conditions
and local real estate conditions. For example, an oversupply of industrial
properties in a local area or a decline in the attractiveness of our properties
to tenants and potential tenants would have a negative effect on
us.
Other
factors that may affect general economic conditions or local real estate
conditions include:
|
·
|
population
and demographic trends;
|
|
·
|
employment
and personal income trends;
|
|
·
|
zoning,
use and other regulatory
restrictions;
|
|
·
|
changes
in interest rates and availability and costs of
financing;
|
|
·
|
competition
from other available real estate;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to provide adequate maintenance and insurance;
and
|
|
·
|
increased
operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate
taxes, which may not be offset by increased
rents.
|
We may be unable
to compete with our larger competitors and other alternatives available to
tenants or potential tenants of our properties. The real
estate business is highly competitive. We compete for properties with other real
estate investors and purchasers, including other real estate investment trusts,
limited partnerships, syndications and private investors, many of whom have
greater financial resources, revenues and geographical diversity than we have.
Furthermore, we compete for tenants with other property owners. All of our
industrial properties are subject to significant local competition. We also
compete with a wide variety of institutions and other investors for capital
funds necessary to support our investment activities and asset
growth. To the extent that we are unable to effectively compete in
the marketplace, our business may be adversely affected.
We are subject to
significant regulation that inhibits our activities and may increase our
costs. Local zoning and
use laws, environmental statutes and other governmental requirements may
restrict expansion, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. These
regulations may prevent us from taking advantage of economic opportunities.
Legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act may require us to modify
our properties at a substantial cost and noncompliance could result in the
imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. Future
legislation may impose additional requirements. We cannot predict what
requirements may be enacted or amended or what costs we will incur to comply
with such requirements.
Our investments
are concentrated in the industrial distribution sector and our business would be
adversely affected by an economic downturn in that sector. Our investments
in real estate assets are primarily concentrated in the industrial distribution
sector. This concentration may expose us to the risk of economic downturns in
this sector to a greater extent than if our business activities included a more
significant portion of other sectors of the real estate industry.
Risks
Associated with Our Properties
We may be unable
to renew leases or relet space as leases expire. While we seek to
invest in well-located, modern buildings leased to investment grade tenants on
long term leases, a number of our properties are subject to short term leases.
When a lease expires, a tenant may elect not to renew it. We may not be able to
relet the property on similar terms, if we are able to relet the property at
all. The terms of renewal or re-lease (including the cost of required
renovations and/or concessions to tenants) may be less favorable to us than the
prior lease. If we are unable to relet all or a substantial portion of our
properties, or if the rental rates upon such reletting are significantly lower
than expected rates, our cash generated before debt repayments and capital
expenditures and our ability to make expected distributions, may be adversely
affected. We have established an annual budget for renovation and reletting
expenses that we believe is reasonable in light of each property’s operating
history and local market characteristics. This budget, however, may not be
sufficient to cover these expenses.
Our business is
substantially dependent on Federal Express Corporation. Federal Express
Corporation is our largest tenant. As of June 30, 2009, Federal Express
Corporation leased approximately 46% of the total square footage that we
own. Annualized rental income and occupancy charges from Federal
Express Corporation and its subsidiaries are estimated at approximately 57% of
total rental and reimbursement revenue for fiscal 2009. If Federal
Express Corporation terminated its leases with us or was unable to make lease
payments because of a downturn in its business or otherwise, our financial
condition and ability to make expected distributions will be materially and
adversely affected.
We have been and
may continue to be affected negatively by tenant financial difficulties and
leasing delays. At any time, a
tenant may experience a downturn in its business that may weaken its financial
condition. Similarly, a general decline in the economy may result in a decline
in the demand for space at our industrial properties. As a result, our tenants
may delay lease commencement, fail to make rental payments when due,
or
declare
bankruptcy. Any such event could result in the termination of that tenant’s
lease and losses to us, resulting in a decrease of distributions to investors.
We receive a substantial portion of our income as rents under long-term leases.
If tenants are unable to comply with the terms of their leases because of rising
costs or falling revenues, we, in our sole discretion, may deem it advisable to
modify lease terms to allow tenants to pay a lower rental rate or a smaller
share of operating costs, taxes and insurance. If a tenant becomes insolvent or
bankrupt, we cannot be sure that we could recover the premises from the tenant
promptly or from a trustee or debtor-in-possession in any bankruptcy proceeding
relating to the tenant. We also cannot be sure that we would receive rent in the
proceeding sufficient to cover our expenses with respect to the premises. If a
tenant becomes bankrupt, the federal bankruptcy code will apply and, in some
instances, may restrict the amount and recoverability of our claims against the
tenant. A tenant’s default on its obligations to us for any reason could
adversely affect our financial condition and the cash we have available for
distribution.
We may be unable
to sell properties when appropriate because real estate investments are
illiquid. Real estate
investments generally cannot be sold quickly and, therefore, will tend to limit
our ability to vary our property portfolio promptly in response to changes in
economic or other conditions. In addition, the Code limits our ability to sell
our properties. The inability to respond promptly to changes in the performance
of our property portfolio could adversely affect our financial condition and
ability to service debt and make distributions to our stockholders.
Environmental
liabilities could affect our profitability. We face possible
environmental liabilities. Environmental laws today can impose liability on a
previous owner or operator of a property that owned or operated the property at
a time when hazardous or toxic substances were disposed on, or released from,
the property. A conveyance of the property, therefore, does not relieve the
owner or operator from liability. As a current or former owner and operator of
real estate, we may be required by law to investigate and clean up hazardous
substances released at or from the properties we currently own or operate or
have in the past owned or operated. We may also be liable to the government or
to third parties for property damage, investigation costs and cleanup costs. In
addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in
favor of the government for damages and costs the government incurs in
connection with the contamination. Contamination may adversely affect our
ability to sell or lease real estate or to borrow using the real estate as
collateral. We are not aware of any environmental liabilities relating to our
investment properties which would have a material adverse effect on our
business, assets, or results of operations. However, we cannot assure you that
environmental liabilities will not arise in the future and that such liabilities
will not have a material adverse effect on our business, assets or results of
operation.
Actions by our
competitors may decrease or prevent increases in the occupancy and rental rates
of our properties. We compete with
other owners and operators of real estate, some of which own properties similar
to ours in the same submarkets in which our properties are located. If our
competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates or below the
rental rates we currently charge our tenants, we may lose potential tenants, and
we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge
in order to retain tenants when our tenants’ leases expire. As a result, our
financial condition, cash flow, cash available for distribution, market price of
our preferred and common stock and ability to satisfy our debt service
obligations could be materially adversely affected.
Coverage under
our existing insurance policies may be inadequate to cover losses. We generally
maintain insurance policies related to our business, including casualty, general
liability and other policies, covering our business operations, employees and
assets. However, we would be required to bear all losses that are not adequately
covered by insurance. In addition, there are certain losses that are not
generally insured because it is not economically feasible to insure against
them, including losses due to riots or acts of war. If an uninsured loss or a
loss in excess of insured limits occurs with respect to one or more of our
properties, then we could lose the capital we invested in the properties, as
well as the anticipated future revenue from the properties and, in the case of
debt, which is with recourse to us, we would remain obligated for any mortgage
debt or other financial obligations related to the properties. Although we
believe that our insurance programs are adequate, we cannot assure you that we
will not incur losses in excess of our insurance coverage, or that we will be
able to obtain insurance in the future at acceptable levels and reasonable
costs.
We face risks
associated with property acquisitions. We acquire
individual properties and portfolios of properties, and intend to continue to do
so. Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to the following
risks:
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·
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when
we are able to locate a desired property, competition from other real
estate investors may significantly increase the purchase
price;
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·
|
acquired
properties may fail to perform as
expected;
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·
|
the
actual costs of repositioning or redeveloping acquired properties may be
higher than our estimates;
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·
|
acquired
properties may be located in new markets where we face risks associated
with an incomplete knowledge or understanding of the local market, a
limited number of established business relationships in the area and a
relative unfamiliarity with local governmental and permitting
procedures;
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·
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we
may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions,
particularly acquisition of portfolios of properties, into our existing
operations, and as a result, our results of operations and financial
condition could be adversely affected;
and
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·
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we
may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or
with only limited recourse. As a result, if a claim were asserted against
us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay
substantial sums to resolve it, which could adversely affect our cash
flow.
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Financing
Risks
We face risks
generally associated with our debt. We finance a
portion of our investments in properties and marketable securities through debt.
We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including
the risk that our cash flow will be insufficient to meet required payments of
principal and interest. In addition, debt creates risks,
including:
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·
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rising
interest rates on our floating rate
debt;
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·
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failure
to repay or refinance existing debt as it matures, which may result in
forced disposition of assets on disadvantageous
terms;
|
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·
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refinancing
terms less favorable than the terms of existing debt;
and
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·
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failure
to meet required payments of principal and/or
interest.
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We mortgage our
properties, which subjects us to the risk of foreclosure in the event of
non-payment. We mortgage many of our properties to secure
payment of indebtedness and if we are unable to meet mortgage payments, then the
property could be foreclosed upon or transferred to the mortgagee with a
consequent loss of income and asset value. A foreclosure of one or more of our
properties could adversely affect our financial condition, results of
operations, cash flow, ability to service debt and make distributions and the
market price of our preferred and common stock.
We face risks
related to “balloon payments.” Certain of our mortgages will
have significant outstanding principal balances on their maturity dates,
commonly known as “balloon payments.” There can be no assurance that we will be
able to refinance the debt on favorable terms or at all. To the
extent we cannot refinance debt on favorable terms or at all, we may be forced
to dispose of properties on disadvantageous terms or pay higher interest rates,
either of which would have an adverse impact on our financial performance and
ability to service debt and make distributions.
We face risks
associated with our dependence on external sources of capital. In order to
qualify as a REIT, we are required each year to distribute to our stockholders
at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, and we are subject to tax on our income
to the extent it is not distributed. Because of this distribution requirement,
we may not be able to fund all future capital needs from cash retained from
operations. As a result, to fund capital needs, we rely on third-party sources
of capital, which we may not be able to obtain on favorable terms, if at all.
Our access to third-party sources of capital depends upon a number of factors,
including (i) general market conditions; (ii) the market’s perception of our
growth potential; (iii) our current and potential future earnings and cash
distributions; and (iv) the market price of our capital stock. Additional debt
financing may substantially increase our debt-to-total capitalization ratio.
Additional equity issuance may dilute the holdings of our current
stockholders.
We may become
more highly leveraged. Our governing
documents do not limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur. Accordingly, our
board of directors may vote to incur additional debt and would do so, for
example, if it were necessary to maintain our status as a REIT. We might become
more highly leveraged as a result, and our financial condition and cash
available for service of debt and distributions might be negatively affected and
the risk of default on our indebtedness could increase.
Covenants in our
credit agreements could limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial
condition. The terms of our
various credit agreements and other indebtedness require us to comply with a
number of customary financial and other covenants, such as maintaining debt
service coverage and leverage ratios and maintaining insurance coverage. These
covenants may limit our flexibility in our operations, and breaches of these
covenants could result in defaults under the instruments governing the
applicable indebtedness even if we had satisfied our payment obligations. If we
were to default under credit agreements, our financial condition would be
adversely affected.
Other
Risks
Current economic
conditions, including recent volatility in the capital and credit markets, could
harm our business, results of operations and financial
condition. The United States has experienced an economic
recession with the capital and credit markets experiencing extreme volatility
and disruption. The current economic environment has been affected by dramatic
declines in the stock and housing markets, increases in foreclosures,
unemployment and living costs as well as limited access to credit. This
deteriorating economic situation has impacted and is expected to continue to
impact consumer spending levels. A sustained economic downward trend could
impact our tenants’ ability to meet their lease obligations due to poor
operating results, lack of liquidity, bankruptcy or other reasons. Our ability
to lease space and negotiate rents at advantageous rates could also be affected
in this type of economic environment. Additionally, if current levels of market
volatility continue to worsen, access to capital and credit markets could be
disrupted over a more extended period, which may make it difficult to obtain the
financing we may need for future growth and/or to meet our debt service
obligations as they mature. Any of these events could harm our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
We may not be
able to access adequate cash to fund our business. Our business
requires access to adequate cash to finance our operations, distributions,
capital expenditures, debt service obligations, development and redevelopment
costs and property acquisition costs, if any. We expect to generate the cash to
be used for these purposes primarily with operating cash flow, borrowings under
secured term loans, proceeds from sales of strategically identified assets and,
when market conditions permit, through the issuance of debt and equity
securities from time to time. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to
fund our business, particularly if we are unable to renew leases, lease vacant
space or re-lease space as leases expire according to expectations.
Moreover,
difficult conditions in the financial markets, and the economy generally, have
caused many lenders to suffer substantial losses, thereby causing many financial
institutions to seek additional capital, to merge with other institutions and,
in some cases, to fail. As a result, the real estate debt markets are
experiencing a period of uncertainty, which may reduce our access to funding
alternatives, or our ability to refinance debt on favorable terms, or at all. In
addition, market conditions, such as the current global economic environment,
may also hinder our ability to sell strategically identified assets and access
the debt and equity capital markets. If these conditions persist, we may need to
find alternative ways to access cash to fund our business, including
distributions to stockholders. Such alternatives may include, without
limitation, curtailing development or redevelopment activity, disposing of one
or more of our properties possibly on disadvantageous terms or entering into or
renewing leases on
less
favorable terms than we otherwise would, all of which could adversely affect our
profitability. If we are unable to generate, borrow or raise adequate cash to
fund our business through traditional or alternative means, our business,
operations, financial condition and distributions to stockholders will be
adversely affected.
We are dependent
on key personnel. Our executive and other
senior officers have a significant role in our success. Our ability to retain
our management group or to attract suitable replacements should any members of
the management group leave is dependent on the competitive nature of the
employment market. The loss of services from key members of the management group
or a limitation in their availability could adversely affect our financial
condition and cash flow. Further, such a loss could be negatively perceived in
the capital markets.
We may amend our
business policies without your approval. Our board of
directors determines our growth, investment, financing, capitalization,
borrowing, REIT status, operations and distributions policies. Although our
board of directors has no present intention to amend or reverse any of these
policies, they may be amended or revised without notice to stockholders.
Accordingly, stockholders may not have control over changes in our policies. We
cannot assure you that changes in our policies will serve fully the interests of
all stockholders.
The market value
of our preferred and common stock could decrease based on our performance and
market perception and conditions. The market
value of our preferred and common stock may be based primarily upon the market’s
perception of our growth potential and current and future cash dividends, and
may be secondarily based upon the real estate market value of our underlying
assets. The market price of our preferred and common stock is influenced by
their respective distributions relative to market interest rates. Rising
interest rates may lead potential buyers of our stock to expect a higher
distribution rate, which would adversely affect the market price of
our stock. In addition, rising interest rates would result in
increased expense, thereby adversely affecting cash flow and our ability to
service our indebtedness and pay distributions.
There are
restrictions on the transfer of our capital stock. To maintain our
qualification as a REIT under the Code, no more than 50% in value of our
outstanding capital stock may be owned, actually or by attribution, by five or
fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to also include certain entities,
during the last half of a taxable year. Accordingly, our charter and bylaws
contain provisions restricting the transfer of our capital stock. See
“Description of Capital Stock - Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer.”
Our earnings are
dependent, in part, upon the performance of our investment portfolio. As permitted by
the Code, we invest in and own securities of other real estate investment
trusts. To the extent that the value of those investments declines or those
investments do not provide a return, our earnings and cash flow could be
adversely affected.
We are subject to
restrictions that may impede our ability to effect a change in
control. Certain
provisions contained in our charter and bylaws and certain provisions of
Maryland law may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an
acquisition proposal for us and thereby inhibit a change in control. These
provisions include the following:
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·
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Our
charter provides for three classes of directors with the term of office of
one class expiring each year, commonly referred to as a "staggered board."
By preventing common stockholders from voting on the election of more than
one class of directors at any annual meeting of stockholders, this
provision may have the effect of keeping the current members of our board
of directors in control for a longer period of time than stockholders may
desire.
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·
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Our
charter generally limits any holder from acquiring more than 9.8% (in
value or in number, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding
equity stock (defined as all of our classes of capital stock, except our
excess stock). While this provision is intended to assure our ability to
remain a qualified REIT for Federal income tax purposes, the ownership
limit may also limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium
for their shares of common stock that might otherwise exist if an investor
was attempting to assemble a block of shares in excess of 9.8% of the
outstanding shares of equity stock or otherwise effect a change in
control.
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·
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The
request of the holders of a majority or more of our common stock is
necessary for stockholders to call a special meeting. We also require
advance notice by common stockholders for the nomination of directors or
proposals of business to be considered at a meeting of
stockholders.
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Our Board of
Directors may authorize and issue securities without stockholder
approval. Under
our Charter, the board has the power to classify and reclassify any of our
unissued shares of capital stock into shares of capital stock with such
preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as the board of directors may
determine. The authorization and issuance of a new class of capital stock could
have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of us,
even if a change in control were in our stockholders’ best
interests.
Maryland business
statutes may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of
us. Maryland law
provides protection for Maryland corporations against unsolicited takeovers by
limiting, among other things, the duties of the directors in unsolicited
takeover situations. The duties of directors of Maryland corporations do not
require them to (a) accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person
seeking to acquire control of the corporation, (b) authorize the corporation to
redeem any rights under, or modify or render inapplicable, any stockholders
rights plan, (c) make a determination under the Maryland Business Combination
Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, or (d) act or fail to act
solely because of the effect of the act or failure to act may have on an
acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the amount
or type of consideration that may be offered or paid to the stockholders in an
acquisition. Moreover, under Maryland law the act of a director of a Maryland
corporation relating to or affecting an acquisition or potential acquisition of
control is not subject to any higher duty or greater scrutiny than is applied to
any other act of a director. Maryland law also contains a statutory presumption
that an act of a director of a Maryland corporation satisfies the applicable
standards of conduct for directors under Maryland law.
The
Maryland Business Combination Act provides that unless exempted, a Maryland
corporation may not engage in business combinations, including mergers,
dispositions of 10 percent or more of its assets, certain issuances of shares of
stock and other specified transactions, with an “interested stockholder” or an
affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date
on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, and
thereafter unless specified criteria are met. An interested stockholder is
generally a person owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, 10 percent or
more of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Maryland corporation.
In our charter, we have expressly elected that the Maryland Business Combination
Act not govern or apply to any transaction with UMH, a Maryland
corporation.
We cannot assure
you that we will be able to pay dividends regularly. Our
ability to pay dividends in the future is dependent on our ability to operate
profitably and to generate cash from our operations and the operations of our
subsidiaries. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pay dividends on a
regular quarterly basis in the future.
If our leases are
not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, we would fail to
qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must, among other
things, satisfy two gross income tests, under which specified percentages of our
gross income must be passive income, such as rent. For the rent paid pursuant to
our leases, to qualify for purposes of the gross income tests, the leases must
be respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes and not be treated
as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. We
believe that our leases will be respected as true leases for federal income tax
purposes. However, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) will agree with this view. If the leases are not respected as true
leases for federal income tax purposes, we would not be able to satisfy either
of the two gross income tests applicable to REITs, and we would most likely lose
our REIT status.
Failure to make
required distributions would subject us to additional tax. In
order to qualify as a REIT, we must, among other requirements, distribute, each
year, to our stockholders at least 90 percent of our taxable income,
excluding net capital gains. To the extent that we satisfy the 90 percent
distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100 percent of our
taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our
undistributed income. In addition, we will incur a 4 percent nondeductible
excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions (or deemed
distributions) in any year are less than the sum of:
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·
85 percent of our ordinary income for that
year;
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·
95 percent of our capital gain net earnings for that year;
and
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·
100 percent of our undistributed taxable income from prior
years.
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To the
extent we pay out in excess of 100 percent of our taxable income for any
tax year, we may be able to carry forward such excess to subsequent years to
reduce our required distributions in such years. We intend to pay out our income
to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy the distribution
requirement. Differences in timing between the recognition of income and the
related cash receipts or the effect of required debt amortization payments could
require us to borrow money or sell assets to pay out enough of our taxable
income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income
tax.
We may not have
sufficient cash available from operations to pay distributions, and, therefore,
distributions may be made from borrowings. The actual amount
and timing of distributions will be determined by our board of directors in its
discretion and typically will depend on the amount of cash available for
distribution, which will depend on items such as current and projected cash
requirements and tax considerations. As a result, we may not have sufficient
cash available from operations to pay distributions as required to maintain our
status
as a
REIT. Therefore, we may need to borrow funds to make sufficient cash
distributions in order to maintain our status as a REIT, which may cause us to
incur additional interest expense as a result of an increase in borrowed funds
for the purpose of paying distributions.
We may be
required to pay a penalty tax upon the sale of a property. The federal
income tax provisions applicable to REITs provide that any gain realized by a
REIT on the sale of property held as inventory or other property held primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is treated as income
from a “prohibited transaction” that is subject to a 100 percent penalty tax.
Under current law, unless a sale of real property qualifies for a safe harbor,
the question of whether the sale of real estate or other property constitutes
the sale of property held primarily for sale to customers is generally a
question of the facts and circumstances regarding a particular transaction. We
intend that we and our subsidiaries will hold the interests in the real estate
for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, engage in the business of
acquiring and owning real estate, and make occasional sales as are consistent
with our investment objectives. We do not intend to engage in prohibited
transactions. We cannot assure you, however, that we will only make sales that
satisfy the requirements of the safe harbors or that the IRS will not
successfully assert that one or more of such sales are prohibited
transactions.
We may fail to
qualify as a REIT. If we fail to
qualify as a REIT, we will not be allowed to deduct distributions to
stockholders in computing our taxable income and will be subject to Federal
income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, at regular
corporate rates. In addition, we might be barred from qualification as a REIT
for the four years following disqualification. The additional tax incurred at
regular corporate rates would reduce significantly the cash flow available for
distribution to stockholders and for debt service.
Furthermore,
we would no longer be required to make any distributions to our stockholders as
a condition to REIT qualification. Any distributions to stockholders would be
taxable as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits, although such dividend distributions would be subject to a top
federal tax rate of 15% through 2010. Corporate distributees, however, may be
eligible for the dividends received deduction on the distributions, subject to
limitations under the Code.
To qualify as a
REIT, we must comply with certain highly technical and complex
requirements. We cannot be
certain we have complied, and will always be able to comply, with the
requirements to qualify as a REIT because there are few judicial and
administrative interpretations of these provisions. In addition,
facts and circumstances that may be beyond our control may affect our ability to
continue to qualify as a REIT. We cannot assure you that new legislation,
regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions will not change
the tax laws significantly with respect to our qualification as a REIT or with
respect to the Federal income tax consequences of qualification. We believe that
we have qualified as a REIT since our inception and intend to continue to
qualify as a REIT. However, we cannot assure you that we are qualified or will
remain qualified.
There is a risk
of changes in the tax law applicable to real estate investment
trusts. Because the
Internal Revenue Service, the United States Treasury Department and Congress
frequently review federal income tax legislation, we cannot predict whether,
when or to what extent new federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or
rulings will be adopted. Any of such legislative action may prospectively or
retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect
taxation of us and/or our investors.
We may be unable
to comply with the strict income distribution requirements applicable to
REITs. To maintain
qualification as a REIT under the Code, a REIT must annually distribute to its
stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding the dividends
paid deduction and net capital gains. This requirement limits our ability to
accumulate capital. We may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to
meet the distribution requirements. Difficulties in meeting the distribution
requirements might arise due to competing demands for our funds or to timing
differences between tax reporting and cash receipts and disbursements, because
income may have to be reported before cash is received, because expenses may
have to be paid before a deduction is allowed, because deductions may be
disallowed or limited or because the Internal Revenue Service may make a
determination that adjusts reported income. In those situations, we might be
required to borrow funds or sell properties on adverse terms in order to meet
the distribution requirements and interest and penalties could apply which could
adversely affect our financial condition. If we fail to make a required
distribution, we would cease to be taxed as a REIT.
Notwithstanding
our status as a REIT, we are subject to various federal, state and local taxes
on our income and property. For example, we
will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income,
including undistributed net capital gains, provided; however, that properly
designated undistributed capital gains will effectively avoid taxation at the
stockholder level. We may be subject to other Federal income taxes as more fully
described in “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences-Taxation of
Us as a REIT.” We may also have to pay some state income or franchise taxes
because not all states treat REITs in the same manner as they are treated for
Federal income tax purposes.
From time
to time, we may make forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act and Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) in documents filed under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, press releases or other public statements with respect to
our financial condition, results of operations and business. Words such as
“anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,”
“could,” “may,” and similar expressions, and the negatives of such words and
expressions as they relate to us or our management are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance. Potential investors should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements as they involve numerous risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the results stated or
implied in the forward-looking statements. If we make forward-looking
statements, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking
statements.
In evaluating the securities offered by this prospectus, you should carefully
consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties in the section entitled “Risk
Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and those in the documents we
incorporate by reference that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements.
Unless
otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use
the net proceeds of any sale of securities for working capital and general
corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the development and
acquisition of additional properties in the ordinary course of our
business.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED
CHARGES
AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The
following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges
and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the nine months
ended June 30, 2009, and for each of the last five fiscal years.
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Nine
Months Ended
June
30,
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Year
Ended September 30,
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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Ratio
of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
0.97
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1.28
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1.62
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1.60
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1.94
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1.87
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Ratio
of Earnings to
Combined
Fixed
Charges
and Preferred
Stock
Dividends
|
0.83
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1.08
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1.34
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1.60
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1.94
|
1.87
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For the
purpose of computing these ratios, earnings have been calculated by adding
pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for income or loss
from equity investees; fixed charges; amortization of capitalized interest;
distributed income of equity investees; and the Company’s share of pre-tax
losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are
included in fixed charges; and subtracting from the total of those items
capitalized interest; preference security dividend requirements of consolidated
subsidiaries; and the noncontrolling interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries
that have not incurred fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of the sum of
interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, the estimated interest
component of rental expenses, amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized
expenses related to indebtedness, and preference security dividend requirements
of consolidated subsidiaries. Preferred stock dividends are the amount of
pre-tax earnings that are required to pay the dividends on outstanding preferred
securities.
For the
nine months ended June 30, 2009, the dollar amount of the deficiency is $
290,487 for the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and is $ 2,181,398 for the
ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends.
The
following description is only a summary of certain terms and provisions of our
capital stock. You should refer to our charter and bylaws for a complete
description.
General. Our
authorized capital stock consists of 41,322,500 shares, classified as 35,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of
excess stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 1,322,500 shares of 7.625% Series A
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, $25
liquidation value per share, (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The excess
stock is designed to protect our status as a REIT under the Code. See
“—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
As of
August 3, 2009, 25,332,551 and 25,327,551 shares of common stock were issued and
outstanding, respectively and no shares of excess stock were issued and
outstanding. Our outstanding shares of common stock are currently listed on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MNRTA.” As of August 3, 2009,
1,322,500 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
Our outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are currently listed on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MNRTP.” We intend to
apply to the Nasdaq Global Select Market to list any additional shares of
preferred or common stock offered pursuant to any prospectus supplement, and we
anticipate that such shares will be so listed.
Under
Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) and our charter, a majority of our
entire board of directors has the power, without action by the stockholders, to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have the authority to
issue. Our board of directors is also authorized under the MGCL and
our charter to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock
and preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Before issuance of
shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL
and our charter to set, subject to restrictions in our charter on transfer of
our
stock,
the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, our board of
directors could authorize the issuance of shares of stock with terms and
conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for
holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.
Our
management believes that the power to issue additional shares of stock and to
classify or reclassify unissued shares of stock and thereafter to issue the
classified or reclassified shares provides us with increased flexibility in
structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other
needs which might arise. These actions can be taken without stockholders
approval, unless stockholders approval is required by applicable law or the
rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which shares of our
stock may be listed or traded. Although we have no present intention of doing
so, we could issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent
a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for
holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.
Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer. To qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must satisfy
a number of statutory requirements, including a requirement that no more than
50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, actually or
constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined by the Code to include
certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year. In addition, if we, or
an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of us, actually or constructively
owns 10% or more of a tenant of ours (or a tenant of any partnership in which we
are a partner), the rent we receive (either directly or through any such
partnership) from such tenant will not be qualifying income for purposes of the
REIT gross income tests of the Code. Our capital stock must also be beneficially
owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of
twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable
year.
Our
charter prohibits any transfer of shares of our stock or any other change in our
capital structure that would result in:
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any
person directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership of more than
9.8% of the outstanding shares of our stock (other than shares of excess
stock);
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outstanding
shares of our stock (other than shares of excess stock) being
constructively or beneficially owned by fewer than 100
persons;
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us
being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code;
or
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us
otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT under the
Code.
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Our
charter requires that any person who acquires or attempts to acquire shares of
our stock (other than shares of excess stock), in violation of these
restrictions, which we refer to as the ownership limits, give at least 15 days’
prior written notice to us. If any person attempts to transfer shares of our
stock, or attempts to cause any other event to occur, that would result in a
violation of the ownership limits, then:
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any
proposed transfer will be void ab initio, the
purported transferee of such shares will acquire no interest in the shares
and the shares that were subject to the attempted transfer or other event
will, effective as of the close of business on the business day before the
date of the attempted transfer or other event, automatically, without
action by us or any other person, be converted into and exchanged for an
equal number of shares of excess
stock;
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we
may redeem any shares of excess stock and, before the attempted transfer
or other event that results in a conversion into and exchange for shares
of excess stock, any shares of our stock of any other class or series that
are attempted to be owned or transferred in violation of the ownership
limits, at a price equal to the lesser of the price per share paid in the
attempted transfer or other event that violated the ownership limits and
the last reported sales price of shares of such class of our stock on the
NASDAQ Global Select Market on the day we give notice of redemption or, if
shares of such class of our stock are not then traded on the
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NASDAQ
Global Select Market the market price of such shares determined in
accordance with our charter; and |
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our
board of directors may take any action it deems advisable to refuse to
give effect to, or to prevent, any such attempted transfer or other
event.
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Shares of
excess stock will be held in book entry form in the name of a trustee appointed
by us to hold the excess shares for the benefit of one or more charitable
beneficiaries appointed by us and a beneficiary designated by the purported
transferee, which we refer to as the designated beneficiary, whose ownership of
the shares of our stock that were converted into and exchanged for excess stock
does not violate the ownership limits. The purported transferee may not receive
consideration in exchange for designating the designated beneficiary in an
amount that exceeds the price per share that the purported transferee paid for
the shares of our stock converted into and exchanged for shares of excess stock
or, if the purported transferee did not give value for such shares, the market
price of the shares on the date of the purported transfer or other event
resulting in the conversion and exchange. Any excess amounts received by the
purported transferee as consideration for designating the designated beneficiary
must be paid to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Upon
the written designation of a designated beneficiary and the waiver by us of our
right to redeem the shares of excess stock, the trustee will transfer the shares
of excess stock to the designated beneficiary and, upon such transfer, the
shares of excess stock will automatically be converted into and exchanged for
the number and class of shares of our stock as were converted into and exchanged
for such shares of excess stock. Shares of excess stock are not otherwise
transferable. If the purported transferee attempts to transfer shares of our
stock before discovering that the shares have been converted into and exchanged
for shares of excess stock, the shares will be deemed to have been sold on
behalf of the trust and any amount received by the purported transferee in
excess of what the purported transferee would have been entitled to receive as
consideration for designating a designated beneficiary will be paid to the
trustee on demand.
Holders
of shares of excess stock are not entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a
vote at a meeting of our stockholders. Upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company, the trustee must
distribute to the designated beneficiary any amounts received as a distribution
on the shares of excess stock that do not exceed the price per share paid by the
purported transferee in the transaction that created the violation or, if the
purported transferee did not give value for such shares, the market price of the
shares of our stock that were converted into and exchanged for shares of excess
stock, on the date of the purported transfer or other event that resulted in
such conversion and exchange. Any amount received upon the voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company not payable to
the designated beneficiary, and any other dividends or distributions paid on
shares of excess stock, will be distributed by the trustee to the charitable
beneficiary.
Every
holder of more than 5% of the number or value of outstanding shares of our stock
must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the
number of shares of stock beneficially or constructively owned and a description
of the manner in which the shares are owned. Our board of directors may, in its
sole and absolute discretion, exempt certain persons from the ownership
limitations contained in our charter if ownership of shares of capital stock by
such persons would not disqualify us as a REIT under the Code.
Description
of Common Stock
Relationship of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock. The rights of holders of common
stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of
holders of outstanding preferred stock and preferred stock that may be issued in
the future. Our board of directors may cause preferred stock to be issued to
obtain additional capital, in connection with acquisitions, to our officers,
directors and employees pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise and for other
corporate purposes. Both our preferred stock and our common stock are
subject to certain ownership restrictions designed to help us maintain our
qualification as a REIT under the Code, which are described under “Description
of Capital Stock - Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Preferences, Sinking Fund Provisions
and Preemptive Rights. The shares of common stock will, when issued, be
fully-paid and non-assessable and will have no preferences, conversion, sinking
fund, redemption rights
(except
with respect to shares of excess stock, described above) or preemptive rights to
subscribe for any of our securities.
Voting
Rights. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding
restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares of common stock, our common
stockholders will have one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of
the common stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided
with respect to any other class or series of capital stock, the holders of
common stock will possess the exclusive voting power.
There is
no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders
of a plurality of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the
directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares of
common stock, if any, will not be able to elect any directors, except as
otherwise provided for in any other class or series of our capital stock,
including any preferred stock.
Distributions. Subject
to any preferential rights granted to any class or series of our capital stock,
including any preferred stock, and to the provisions of our charter regarding
restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares of common stock, holders of our
common stock will be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions if, as
and when declared, by our board of directors out of funds legally available for
dividends or other distributions to stockholders. Subject to the provisions in
our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer, all shares of our
common stock have equal distribution rights. In the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of any preferential
amounts to any class of preferred stock which may be outstanding and after
payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities,
holders of common stock and excess stock will be entitled to share ratably in
all assets that we may legally distribute to our stockholders.
Stockholder
Liability. Under Maryland law, holders of our common stock
will not be liable for our obligations solely as a result of their status as a
stockholder.
Transfer
Agent. The registrar and transfer agent for shares of our
common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Description
of Preferred Stock
The
following description, together with the additional information we include in
any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and
provisions of the preferred stock that we may offer under this
prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply
generally to any future preferred stock we may offer, we will describe the
particular terms of any preferred stock that we may offer in more detail in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any preferred stock we
offer under that prospectus may differ from the terms we describe
below.
General. Shares of
preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, as
authorized by our board of directors. Before issuance of shares of each series,
the board of directors is required to fix for each such series, subject to the
provisions of MGCL and our charter, the powers, designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights of such series and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including such provisions
as may be desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other matters as may be
fixed by resolution of the board of directors or a duly authorized committee
thereof. The preferred stock could have voting or conversion
rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of holders
of our common stock. Also, the issuance of preferred stock could decrease the
amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our
common stock. The board of directors could authorize the issuance of
shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect
of discouraging a takeover or other transaction which holders of some, or a
majority of, shares of common stock might believe to be in their best interests,
or in which holders of some, or a majority of, shares of common stock might
receive a premium for their shares of common stock over the then market price of
such shares.
The
shares of preferred stock will, when issued, be fully-paid and non-assessable
and will have no preemptive rights. Under Maryland law, holders
of our preferred stock generally are not responsible for our debts or
obligations. Both our preferred stock and our common stock are
subject to certain ownership restrictions
designed
to help us maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, which are
described under “Description of Capital Stock - Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer.”
The
prospectus supplement relating to any shares of preferred stock offered thereby
will contain the specific terms, including:
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the
title and stated value of such shares of preferred
stock;
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the
number of such shares of preferred stock offered, the liquidation
preference per share and the offering price of such shares of preferred
stock;
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the
dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of
calculation thereof applicable to such shares of preferred
stock;
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the
date from which dividends on such shares of preferred stock will
accumulate, if applicable;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such shares of
preferred stock;
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the
provision for a sinking fund, if any, for the shares of preferred
stock;
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the
provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the shares of preferred
stock;
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whether
or not any restrictions on the repurchase or redemption of shares exists
while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund
installments;
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any
listing of the shares of preferred stock on any securities
exchange;
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the
terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the shares of preferred
stock will be convertible into shares of our common stock, including the
conversion price (or manner of calculation
thereof);
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a
discussion of Federal income tax considerations applicable to such shares
of preferred stock;
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the
relative ranking and preferences of such shares of preferred stock as to
dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
our affairs;
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any
limitations on issuance of any series of shares of preferred stock ranking
senior to or on a parity with such series of shares of preferred stock as
to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of our affairs;
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any
limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer
of such shares of preferred stock, in each case as may be appropriate to
preserve our status as a REIT; and
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the
voting rights, if any, of such shares of preferred stock;
and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of
such shares of preferred stock.
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The
registrar and transfer agent for shares of preferred stock will be set forth in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
Rank. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock
ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up, and allocation of our earnings and
losses: (i) senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and
to all equity securities ranking junior to the
preferred
stock; (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by us the terms of
which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the
preferred stock; and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by us the
terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
the preferred stock.
Distributions. Subject
to any preferential rights of any outstanding securities or series of
securities, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive
dividends, when and as authorized by our board of directors, out of legally
available funds, and share pro rata the amount to be distributed to such class
or series of preferred stock based on the number of shares of preferred stock of
the same class or series outstanding. Distributions will be made at
such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement
Voting Rights. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of our
preferred stock will not have any voting rights.
Liquidation
Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, and before any distribution or payment
shall be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of
stock ranking junior to our preferred stock, the holders of our preferred stock
shall be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of our
debts and other liabilities, out of our assets legally available for
distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the
liquidation preference per share, if any, set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement, plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon
(which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative
dividends for prior dividend periods). After payment of the full
amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders
of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining
assets. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, the legally available
assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on
all of our outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on
all of our other outstanding equity securities ranking on a parity with the
preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up of our affairs, then the holders of our preferred stock and the
holders of such other outstanding equity securities shall share ratably in any
such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions
to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
If
liquidating distributions are made in full to all holders of our preferred
stock, our remaining assets shall be distributed among the holders of any other
classes or series of equity securities ranking junior to the preferred stock in
the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
our affairs, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each
case according to their respective number of shares of stock.
If we
consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially
all of our property or business to, any corporation, trust or other entity, such
transaction shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of our affairs.
Conversion
Rights. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which our
preferred stock is convertible into common stock will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include the number
of shares of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible, the
conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
preferred stock or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such preferred stock.
Redemption. If so
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, our preferred stock will be
subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in
part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set
forth in such prospectus supplement.
Stockholder
Liability. Under Maryland law, holders of our preferred stock
will not be liable for our obligations solely as a result of their status as a
stockholder.
Transfer
Agent. The registrar and transfer agent for our preferred
stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The
description of the provisions of the shares of preferred stock set forth in this
prospectus and in any related prospectus supplement is only a summary, does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by,
reference to the definitive articles supplementary to our charter relating to
such series of shares of preferred stock. You should read these documents
carefully to fully understand the terms of the shares of preferred stock. In
connection with any offering of shares of preferred stock, articles
supplementary will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement.
Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock. On November 30, 2006, we issued
1,150,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock in a public
offering. The Series A Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, has
a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. Dividends on the Series
A Preferred Stock are cumulative, accrue from the date of issuance and are
payable quarterly in arrears at a rate of $1.90625 per share per
annum. We generally must be current in our dividend payments on the
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock in order to pay dividends on our
common stock. The holders of Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Stock have no voting rights, other than limited voting
rights concerning the election of additional directors in the event of certain
preferred dividend arrearages. The Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or
mandatory redemption, and is not convertible into any other securities of the
Company. The Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock may not
be redeemed by the Company prior to December 5, 2011. At that time,
we will have the right to redeem the shares, in whole or in part, at any time
for a cash redemption price of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid
dividends.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
The
following description, together with the additional information we include in
any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and
provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While
the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future debt
securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular
terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable
prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a
prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.
We will
issue the senior debt securities under a senior indenture which we will enter
into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue the
subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture which we will enter
into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms
of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. The terms of any indenture that we enter into may differ
from the terms we describe below. We use the term “indentures” to refer to both
the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.
The indentures will be qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We use the term
“debenture trustee” to refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated
trustee, as applicable.
The
following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the
subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in
their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable
to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable
prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we sell under this
prospectus, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the
debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior
indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.
General. The debt securities will
be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company and may either be senior or
subordinated debt securities. We will describe in the applicable prospectus
supplement the terms relating to a series of debt securities,
including:
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the
principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount
authorized and the total amount
outstanding;
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any
limit on the amount that may be
issued;
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whether
or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if
so, the terms and who the depositary will
be;
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the
principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be
issued with any original issue
discount;
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whether
and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on
any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for
tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to
pay such additional amounts;
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the
annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for
determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment
dates or the method for determining such
dates;
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the
terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated
debt;
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the
aggregate amount of indebtedness that would be senior to the subordinated
debt and a description of any limitation on the issuance of such
additional senior indebtedness (or a statement that there is no such
limitation);
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the
place where payments will be
payable;
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restrictions
on transfer, sale or other assignment, if
any;
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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any
such deferral period;
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the
date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at
which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant
to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other
applicable terms of those redemption
provisions;
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provisions
for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if
any;
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the
date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant
to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise,
to redeem, or at the security holder’s option to purchase, the series of
debt securities;
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whether
the indenture will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our
subsidiaries to:
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incur
additional indebtedness;
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issue
additional securities;
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pay
dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital
stock;
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make
investments or other restricted
payments;
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sell
or otherwise dispose of assets;
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engage
in transactions with stockholders and affiliates;
or
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effect
a consolidation or merger;
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whether
the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed
charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios or to
maintain reserves;
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a
discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to the debt
securities;
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information
describing any book-entry features;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if
any;
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the
denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if
other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof;
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if
other than dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities
will be denominated;
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or
restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that
are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants
provided with respect to the debt securities that are in addition to those
described above, and any terms which may be required by us or advisable
under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the
marketing of the debt securities;
and
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the
name of any trustee(s) and the nature of any material relationships with
the trustee, the percentage of securities of the class necessary to
require the trustee to take action and what indemnification the trustee
may require before proceeding to enforce any
liens.
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Conversion or
Exchange Rights. We will set forth in the
prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be
convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities of
ours or a third party, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable,
or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period.
We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at
the option of the security holder or at our option. We may include provisions
pursuant to which the number of our securities or the securities of a third
party that the security holders of the series of debt securities receive upon
conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those
provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those security
holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion
or exchange, for example in the event of our merger or consolidation with
another entity.
Consolidation, Merger or
Sale. The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part do not contain
any covenant which restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.
However, any
successor of ours or acquiror of such
assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures and the debt
securities.
If the debt securities are convertible
for our other securities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to
whom we sell all of our property must make provision for the conversion of the
debt securities into securities which the security holders of the debt
securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before
the consolidation, merger or sale.
Events of Default. The
following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series
of debt securities that we may issue:
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if
we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for
90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or
deferred;
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if
we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and payable and
the time for payment has not been extended or
delayed;
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if
we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt
securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating
to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90
days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or stockholders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of the applicable series;
and
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if
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
occur.
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If an event of default with respect to
debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of
default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture
trustee if notice is given by such security holders, may declare the unpaid
principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable
immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above
occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any,
of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable
without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any
security holder.
The security holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may
waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its
consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or
event of default in accordance with the indenture.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall
occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or
direction of any of the security holders of the applicable series of debt
securities, unless such security holders have offered the debenture trustee
reasonable indemnity. The security holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided
that:
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the
direction so given by the security holder is not in conflict with any law
or the applicable indenture; and
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subject
to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need
not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might
be unduly prejudicial to the security holders not involved in the
proceeding.
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A
security holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to
institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee,
or to seek other remedies if:
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the
security holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a
continuing event of default with respect to that
series;
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the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series have made written request, and such
security holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture
trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee;
and
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the
debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive
from the security holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting
directions within 90 days after the notice, request and
offer.
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These
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if
we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the
debt securities.
We will
periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance
with specified covenants, if any, in the indentures.
Modification of Indenture;
Waiver. We and the debenture trustee may change an indenture
without the consent of any security holders with respect to specific matters,
including:
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to
fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the
indenture;
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to
comply with the provisions described above under “Consolidation, Merger or
Sale”;
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to
comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the
qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act;
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to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a
successor trustee;
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to
provide for uncertificated debt securities and to make all appropriate
changes for such purpose;
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to
add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations and
restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issuance,
authorization and delivery of debt securities of any
series;
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to
add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or
provisions for the protection of the security holders, to make the
occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any
such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event
of default, or to surrender any of our rights or powers under the
indenture; or
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to
change anything that does not harm the interests of any holder of debt
securities of any series.
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In
addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt
securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written
consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we and
the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of
each security holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
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extending
the fixed maturity of the series of debt
securities;
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reducing
the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of
payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption
of any debt securities; or
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reducing
the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to
consent to any supplemental
indenture.
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Discharge. Each
indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with
respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations
to:
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register
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the
series;
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replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the
series;
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maintain
paying agencies;
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hold
monies for payment in trust;
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recover
excess money held by the debenture
trustee;
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compensate
and indemnify the debenture trustee;
and
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appoint
any successor trustee.
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In order
to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debenture
trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of,
any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the
dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and
Transfer. We will issue the debt securities of each series
only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify
in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any
integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt
securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry
securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust
Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus
supplement with respect to that series.
At the
option of the security holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the
limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable
prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can
exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in
any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal
amount.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global
securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the
debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration
of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the
security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for
this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the security
holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any
registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or
other governmental charges.
We will
name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any
transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially
designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate
additional
transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a
change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will
be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt
securities of each series.
If we
elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required
to:
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issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series
being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of
any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the
close of business on the day of the mailing;
or
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register
the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt
securities we are redeeming in
part.
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Information Concerning the Debenture
Trustee. The debenture trustee, other than during the
occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes
to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable
indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee
must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in
the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture
trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the
indentures at the request of any security holder of debt securities unless it is
offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying
Agents. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt
securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt
securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close
of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will
pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a
particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except
that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we
may make interest payments by check which we will mail to the security holder or
by wire transfer to certain security holders. We will name in the applicable
prospectus supplement the paying agents that we initially designate for the debt
securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place
of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money
we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security
thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law. The
indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the
Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt
Securities. The subordinated debt securities will be
subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other
indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The indentures
in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part do not limit the amount of indebtedness which we may
incur, including senior indebtedness or subordinated indebtedness, and do not
limit us from issuing any other debt, including secured debt or unsecured
debt.
AND
OUR CHARTER AND BY-LAWS
The
following is a summary of certain provisions of the MGCL and our charter and
bylaws. Because this description is only a summary, it does not contain all the
information about the MGCL or our charter and bylaws that may be important to
you. In particular, you should refer to, and this summary as
qualified in its entirety by
reference
to the MGCL and our charter, including any articles supplementary, and bylaws.
You should read these documents carefully to fully understand the terms of
Maryland law, our charter and our bylaws.
The Board of
Directors. Our board of directors is currently comprised of
thirteen directors. Our charter and bylaws provide that the board may alter the
number of directors to a number not exceeding 15 or less than three. Our charter
provides that the members of the board shall be divided, as evenly as possible,
into three classes, with approximately one-third of the directors elected by the
stockholders annually. Each director will serve for a three year term or until
his or her successor is duly elected and has qualified. Holders of
shares will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of
directors.
Business Combinations. Under
the Maryland Business Combination Act, business combinations between a Maryland
corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested
stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which
the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business
combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in
circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or
reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined
as:
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any
person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the
corporation’s shares; or
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an
affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the
two-year period before the date in question, was the beneficial owner of
10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of
the corporation.
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A person
is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors
approves in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have
become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board
of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after
the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the
board.
After the
five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation
and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of
directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at
least:
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80%
of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of
voting stock of the corporation;
and
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two-thirds
of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the
corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom
or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held
by an affiliate or associate of the interested
stockholder.
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These
supermajority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common
stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their
shares of common stock in the form of cash or other consideration in the same
form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its
shares.
The MGCL
permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations
that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the act, our charter
exempts any business combination between us and UMH. Consequently,
the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply
to business combinations between us and UMH.
Control Share Acquisitions.
The provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provide that
control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition
have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by
officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from
shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock
which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in
respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of
voting power (except solely by virtue
of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in
electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting
power:
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one-tenth
or more but less than one-third;
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one-third
or more but less than a majority;
or
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a
majority or more of all voting
power.
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Control
shares do not include shares that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote
as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share
acquisition means, subject to certain exceptions, the acquisition of control
shares.
A person
who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the
board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders
to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares.
The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses
of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself
present the question at any stockholders’ meeting.
If voting
rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not
deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the
corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except
those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the
corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and
limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting
rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share
acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the
voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights
for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror
becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other
stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as
determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest
price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share
acquisition.
The
control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in
a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the
transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or
bylaws of the corporation.
Our
bylaws contain a provision exempting from the provisions of the Control Share
Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock.
There can be no assurance that our board of directors will not eliminate this
provision at any time in the future.
Unsolicited Takeovers Act.
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of
equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three
independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or
bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any
contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five
provisions:
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a
two-thirds vote requirement for removing a
director;
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a
requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the
directors;
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a
requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office and for the
remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy
occurred; and
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a
requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may occur if at least a
majority of stockholders request such in
writing.
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Through
provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already
(a) have a classified board, (b) require a two-thirds vote for the
removal of any director from the board, (c) vest in the board the exclusive
power to fix the number of directors and (d) require, unless called by its
president, the chairman of the board or a majority of the board of directors,
the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to
be cast at such meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders. We
have elected to be governed by the provision of Subtitle 8 providing that a
vacancy on its board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors,
for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the
vacancy occurred.
Advance Notice of Director
Nominations and New Business. Our bylaws provide that, with respect
to an annual meeting of our stockholders, nominations of individuals for
election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered
by stockholders at an annual meeting may be made only (i) pursuant to the
notice of the meeting, (ii) by our board of directors or (iii) by one
of our stockholders who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied
with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special
meetings of our stockholders, only the business specified in the notice of the
meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for
election to our board of directors at a special meeting of its stockholders may
be made only (i) pursuant to the notice of the meeting, (ii) by the
board of directors or (iii) provided that the board of directors has
determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who
is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice
provisions of the bylaws.
Meetings of
Stockholders. Under our bylaws, annual meetings of stockholders are
to be held each year at a date and time as determined by our board of directors.
Special meetings of stockholders may be called only by a majority of the
directors then in office, by the chairman of our board of directors or by the
president and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of
stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the
meeting.
Amendment of Charter and
Bylaws. Our charter generally may be amended only upon approval of
the board of directors and the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast
not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Under the MGCL, certain charter amendments may be effected by the board of
directors, without stockholder approval, such as an amendment changing the name
of the corporation or an amendment increasing or decreasing the number of its
authorized shares of stock. Our bylaws may be amended only by vote of a majority
of the board of directors.
Dissolution. Our dissolution
must be advised by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by
the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two thirds
of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Removal of Directors. Our
charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in
the charter, and only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast
not less than two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of
directors, generally. This provision, when coupled with the subtitle 8 election
vesting in our board of directors the sole power to fill vacant directorships,
precludes stockholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and by
a substantial affirmative vote and from filling the vacancies created by the
removal with their own nominees.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES
Introductory
Notes
The
following is a description of the material Federal income tax considerations to
a holder of our securities. An applicable prospectus supplement will contain
information about additional Federal income tax considerations, if any, relating
to particular offerings of our securities. The following discussion is not
exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and does not provide a detailed
discussion of any state, local or foreign tax considerations, nor does it
discuss all of the aspects of Federal income taxation that may be relevant to a
prospective security holder in light of his or her particular circumstances or
to stockholders (including insurance companies, tax exempt entities, financial
institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, and persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States) who are subject to special treatment
under the Federal income tax laws.
Husch
Blackwell Sanders LLP has provided an opinion to the effect that this
discussion, to the extent that it contains descriptions of applicable Federal
income tax law, is correct in all material respects and fairly summarizes in all
material respects the Federal income tax laws referred to herein. This opinion
is limited to this discussion under the heading "Material United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences" and is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. This opinion, however, does not
purport to address the actual tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities to any
particular holder. The opinion, and the information in this section, is based on
the Code, current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, the legislative
history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the
Internal Revenue Service, and court decisions. The reference to Internal Revenue
Service interpretations and practices includes Internal Revenue Service
practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings, which are not
binding on the Internal Revenue Service except with respect to the taxpayer that
receives the ruling. In each case, these sources are relied upon as they exist
on the date of this prospectus. No assurance can be given that future
legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions
will not significantly change current law, or adversely affect existing
interpretations of existing law, on which the opinion and the information in
this section are based. Any change of this kind could apply retroactively to
transactions preceding the date of the change. Moreover, opinions of counsel
merely represent counsel’s best judgment with respect to the probable outcome on
the merits and are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts.
Accordingly, even if there is no change in applicable law, no assurance can be
provided that such opinion, or the statements made in the following discussion,
will not be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or will be sustained by a
court if so challenged.
Each
prospective purchaser is advised to consult the applicable prospectus
supplement, as well as his or her own tax advisor, regarding the specific tax
consequences to him or her of the acquisition, ownership and sale of securities
of an entity electing to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, including
the Federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of such
acquisition, ownership, sale, and election and of potential changes in
applicable tax laws.
Taxation
of Us as a REIT
General. We have
elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code,
commencing with our taxable year which ended September 30, 1968. Our
qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a
continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels
and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests and
organizational requirements imposed under the Code, as discussed below. We
believe that we are organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify
under the Code for taxation as a REIT since our inception, and we intend to
continue to operate in such a manner. No assurances, however, can be given that
we will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See
“Failure to Qualify” below.
The
following is a general summary of the material Code provisions that govern the
Federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its security holders. These
provisions of the Code are highly technical and complex. This summary is
qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, the Treasury
Regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations
thereof.
Husch
Blackwell Sanders LLP has provided to us an opinion to the effect that we have
been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT, effective for each of our taxable years
ended September 30, 2005 through September 30, 2008, and our current and
proposed organization and method of operation will enable us to continue to meet
the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year
ending September 30, 2009 and thereafter. This opinion is filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. It must be
emphasized that this opinion is conditioned upon certain assumptions and
representations made by us to Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP as to factual matters
relating to our organization and operation. Since qualification as a REIT
requires us to satisfy certain income and asset tests throughout the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2009, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP’s opinion is based upon
assumptions and our representations as to future conduct, income and assets. In
addition, this opinion is based upon our factual representations concerning our
business and properties as described in the reports filed by us under the
federal securities laws.
Qualification
and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis,
through actual annual operating results, the various requirements under the Code
described in this prospectus with regard to, among other things, the sources of
our gross income, the composition of our assets, our distribution levels, and
our diversity of stock ownership. Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP will not review
our operating results on an ongoing basis. While we intend to operate so that we
qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs,
the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future
changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we satisfy all of
the tests for REIT qualification or will continue to do so.
If we
qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to Federal
corporate income taxes on net income that we currently distribute to
stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (at
the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from investment in
a corporation.
Notwithstanding
our REIT election, however, we will be subject to Federal income tax in the
following circumstances. First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on
any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains,
provided, however, that properly designated undistributed capital gains will
effectively avoid taxation at the stockholder level. Second, under certain
circumstances, we may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on any items
of tax preference and alternative minimum tax adjustments. Third, if we have (i)
net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” (which
is, in general, property acquired by foreclosure or otherwise on default of a
loan secured by the property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in
the ordinary course of business or (ii) other non-qualifying income from
foreclosure property, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on
such income. Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions (which
are, in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property (other than
foreclosure property) held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business), such income will be subject to a 100% tax on prohibited
transactions. Fifth, if we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or
the 95% gross income test (as discussed below), and have nonetheless maintained
our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we
will be subject to a tax in an amount equal to the greater of either (i) the
amount by which 75% of our gross income exceeds the amount qualifying under the
75% test for the taxable year or (ii) the amount by which 95% of our gross
income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying under the 95% test for the
taxable year, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability. Sixth, if we should fail to satisfy any of the asset tests (as
discussed below) for a particular quarter and do not qualify for certain de
minimis exceptions but have nonetheless maintained our qualification as a REIT
because certain other requirements are met, we will be subject to a tax equal to
the greater of (i) $50,000 or (ii) the amount determined by multiplying the
highest corporate tax rate by the net income generated by certain disqualified
assets for a specified period of time. Seventh, if we fail to satisfy REIT
requirements other than the income or asset tests but nonetheless maintain our
qualification because certain other requirements are met, we must pay a penalty
of $50,000 for each such failure. Eighth, if we should fail to distribute during
each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for
such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year (For this
purpose such term includes capital gains which we elect to retain but which we
report as distributed to our stockholders. See “Annual Distribution
Requirements” below); and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior
years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required
distribution over the amounts actually distributed. Ninth, if we acquire any
asset from a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to full
corporate level tax) in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our
hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset (or any other
property) in the hands of the C corporation, and we recognize gain on the
disposition of such asset during the 10-year period (temporarily shortened to a
7-year period for any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010 if the seventh year
preceded such taxable year) beginning on the date on which such asset was
acquired by us, then, to the extent of such property’s built-in gain (the excess
of the fair market value of such property at the time of acquisition by us over
the adjusted basis of such property at such time), such gain will be subject to
tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable assuming that we made or
would make an election pursuant to Notice 88-19 or Treasury Regulations that
were promulgated originally in 2000. Tenth, we would be subject to a 100%
penalty tax on amounts received (or on certain expenses deducted by a taxable
REIT subsidiary) if arrangements among us, our tenants and a taxable REIT
subsidiary were not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated
parties.
Requirements
for Qualification
The Code
defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association (i) which is managed by
one or more trustees or directors; (ii) the beneficial ownership of which is
evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable
certificates
of beneficial interest; (iii) which would be taxable as a domestic corporation
but for Code Sections 856 through 859; (iv) which is neither a financial
institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(v) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; (vi) of
which not more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital stock is owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to
include certain entities) during the last half of each taxable year after
applying certain attribution rules; (vii) that makes an election to be treated
as a REIT for the current taxable year or has made an election for a previous
taxable year which has not been terminated or revoked and (viii) which meets
certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and
assets. The Code provides that conditions (i) through (iv), inclusive, must be
met during the entire taxable year and that condition (v) must be met during at
least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of
a taxable year of less than 12 months. Condition (vi) must be met during the
last half of each taxable year. For purposes of determining stock ownership
under condition (vi), a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a
private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used
exclusively for charitable purposes generally is considered an individual.
However, a trust that is a qualified trust under Code Section 401(a) generally
is not considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are
treated as holding shares of a REIT in proportion to their actuarial interests
in the trust for purposes of condition (vi). Conditions (v) and (vi) do not
apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be
taxed as a REIT. We have issued sufficient common stock with sufficient
diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy requirements (v) and (vi). In
addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the transfer of our stock
intended to assist in continuing to satisfy the stock ownership requirements
described in (v) and (vi) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure
that we will be able to satisfy these stock ownership requirements. If we fail
to satisfy these stock ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a
REIT.
In
addition, if a corporation elected to be a REIT subsequent to October 4, 1976,
it must have as its taxable year the calendar year. We elected to be classified
as a REIT prior to that date. Consequently, our taxable year ends September
30.
To
qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any
undistributed earnings and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable
year. We believe that we have complied with this requirement.
For our
tax years beginning prior to January 1, 1998, pursuant to applicable Treasury
Regulations, to be taxed as a REIT, we were required to maintain certain records
and request on an annual basis certain information from our stockholders
designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding
shares. For our tax years beginning January 1, 1998 and after, these
records and informational requirements are no longer a condition to REIT
qualification. Instead, a monetary penalty will be imposed for failure to comply
with these requirements. We have complied with such
requirements. If we comply with these regulatory rules, and we do not
know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we failed
to meet requirement (vi) above, we will be treated as having met the
requirement.
Qualified
REIT Subsidiaries
If a REIT
owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” the separate
existence of that subsidiary generally will be disregarded for Federal income
tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other
than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the capital stock of which is owned by
the REIT. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of
the qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities and items
of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself. A qualified REIT subsidiary
of ours will not be subject to Federal corporate income taxation, although it
may be subject to state and local taxation in some states.
Taxable
REIT Subsidiaries
A
“taxable REIT subsidiary” is an entity taxable as a corporation in which we own
stock and that elects with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under
Section 856(l) of the Code. In addition, if one of our taxable
REIT
subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing more than 35%
of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be
treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. A taxable REIT subsidiary is
subject to Federal income tax, and state and local income tax where applicable,
as a regular “C” corporation.
Generally,
a taxable REIT subsidiary can perform certain impermissible tenant services
without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income under the
REIT income tests. However, several provisions regarding the arrangements
between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT
subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of Federal income taxation.
For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct
interest payments made to us. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100%
penalty tax on some payments that we receive or on certain expenses deducted by
the taxable REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements among us, our tenants
and the taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among
unrelated parties. We currently have a taxable REIT subsidiary, MREIC Financial,
Inc., and may establish additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the
future.
Income
Tests
In order
for us to maintain qualification as a REIT, two separate percentage tests
relating to the source of our gross income must be satisfied annually. First, at
least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited
transactions) for each taxable year generally must be derived directly or
indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real
property (including “rents from real property,” gain, and, in certain
circumstances, interest) or from certain types of temporary investments. Second,
at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited
transactions) for each taxable year must be derived from such real property
investments described above, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or
disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the
foregoing.
Rents
received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the
above gross income tests only if several conditions are met. First, the amount
of rent generally must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits
of any person. However, amounts received or accrued generally will not be
excluded from “rents from real property” solely by reason of being based on a
fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Second,
rents received from a tenant will not qualify as “rents from real property” if
we, or a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of our stock, actually or
constructively own 10% or more of such tenant (a “Related Party Tenant”). We
may, however, lease our properties to a taxable REIT subsidiary and rents
received from that subsidiary generally will not be disqualified from being
“rents from real property” by reason of our ownership interest in the subsidiary
if at least 90% of the property in question is leased to unrelated tenants and
the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is substantially comparable to the
rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space, as determined pursuant
to the rules in Section 856(d)(8).
Third, if
rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease
of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease,
then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify
as “rents from real property.” This 15% test is based on relative fair market
values of the real and personal property.
Generally,
for rents to qualify as “rents from real property” for the purposes of the gross
income tests, we are only allowed to provide services that are both “usually or
customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of real property and not
otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant.” Income received from any other
service will be treated as “impermissible tenant service income” unless the
service is provided, in the case of impermissible services that are customary,
through an independent contractor that bears the expenses of providing the
services and from whom we derive no revenue or, in the case of even
non-customary impermissible services, through a taxable REIT subsidiary, subject
to specified limitations. The amount of impermissible tenant service income we
receive is deemed to be the greater of the amount actually received by us or
150% of our direct cost of providing the service. If the impermissible tenant
service income exceeds 1% of our total income from a property, then all of the
income from that property will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If
the total amount of impermissible tenant service income from a property does not
exceed 1% of our total income from that property, the income will not cause the
rent paid by tenants of that property to fail to qualify as rents from real
property, but the impermissible tenant service income itself will not qualify as
rents from real property.
In
addition to being structured to satisfy the above listed conditions, our leases
will be structured with the intent to qualify as true leases for Federal income
tax purposes. If, however, our leases were recharacterized as
service
contracts or partnership agreements, rather than true leases, or disregarded
altogether for tax purposes, all or part of the payments that we, our applicable
subsidiary or other lessor entity receives from the lessees would not be
considered rent or would not otherwise satisfy the various requirements for
qualification as “rents from real property.” In that case, we very likely would
not be able to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income tests and, as a
result, could lose our REIT status.
If we
fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable
year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to
relief under certain provisions of the Code. Prior to October 22, 2004, with
respect to failures occurring on or before that date but in tax years beginning
after October 4, 1976, or, with respect to tax years beginning before October 4,
1976, as a result of a determination occurring after October 4, 1976, these
relief provisions generally were available if our failure to meet such tests was
due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, if we attach a schedule
of the nature and amount of our income to our Federal income tax return for such
years, and if any incorrect information on the schedules was not due to fraud
with intent to evade tax. After October 22, 2004, the relief provisions
generally will be available with respect to a failure to meet such tests if our
failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and,
following the REIT’s identification of the failure to meet either of the gross
income tests, a description of each item of the REIT’s gross income is set forth
in a schedule for the relevant taxable year that is filed in accordance with the
applicable regulations. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all
circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. As
discussed above in “Taxation of Us as a REIT,” even if these relief provisions
were to apply, a tax would be imposed equal to the excess impermissible gross
income multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability.
Other
Rules Regarding Income
Prohibited Transaction
Income. Any gain that we realize on the sale of property held as
inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that
is subject to a 100% penalty tax. The amount of gain would include any gain
realized by qualified REIT subsidiaries and our share of any gain realized by
any of the partnerships or limited liability companies in which we own an
interest. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our
ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT since such
income is disregarded for purposes of these tests. Under existing law, whether
property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all of the
facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. We intend to
hold our properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation and to
engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning our properties. We
have made, and may in the future make, occasional sales of properties consistent
with our investment objectives. We do not intend to enter into any sales that
are prohibited transactions. The Internal Revenue Service may contend, however,
that one or more of these sales is subject to the 100% penalty tax.
Foreclosure Property.
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such
real property (i) that is acquired by us as a result of our having bid in
the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to
ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a
default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan
held by and secured by the property, (ii) for which the related loan or
lease was acquired by us at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated,
and (iii) for which we make a proper election to treat the property as
foreclosure property. Property otherwise qualifying as foreclosure property has
that status for the year of acquisition plus the three following years, unless
such period is extended by the Internal Revenue Service. REITs generally are
subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income
from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the
foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying
income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of
property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be
subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above,
even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property in
the hands of the selling REIT. We do not anticipate that we will receive any
income from foreclosure property that is not qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% gross income test.
Hedging Transactions. We may
enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or
liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate
swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and
forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction entered into on or before
July 30, 2008 and made to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to
acquire or own real estate assets will not constitute gross income for purposes
of the 95% gross income test but will constitute non-qualifying income for
purposes of the 75% gross income test. Income from such transactions entered
into after July 30,
2008 will
not constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income
tests. Income from hedging transactions entered into after July 30,
2008 and made primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect
to any item of income or gain that would qualify under the 75% or 95% income
tests (or any property which generates such income or gain) also will not
constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income
tests. We must properly identify any such hedges in our books and
records. To the extent that we hedge with other types of
financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be
treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend
to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our
status as a REIT.
Asset
Tests
At the
close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy six tests relating to
the nature of our assets.
1. At
least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by “real estate
assets,” cash, cash items and government securities as such terms are defined in
the Code. Our real estate assets include, for this purpose, our allocable share
of real estate assets held by the partnerships in which we own an interest, and
the non-corporate subsidiaries of these partnerships, as well as stock or debt
instruments held for less than one year purchased with the proceeds of an
offering of shares or long term debt.
2. Not
more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities,
other than those in the 75% asset class.
3. Except
for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries, and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not
exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
4. Except
for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, we may not own more than 10% of the total voting power of any one
issuer’s outstanding securities.
5. Except
for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding
securities of any one issuer, other than securities that qualify for the debt
safe harbors discussed below.
6. Not
more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or
more taxable REIT subsidiaries. For taxable years beginning on or
before July 30, 2008, not more than 20% of our total assets could be represented
by the securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries.
For
purposes of these asset tests, any shares of qualified REIT subsidiaries are not
taken into account, and any assets owned by the qualified REIT subsidiary are
treated as owned directly by the REIT.
Securities,
for purposes of the asset tests, may include debt we hold. However, the
following types of arrangements generally will not be considered securities held
by us for purposes of the 10% value test: (1) straight debt securities of an
issuer which meet the requirements of Section 856(m)(2), discussed below; (2)
any loan to an individual or an estate; (3) any Section 467 rental agreement,
other than with certain related persons; (4) any obligation to pay rents from
real property as defined in Section 856(d)(1); (5) any security issued by a
state or any political subdivision thereof, the District of Columbia, a foreign
government or any political subdivision thereof, or the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, but only if the determination of any payment received or accrued under
such security does not depend in whole or in part on the profits of any entity
not described in the category or payments on any obligation issued by such an
entity; (6) any security issued by a REIT; or (7) any other arrangement as
determined by the Internal Revenue Service. Under Section 856(m)(2), debt
generally will constitute “straight debt” if the debt is a written unconditional
promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money (i) which
is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock and (ii) the interest
rate (or the interest payment dates) of
which is
not contingent on the profits, the borrower’s discretion or similar factors.
However, a security may satisfy the definition of “straight debt” even though
the time of payment of interest or principal thereunder is subject to a
contingency, if: (a) such contingency does not have the effect of changing the
effective yield to maturity more than the greater of 0.25% or 5% of the annual
yield to maturity, or (b) neither the aggregate issue price nor the aggregate
face amount of the issuer's debt instruments held by the REIT exceeds $1 million
and not more than 12 months of unaccrued interest can be required to be prepaid
thereunder. Second, a security can satisfy the definition of “straight debt”
even though the time or amount of any payment thereunder is subject to a
contingency upon a default or the exercise of a prepayment right by the issuer
of the debt, provided that such contingency is consistent with customary
commercial practice.
Certain
“look-through” rules apply in determining a REIT partner’s share of partnership
securities for purposes of the 10% value test. Under such rules, a REIT’s
interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security, and the
REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of each of the assets of the
partnership. In addition, for taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004,
the REIT’s interest in the partnership assets is the REIT’s proportionate
interest in any securities issued by the partnership, other than securities
qualifying for the above safe harbors. Therefore, a REIT that is a partner in a
partnership must look through both its equity interest and interest in non-safe
harbor debt securities issued by the partnership.
Any
non-safe harbor debt instrument issued by a partnership will not be considered a
security to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.
Also, any non-safe harbor debt instrument issued by a partnership will not be
considered a security if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income
(excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) is derived from the
sources described in Section 856(c)(3), which sets forth the general REIT income
test.
Certain
corporate or partnership securities that otherwise would qualify under the
straight debt safe harbor will not so qualify if the REIT holding such
securities, and any of its controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries, holds other
securities of the issuer which are not securities qualifying for any safe
harbors if such non-qualifying securities have an aggregate value greater than
1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities.
With
respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does not
qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we
believe that our pro rata share of the value of the securities, including
unsecured debt, of any such issuer does not exceed 5% of the total value of our
assets and that we comply with the 10% voting securities limitation and 10%
value limitation (taking into account the debt safe harbors with respect to
certain issuers). With respect to our compliance with each of these asset tests,
however, we cannot provide any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service might
not disagree with our determinations.
After
initially meeting the asset tests after the close of any quarter, we will not
lose our status as a REIT if we fail to satisfy the 25%, 20% or 5% asset tests
or the 10% value limitation at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of
changes in the relative values of our assets. If the failure to satisfy the 25%
or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation arises immediately after, and is
wholly or partly the result of, the acquisition of securities or other property
during a quarter, the failure can be cured by a disposition of sufficient
non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We have
maintained and intend to continue to maintain adequate records of the value of
our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take any available
actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure
any noncompliance with the 25%, 20%, or 5% asset tests or the 10% value
limitation. We cannot ensure that these steps always will be successful. If we
were to fail to cure the noncompliance with the asset tests within this 30 day
period, we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
With
respect to taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, however, a REIT will
not lose its REIT status for failing to satisfy the requirements of the 5% and
10% tests if such failure is due to the ownership of assets the total value of
which does not exceed the lesser of: (i) 1% of the total value of the REIT’s
assets at the end of the quarter for which such measurement is done or (ii) $10
million. However, the REIT must either: (x) dispose of the assets within six
months after the last day of the quarter in which the REIT identifies the
failure (or such other time period prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service),
or (y) otherwise meet the requirements of those rules by the end of such time
period.
In
addition, if a REIT fails to meet any of the asset test requirements for a
particular quarter, and the failure exceeds the above-described de minimis
standard, then the REIT still will be considered to have satisfied these tests
if the REIT satisfies several requirements. First, the REIT’s failure to satisfy
the particular asset test must be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful
neglect. Second, the REIT must file a schedule of the assets resulting in such
failure with the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the regulations and
must dispose of the assets within six months after the last day of the quarter
in which the REIT identified the failure (or such other time period prescribed
by the Internal Revenue Service) or otherwise meet the requirements of those
rules by the end of such time period. Finally, the REIT must pay a tax equal to
the greater of $50,000 or the amount determined by multiplying the highest
corporate tax rate by the net income generated by the assets described in the
schedule for the period beginning on the first date that the failure occurs and
ending on the date when the REIT disposes of such assets or the end of the first
quarter when the REIT no longer fails to satisfy the particular asset
test.
Also,
effective for taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, if a REIT fails to
satisfy requirements other than the income or asset tests, the REIT will not
lose its qualification as a REIT provided such violations are due to reasonable
cause and not due to willful neglect and the REIT pays a penalty of $50,000 for
each such failure.
Annual
Distribution Requirements
We, in
order to qualify as a REIT, must distribute dividends (other than capital gain
dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to (i) the sum of (a)
90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to the dividends paid
deduction and our net capital gain) and (b) 90% of the net income (after tax),
if any, from foreclosure property, minus (ii) the sum of certain items of
noncash income. Such distributions generally must be paid in the taxable year to
which they relate. Dividends may be paid in the following year in two
circumstances. First, dividends may be declared in the following year if the
dividends are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and
paid within 12 months of the end of the tax year but before the first regular
dividend payment made after such declaration. Second, if we declare a dividend
in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these
months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we
will be treated as having paid the dividend on December 31 of the year in which
the dividend was declared. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our
net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT
taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the nondistributed
amount at regular capital gains and ordinary corporate tax rates. Furthermore,
if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital
gain income for such year; and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior
periods, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of
such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.
We may
elect to retain and pay tax on net long-term capital gains and require our
stockholders to include their proportionate share of such undistributed net
capital gains in their income. If we make such election, stockholders would
receive a tax credit attributable to their share of the capital gains tax paid
by us, and would receive an increase in the basis of their shares in us in an
amount equal to the stockholder’s share of the undistributed net long-term
capital gain reduced by the amount of the credit. Further, any undistributed net
long-term capital gains that are included in the income of our stockholders
pursuant to this rule will be treated as distributed for purposes of the 4%
excise tax.
We have
made and intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy
the annual distribution requirements. It is possible, however, that we, from
time to time, may not have sufficient cash or liquid assets to meet the
distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt
of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of such
income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our taxable income, or if
the amount of nondeductible expenses such as principal amortization or capital
expenditures exceeds the amount of noncash deductions. In the event that such
timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, we may
arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowing or pay distributions in
the form of taxable stock dividends to permit the payment of required dividends.
If the amount of nondeductible expenses exceeds noncash deductions, we may
refinance our indebtedness to reduce principal payments and may borrow funds for
capital expenditures.
Under
certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the
distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to
stockholders in a later year that may be included in our deduction
for
dividends
paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may avoid being taxed on amounts distributed
as deficiency dividends; however, we will be required to pay interest to the
Internal Revenue Service based upon the amount of any deduction taken for
deficiency dividends.
Failure
to Qualify
If we
fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief
provisions apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable
alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.
Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify will not
be deductible by us, nor will such distributions be required to be made. In such
event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all
distributions to stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income, and, subject
to certain limitations in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for
the dividends received deduction and non-corporate taxpayers will be taxed (for
the periods after 2002 and before 2011) at the same Federal income tax rates as
capital gains are subject to tax for Federal income tax purposes. Unless
entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be
disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the
year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether in
all circumstances we would be entitled to such statutory relief.
Taxation
of Security Holders
Taxation of Taxable U.S.
Stockholders. As used in the remainder of this discussion, the
term “U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock or
preferred stock that is for Federal income tax purposes:
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a
citizen or resident, as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Code, of the
United States;
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a
corporation or partnership, or other entity treated as a corporation or
partnership for Federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of
Columbia;
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an
estate the income of which is subject to Federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or
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in
general, a trust subject to the primary supervision of a United States
court and the control of one or more United States persons or a trust that
has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S.
person.
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Generally,
in the case of a partnership that holds our stock, any partner that would be a
U.S. stockholder if it held the stock directly is also a U.S. stockholder. As
long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S.
stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not
designated as capital gain dividends or retained capital gains) will be taken
into account by them as ordinary income, and corporate stockholders will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction as to such amounts. In the case of
individual stockholders for taxable years beginning on or before December 31,
2010, such distributions, if designated by the REIT in a written notice mailed
not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, may qualify
(provided holding period and certain other requirements are met) as qualified
dividend income eligible to be taxed at the reduced maximum rate of generally
15% (0% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the REIT
receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general,
dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign
corporations. A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign
corporation which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend
was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment
company. The total amount that can be designated as qualified dividend income by
the REIT generally cannot exceed the sum of (1) the REIT’s qualified dividend
income for the tax year, (2) the amount of its REIT taxable income and income
taxed under the Code Section 337(d) regulations, minus the tax on these items,
for the prior year and (3) the amount of any earnings and profits that were
distributed by the REIT for the tax year and accumulated in a tax year during
which the REIT was not subject to the REIT rules. Distributions in excess of
current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a
stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of such
stockholder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares as
a return of capital. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted
basis of a
stockholder’s
stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term
capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less), assuming the
shares are a capital asset in the hands of the stockholder. In addition, any
dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year payable to
a stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as
both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year,
provided that the dividend is actually paid by us during January of the
following calendar year. For purposes of determining what portion of a
distribution is attributable to current or accumulated earnings and profits,
earnings and profits will first be allocated to distributions made to holders of
the shares of preferred stock. Stockholders may not include in their
individual income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of
ours.
In
general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares by a
stockholder who is not a dealer in securities will be treated as a long-term
capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year,
otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss upon a sale or
exchange of shares by a stockholder who has held such shares for six months or
less (after applying certain holding period rules) generally will be treated as
long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions from us required to be
treated by such stockholder as long-term capital gain.
Distributions
that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to
stockholders as gains (to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net
capital gain for the taxable year) from the sale or disposition of a capital
asset held for greater than one year. If we designate any portion of a dividend
as a capital gain dividend, a U.S. stockholder will receive an Internal Revenue
Service Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the
stockholder as capital gain. However, stockholders that are corporations may be
required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary
income. A portion of capital gain dividends received by noncorporate taxpayers
may be subject to tax at a 25% rate to the extent attributable to certain gains
realized on the sale of real property. In addition, noncorporate taxpayers are
generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (20% for taxable years after 2010) on
net long-term capital gain (generally, the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss) attributable to gains realized on the sale of
property held for greater than one year.
We may
elect to retain and pay income tax on our long-term capital gains. If we so
elect, each stockholder, including tax-exempt stockholders as discussed below,
will take into income the stockholder’s share of the retained capital gain as
long-term capital gain (except that corporate stockholders may be required to
treat up to 20% of certain capital gains dividends as ordinary income) and will
receive a credit or refund for that stockholder’s share of the tax paid by us.
The stockholder will increase the basis of such stockholder’s shares by an
amount equal to the excess of the retained capital gain included in the
stockholder’s income over the tax deemed paid by such stockholder.
Distributions
we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a stockholder of shares of
our stock will not be treated as passive activity income, and, as a result,
stockholders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against
such income or gain. Distributions we make (to the extent they do not constitute
a return of capital) generally will be treated as investment income for purposes
of computing the investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or
other disposition of our stock (or distributions treated as such) will not be
treated as investment income under certain circumstances.
Upon any
taxable sale or other disposition of our common or preferred stock, a U.S.
stockholder will recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes on the
disposition of our stock in an amount equal to the difference
between:
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the
amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on such
disposition; and
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the
U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in such stock for tax
purposes.
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Gain or
loss will be capital gain or loss if the stock has been held by the U.S.
stockholder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the
stockholder’s holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held
for more than one year it will produce long-term capital gain) and the
stockholder’s tax bracket. A U.S. stockholder who is an individual or an estate
or trust and who has long-term capital gain or loss will be subject to
a
maximum
capital gain rate of 15% (20% for taxable years after 2010). To the
extent that capital gain is realized by a stockholder on the sale of shares, the
applicable Treasury Regulations as currently promulgated should not treat any
such gain as “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain,” subject to a special rate of tax.
However, new provisions or regulations could be promulgated in the future to
produce a different result. Stockholders are advised to consult with their own
tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability.
The
treatment we accord to any redemption for cash (as distinguished from a sale,
exchange or other disposition) of stock can only be determined on the basis of
particular facts as to each stockholder at the time of redemption. In general, a
stockholder will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference
between the amount received by the stockholder upon the redemption and such
stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares redeemed (provided the shares are
held as a capital asset) if such redemption (i) results in a “complete
termination” of the stockholder’s interest in all classes of our stock under
Code Section 302(b)(3), (ii) is “substantially disproportionate” with
respect to the stockholder’s interest in our stock under Code
Section 302(b)(2), or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a
dividend” with respect to the stockholder under Code Section 302(b)(1). In
applying these tests, there must be taken into account not only the common and
preferred stock owned by the holder, but also any options (including stock
purchase rights) to acquire either of the foregoing. The stockholder also must
take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered
to be owned by such stockholder by reason of the constructive ownership rules
set forth in Code Sections 318 and 302(c).
If the
redemption of stock does not meet any of the tests under Code Section 302,
then the redemption proceeds received will be treated as a distribution on the
stock. If the redemption is taxed as a dividend, the stockholder’s adjusted tax
basis in the redeemed stock will be transferred to any other shares held by the
stockholder. If the stockholder owns no other stock of ours, under certain
circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person, or it may be
lost entirely. Proposed Treasury Regulations have been issued by the
Treasury Department which, if issued in their current form, when effective,
would prohibit the shifting of basis and would defer the recovery of the
stockholder's basis in any of our stock until the conditions described in the
preceding paragraph are satisfied. We urge you to consult your tax
advisor concerning the treatment of a cash redemption of stock.
If a
redemption of preferred stock that is not otherwise treated as a dividend occurs
when there is a dividend arrearage on the preferred stock, a portion of the cash
received might be treated as a dividend distribution taxable as ordinary income.
If the dividend arrearage has been declared or if the facts show that the
corporation was legally obligated to pay the dividend, then the stockholder will
have ordinary dividend income to such extent. On the other hand, if the
arrearage has not been declared as a dividend and the facts do not show that the
corporation was legally obligated to pay the dividend, then, even though the
dividend arrearage is included in the redemption price, the entire payment is
treated as a part of the sales proceeds of the stock and not as ordinary
dividend income.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt
Stockholders. Provided that a tax-exempt stockholder has not
held our common or preferred stock as “debt-financed property” within the
meaning of the Code, the dividend income from us will not be unrelated business
taxable income, referred to as UBTI, to a tax-exempt stockholder. Similarly,
income from the sale of stock will not constitute UBTI unless the tax-exempt
stockholder has held its stock as debt-financed property within the meaning of
the Code or has used the stock in a trade or business. However, for a tax-exempt
stockholder that is a social club, voluntary employee benefit association,
supplemental unemployment benefit trust, or qualified group legal services plan
exempt from Federal income taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9),
(c)(17) and (c)(20), respectively, or a single parent title-holding corporation
exempt under Section 501(c)(2) the income of which is payable to any of the
aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, income from an investment in us will
constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such
amounts for purposes specified in the Code. These tax exempt stockholders should
consult their own tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve
requirements.
A
“qualified trust” (defined to be any trust described in Code Section 401(a) and
exempt from tax under Code Section 501(a)) that holds more than 10% of the value
of the shares of a REIT may be required, under certain circumstances, to treat a
portion of distributions from the REIT as UBTI. This requirement will apply for
a taxable year only if (i) the REIT satisfies the requirement that not more than
50% of the value of its shares be held by five or fewer individuals (the “five
or fewer requirement”) only by relying on a special “look-through” rule under
which
shares
held by qualified trust stockholders are treated as held by the beneficiaries of
such trusts in proportion to their actuarial interests therein; and (ii) the
REIT is “predominantly held” by qualified trusts. A REIT is “predominantly held”
by qualified trusts if either (i) a single qualified trust holds more than 25%
of the value of the REIT shares, or (ii) one or more qualified trusts, each
owning more than 10% of the value of the REIT shares, hold in the aggregate more
than 50% of the value of the REIT shares. If the foregoing requirements are met,
the percentage of any REIT dividend treated as UBTI to a qualified trust that
owns more than 10% of the value of the REIT shares is equal to the ratio of (i)
the UBTI earned by the REIT (computed as if the REIT were a qualified trust and
therefore subject to tax on its UBTI) to (ii) the total gross income (less
certain associated expenses) of the REIT for the year in which the dividends are
paid. A de minimis exception applies where the ratio set forth in the preceding
sentence is less than 5% for any year.
The
provisions requiring qualified trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions
as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the “five or fewer”
requirement without relying on the “look-through” rule. The restrictions on
ownership and transfer of stock in our charter should prevent application of the
foregoing provisions to qualified trusts purchasing our stock, absent a waiver
of the restrictions by the board of directors.
As
discussed above in relation to taxable U.S. stockholders, we may elect to retain
and pay income tax on our long-term capital gains. If we so elect, each
stockholder, including tax-exempt stockholders, will take into income the
stockholder’s share of the retained capital gain as long-term capital gain
(except that corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of
certain capital gains dividends as ordinary income) and will receive a credit or
refund for that stockholder’s share of the tax paid by us. The stockholder will
increase the basis of such stockholder’s shares by an amount equal to the excess
of the retained capital gain included in the stockholder’s income over the tax
deemed paid by such stockholder.
Taxation of Holders of Debt
Securities.
Stated interest and
market discount. Holders
of debt securities will be required to include stated interest on the debt
securities in gross income for federal income tax purposes in accordance with
their methods of accounting for tax purposes. This discussion assumes that the
debt securities were not issued with original issue
discount.
Purchasers of debt securities should be
aware that the holding and disposition of debt securities may be affected by the
market discount provisions of the Code. These rules generally provide that if a
holder of a debt instrument purchases it at a market discount and subsequently
recognizes gain on a disposition of the debt instrument, including a gift or
payment on maturity, the lesser of such gain or appreciation, in the case of a
gift, and the portion of the market discount that accrued while the debt
instrument was held by such holder will be treated as ordinary interest income
at the time of the disposition. For this purpose, a purchase at a market
discount includes a purchase after original issuance at a price below the debt
instrument’s stated principal amount. The market discount rules also provide
that a holder who acquires a debt instrument at a market discount and who does
not elect to include such market discount in income on a current basis may be
required to defer a portion of any interest expense that may otherwise be
deductible on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such
debt instrument until the holder disposes of the debt instrument in a taxable
transaction.
A holder of a debt instrument acquired
at a market discount may elect to include the market discount in income as the
discount thereon accrues, either on a straight line basis or, if elected, on a
constant interest rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made, applies
to all market discount obligations acquired by such holder on or after the first
day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. If a holder of a
debt security elects to include market discount in income in accordance with the
preceding sentence, the foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of
ordinary income on a sale or particular other dispositions of such debt security
and the deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related to such debt
security would not apply.
Amortizable bond
premium. Generally, if the tax
basis of an obligation held as a capital asset exceeds the amount payable at
maturity of the obligation, such excess may constitute amortizable bond premium
that the holder
may elect
to amortize under the constant interest rate method and deduct the amortized
premium over the period from the holder’s acquisition date to the obligation’s
maturity date. A holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the tax
basis in the related obligation by the amount of the aggregate deductions
allowable for amortizable bond premium.
The amortizable bond premium deduction
is treated as an offset to interest income on the related security for federal
income tax purposes. Each prospective purchaser is urged to consult his tax
advisor as to the consequences of the treatment of such premium as an offset to
interest income for federal income tax purposes.
Disposition.
In general, a holder of a debt
security will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption,
payment upon maturity or other taxable disposition of the debt security. The
gain or loss is measured by the difference between (a) the amount of cash
and the fair market value of property received and (b) the holder’s tax
basis in the debt security as increased by any market discount previously
included in income by the holder and decreased by any amortizable bond premium
deducted over the term of the debt security. However, the amount of cash and the
fair market value received excludes cash or other property attributable to the
payment of accrued interest not previously included in income, which amount will
be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to the market discount and amortizable
bond premium rules above, any such gain or loss will generally be long-term
capital gain or loss, provided the debt security was a capital asset in the
hands of the holder and had been held for more than one
year.
Taxation of Non-U.S.
Stockholders. The rules governing United States Federal income
taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign
partnerships and other foreign stockholders (which we refer to collectively as
Non-U.S. stockholders) are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to
provide more than a limited summary of such rules. The discussion does not
consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a particular
Non-U.S. stockholder. Prospective Non-U.S. stockholders should consult with
their own tax advisors to determine the impact of United States Federal, state
and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in our common or
preferred stock, including any reporting requirements.
Distributions
that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States
real property interests and not designated by us as capital gain dividends or
retained capital gains will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the
extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and
profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to a withholding tax
equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax
treaty reduces such rate or eliminates the tax. However, if income from the
investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the Non-U.S.
stockholder’s conduct of a United States trade or business, the Non-U.S.
stockholder generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates in the same
manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends (and may
also be subject to a branch profits tax of up to 30% if the stockholder is a
foreign corporation). We expect to withhold United States federal income tax at
the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any dividends paid to a Non-U.S.
stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends, unless (i) a
lower treaty rate applies and the Non-U.S. stockholder files with us an Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate or (ii)
the Non-U.S. stockholder files an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI with us
claiming that the distribution is income treated as effectively connected to a
United States trade or business.
Distributions
in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be
taxable to a stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted
basis of the stockholder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of
such shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of
a Non-U.S. stockholder’s shares, they will give rise to tax liability if the
Non-U.S. stockholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale
or disposition of his or her stock as described below. We may be required to
withhold United States federal income tax at the rate of at least 10% on
distributions to Non-U.S. stockholders that are not paid out of current or
accumulated earnings and profits unless the Non-U.S. stockholders provide us
with withholding certificates evidencing their exemption from withholding tax.
If it cannot be determined at the time that such a distribution is made whether
or not such distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings
and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate
applicable to dividends. However, the Non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund of
such amounts from the Internal Revenue Service if it is subsequently determined
that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated
earnings and profits.
Although
the law is not clear on the matter, if we elect to retain and pay income tax on
our long-term capital gains, it appears that amounts we designate as retained
capital gains in respect of stock held by Non-U.S. stockholders generally should
be treated with respect to Non-U.S. stockholders in the same manner as our
actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, a Non-U.S.
stockholder would be able to offset as a credit against its United States
federal income tax liability its proportionate share of the tax treated as paid
by it on such retained capital gains, and to receive from the Internal Revenue
Service a refund to the extent its proportionate share of such tax treated as
paid by it exceeds its actual United States federal income tax
liability.
For any
year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain
from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests will be
taxed to a Non-U.S. stockholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment
in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). Under FIRPTA, these distributions
generally are taxed to a Non-U.S. stockholder as if such gain were effectively
connected with a United States business. Thus, Non-U.S. stockholders will be
taxed on such distributions at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S.
stockholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special
alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Also,
distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in
the hands of a corporate Non-U.S. stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or
exemption. We are required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of
any distribution that could be designated by us as a capital gain dividend. This
amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. stockholder’s FIRPTA tax liability.
Effective for taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, however, REIT
distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of United States real
property interests will be treated as ordinary income dividends rather than
effectively connected income under the FIRPTA rules if (1) the distribution is
received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an
established securities market located in the United States and (2) the foreign
investor does not own more than 5% of the class of stock at any time during the
taxable year within which the distribution is received.
Gain
recognized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale or exchange of our stock
generally would not be subject to United States federal income taxation
unless:
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the
investment in our stock is effectively connected with the Non-U.S.
stockholder’s United States trade or business, in which case the Non-U.S.
stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as domestic stockholders
with respect to any gain;
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the
Non-U.S. stockholder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in
the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a
tax home in the United States, in which case the non-resident alien
individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital
gains for the taxable year; or
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our
stock constitutes a United States real property interest within the
meaning of FIRPTA, as described
below.
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Our stock
will not constitute a United States real property interest if we are a
domestically-controlled REIT. We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at
all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock
is held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. stockholders.
We
believe that, currently, we are a domestically controlled REIT and, therefore,
that the sale of our stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA.
Because our stock is publicly traded, however, we cannot guarantee that we are
or will continue to be a domestically-controlled REIT.
Even if
we do not qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT at the time a Non-U.S.
stockholder sells our stock, gain arising from the sale still would not be
subject to FIRPTA tax if:
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the
class or series of shares sold is considered regularly traded under
applicable Treasury Regulations on an established securities market, such
as the NYSE; and
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the
selling Non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less
in value of the outstanding class or series of stock being sold throughout
the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or
exchange.
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If gain
on the sale or exchange of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the
Non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to regular United States federal income
tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. stockholder,
subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative
minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals.
State and Local
Taxes. We and our stockholders may be subject to state or
local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which
we or our stockholders transact business or reside (although U.S. stockholders
who are individuals generally should not be required to file state income tax
returns outside of their state of residence with respect to our operations and
distributions). The state and local tax treatment of us and our stockholders may
not conform to the United States federal income tax consequences discussed
above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in
our stock.
Backup
Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
U.S.
Stockholders. In general, information-reporting requirements
will apply to certain U.S. stockholders with regard to payments of dividends on
our stock and payments of the proceeds of the sale of our stock, unless an
exception applies.
The payor
will be required to withhold tax on such payments at the rate of 28% (31% for
taxable years after 2010) if (i) the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer
identification number, or TIN, to the payor or to establish an exemption from
backup withholding, or (ii) the Internal Revenue Service notifies the payor that
the TIN furnished by the payor is incorrect.
In
addition, a payor of dividends on our stock will be required to withhold tax at
a rate of 28% (31% for taxable years after 2010) if (i) there has been a
notified payee under-reporting with respect to interest, dividends or original
issue discount described in Section 3406(c) of the Code, or (ii) there has been
a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of perjury that the payee is
not subject to backup withholding under the Code.
Some
stockholders, including corporations, may be exempt from backup withholding. Any
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
stockholder will be allowed as a credit against the stockholder’s United States
federal income tax and may entitle the stockholder to a refund, provided that
the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service.
Non-U.S.
Stockholders. Generally, information reporting will apply to
payments of dividends on our stock and backup withholding as described above for
a U.S. stockholder, unless the payee certifies that it is not a United States
person or otherwise establishes an exemption.
The
payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our stock to or through the
United States office of a United States or foreign broker will be subject to
information reporting and backup withholding as described above for U.S.
stockholders unless the non-U.S. stockholder satisfies the requirements
necessary to be an exempt non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise qualifies for an
exemption. The proceeds of a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder to or through
a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. However, if the broker is a United States
person, a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes, a
foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for specified
periods is from activities that are effectively connected with a United States
trade or business, a foreign partnership if partners who hold more than 50% of
the interests in the partnership are United States persons, or a foreign
partnership that is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States, then information reporting generally will apply as though the payment
was made through a United States office of a United States or foreign
broker.
Applicable
Treasury Regulations provide presumptions regarding the status of stockholders
when payments to the stockholders cannot be reliably associated with appropriate
documentation provided to the payor. Under these Treasury Regulations, some
stockholders are required to provide new certifications with respect to payments
made after December 31, 2000. Because the application of these Treasury
Regulations varies depending on the stockholder’s particular circumstances, you
are advised to consult your tax advisor regarding the information reporting
requirements applicable to you.
We may
sell our securities to one or more underwriters for public offer and sale by
them or may sell securities offered hereby to the public, to a limited number of
institutional purchasers or to a single purchaser, directly or through dealers
or agents or through a combination of methods. Any underwriter, dealer or agent
involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We intend to apply to the Nasdaq Global Select
Market to list any additional shares of preferred or common stock offered
pursuant to any prospectus supplement, and we anticipate that such shares will
be so listed.
The
distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed price, which may be changed, market prices prevailing at
the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of
sale or negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the
terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have
received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or
commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for
whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through
dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the
purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
Any
underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection
with the offering of securities and any discounts, concessions or commissions
allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the
distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any
discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on
resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be
entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and
contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
To
facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the
offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect
the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of
the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering
of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons
would cover the over-allotments or short positions by making
purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In
addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by
bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty
bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the
offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in
connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these
transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the
securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open
market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
If so
indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize the
underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by
certain institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price
set forth in that prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such
prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and
the aggregate principal amount of securities sold pursuant to contracts will not
be less than nor greater than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom contracts, when authorized, may be
made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other
institutions but will in all cases be subject to the approval of us. Contracts
may be subject to any conditions including (i) the purchase by an institution of
the
securities
covered by its contract will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the
laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is
subject; and (ii) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we have sold
to such underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the
principal amount thereof covered by the contracts.
Some of
the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in
transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business
for which they receive compensation.
The
legality of the securities has been passed upon for us by Husch Blackwell
Sanders LLP. The discussion of legal matters under “Material United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences” is based upon an opinion of Husch Blackwell
Sanders LLP.
The
consolidated financial statements and schedules of Monmouth Real Estate
Investment Corporation as of and for the year ended September 30, 2008, included
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, have
been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of PKF,
Certified Public Accountants, A Professional Corporation, independent registered
public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The
consolidated financial statements and schedules of Monmouth Real Estate
Investment Corporation as of September 30, 2007 and for each of the years in the
two-year period ended September 30, 2007, included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the report of Reznick Group, P.C., independent
registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
We have
filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act with
respect to the securities offered hereunder. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the registration statement. For further information regarding our
Company and our securities, please refer to the registration statement and the
contracts, agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to the registration
statement. Additionally, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC.
You may
read and copy all or any portion of the registration statement or any other
materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC
filings, including the registration statement, are also available to you on the
SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). We also have a website (www.mreic.com)
through which you may access our recent SEC filings. Information contained on
our website is not a part of this prospectus. In addition, you may look at our
SEC filings at the offices of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., which is located at
1500 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. Our SEC filings are available at the
NASDAQ because our common stock and preferred stock are listed and traded on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market under the respective symbols “MNRTA” and
“MNRTP.”
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents
that we file with them. That means we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we later file
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this
information.
We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we
make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, until we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus.
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Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on December 11,
2008.
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on February 5,
2009.
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on May 7,
2009.
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on August 6,
2009.
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All
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, since September 30, 2008, except for information furnished under
Current Reports on Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed and not
incorporated herein by reference.
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The
description of our common stock which is contained in a registration
statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or reports
filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
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You may
request a free copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless they are
specifically incorporated by reference in the documents) by writing or
telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation
Attention:
Stockholder Relations
3499
Route 9 N, Suite 3-C
Juniper
Business Plaza
Freehold,
NJ 07728
(732)
577-9996
1,730,200 Shares
Monmouth
Real Estate Investment Corporation
Common
Stock
$6.50
Per Share
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
October 15,
2009
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CSCA
Capital Advisors, LLC
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