As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NETSTREIT Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Maryland | | | 84-3356606 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |
5910 N. Central Expressway
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75206
(972) 200-7100
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75206
(972) 200-7100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Mark Manheimer
President and Chief Executive Officer
NETSTREIT Corp.
5910 N. Central Expressway
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75206
(972) 200-7100
President and Chief Executive Officer
NETSTREIT Corp.
5910 N. Central Expressway
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75206
(972) 200-7100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Christina T. Roupas
Courtney M. W. Tygesson
Cooley LLP
444 West Lake Street
Suite 1700
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 881-6500
Courtney M. W. Tygesson
Cooley LLP
444 West Lake Street
Suite 1700
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 881-6500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ | |
| Non-accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ | |
| | | | | | | Emerging growth company | | | ☒ | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | | | | Amount to be Registered(1) | | | | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1) | | | | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(3) | | | | Amount of Registration Fee | |
Securities covered by the base prospectus included herein: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (2) | |
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (2) | |
Warrants | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (2) | |
Debt Securities | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (2) | |
Depositary Shares | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (1) | | | | (2) | |
Securities covered by the sales agreement prospectus included herein: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | (3) | | | | (3) | | | | $250,000,000 | | | | $27,275 | |
(1)
Omitted pursuant to General Instructions II.E of Form S-3. An indeterminate number or amount, as the case may be, of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and depositary shares are being registered hereunder as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. The securities being registered hereunder may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities of any identified class and may be sold separately or in combination with the other securities registered hereunder. In addition to the securities that may be issued directly under this registration statement, there is being registered hereunder such indeterminate aggregate number or amount, as the case may be, of the securities of each identified class as may from time to time be issued upon the conversion, exchange, settlement or exercise of other securities offered hereby. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of, or in exchange for, other securities offered hereby. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, the shares of common stock and preferred stock being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares of common stock and preferred stock being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is deferring payment of these registration fees.
(3)
An indeterminate number of shares of common stock as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $250,000,000 are being registered hereunder as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares of common stock being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains two prospectuses:
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a base prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and/or depositary shares from time to time in one or more offerings; and
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a sales agreement prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to $250,000,000 of shares of our common stock that may be issued and sold from time to time under an equity distribution agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Berenberg Capital Markets LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Citibank, N.A. or any of its affiliates, Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Truist Bank, as forward purchasers (the “Sales Agreement”).
The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The specific terms of the securities to be issued and sold under the Sales Agreement are set forth in the sales agreement prospectus that immediately follows the base prospectus.
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Prospectus
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
NETSTREIT Corp. may offer and sell from time to time the following securities described in this prospectus, in each case on terms to be determined at the time of the offering:
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Common stock
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Preferred stock
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Warrants
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Debt securities
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Depositary shares
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that apply to the securities. Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in supplements to this prospectus. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus also may add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus carefully before you invest.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on potential methods of sale, see “Plan of Distribution.” The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities, the specific manner in which they may be offered and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sales of those securities.
We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the U.S. federal income tax laws. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “NTST.” On August 31, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $25.86 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the NYSE or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and those included under the same title in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any risks described in any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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 1, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The distribution of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and the offering of our securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. If you possess this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should find out about and observe these restrictions. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell our securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. There is no limit on the aggregate amount of the securities that we may offer pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The exhibits to our registration statement and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents that we have summarized in this prospectus or that we may summarize in a prospectus supplement. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, issue and sell from time to time, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement, the exhibits and other documents can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the sections in this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer, issue and sell from time to time, which is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the additional information described under the sections in this prospectus and in such prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “NETSTREIT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NETSTREIT Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries, including NETSTREIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this prospectus as “our operating partnership.”
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus regarding, among other things, our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, our acquisition pipeline, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
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risks inherent in the real estate business, including tenant defaults, illiquidity of real estate investments, potential liability relating to environmental matters and potential damages from natural disasters;
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general business and economic conditions;
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the impact of COVID-19 and any other epidemic or pandemic on our business and the global economy;
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the accuracy of our assessment that certain businesses are e-commerce resistant and recession-resilient;
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the accuracy of the tools we use to determine the creditworthiness of our tenants;
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concentration of our business within certain geographic markets, tenant categories and with certain tenants;
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demand for restaurant and retail space;
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ability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as existing leases expire or are terminated;
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our ability to successfully execute our acquisition or development strategies;
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the degree and nature of our competition;
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inflation and interest rate fluctuations;
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our ability to retain our key management personnel;
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failure, weakness, interruption or breach in security of our information systems;
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access to capital markets;
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our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
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continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets;
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failure to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT;
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changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, applicable law or regulation;
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future sales or issuances of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock, or the perception thereof, could cause the market value of our common stock to decline and could result in dilution; and
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the other risks identified in this prospectus, including those under the heading “Risk Factors,” including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results. Our future results will depend upon
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various other risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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OUR COMPANY
Our Business
We are an internally-managed real estate company that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of single-tenant, retail commercial real estate subject to long-term net leases with high credit quality tenants across the United States. As of June 30, 2021, our diversified portfolio consisted of 264 single-tenant retail net leased properties spanning 39 states, with tenants representing 59 different brands or concepts across 23 retail sectors. As of June 30, 2021, our portfolio generated annualized base rent (“ABR”)1 of $55.3 million and was 100% occupied, with a weighted average remaining lease term (“WALT”) of 9.9 years and consisted of approximately 70% and 14% of investment grade tenants and investment grade profile tenants, respectively, by ABR, which we believe provides us with a strong, stable source of recurring cash. Our tenants operate in industries where a physical location is critical to the generation of sales and profits, with a focus on necessity goods and essential services in the retail sector, including home improvement, auto parts, drug stores and pharmacies, general retail, grocers, convenience stores, discount stores, and quick-service restaurants, which we refer to as defensive retail industries. We believe these characteristics make our tenants’ businesses e-commerce resistant and resilient through all economic cycles. We completed our initial public offering on August 17, 2020 and our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). We are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we have chosen to “opt out” of this extended transition period, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on or before which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
We will cease to qualify as an emerging growth company on December 31, 2021.
Our Tax Status
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our stockholders, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding our net capital gain, plus 90% of our net income after tax from foreclosure property (if any), minus the sum of various items of excess non-cash income. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT,
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ABR is calculated by multiplying (i) cash rental payments (a) for the month ended June 30, 2021 (or, if applicable, the next full month’s cash rent contractually due in the case of rent abatements, rent deferrals, recently acquired properties and properties with contractual rent increases, other than properties under development) for leases in place as of June 30, 2021, plus (b) for properties under development, the first full month’s permanent cash rent contractually due after the development period by (ii) 12.
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among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Company Information
Our headquarters are located at 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206 and our telephone number is (972) 200-7100. Our website address is www.NETSTREIT.com. The information located on, or otherwise accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and described under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we specify otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including funding our investment activity. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and depositary shares that we may offer from time to time. As further described in this prospectus, these summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and other offering material. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities as described in this prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a description of the material terms of our capital stock and is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the applicable provisions of the Charter (the “charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (the “bylaws”), and the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).
General
Our authorized stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. A majority of our entire board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter 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 are authorized to issue. As of August 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 39,582,208 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of August 31, 2021 there were 659,820 and 665,302 outstanding Class A and Class B OP Units, respectively, which are convertible into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of stockholders’ status as stockholders.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including additional classes or series of common stock or classes or series of preferred stock, and to establish the designation and number of shares of each such class or series and to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each such class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that our common stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interests.
A majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors, without stockholder action, to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Common Stock
Common stockholders are entitled to receive distributions when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Common stockholders
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are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock, including any shares of preferred stock we may issue, and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock.
Our common stockholders have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our capital stock. Our charter provides that our stockholders generally have no appraisal rights unless our board of directors determines that appraisal rights will apply to one or more transactions in which our common stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of shares of our common stock will initially have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and the terms of any other class or series of our stock that we may issue, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast “for” and “against” each director nominee. In contested elections (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can effectively elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Under Maryland law and our charter, we generally cannot dissolve, amend our charter, merge, transfer all or substantially all of our assets, convert into another form of entity, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in a similar transaction unless such transaction is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except that the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter is required to amend the provisions of our charter relating to the removal of directors or the vote required to amend the removal provisions. Maryland law also permits us to transfer all or substantially all of our assets without the approval of our stockholders to an entity all of the equity interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by us. Because our operating assets may be held by our operating partnership or its wholly owned subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.
Preferred Stock
Our charter provides that our board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to classify, designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designation, number of shares, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any class or series of preferred stock.
Any future issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and distribution and liquidation rights of holders of our stock, and the likelihood that the holders will receive dividend payments, and payments upon liquidation could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be favorable to our stockholders.
A prospectus supplement relating to any class or series of preferred stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. They will include, where applicable:
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the title and par value of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the number of shares of the class or series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price per share of the class or series 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 the class or series of preferred stock;
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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the class or series of preferred stock shall accumulate;
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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the class or series of preferred stock;
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any voting rights of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the class or series of preferred stock;
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any listing of the class or series of preferred stock on any securities exchange;
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information with respect to book-entry registration procedures, if any;
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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the class or series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, another class or series of preferred stock or other securities including the conversion price or the manner of calculating the conversion price and conversion period;
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if appropriate, a discussion of federal income tax consequences applicable to the preferred stock;
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the class or series of preferred stock, in each case as may be appropriate to assist us in qualifying as a REIT or otherwise;
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the priority of the class or series of preferred stock, with all classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with each other unless otherwise specified in the charter and that the class or series of preferred stock will rank senior to common stock with respect to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions on the class or series of preferred stock.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock (after taking into account options to acquire shares of stock) may be owned, directly or through certain constructive ownership rules, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made).
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and qualifying as a REIT, among other reasons. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may actually or beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, in each case excluding any shares of our stock that are not treated as outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We refer to each of these restrictions as an “ownership limit” and collectively as the “ownership limits.” A person or entity that would have acquired actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock but for the application of the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed below is referred to as a “prohibited owner.”
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our common stock or our preferred stock) by an individual or entity could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock or of any class or series of preferred stock or 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, and thereby violate the applicable ownership limit.
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Our charter provides that our board of directors, subject to certain limits, upon receipt of a request that complies with the requirements of our charter may retroactively or prospectively exempt a person from any or all of the ownership limits and establish a different limit on ownership for such person. As a condition of the exception, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and such representations and/or agreements as it may deem necessary or prudent. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with such an exception.
Our board of directors may increase or decrease any or all of the ownership limits for one or more persons, except that a decreased ownership limit will not be effective for any person whose actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock exceeds the decreased ownership limit at the time of the decrease until the person’s actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, although any further acquisition of our stock (other than by a previously exempted person) will violate the decreased ownership limit. Our board of directors may not increase or decrease any ownership limit if the new ownership limit would allow five or fewer persons to actually or beneficially own more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or could cause us to be “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Our charter further prohibits:
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any person from actually, beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that could result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that could result in us owning (actually or constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income we derive from such tenant, taking into account our other income that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause us to fail to satisfy any the gross income requirements imposed on REITs); and
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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above must give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, provide us at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.
The ownership limits and other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with any such restriction is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of our stock or other event that would cause a change in the beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock would (i) result in any person violating any of the ownership limits described above or such other ownership limit established by our board of directors, (ii) result in us being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or (iii) otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, then the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries selected by us. The prohibited owner will have no rights in shares of our stock held by the trustee. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid to the trustee upon demand. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable restriction on ownership and
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transfer of our stock, then the transfer of the number of shares that otherwise would cause any person to violate the above restrictions will be void and of no force or effect, regardless of any action or inaction by the board of directors, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any transfer of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares.
Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer of the shares to the trust (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price (as defined in our charter), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the Market Price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the trustee by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee and pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
If we do not exercise our right to purchase the shares held in the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person or persons designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust. Upon such sale, the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price, the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to discovery by us that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trustee, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount must be paid to the trustee upon demand.
The trustee will be designated by us and will be unaffiliated with us and with any prohibited owner. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to such shares, and may exercise all voting rights with respect to such shares for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee may, at the trustee’s sole and absolute discretion:
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rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and
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recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
If our board of directors determines that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that violates the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.
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Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the owner actually or beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s actual or beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits and the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter. In addition, any person that is an actual, beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for an actual, beneficial owner or constructive owner must promptly disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT and comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above or a statement that we will furnish a full statement about the restrictions on ownership and transfer to a stockholder or request and without charge.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock that our stockholders believe to be in their best interest.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Our Board of Directors
Under our charter and bylaws, the number of directors of our company may be established, increased or decreased only by a majority of our entire board of directors, but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL (which is one) nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than 15. We have elected by a provision of our charter to be subject to a provision of Maryland law requiring that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock, any vacancy may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Removal of Directors
Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Subtitle 8
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, 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 be subject to any or all of five provisions which provide for:
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a classified board;
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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 of directors be filled only by a vote of the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; or
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a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
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Our charter provides that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and that a director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. We have not elected to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8, including the provisions that would permit us to classify our board of directors without stockholder approval. Moreover, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to the classified board provisions of Subtitle 8. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we (i) vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors, (ii) require, unless called by our Chairman, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders and (iii) provide that a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Meetings of Stockholders
Under our bylaws and pursuant to Maryland law, annual meetings of stockholders will be held each year at a date and at the time and place determined by our board of directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors, the Chair of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders to act on any matter must be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting who have requested the special meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary may prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.
Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws
Under the MGCL and our charter, we generally cannot amend our charter unless declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter except for certain amendments related to the removal of directors and the vote required to amend the provisions relating to removal, which must be declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board, and without any action by our stockholders, may also amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series we are authorized to issue. Our board of directors may also amend our charter to change our name or make certain other ministerial changes without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. However, our board of directors may not amend the provisions of our bylaws relating to our exemption from the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL, the “control share” provisions of the MGCL or the adoption of a stockholder rights plan without the approval of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our bylaws also provide stockholders with the concurrent right to amend our bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter.
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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the meeting may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;
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by or at the direction of our board of directors; or
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by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice of the meeting and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
With respect to special meetings of stockholders, our bylaws provide that only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the special meeting of stockholders, and nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only:
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by or at the direction of our board of directors;
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by a stockholder who has requested a special meeting for the purpose of electing directors in compliance with our bylaws and has supplied the information required by our bylaws for each individual the stockholder proposes to nominate for election; or
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provided that the meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors and our stockholders the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors the power to disapprove timely stockholder nominations and proposals, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or proposals for other action if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors to our board of directors or to approve its own proposal.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the supermajority vote required to remove directors, our election to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 vesting in our board of directors the exclusive power to fill vacancies on our board of directors and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company.
Further, a majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares, as discussed above under the caption “Common Stock.” As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to
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cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Our charter and bylaws also provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our board of directors, which prevents our stockholders from increasing the number of our directors and filling any vacancies created by such increase with their own nominees. The provisions of our bylaws discussed above under the captions “— Meetings of Stockholders” and “— Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business” require stockholders seeking to call a special meeting, nominate an individual for election as a director or propose other business at an annual or special meeting to comply with certain notice and information requirements. We believe that these provisions will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors and promote good corporate governance by providing us with clear procedures for calling special meetings, information about a stockholder proponent’s interest in us and adequate time to consider stockholder nominees and other business proposals. However, these provisions, alone or in combination, could make it more difficult for our stockholders to remove incumbent directors or fill vacancies on our board of directors with their own nominees and could delay, defer or prevent a change in control, including a proxy contest or tender offer that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
No Stockholder Rights Plan
We do not currently have a stockholder rights plan, and our bylaws provide that we may not adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without (i) the approval of our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter or (ii) ratification from our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter within 12 months of adoption of the plan if the board of directors determines, in the exercise of its duties under applicable law, that it is in our best interest to adopt a rights plan without the delay of seeking prior stockholder approval.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, (b) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf (other than actions arising under federal securities laws), (c) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders, (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (e) any other action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. Although our bylaws contain the choice of forum provisions described above, it is possible that a court could rule that such provisions are inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provisions are unenforceable. For example, under the Securities Act, federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, the exclusive forum provisions described above do not apply to any actions brought under the Exchange Act.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
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The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to or in which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party or witness by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and
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a written undertaking, which may be unsecured, by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.
Our charter obligates us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of the director’s or officer’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification to:
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any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
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any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.
Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.
REIT Qualification
Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT.
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Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Out transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
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the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
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the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
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the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
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the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
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any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
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the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
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a discussion of material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, of holding or exercising the warrants;
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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that 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 offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
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the title of the series of debt securities;
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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;
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the maturity date or dates;
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the form of the debt securities of the series;
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the applicability of any guarantees;
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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
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if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
•
the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and 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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•
our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
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if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
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the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
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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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any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;
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whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;
•
if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;
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if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
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additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;
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additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;
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additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;
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the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;
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whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;
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any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
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if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
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if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
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if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders 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.
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 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 trustee if notice is given by such 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 trustee or any holder.
The 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. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the 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 holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders
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have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The 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 trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
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the direction so given by the 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 trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.
A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
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the holder has given written notice to the 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, such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and
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the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the 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.
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 trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;
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to comply with the provisions described above under the section titled “Description of Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”
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to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;
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to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, 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 right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;
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to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;
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to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;
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to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under the section titled “Description of Debt Securities — General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or
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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.
In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the 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, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
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extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;
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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 series 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 amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.
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 specified obligations, including obligations to:
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provide for payment;
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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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pay principal of and premium and interest on any 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 trustee;
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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and
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appoint any successor trustee.
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the 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 provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides 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 DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture 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 indenture 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
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agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose 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 that series 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.
Information Concerning the Trustee
The 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 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 trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any 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 will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other 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 trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that 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 indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may issue depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular class or series of our preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of a class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company named therein, as depositary, which depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest in a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by that depositary receipt, to the rights and preferences of, and will be subject to the limitations and restrictions on, the class or series of preferred stock represented by those depositary shares (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
Some of the particular terms of the depositary shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as some of the terms of the related deposit agreement, will be described in the prospectus supplement, which may also include, if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations.
Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and may be obtained as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.” The statements in this prospectus relating to any deposit agreement, the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder and the related depositary shares are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts. Accordingly, you should read the form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt in their entirety before making an investment decision.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
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through underwriters or dealers;
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directly to purchasers;
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in a rights offering;
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in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;
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through agents;
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in block trades;
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through forward or other derivative transactions relating to the shares of common stock or other securities being registered hereunder;
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through a combination of any of these methods; or
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through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in a prospectus supplement.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution to our existing stockholders or other securityholders.
The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will include the following information to the extent applicable:
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the terms of the offering;
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the names of any underwriters or agents;
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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;
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the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;
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the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;
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any delayed delivery arrangements;
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any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
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any commissions paid to agents; and
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any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
We will describe the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the purchase price of the securities in a prospectus supplement relating to the securities.
In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or
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commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and these 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 agents, which is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us, and any profit on the resale of the securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will identify any underwriter or agent and will describe any compensation they receive from us.
Underwriters could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering, sales made directly on the NYSE, the existing trading market for our shares of common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The name of any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our securities, the amounts underwritten, and the nature of its obligations to take our securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
To facilitate the offering of 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 involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. 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.
From time to time, we may engage in transactions with these underwriters, dealers, and agents in the ordinary course of business.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Remarketing Arrangements
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable
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prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
General Information
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the taxation of the Company and the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of shares of our securities. Supplemental U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the securities described in this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. The tax treatment of a holder will vary depending upon the holder’s particular situation, and this summary addresses only holders that hold these shares as capital assets and does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances. This summary also does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws apply, including:
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for such traders’ securities holdings;
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banks;
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insurance companies;
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entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
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tax-exempt organizations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders” below);
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non-U.S. individuals and foreign corporations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders” below);
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U.S. expatriates;
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subchapter S corporations;
•
regulated investment companies and REITs;
•
trust and estates;
•
holders who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
•
persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
•
persons holding our stock through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;
•
persons that purchase or sell shares of stock as part of a wash sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•
persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of applicable financial statements within the meaning of Section 451(b)(3) of the Code; and
•
U.S. stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
This summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these sources of law only as they are currently in effect. All of these sources of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively.
If a partnership holds shares of our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding our stock should consult such partner’s tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our stock.
We urge you to consult with your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning and selling our securities, including the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling our securities in your particular circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.
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Taxation of the Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years.
In connection with this offering, Winston & Strawn LLP will render an opinion that we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. Investors should be aware that Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based upon customary assumptions, will be conditioned upon certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including representations regarding the nature of our assets and the conduct of our business, is not binding upon the IRS, or any court and speaks only as of the date issued. In addition, Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based on existing U.S. federal income tax law governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal income tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of our capital stock ownership, and the percentage of our earnings that we distribute. In addition, certain of the asset tests depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly, and such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Winston & Strawn LLP will not review our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to use one or more of the REIT savings provisions described below, which could require us to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be material) in order for us to maintain our REIT qualification. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see “— Failure to Qualify.”
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The principal qualification requirements are summarized below under “— Requirements for Qualification — General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “— Failure to Qualify.”
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for distributions that we pay that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from owning stock in a regular corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon distribution to our stockholders.
Currently, most domestic stockholders of regular corporations that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate distributions at a maximum tax rate of 20% (the same tax rate that applies to long-term capital gains). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for such reduced rates. However, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026, a 20% deduction (subject to certain limitations) is available to individual taxpayers with respect to ordinary dividends, resulting in a 29.6% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate (plus the 3.8% Medicare tax, if applicable) for individual U.S. stockholders. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.” For certain individuals, trusts and estates, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax also applies to net investment income (such as dividends and capital gains).
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Our tax attributes, such as net operating losses (if any), generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.”
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
•
We will be taxed at the regular corporate rate on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
•
If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “— Prohibited Transactions” below.
•
If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the corporate tax rate.
•
If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below under “— Income Tests,” but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.
•
If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.
•
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.
•
We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “— Requirements for Qualification-General.”
•
A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.
•
If we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation that generally is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay tax at the corporate tax rate if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the five-year period after we acquire the asset provided no election is made for the transaction to be taxable on a current basis. The amount of gain on which we will pay tax is the lesser of:
•
the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition, and
•
the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at the time we acquired it.
•
The earnings of any of our subsidiaries that are subchapter C corporations, including NETSTREIT TRS and any other subsidiary we may elect to treat as a TRS, are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state and local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification-General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
1)
that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
2)
the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
3)
that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
4)
that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;
5)
the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
6)
in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities);
7)
that elects to be taxed as a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements that must be met to elect and maintain REIT qualification; and
8)
that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), (7) and (8) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) applied to us beginning with our 2020 tax year.
In addition, our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy these requirements; however, they may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy these requirements. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our capital stock are described in “Description of Our Capital Stock-Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our distributions in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your U.S. federal income tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.
The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “— Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “— Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance
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that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, even if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests
An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a partnership, limited liability company, or trust, that has a single owner, generally is not treated as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that, for purposes of the 10% asset test (see “— Asset Tests” below), our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any partnerships in which we own interests will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
Disregarded Subsidiaries
If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), with respect to which 100% of the stock of such corporation is held by the REIT. Other domestic entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned-for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours-the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “— Asset Tests” and “— Income Tests.”
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
We may jointly elect with any of our subsidiary corporations, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporations as TRSs. A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A domestic TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation with respect to which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation jointly elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. We currently have one TRS, NETSTREIT TRS.
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The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the distributions paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or activities that would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs (as well as on taxable corporations generally) are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, overall limitations on the deductibility of net interest expense by businesses could apply to our TRS. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between the REIT and a TRS that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we do not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and from certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” distributions received from other REITs, income derived from REMICs in proportion to the real estate mortgages held by the REMIC, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments.
Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other distributions, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” from which we derive no revenue. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and which are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide noncustomary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payments for such services do not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the properties. For purposes of this test, we are deemed to have received income from such noncustomary services in an amount equal to at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are generally permitted to provide services to tenants or
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others through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants for purposes of the income tests. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the tenant’s equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any distributions that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% income tests.
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we entered into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate, inflation and/or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, or (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered to, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “— Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, temporary investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, equity interests in other entities that qualify as REITs, debt instruments of “publicly offered REITs” (i.e., REITs that are required to file periodic and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act), mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property, and residual and regular interests in REMICs if at least 95% of the REMIC’s assets constitute qualifying mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test and debt instruments of publicly offered REITs are subject to certain additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities that meet specified statutory requirements. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own
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an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets. Finally, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by real property or interests in real property.
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership. If we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Moreover, if the IRS successfully challenges the partnership status of any of the partnerships in which we maintain a more than 10% vote or value interest, and the partnership is reclassified as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, we could lose our status as a REIT. In addition, in the case of such a successful challenge, we could lose our REIT status if such recharacterization results in us otherwise failing one of the asset tests described above.
Certain relief provisions are available to REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset tests and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000, and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis.
No independent appraisals will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described above.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain distributions, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
1)
the sum of
a)
90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the dividends paid deduction; and
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b)
90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property, minus
2)
the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income (including original issue discount on any loans) over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if either (i) the distributions are declared before we timely file our U.S. federal income tax return for the year and paid with or before the first regular distribution payment after such declaration; or (ii) the distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified day in any such month, and actually paid before the end of January of the following year. The distributions under clause (i) are taxable to the holders of our capital stock in the year in which paid, and the distributions in clause (ii) are treated as paid on December 31 of the prior taxable year. In both instances, these distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the retained portion of such income. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted tax basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain distributions that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior taxable years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—Taxation of Stockholders” below.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. For example, under the TCJA, we generally will be required to take certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected in our financial statements. This rule may require the accrual of income with respect to certain assets earlier than would be the case under the general U.S. federal income tax rules. Also, we may not deduct recognized capital losses from our “REIT taxable income.” As a result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute taxable income sufficient to avoid U.S. federal corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income or even to meet the 90% distribution requirement. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or, if possible, pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later taxable year, which may be included in our deduction for distributions paid for the earlier taxable year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
To avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We intend to comply with these requirements.
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Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described above in “— Income Tests” and “— Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at the regular U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and trading prices for, our stock.
Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will potentially be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at the regular U.S. federal corporate income rate, nor does the tax apply to sales that qualify for a safe harbor as described in Section 857(b)(6) of the Code.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
We currently hold and anticipate holding direct or indirect interests in one or more partnerships, including the operating partnership. Such non-corporate entities would generally be organized as limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts that would either be disregarded as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We expect that our operating partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our investment in the operating partnership provided the operating partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion should also generally apply to any investment by us in other entities taxable as partnerships for such purposes.
A partnership (that is not a publicly traded partnership taxed as a corporation) is not subject to tax as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, partners are allocated their allocable share of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive any distributions from the partnership. We will be required to take into account our allocable share of the foregoing items for purposes of the various REIT gross income and asset tests, and in the computation of our REIT taxable income and U.S. federal income tax liability. Further, there can be no assurance that distributions from the operating partnership will be sufficient to pay the tax liabilities resulting from an investment in the operating partnership.
We intend that interests in the operating partnership (and any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) will fall within one of the “safe harbors” for the partnership to avoid being classified as a publicly
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traded partnership. However, we reserve the right to not satisfy any safe harbor. Even if a partnership is a publicly traded partnership, it generally will not be treated as a corporation if at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year is from certain sources, which generally include rents from real property and other types of passive income. We believe that our operating partnership will have sufficient qualifying income so that it would be taxed as a partnership, even if it were treated as a publicly traded partnership.
If for any reason the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, and as a result, we would most likely be unable to satisfy the applicable REIT requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws discussed above. In addition, any change in the status of any partnership may be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could incur a tax liability without a related cash distribution. Further, if any partnership were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such partnership would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and the partners of any such partnership would be treated as stockholders, with distributions to such partners being treated as dividends.
Anti-abuse Treasury regulations have been issued under the partnership provisions of the Code that authorize the IRS, in some abusive transactions involving partnerships, to disregard the form of a transaction and recast it as it deems appropriate. The anti-abuse regulations apply where a partnership is utilized in connection with a transaction (or series of related transactions) with a principal purpose of substantially reducing the present value of the partners’ aggregate U.S. federal tax liability in a manner inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions. The anti-abuse regulations contain an example in which a REIT contributes the proceeds of a public offering to a partnership in exchange for a general partnership interest. The limited partners contribute real property assets to the partnership, subject to liabilities that exceed their respective aggregate bases in such property. The example concludes that the use of the partnership is not inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions, and thus, cannot be recast by the IRS. However, the anti-abuse regulations are extraordinarily broad in scope and are applied based on an analysis of all the facts and circumstances. As a result, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not attempt to apply the anti-abuse regulations to the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership). Any such action could potentially jeopardize our qualification as a REIT and materially affect the tax consequences and economic return resulting from an investment in us.
Income Taxation of Partnerships and Their Partners
Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of a partnership’s income and losses among the partners, such allocations may be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. If any allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ economic interests in the partnership. We believe that the allocations of taxable income and loss in the operating partnership’s partnership agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
In some cases, special allocations of net profits or net losses will be required to comply with the U.S. federal income tax principles governing partnership tax allocations. Additionally, pursuant to Code Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to property contributed to the operating partnership in exchange for units must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or loss attributable to the property at the time of contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of the property at the time of contribution. These allocations are designed to eliminate book-tax differences by allocating to contributing partners lower amounts of depreciation deductions and increased taxable income and gain attributable to the contributed property than would ordinarily be the case for economic or book purposes. The application of the principles of Code Section 704(c) in tiered partnership arrangements is not entirely clear. Accordingly, the IRS may assert a different allocation method than the one selected by the operating partnership to cure any book-tax differences. In certain circumstances, we create book-tax differences by adjusting the values of properties for economic or book purposes and generally the rules of Code Section 704(c) would apply to such differences as well.
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For properties contributed to the operating partnership, depreciation deductions are calculated based on the transferor’s tax basis and depreciation method. Because depreciation deductions are based on the transferor’s tax basis in the contributed property, the operating partnership generally would be entitled to less depreciation than if the properties were purchased in a taxable transaction. The burden of lower depreciation generally will fall first on the contributing partner, but also may reduce the depreciation allocated to other partners, including us.
Some expenses incurred in the conduct of the operating partnership’s activities may not be deducted in the year they were paid. To the extent this occurs, the taxable income of the operating partnership may exceed its cash receipts for the year in which the expense is paid. As discussed above, the costs of acquiring properties must generally be recovered through depreciation deductions over a number of years. Prepaid interest and loan fees, and prepaid management fees are other examples of expenses that may not be deducted in the year they were paid.
Partnership Audit Rules
Any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties attributable thereto are generally assessed and collected at the partnership level regardless of changes in composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The partnership audit rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. The partnership audit rules could result in the operating partnership (or any other partnership invested in by the operating partnership) being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these changes and their potential impact on their investment in our capital stock.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for taxable U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our capital stock. Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to tax-exempt stockholders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders,” below and certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders,” below.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our capital stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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is a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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is an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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any trust if (i) a court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership, including for this purpose any arrangement or entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our capital stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding shares of our capital stock, you are urged to consult with your tax advisors about the consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock by the partnership.
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Distributions Generally
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends discussed below, generally will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. Holders as ordinary income. These distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. Holders that are corporations.
Because, as discussed above, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders, our ordinary dividends generally are not eligible for the preferential rate on “qualified dividend income” currently available to most non-corporate taxpayers. However, individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct up to 20% of certain pass-through income, including ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” subject to certain limitations (the “pass-through deduction”). For taxable years before January 1, 2026, the maximum tax rate for U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates is 37%. For taxpayers qualifying for the full pass-through deduction, the effective maximum tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends for taxable years before January 1, 2026 would be 29.6%. To qualify for this deduction, the U.S. Holder receiving such dividends must hold the dividend-paying REIT stock for at least 46 days (taking into account certain special holding period rules) of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend and cannot be under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property.
We may designate a portion of our dividends as eligible for the preferential rate on qualified dividend income, provided that the amount so designated may not exceed that portion of our distributions attributable to:
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dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as a TRS; and
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income upon which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax (for example, if we distribute taxable income that we retained and paid tax on in the prior year).
To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Holder. This treatment will reduce the adjusted tax basis that each U.S. Holder has in its shares of our capital stock for U.S. federal tax purposes by the amount of the distribution (but not below zero). Distributions in excess of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our capital stock will be taxable as capital gains (provided that the shares of our capital stock have been held as a capital asset) and will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares of our capital stock have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholders on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Capital Gain Distributions
Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends (and undistributed amounts for which we properly make a capital gains designation) will be taxable to U.S. Holders 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. Depending on the period of time we have held the assets which produced these gains, and on certain designations, if any, which we may make, these gains may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. Holders at preferential rates, depending on the nature of the asset giving rise to the gain. Corporate U.S. Holders may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. Holder of shares of our capital stock will be treated as portfolio income. As a result, U.S. Holders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. Holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of shares of our capital stock and qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholders will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions we make (to the extent they do not
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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 shares of our capital stock, however, will not be treated as investment income under certain circumstances.
Retention of Net Long-Term Capital Gains
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, our net long-term capital gains. If we make this election (a “Capital Gains Designation”), we would pay tax on our retained net long-term capital gains. In addition, to the extent we make a Capital Gains Designation, a U.S. Holder generally would:
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include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls (subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable);
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be deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. Holder’s long-term capital gains;
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receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it;
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increase the adjusted tax basis of its shares of our capital stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and
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in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury regulations to be promulgated.
Dispositions of Shares of Our Capital Stock
Generally, if you are a U.S. Holder and you sell or dispose of your shares of our capital stock, you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property you receive on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the shares of our capital stock for tax purposes. This gain or loss will be capital if you have held the shares of our capital stock as a capital asset and, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the shares of our capital stock for more than one year. However, if you are a U.S. Holder and you recognize loss upon the sale or other disposition of shares of our capital stock that you have held for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules), the loss you recognize will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent you received distributions from us that were required to be treated as long-term capital gains. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
Except as provided below, (i) a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock, and (ii) a U.S. Holder’s basis and holding period in our common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted shares of preferred stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share exchanged for cash). Any of our shares of common stock received in conversion that are attributable to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the converted shares of preferred stock will be treated as a distribution that is potentially taxable as a dividend. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share generally will be treated as payment in exchange for such fractional share, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional share deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the preferred stock for more than one year at the time of conversion. U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such U.S. Holder exchanges our common stock received on a conversion of preferred stock for cash or other property.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
In general, a redemption of any preferred stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution that is taxable at ordinary income tax rates as a dividend (to the extent of our current or
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accumulated earnings and profits), unless the redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale of the preferred stock (in which case the redemption will be treated in the same manner as a sale described in “— Dispositions of Shares of Our Capital Stock” above). The redemption will satisfy such tests and be treated as a sale of the preferred stock if the redemption:
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is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder’s interest in our stock;
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results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in all classes of our stock; or
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is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder, all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.
In determining whether any of these tests have been met, stock considered to be owned by the U.S. Holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as stock actually owned, generally must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the three alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code described above will be satisfied with respect to any particular U.S. Holder of preferred stock depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, prospective investors are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
If a redemption of preferred stock does not meet any of the three tests described above, the redemption proceeds will be treated as a distribution, as described in “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders” above. In that case, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed preferred stock will be transferred to such U.S. Holder’s remaining stock holdings in our company. If the U.S. Holder does not retain any of our stock, such basis could be transferred to a related person that holds our stock or it may be lost.
Under previously proposed Treasury regulations, if any portion of the amount received by a U.S. Holder on a redemption of any class of our preferred stock is treated as a distribution with respect to our stock but not as a taxable dividend, then such portion would be allocated to all stock of the redeemed class held by the redeemed holder just before the redemption on a pro-rata, share-by-share, basis. The amount applied to each share would first reduce the redeemed holder’s basis in that share and any excess after the basis was reduced to zero would result in taxable gain. If the redeemed holder had different bases in its shares, then the amount allocated could reduce some of the basis in certain shares while reducing all the basis and giving rise to taxable gain in others. Thus the redeemed holder could have gain even if such holder’s basis in all its shares of the redeemed class exceeded such portion.
The proposed Treasury regulations would permit the transfer of basis in the redeemed preferred stock to the redeemed holder’s remaining, unredeemed shares of preferred stock of the same class (if any), but not to any other class of stock held (directly or indirectly) by the redeemed holder. Instead, any unrecovered basis in the redeemed shares of preferred stock would be treated as a deferred loss to be recognized when certain conditions are satisfied. As of March 28, 2019, these proposed regulations have been withdrawn. As a result, the treatment governing adjustments to the basis of a U.S. Holder’s preferred stock with respect to amounts treated as a distribution with respect to preferred stock, but not as a dividend, as well as the treatment of the basis of any unredeemed shares, may be less certain.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We report to our U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. Holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividends on
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and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, unless such dividends or gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our capital stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders
Our distributions to a U.S. Holder that is a domestic tax-exempt entity generally should not constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”), unless the U.S. Holder borrows funds (or otherwise incurs acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the Code) to acquire or to carry its common shares, or the common shares are otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, that generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.
Notwithstanding the above, a pension trust (i) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code and is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (ii) that owns more than 10% of the value of shares of our capital stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (i) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of shares of our capital stock or (b) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of shares of our capital stock, collectively owns more than 50% of our outstanding shares of our capital stock and (ii) we would not have qualified as a REIT without relying upon the “look through” exemption for certain trusts under Section 856(h)(3) of the Code to satisfy the requirement that not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of our capital stock is owned by five or fewer individuals. We do not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in shares of our capital stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for Non-U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our capital stock. As used herein, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our capital stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is an individual, corporation or estate that is not a U.S. Holder. The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock are complex. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of an acquisition of shares of our capital stock, including tax return filing requirements and the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax treatment of dispositions of interests in, and the receipt of distributions from, us.
Distributions Generally
Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (as hereinafter defined) nor designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by you of a U.S. trade or business. Under some treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs.
Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on a net basis (that is, after allowance for deductions) at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. Holders are subject to tax, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such dividends received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
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We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to Non-U.S. Holders unless:
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a lower treaty rate applies and you provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, as applicable, evidencing eligibility for an exemption from withholding or a reduced treaty rate;
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you provide to us an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business; or
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the distribution is treated as attributable to a sale or exchange of a “U.S. real property interest” (as discussed below).
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to you to the extent that such distributions do not exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our capital stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted tax basis of such shares of capital stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our capital stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such shares of capital stock. The tax treatment of this gain is described below. If it cannot be determined at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we expect to treat such distribution as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and we therefore expect to withhold tax on the entire amount of such distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of U.S. Real Property Interests
Except as described below, distributions to a Non-U.S. Holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless (i) the investment in shares of our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business, in which case you will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. Holders with respect to such gain, except that a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above, or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to a 30% tax on your capital gains.
Distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of “U.S. real property interests” by us are taxable to a Non-U.S. Holder under special provisions of the Code known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). The term “U.S. real property interests” includes interests in U.S. real property. Under FIRPTA, a distribution attributable to gain from sales of U.S. real property interests is considered effectively connected with a U.S. business of the Non-U.S. Holder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Holders (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals), without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the amount of distribution attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of the U.S. real property interest.
However, any distribution with respect to any class of equity securities which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 21% U.S. withholding tax described above, if you did not own more than 10% of such class of equity securities at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution (the “10% Exception”). We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.
Capital gains distributions by a REIT to “qualified shareholders” meeting certain statutory requirements, including that the stockholders be eligible for treaty benefits and publicly traded, or constitute a foreign partnership or other type of foreign collective investment vehicle, are not subject to FIRPTA. Instead, all such distributions will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and, as a result, Non-U.S. Holders generally would be subject to withholding tax on such distributions in the same manner as they are subject to ordinary dividends.
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“Qualified foreign pension funds” are not subject to the taxes imposed by FIRPTA. Accordingly, capital gains distributions by a REIT to a qualified foreign pension fund are not subject to the rules set forth above. To qualify, a pension fund must be created or organized under the law of a country other than the U.S., and have been established to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (or persons designated by those employees) of one or more employers in consideration for services rendered, and meet other requirements. Stockholders that are non-U.S. pension funds are urged to contact their tax advisors to determine whether they qualify for the exemption to FIRPTA.
Retention of Net Capital Gains
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained capital gains in respect of the shares of capital stock held by Non-U.S. Holders generally should be treated in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, you would be able to offset as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability resulting from your proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent your proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds your actual U.S. federal income tax liability.
Sale of Shares of Capital Stock
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Holder upon the sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless such shares of capital stock constitute a U.S. real property interest under FIRPTA. Shares of our capital stock will constitute a U.S. real property interest if at least 50% of our assets are U.S. real property interests. However, even if shares of our capital stock constitute U.S. real property interests, if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, FIRPTA will not apply to a sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock. A REIT is a qualified investment entity and will be considered domestically controlled if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares of capital stock are held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Holders. We cannot assure you that we will be a domestically controlled REIT.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT at the time you sell or exchange shares of our capital stock, gain arising from such a sale or exchange would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S. real property interest provided that (i) the applicable class of our stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE; and (ii) you owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less in value of such class of shares of the applicable class of our stock throughout the shorter of the period during which you held such shares of our stock or the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange. We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market.
If gain on the sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, you would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. Holder (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals) and the purchaser of the shares of our stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of shares of our stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to you if either (i) the investment in shares of our stock is effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
So long our preferred stock does not constitute a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”) under FIRPTA, the tax consequences to a non-U.S. Holder of the conversion of our preferred stock into common stock will generally be the same as those described above for a U.S. Holder. If our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI, the conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock may be a taxable exchange for a non-U.S. Holder if our preferred stock constitutes a USRPI. Even if our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI, provided our common stock also constitutes a USRPI, a non-U.S. Holder generally will not recognize
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gain or loss upon a conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock so long as certain FIRPTA-related reporting requirements are satisfied. If our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI and such requirements are not satisfied, however, a conversion will be treated as a taxable exchange of our preferred stock for our common stock. Such a deemed taxable exchange will be subject to tax under FIRPTA at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. Holder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be) on the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such non-U.S. Holder’s common stock received over such non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in its preferred stock. Collection of such tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the value of the common stock. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges shares received on a conversion of our preferred stock for cash or other property.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
For a discussion of the treatment of a redemption of our preferred stock for a non-U.S. Holder, see “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders — Redemption of Preferred Stock.”
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
We will, where required, report to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders, the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipients, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. Payments of dividends made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a United States person.
The gross proceeds from the disposition of our stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our stock outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to such Non-U.S. Holder outside the United States, then the backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, information reporting, but not backup withholding, generally will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if the Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that has specified types of connections with the United States, unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and specified conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. If a Non-U.S. Holder receives payments of the proceeds of a sale of our stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment will be subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless such holder properly provides an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8) certifying that such holder is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption, and the broker does not know or have reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to your particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
Other Tax Considerations
Additional FATCA Withholding
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S.-source dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding
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their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain non-financial foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Thirty percent withholding under FATCA was scheduled to apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of property that produces U.S.-source dividends beginning on January 1, 2019, but on December 13, 2018, the IRS released proposed regulations that, if finalized in their proposed form, would eliminate the obligation to withhold on gross proceeds. Taxpayers may rely on the provisions in the proposed regulations addressing gross proceeds withholding until final regulations are issued. The rules under FATCA are complex. Holders that hold our stock through a non-U.S. intermediary or that are Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of FATCA on an investment in our stock.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial, or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. We cannot predict the long-term effect of any future law changes on REITs and their stockholders. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal tax laws on an investment in our securities.
State and Local Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own real property assets located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state and local income and other tax laws on an investment in our securities.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:
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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2021 and July 29, 2021, respectively;
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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2021;
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We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (i) on or after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the underlying securities. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including exhibits, if they are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents, call us at (972) 200-7100 or submit a written request to NETSTREIT Corp., 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206, Attention: Investor Relations.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at http://www.NETSTREIT.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement are available to you on the SEC’s website.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of NETSTREIT Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 (successor), for the period from December 23, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (successor) and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 22, 2019 (predecessor) and the related notes and the financial statement schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP. Certain matters regarding Maryland law will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP. In addition, certain U.S. income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Winston & Strawn LLP.
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Prospectus
$250,000,000
Common Stock
We have entered into an at the market (“ATM”) equity distribution agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Berenberg Capital Markets LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC relating to the offer and sale of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250,000,000 from time to time (the “Sales Agreement”). We refer to these entities, when acting in their capacity as sales agents, individually as a “sales agent” and collectively as “sales agents.” The Sales Agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of common stock by us through a sales agent acting as a sales agent or directly to the sales agent acting as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale, we also may enter into forward sale agreements, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Citibank, N.A. or any of its affiliates., Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Truist Bank, or their respective affiliates. We refer to these entities, when acting as forward purchasers, individually as a “forward seller” and collectively as “forward sellers.” In connection with any forward sale agreement, the relevant forward purchaser will borrow from third parties and, through the relevant sales agent, acting as sales agent for such forward purchaser (a sales agent, in such capacity, each, a “forward seller” and collectively, the “forward sellers”), sell a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock underlying the particular forward sale agreement. In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents or forward sellers (or directly to the sales agents, acting as principals) under the Sales Agreement, under any terms agreement, and under any forward sale agreement have an aggregate gross sales price in excess of $250,000,000.
Sales, if any, of shares of our common stock, as contemplated by this prospectus, made through the sales agents, acting as our sales agents, or the forward sellers, acting as agents for the applicable forward purchaser, may be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including, without limitation, sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), on any other primary trading market for our common stock or to or through a market maker (which may include block transactions). With our prior consent, the sales agents may also sell shares of our common stock in privately negotiated transactions. Furthermore, under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may also sell shares of our common stock to one or more of the sales agents as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell shares to one or more of the sales agents as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement setting forth the terms of such transaction, and we will describe the agreement in a prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by a forward seller. We expect to fully physically settle each particular forward sale agreement with the applicable forward purchaser on one or more dates specified by us on or prior to the maturity date of that particular forward sale agreement, in which case we will expect to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of shares underlying the particular forward sale agreement multiplied by the applicable forward sale price. However, we may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement, in which case we may not receive any proceeds from the issuance of shares, and we will instead receive or pay cash (in the case of cash settlement) or receive or deliver shares of our common stock (in the case of net share settlement).
Each sales agent will receive from us a commission that will not exceed, but may be lower than, 1.5% of the gross sales price of all shares sold through it as sales agent under the Sales Agreement. In connection with each forward sale, we will pay the applicable forward seller, in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price under the related forward sale agreement with the related forward purchaser, commissions at a mutually agreed rate that shall not be more than 1.5% of the gross sales price of all borrowed shares of our common stock sold by it as a forward seller. Each of the sales agents, the forward sellers and/or the forward purchasers may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the sales agents or the forward sellers in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price under the related forward sale agreements with the related forward purchaser may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions.
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.” On August 31, 2021, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $25.86 per share.
We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the U.S. federal income tax laws. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus and those included under the same title in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any risks described in any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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.
StifelBerenberg BMO Capital Markets BofA Securities BTIG
Capital One SecuritiesCitigroup Jefferies KeyBanc Capital Markets Raymond James
Regions Securities LLC Scotiabank Truist Securities Wells Fargo Securities
The date of this prospectus is September 1, 2021
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The distribution of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and the offering of our securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. If you possess this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should find out about and observe these restrictions. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell our securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus relates to the offering of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described in the section titled “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
This prospectus describes the specific terms of the common stock we are offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
We have not, and the sales agents, the forward sellers and the forward purchasers have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you to in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “NETSTREIT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NETSTREIT Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries, including NETSTREIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this prospectus as “our operating partnership.”
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this prospectus includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus regarding, among other things, our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, our acquisition pipeline, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus as well as any risk factors that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
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risks inherent in the real estate business, including tenant defaults, illiquidity of real estate investments, potential liability relating to environmental matters and potential damages from natural disasters;
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general business and economic conditions;
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the impact of COVID-19 and any other epidemic or pandemic on our business and the global economy;
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the accuracy of our assessment that certain businesses are e-commerce resistant and recession-resilient;
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the accuracy of the tools we use to determine the creditworthiness of our tenants;
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concentration of our business within certain geographic markets, tenant categories and with certain tenants;
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demand for restaurant and retail space;
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ability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as existing leases expire or are terminated;
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our ability to successfully execute our acquisition or development strategies;
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the degree and nature of our competition;
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inflation and interest rate fluctuations;
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our ability to retain our key management personnel;
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failure, weakness, interruption or breach in security of our information systems;
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access to capital markets;
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our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
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continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets;
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failure to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT;
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changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, applicable law or regulation;
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future sales or issuances of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock, or the perception thereof, could cause the market value of our common stock to decline and could result in dilution; and
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the other risks identified in this prospectus, including those under the heading “Risk Factors”, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable
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factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results. Our future results will depend upon various other risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. It may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our securities.
Our Company
We are an internally-managed real estate company that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of single-tenant, retail commercial real estate subject to long-term net leases with high credit quality tenants across the United States. As of June 30, 2021, our diversified portfolio consisted of 264 single-tenant retail net leased properties spanning 39 states, with tenants representing 59 different brands or concepts across 23 retail sectors. As of June 30, 2021, our portfolio generated annualized base rent (“ABR”) 2 of $55.3 million and was 100% occupied, with a weighted average remaining lease term (“WALT”) of 9.9 years and consisted of approximately 70% and 14% of investment grade tenants and investment grade profile tenants, respectively, by ABR, which we believe provides us with a strong, stable source of recurring cash. Our tenants operate in industries where a physical location is critical to the generation of sales and profits, with a focus on necessity goods and essential services in the retail sector, including home improvement, auto parts, drug stores and pharmacies, general retail, grocers, convenience stores, discount stores, and quick-service restaurants, which we refer to as defensive retail industries. We believe these characteristics make our tenants’ businesses e-commerce resistant and resilient through all economic cycles. We completed our initial public offering on August 17, 2020 and our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “Jobs Act”). We are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we have chosen to “opt out” of this extended transition period, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on or before which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
We will cease to qualify as an emerging growth company on December 31, 2021.
Our Tax Status
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable
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ABR is calculated by multiplying (i) cash rental payments (a) for the month ended June 30, 2021 (or, if applicable, the next full month’s cash rent contractually due in the case of rent abatements, rent deferrals, recently acquired properties and properties with contractual rent increases, other than properties under development) for leases in place as of June 30, 2021, plus (b) for properties under development, the first full month’s permanent cash rent contractually due after the development period by (ii) 12.
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us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our stockholders, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding our net capital gain, plus 90% of our net income after tax from foreclosure property (if any), minus the sum of various items of excess non-cash income. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Company Information
Our headquarters are located at 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206 and our telephone number is (972) 200-7100. Our website address is www.NETSTREIT.com. The information located on, or otherwise accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
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THE OFFERING
The offering terms are summarized below solely for convenience. For a more complete description of the terms of our common stock, see the section entitled “Description of Our Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.
Common Stock Offered by us or the Forward Purchasers or Affiliates Thereof
Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250,000,000.
Manner of Offering
“At-the-market” offering that may be made from time to time through our sales agents. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 23 of this prospectus.
Use of Proceeds
We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of our common stock through the sales agents and the net proceeds received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements, if any, for general corporate purposes, including funding our investment activity. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Ownership and Transfer
Restrictions
Restrictions
To assist us in qualifying as a REIT, among other purposes, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains certain other limits on beneficial and constructive ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Our Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Conflicts of Interest
The forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) will receive the net proceeds from any sale of borrowed shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus in connection with any forward sale agreement, and certain sales agents or their affiliates are expected to receive part of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with any forward sale agreement.
Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before purchasing shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus, you should read carefully the matters discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus and described under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety for certain considerations relevant to an investment in our common stock.
NYSE Symbol
“NTST”
Accounting Treatment of Forward Sales
Before settlement of any forward sale agreement, we expect that the shares issuable upon settlement of such forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share calculations using the
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treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of such forward sale agreement over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share prior to physical or net share settlement of any forward sale agreement and subject to the occurrence of certain events, except during periods when the average market price of our common stock is above the applicable forward sale price, which is subject to increase or decrease based on a specified daily rate, less a spread to be mutually agreed by us and the applicable forward purchaser, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of such forward sale agreement. However, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, delivery of shares of our common stock to the applicable forward purchaser on any such physical settlement or net share settlement date would result in dilution to our earnings per share and other reported per share measures. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to this Offering — Provisions contained in a forward sale agreement could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.”
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and described under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with all other information in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Risks Relating to this Offering
The market price of shares of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of shares of our common stock in spite of our operating performance. In addition, our results of operations could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors due to a number of potential factors, including variations in our quarterly results of operations, additions or departures of key management personnel, failure to meet analysts’ earnings estimates, publication of research reports about our industry, litigation and government investigations, changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations or differing interpretations or enforcement thereof affecting our business, adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or securities we may issue in the future, changes in market valuations of similar companies or speculation in the press or investment community, announcements by our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments and adverse publicity about our industry in or individual scandals, and in response the market price of shares of our common stock could decrease significantly.
In the past few years, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
Provisions contained in a forward sale agreement could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.
If we enter into one or more forward sale agreements, the applicable forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate such forward sale agreement and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:
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such forward purchaser or its affiliate (x) is unable after using commercially reasonable efforts, to borrow sufficient shares of our common stock to hedge its position under such forward sale agreement at a stock borrow cost equal to or less than a specified amount or (y) would incur a stock borrow cost in excess of a specified threshold to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement;
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we declare or issue any dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock (a) that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under such forward sale agreement, (b) in excess of specified amounts or (c) payable in shares of our common stock, in any other type of securities granting the right of payment of dividends and/or the proceeds of liquidation of the Company equally or proportionately with such
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payment to holders of our common stock or share capital, securities, rights, warrants or other instruments, property or assets without payment or for payment at less than the prevailing market price in the commercially reasonable judgment of the forward purchaser;
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certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded;
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an event is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization, or a delisting of our common stock) or the occurrence of a change in law or disruption in such forward purchaser’s ability to hedge, or materially increased cost to such forward purchaser in hedging its exposure under such forward sale agreement; or
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certain other events of default; termination events or other specified events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement, certain bankruptcy events (excluding certain insolvency filings) or a market disruption event during a specified period and continuing for a specified time period (each as more fully described in such forward sale agreement).
A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of such forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share; return on equity and dividends per share.
We expect that each forward sale agreement will settle no later than the date specified in the particular forward sale agreement, which would be no sooner than three months and no later than two years following the trade date of that forward sale agreement. However, any forward sale agreement may be settled earlier in whole or in part at our option. Subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under each forward sale agreement. We expect that each forward sale agreement will be physically settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Delivery of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement (or, if we elect net share settlement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying a forward sale agreement, we expect the applicable forward purchaser (or an affiliate thereof) to purchase a number of shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:
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return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and
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if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.
In addition, the purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with the applicable forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding the forward purchaser’s hedge positions could cause the price of shares of our common stock to increase over such time (or prevent or reduce the amount of a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to the applicable forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that the forward purchaser would owe us) upon a cash settlement of any forward sale agreement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock we would deliver to the applicable forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that the applicable forward purchaser would deliver to us) upon a net share settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement.
The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of a particular forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread and will be decreased on certain dates, by amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of a particular forward sale agreement. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a reduction of the forward sale price for such day. If the weighted average price for shares of our common stock specified
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in a particular forward sale agreement during any applicable unwind period under such forward sale agreement is above the applicable forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the applicable forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the applicable forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If such weighted average price during any applicable unwind period under such forward sale agreement is below the applicable forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by the forward purchaser under the forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from the forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. See “Plan of Distribution — Forward Sale Agreement” for information on the forward sale agreements.
In the case of our bankruptcy or insolvency, the forward sale agreements would automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock.
If we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us institutes, or we consent to, a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, or we consent to such a petition, or any other bankruptcy proceeding commences with respect to us, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate. If the forward sale agreements so terminate, we would not be obligated to deliver to the forward purchasers any shares of our common stock not previously delivered, and the forward purchasers would be discharged from their obligation to pay the applicable forward sale price per share in respect of any shares of our common stock not previously settled. Therefore, to the extent that there are any shares of our common stock with respect to which any forward sale agreement has not been settled at the time of the commencement of or consent to any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or the presentation of any such petition, we would not receive the applicable forward sale price per share in respect of those shares of our common stock.
The federal income tax treatment of the cash that we might receive from cash settlement of any forward sale agreement is unclear and could jeopardize our ability to meet the REIT qualification requirements.
In the event that we elect to settle any forward sale agreement for cash and the settlement price is below the applicable forward sale price, we would be entitled to receive a cash payment from the applicable forward purchaser. Under Section 1032 of the Code, generally, no gains and losses are recognized by a corporation in dealing in its own shares, including pursuant to a “securities futures contract,” as defined in the Code by reference to the Exchange Act. Although we believe that any amount received by us in exchange for our stock would qualify for the exemption under Section 1032 of the Code, because it is not entirely clear whether a forward sale agreement qualifies as a “securities futures contract,” the federal income tax treatment of any cash settlement payment we receive is uncertain. In the event that we recognize a significant gain from the cash settlement of any forward sale agreement, we might not be able to satisfy the gross income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code. In that case, we may be able to rely upon the relief provisions under the Code in order to avoid the loss of our REIT status. Even if the relief provisions apply, we will be subject to a 100% tax on the greater of (i) the excess of 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) over the amount of such income attributable to sources that qualify under the 75% test or (ii) the excess of 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) over the amount of such gross income attributable to sources that qualify under the 95% test, as discussed in the section titled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. In the event that these relief provisions were not available, we could lose our REIT status under the Code.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive upon the issuance or sale of shares of our common stock by us through the sales agents and the net proceeds received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements, if any, for general corporate purposes, including funding our investment activity.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of such forward sale agreement. In the event of full physical settlement of a forward sale agreement, which we expect to occur on or prior to the maturity date of such forward sale agreement, we expect to receive aggregate cash proceeds equal to the product of the initial forward sale price under such forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying such forward sale agreement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of such forward sale agreement. We intend to use any cash proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, if physical settlement applies, or upon cash settlement of any forward sale agreement, if we elect cash settlement, for the purposes provided in the immediately preceding paragraph. If, however, we elect to cash settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, we would expect to receive an amount of proceeds that is significantly lower than the product set forth in the second preceding sentence (in the case of any cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of any net share settlement), and we may owe cash (in the case of any cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of any net share settlement) to the forward purchaser.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a description of the material terms of our capital stock and is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the applicable provisions of the Charter (the “charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (the “bylaws”), and the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).
General
Our authorized stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. A majority of our entire board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter 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 are authorized to issue. As of August 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 39,582,208 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of August 31, 2021 there were 659,820 and 665,302 outstanding Class A and Class B OP Units, respectively, which are convertible into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of stockholders’ status as stockholders.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including additional classes or series of common stock or classes or series of preferred stock, and to establish the designation and number of shares of each such class or series and to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each such class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that our common stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interests.
A majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors, without stockholder action, to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Common Stock
Common stockholders are entitled to receive distributions when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Common stockholders are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock, including any shares of preferred stock we may issue, and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock.
Our common stockholders have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our capital stock. Our charter provides that our stockholders generally have no appraisal rights unless our board of directors determines that appraisal rights
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will apply to one or more transactions in which our common stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of shares of our common stock will initially have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and the terms of any other class or series of our stock that we may issue, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast “for” and “against” each director nominee. In contested elections (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can effectively elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Under Maryland law and our charter, we generally cannot dissolve, amend our charter, merge, transfer all or substantially all of our assets, convert into another form of entity, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in a similar transaction unless such transaction is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except that the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter is required to amend the provisions of our charter relating to the removal of directors or the vote required to amend the removal provisions. Maryland law also permits us to transfer all or substantially all of our assets without the approval of our stockholders to an entity all of the equity interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by us. Because our operating assets may be held by our operating partnership or its wholly owned subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.
Preferred Stock
Our charter provides that our board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to classify, designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designation, number of shares, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any class or series of preferred stock.
Any future issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and distribution and liquidation rights of holders of our stock, and the likelihood that the holders will receive dividend payments, and payments upon liquidation could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be favorable to our stockholders.
A prospectus supplement relating to any class or series of preferred stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. They will include, where applicable:
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the title and par value of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the number of shares of the class or series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price per share of the class or series 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 the class or series of preferred stock;
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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the class or series of preferred stock shall accumulate;
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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the class or series of preferred stock;
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any voting rights of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the class or series of preferred stock;
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any listing of the class or series of preferred stock on any securities exchange;
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information with respect to book-entry registration procedures, if any;
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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the class or series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, another class or series of preferred stock or other securities including the conversion price or the manner of calculating the conversion price and conversion period;
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if appropriate, a discussion of federal income tax consequences applicable to the preferred stock;
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the class or series of preferred stock, in each case as may be appropriate to assist us in qualifying as a REIT or otherwise;
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the priority of the class or series of preferred stock, with all classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with each other unless otherwise specified in the charter and that the class or series of preferred stock will rank senior to common stock with respect to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions on the class or series of preferred stock.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock (after taking into account options to acquire shares of stock) may be owned, directly or through certain constructive ownership rules, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made).
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and qualifying as a REIT, among other reasons. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may actually or beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, in each case excluding any shares of our stock that are not treated as outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We refer to each of these restrictions as an “ownership limit” and collectively as the “ownership limits.” A person or entity that would have acquired actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock but for the application of the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed below is referred to as a “prohibited owner.”
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our common stock or our preferred stock) by an individual or entity could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock or of any class or series of preferred stock or 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, and thereby violate the applicable ownership limit.
Our charter provides that our board of directors, subject to certain limits, upon receipt of a request that complies with the requirements of our charter may retroactively or prospectively exempt a person from any or all of the ownership limits and establish a different limit on ownership for such person. As a condition of the exception, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and such representations and/or agreements as it may deem necessary or prudent. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with such an exception.
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Our board of directors may increase or decrease any or all of the ownership limits for one or more persons, except that a decreased ownership limit will not be effective for any person whose actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock exceeds the decreased ownership limit at the time of the decrease until the person’s actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, although any further acquisition of our stock (other than by a previously exempted person) will violate the decreased ownership limit. Our board of directors may not increase or decrease any ownership limit if the new ownership limit would allow five or fewer persons to actually or beneficially own more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or could cause us to be “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Our charter further prohibits:
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any person from actually, beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that could result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that could result in us owning (actually or constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income we derive from such tenant, taking into account our other income that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause us to fail to satisfy any the gross income requirements imposed on REITs); and
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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above must give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, provide us at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.
The ownership limits and other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with any such restriction is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of our stock or other event that would cause a change in the beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock would (i) result in any person violating any of the ownership limits described above or such other ownership limit established by our board of directors, (ii) result in us being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or (iii) otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, then the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries selected by us. The prohibited owner will have no rights in shares of our stock held by the trustee. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid to the trustee upon demand. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable restriction on ownership and transfer of our stock, then the transfer of the number of shares that otherwise would cause any person to violate the above restrictions will be void and of no force or effect, regardless of any action or inaction by the board of directors, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any transfer of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares.
Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer of the
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shares to the trust (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price (as defined in our charter), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the Market Price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the trustee by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee and pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
If we do not exercise our right to purchase the shares held in the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person or persons designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust. Upon such sale, the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price, the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to discovery by us that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trustee, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount must be paid to the trustee upon demand.
The trustee will be designated by us and will be unaffiliated with us and with any prohibited owner. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to such shares, and may exercise all voting rights with respect to such shares for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee may, at the trustee’s sole and absolute discretion:
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rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and
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recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
If our board of directors determines that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that violates the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.
Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the owner actually or beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s actual or beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits and the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter. In addition, any person that is an actual, beneficial owner or
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constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for an actual, beneficial owner or constructive owner must promptly disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT and comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above or a statement that we will furnish a full statement about the restrictions on ownership and transfer to a stockholder or request and without charge.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock that our stockholders believe to be in their best interest.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Our Board of Directors
Under our charter and bylaws, the number of directors of our company may be established, increased or decreased only by a majority of our entire board of directors, but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL (which is one) nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than 15. We have elected by a provision of our charter to be subject to a provision of Maryland law requiring that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock, any vacancy may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Removal of Directors
Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Subtitle 8
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, 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 be subject to any or all of five provisions which provide for:
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a classified board;
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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 of directors be filled only by a vote of the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; or
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a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
Our charter provides that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and that a director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. We have not elected to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8, including the provisions that would permit us to classify our board of directors without stockholder approval. Moreover, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to the classified board provisions of Subtitle 8. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8,
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we (i) vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors, (ii) require, unless called by our Chairman, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders and (iii) provide that a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Meetings of Stockholders
Under our bylaws and pursuant to Maryland law, annual meetings of stockholders will be held each year at a date and at the time and place determined by our board of directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors, the Chair of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders to act on any matter must be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting who have requested the special meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary may prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.
Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws
Under the MGCL and our charter, we generally cannot amend our charter unless declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter except for certain amendments related to the removal of directors and the vote required to amend the provisions relating to removal, which must be declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board, and without any action by our stockholders, may also amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series we are authorized to issue. Our board of directors may also amend our charter to change our name or make certain other ministerial changes without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. However, our board of directors may not amend the provisions of our bylaws relating to our exemption from the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL, the “control share” provisions of the MGCL or the adoption of a stockholder rights plan without the approval of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our bylaws also provide stockholders with the concurrent right to amend our bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the meeting may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;
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by or at the direction of our board of directors; or
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by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice of the meeting and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
With respect to special meetings of stockholders, our bylaws provide that only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the special meeting of stockholders, and nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only:
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by or at the direction of our board of directors;
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by a stockholder who has requested a special meeting for the purpose of electing directors in compliance with our bylaws and has supplied the information required by our bylaws for each individual the stockholder proposes to nominate for election; or
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provided that the meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors and our stockholders the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors the power to disapprove timely stockholder nominations and proposals, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or proposals for other action if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors to our board of directors or to approve its own proposal.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the supermajority vote required to remove directors, our election to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 vesting in our board of directors the exclusive power to fill vacancies on our board of directors and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company.
Further, a majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares, as discussed above under the caption “Common Stock.” As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Our charter and bylaws also provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our board of directors, which prevents our stockholders from increasing the number of our directors and filling any vacancies created by such increase with their own nominees. The provisions of our bylaws discussed above under the captions “— Meetings of Stockholders” and “— Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business” require stockholders seeking to call a special meeting, nominate an individual for election as a director or propose other business at an annual or special meeting to comply with certain notice and information requirements. We believe that these provisions will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors and promote good corporate governance by providing us with clear procedures for calling special meetings, information about a stockholder proponent’s interest in us and adequate time to consider stockholder nominees and other business proposals. However, these provisions, alone or in combination, could make it more difficult for our stockholders to remove incumbent directors or fill vacancies on our board of directors with their own nominees and could delay, defer or prevent a change in control, including a proxy contest or tender offer that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
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No Stockholder Rights Plan
We do not currently have a stockholder rights plan, and our bylaws provide that we may not adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without (i) the approval of our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter or (ii) ratification from our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter within 12 months of adoption of the plan if the board of directors determines, in the exercise of its duties under applicable law, that it is in our best interest to adopt a rights plan without the delay of seeking prior stockholder approval.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, (b) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf (other than actions arising under federal securities laws), (c) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders, (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (e) any other action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. Although our bylaws contain the choice of forum provisions described above, it is possible that a court could rule that such provisions are inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provisions are unenforceable. For example, under the Securities Act, federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, the exclusive forum provisions described above do not apply to any actions brought under the Exchange Act.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to or in which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party or witness by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is
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fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and
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a written undertaking, which may be unsecured, by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.
Our charter obligates us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of the director’s or officer’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification to:
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any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
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any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.
Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.
REIT Qualification
Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Out transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We have entered the Sales Agreement, dated the date hereof, with (i) Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Berenberg Capital Markets LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, each as sales agent, forward seller and/or principal under a terms agreement, and (ii) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Citibank, N.A. or any of its affiliates, Jefferies LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Trust Bank, in each case a forward purchaser, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $250,000,000 from time to time through one or more of the sales agents, acting as our agents (such sales whereby sales agents act as agents, “Agency Transactions”), or forward sellers, acting as agents for the applicable forward purchaser, for the offer and sale of the common stock, or directly to the sales agents, acting as principals. The Sales Agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of the shares of our common stock by us through the sales agents, we may also enter into one or more forward sale agreements with each forward purchaser. In connection with any forward sale agreement, the relevant forward seller will, at our request and on terms agreed by the forward seller and the forward purchaser, use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices for similar transactions and applicable law and regulation, to borrow from third parties and, through its affiliated forward seller, sell a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock underlying the particular forward sale agreement. We also may issue and sell shares of our common stock to one or more of the sales agents as principal for its or their own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale (such sales whereby sales agents act as principals, “Principal Transactions”). Each time that we desire to issue and sell shares through Agency Transactions, we will issue a placement notice (a “Placement Notice”) to a sales agent, which will sell shares subject to the terms of such Placement Notice. If we sell shares of common stock to one or more of the sales agents in a Principal Transaction, we will enter into a separate agreement (a “Terms Agreement”) with each such sales agent or sales agents, and we will describe any such agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
Upon delivery of a Placement Notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Placement Agent may sell our common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on the NYSE (or any other primary trading market for our common stock) or to or through a market maker (which may include block transactions). With our prior consent, the sales agents may also sell our common stock in privately negotiated transactions. We may instruct the sales agents not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We may suspend the offering of our common stock under the Sales Agreement by notifying the sales agents. A sales agent may suspend its offering of our common stock under a Placement Notice by notifying us of such suspension.
Sales of the shares of our common stock, if any, made through the sales agents, acting as our sales agents, or the forward sellers, acting as agents for the relevant forward purchaser, or directly to a sales agent, acting as principal, as contemplated by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE, or on any other primary trading market for our common stock, by means of negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
We will pay each sales agent commissions for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our common stock pursuant to Agency Transactions. Each sales agent will be entitled to compensation that will not exceed, but, may be less than, 1.5% of the gross sales price of all shares sold through it as sales agent under the Sales Agreement. Any purchase price discount provided to a sales agent selling shares in a Principal Transaction will be determined at the time the Company and such sales agent enter into a Terms Agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions, discounts and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We estimate that our total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation or any discount payable to the sales agents and
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forward purchasers under the terms of the Sales Agreement or any Terms Agreement, will be approximately $0.8 million. We have agreed to reimburse the sales agents for up to $20,000 of their legal expenses in certain circumstances in connection with this offering.
None of the sales agents, acting as our sales agents, or forward sellers, acting as agents for the relevant forward purchaser, is required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares of our common stock, but each has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts, as our sales agent or as agent for the applicable forward purchaser, as applicable, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices for similar transactions and applicable law and regulations and on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Sales Agreement, to sell the shares offered as instructed by us, and in the case of sales in connection with a forward sale agreement, as agreed by the relevant forward seller and forward purchaser. The shares of our common stock offered and sold through the sales agents, as our sales agents, or forward sellers, as agents for the relevant forward purchasers, pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus will be offered and sold through only one sales agent or forward seller on any given day.
In connection with the sale of shares of our common stock on our behalf, each sales agent, forward seller or forward purchaser may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and all or a portion of the compensation of the sales agents, forward sellers or forward purchasers may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the Sales Agreement to indemnify each sales agent, forward seller and forward purchaser against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments a sales agent, forward seller or forward purchaser may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
With respect to any sales by a sales agent for us, such sales agent will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading on the NYSE (or any other primary trading market for our common stock) each day on which shares of our common stock are sold by it as sales agent for us, which will include the number of shares sold on that day, the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the shares, the aggregate net proceeds to us and the aggregate compensation payable by us to such sales agent with respect to such sales. With respect to any sales by a sales agent as forward seller for the relevant forward purchaser, such forward seller or the relevant forward purchaser will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading on the NYSE (or any other primary trading market for our common stock) on the scheduled trading day immediately following the last day on which shares of our common stock are sold by it pursuant to the applicable forward sale agreement, which will include the aggregate number of borrowed shares sold and the initial forward price under the forward sale agreement.
If any sales agent, any forward purchaser or we have reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied, that party will promptly notify the party to an effective placement notice and sales of our common stock under the Sales Agreement will be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of such sales agent and us.
The offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of the maximum aggregate gross proceeds of our common stock authorized to be sold under the Sales Agreement or (ii) the termination of the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms. We may terminate the Sales Agreement at any time. Any sales agent or forward purchaser may terminate the Sales Agreement as to itself at any time in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement.
Sales made outside of the United States, if any, may be made by affiliates of the sales agents.
Sales Through or To Sales Agents
From time to time during the term of the Sales Agreement, we may instruct any of the sales agents to sell shares of our common stock and as to the maximum number or aggregate gross sales price of shares to be sold by such sales agent on such day and the minimum price per share at which shares may be sold. Upon instruction by us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, such sales agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices for similar transactions and applicable law and regulations, to sell such shares as instructed by us. The shares of our common stock offered and sold through the sales agents, as our sales agents, pursuant to this prospectus and the
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accompanying prospectus will be offered and sold through only one sales agent on any given day. We or any such sales agent may suspend the offering of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate.
Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may also sell shares of our common stock to any of the sales agents, as principal, at a price per share to be agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell shares directly to a sales agent as principal, we will enter into a Terms Agreement with that sales agent and we will describe the terms of the offering of those shares in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. In any such sale to a sales agent as principal, we may agree to pay the applicable sales agent a commission or underwriting discount that may exceed 1.5% of the gross sales price per share of common stock sold to such sales agent, as principal. None of the sales agents has any obligation to purchase shares of our common stock from us as principal and may elect whether or not to do so in its sole discretion.
The aggregate compensation to the sales agents, acting as sales agents on our behalf, for sales of our common stock and otherwise under the Sales Agreement will be up to $3,750,000. The actual compensation will vary based on the amount of gross proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement and actual commissions paid to the sales agents under the Sales Agreement.
Sales Through Forward Sellers
If we enter into a forward sale agreement with any forward purchaser, we expect that such forward purchaser, acting in accordance with the mutually accepted instructions related to such forward sale agreement, will attempt to borrow, and the relevant forward seller, acting as sales agent for such forward purchaser, will attempt to sell, the shares of our common stock to hedge such forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. No forward purchaser is obligated to enter into a forward sale agreement with us unless it and the relevant forward seller each agrees to the terms we propose for such forward sale transaction in our instructions delivered in accordance with the Sales Agreement (as such instructions may be modified upon mutual consent of such forward purchaser, forward seller and us).
In connection with any forward sale agreement and our instructions accepted by the relevant forward purchaser and forward seller (as such instructions may have been modified upon mutual consent of such forward purchaser, forward seller and us), such forward purchaser will use its commercially reasonable efforts to borrow or cause its affiliate to borrow, and the relevant sales agent as forward seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations, to sell the borrowed shares of our common stock, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement and forward sale agreement to hedge the forward purchaser’s exposure under the relevant forward sale agreement. Such instructions will specify the target number of shares to be sold by it as forward seller or the maximum aggregate gross proceeds to be received in such sales, and limitation on the number of daily placement shares, and will also specify that such forward seller shall not sell such shares at a price that is below a minimum price designated by us and agreed with such forward seller and the relevant forward purchaser. The obligation of the relevant forward seller under the Sales Agreement to execute such sales of our common stock is subject to a number of conditions, which each forward seller reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.
Each forward purchaser will receive from us a mutually agreed commission in the form of a reduction to the initial forward price under the related forward sale agreement that will not exceed, but may be lower than, 1.5% of the gross sales price of all the borrowed shares of our common stock sold through the relevant forward seller during the applicable forward hedge selling period for such forward sale agreement (which sales price will be adjusted daily by an interest factor based on a floating interest rate less a spread to be mutually agreed by us and the applicable forward purchaser and quarterly in specified amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock if an “ex-dividend” date occurs during the term of such forward sale agreement). We refer to this commission rate as the forward selling commission. The forward hedge selling period will be the period of one to twenty consecutive trading days determined by us in our sole discretion and as specified in the relevant instruction. We expect that settlement between a forward purchaser and the relevant forward seller for sales of borrowed shares of our common stock, as well as settlement between such forward seller and buyers of such shares in the market, will occur on the second trading day (other than a day on which the NYSE (or any other primary trading market for our common stock) is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time) following the respective dates on which any such sales are made, or such other
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date as may be agreed upon by the relevant parties. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement. The obligations of a forward seller and the relevant forward purchaser under the Sales Agreement and any forward sale agreement are subject to a number of conditions, which such forward seller and forward purchaser may waive in their sole discretion.
We currently expect to fully physically settle each forward sale agreement, if any, with the relevant forward purchaser on one or more dates specified by us on or prior to the maturity date of such forward sale agreement, subject to a minimum number of shares per settlement under the terms of a forward sale agreement. However, we will generally have the right, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, to elect cash settlement or net share settlement instead of physical settlement for the shares we have agreed to sell under such forward sale agreement. If we elect or are deemed to have elected to physically settle all or any portion of any forward sale agreement by delivering shares of our common stock, we will receive aggregate cash proceeds from the relevant forward purchaser equal to the product of (1) the then-applicable forward price per share under such forward sale agreement and (2) the number of shares of our common stock as to which we have elected or are deemed to have elected physical settlement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of such forward sale agreement. The forward sale price per share under each forward sale agreement will initially equal the product of (1) an amount equal to one minus the applicable forward selling commission and (2) the volume-weighted average price per share at which the shares of borrowed common stock were sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement by the relevant forward seller during the applicable forward hedge selling period for such shares to hedge the relevant forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement (subject to certain adjustments to such volume-weighted sales price for daily accruals based on a floating interest rate less a spread and specified amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock having an “ex-dividend” date during the term of such forward sale agreement).
Any forward sale agreement, the term of which may not exceed two years, will provide that the forward sale price, as well as the sales prices used to calculate the initial forward sale price will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread to be mutually agreed by us and the applicable forward purchaser, and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on our common stock during the term of the applicable forward sale agreement. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread for a particular forward sale agreement on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. We will not initially receive any proceeds from any sale of shares of our common stock borrowed by a forward purchaser and sold through a forward seller, and all proceeds of such sales will be paid by the forward seller (or an affiliate thereof) directly to the relevant forward purchaser (or one or more of its affiliates).
Except under limited circumstances described below and subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under any forward sale agreement. Delivery of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement (or, if we elect net share settlement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. Although we expect to settle any forward sale agreement entirely by delivering shares of our common stock in connection with full physical settlement, we may, subject to certain conditions, elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations (subject to any applicable minimum settlement size) if we conclude it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle. For example, we may conclude it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle if we have no then-current use for all or a portion of the proceeds we would receive upon physical settlement. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying a forward sale agreement, we expect the applicable forward purchaser (or an affiliate thereof) to purchase a number of shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:
•
return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such Forward Purchaser, if applicable, in the case of net share settlement); and
•
if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.
If the prevailing market price for our common stock during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is above the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the
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relevant forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having an estimated market value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If the prevailing market price for our common stock during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by the relevant forward purchaser or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having an estimated market value equal to the difference.
In addition, the purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with a forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding its hedge positions could cause the price of shares of our common stock to increase over such time (or prevent a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that such forward purchaser would owe us) upon a cash settlement of the relevant forward sale agreement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock we would deliver to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser would be obligated to deliver to us) upon net share settlement of the relevant forward sale agreement.
A forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate the settlement of the shares of our common stock underlying its forward sale agreement with us, in whole or in part (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement that such forward purchaser determines is affected by an event described below except with respect to events specified in the first and fifth bullet points below, where accelerated settlement will not exceed the portion of shares of our common stock whose settlement would address the relevant event or that is affected by the relevant event) and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:
•
in such forward purchaser’s commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate (x) is unable to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement because insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (y) would incur a stock loan cost in excess of a specified threshold to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement;
•
we declare or issue any dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock (a) that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under the forward sale agreement, (b) in excess of specified amounts or (c) payable in shares of our common stock, in any other type of securities granting the right of payment of dividends and/or the proceeds of liquidation of the Company equally or proportionately with such payment to holders of our common stock or share capital, securities, rights, warrants or other instruments, property or assets without payment or for payment at less than the prevailing market price in the commercially reasonable judgment of the forward purchaser;
•
an event is announced that, if consummated, would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization or a delisting of our common stock) or the occurrence of a change in law or disruption in such Forward Purchaser’s ability to hedge its exposure under the relevant forward sale agreement;
•
certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement (each as more fully described in each forward sale agreement); or
•
certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded.
A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of a forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us, any forward sale agreement will terminate without further liability of either party. Following any such termination, we would not issue any shares of our common stock and we would not receive any proceeds pursuant to any forward sale agreement. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to this Offering.”
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The descriptions of certain provisions of the Sales Agreement and the forward sale agreements appearing above and elsewhere in this prospectus are not complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the Sales Agreement and such forward sale agreements. A form of a forward sale agreement is included as an exhibit to the Sales Agreement, which has been or will be filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus and may be obtained as described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus.
Conflicts of Interest
Affiliates of BMO Capital Markets Corp., Capital One Securities, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Regions Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are lenders under our credit facility, and each may each receive a pro rata portion of the net proceeds from the offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement to the extent that we use any such proceeds to reduce amounts outstanding under such credit facility. Because affiliates of these sales agents and forward purchasers are lenders under our credit facility, it is possible that more than 5% of the proceeds from the offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement (not including commissions or discounts) may be received by a sales agent, forward purchaser and/or its affiliates. Nonetheless, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not necessary in connection with this offering because we, as the issuer of the common stock in this offering, are a REIT, and REITs are excluded from the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. In addition, this offering is of a class of securities that has a bona fide public market, as defined in FINRA Rule 5121(f)(3).
Additionally, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated may pay an unaffiliated entity or its affiliate, who is also a lender under our credit facility, a fee in connection with this offering.
If we enter into a forward sale agreement with any forward purchaser, such forward purchaser will use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices for similar transactions and applicable law and regulations, to borrow from third parties and sell, through the relevant forward seller, shares of our common stock to hedge such forward purchaser’s exposure under such forward sale agreement. All of the net proceeds from the sale of any such borrowed shares will be paid to the applicable forward purchaser (or one or more of its affiliates). Each forward purchaser will be either a sales agent or an affiliate of a sales agent. As a result, a sales agent or its affiliate will receive the net proceeds from any sale of borrowed shares of our common stock made in connection with any forward sale agreements.
Other Relationships
The sales agents and forward purchasers and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The sales agents, forward purchasers and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us or our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the sales agents, forward purchasers and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us or our affiliates. The sales agents, forward purchasers and certain of their affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the sales agents and forward purchasers that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this
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prospectus and the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus come are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the taxation of the Company and the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of shares of our securities. The tax treatment of a holder will vary depending upon the holder’s particular situation, and this summary addresses only holders that hold these shares as capital assets and does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances. This summary also does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws apply, including:
•
dealers in securities or currencies;
•
traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for such traders’ securities holdings;
•
banks;
•
insurance companies;
•
entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•
persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
•
tax-exempt organizations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock” below);
•
non-U.S. individuals and foreign corporations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock” below);
•
U.S. expatriates;
•
subchapter S corporations;
•
regulated investment companies and REITs;
•
trust and estates;
•
holders who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
•
persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
•
persons holding our stock through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;
•
persons that purchase or sell shares of common stock as part of a wash sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•
persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of applicable financial statements within the meaning of Section 451(b)(3) of the Code; and
•
U.S. stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
This summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these sources of law only as they are currently in effect. All of these sources of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively.
If a partnership holds shares of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding our common stock should consult such partner’s tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our common stock.
We urge you to consult with your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning and selling our common stock, including the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling our common stock in your particular circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.
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Taxation of the Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years.
In connection with this offering, Winston & Strawn LLP will render an opinion that we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. Investors should be aware that Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based upon customary assumptions, will be conditioned upon certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including representations regarding the nature of our assets and the conduct of our business, is not binding upon the IRS, or any court and speaks only as of the date issued. In addition, Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based on existing U.S. federal income tax law governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal income tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of our capital stock ownership, and the percentage of our earnings that we distribute. In addition, certain of the asset tests depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly, and such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Winston & Strawn LLP will not review our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to use one or more of the REIT savings provisions described below, which could require us to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be material) in order for us to maintain our REIT qualification. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see “— Failure to Qualify.”
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The principal qualification requirements are summarized below under “— Requirements for Qualification — General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “— Failure to Qualify.”
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for distributions that we pay that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from owning stock in a regular corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon distribution to our stockholders.
Currently, most domestic stockholders of regular corporations that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate distributions at a maximum tax rate of 20% (the same tax rate that applies to long-term capital gains). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for such reduced rates. However, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026, a 20% deduction (subject to certain limitations) is available to individual taxpayers with respect to ordinary dividends, resulting in a 29.6% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate (plus the 3.8% Medicare tax, if applicable) for individual U.S. stockholders. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.” For certain individuals, trusts and estates, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax also applies to net investment income (such as dividends and capital gains).
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Our tax attributes, such as net operating losses (if any), generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.”
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
•
We will be taxed at the regular corporate rate on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
•
If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “— Prohibited Transactions” below.
•
If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the corporate tax rate.
•
If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below under “— Income Tests,” but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.
•
If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.
•
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.
•
We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “— Requirements for Qualification — General.”
•
A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.
•
If we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation that generally is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay tax at the corporate tax rate if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the five-year period after we acquire the asset provided no election is made for the transaction to be taxable on a current basis. The amount of gain on which we will pay tax is the lesser of:
•
the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition, and
•
the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at the time we acquired it.
•
The earnings of any of our subsidiaries that are subchapter C corporations, including NETSTREIT TRS and any other subsidiary we may elect to treat as a TRS, are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state and local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification-General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
1)
that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
2)
the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
3)
that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
4)
that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;
5)
the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
6)
in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities);
7)
that elects to be taxed as a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements that must be met to elect and maintain REIT qualification; and
8)
that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), (7) and (8) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) applied to us beginning with our 2020 tax year.
In addition, our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy these requirements; however, they may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy these requirements. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our common stock are described in “Description of Our Capital Stock-Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our distributions in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your U.S. federal income tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.
The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “— Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “— Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance
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that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, even if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests
An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a partnership, limited liability company, or trust, that has a single owner, generally is not treated as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that, for purposes of the 10% asset test (see “— Asset Tests” below), our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any partnerships in which we own interests will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
Disregarded Subsidiaries
If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), with respect to which 100% of the stock of such corporation is held by the REIT. Other domestic entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned-for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours-the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “— Income Tests.”
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
We may jointly elect with any of our subsidiary corporations, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporations as TRSs. A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A domestic TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation with respect to which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation jointly elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. We currently have one TRS, NETSTREIT TRS.
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The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the distributions paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or activities that would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs (as well as on taxable corporations generally) are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, overall limitations on the deductibility of net interest expense by businesses could apply to our TRS. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between the REIT and a TRS that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we do not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and from certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” distributions received from other REITs, income derived from REMICs in proportion to the real estate mortgages held by the REMIC, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments.
Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other distributions, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” from which we derive no revenue. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and which are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide noncustomary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payments for such services do not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the properties. For purposes of this test, we are deemed to have received income from such noncustomary services in an amount equal to at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are generally permitted to provide services to tenants or
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others through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants for purposes of the income tests. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the tenant’s equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any distributions that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% income tests.
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we entered into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate, inflation and/or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, or (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered to, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “— Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, temporary investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, equity interests in other entities that qualify as REITs, debt instruments of “publicly offered REITs” (i.e., REITs that are required to file periodic and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act), mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property, and residual and regular interests in REMICs if at least 95% of the REMIC’s assets constitute qualifying mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test and debt instruments of publicly offered REITs are subject to certain additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities that meet specified statutory requirements. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own
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an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets. Finally, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by real property or interests in real property.
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership. If we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Moreover, if the IRS successfully challenges the partnership status of any of the partnerships in which we maintain a more than 10% vote or value interest, and the partnership is reclassified as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, we could lose our status as a REIT. In addition, in the case of such a successful challenge, we could lose our REIT status if such recharacterization results in us otherwise failing one of the asset tests described above.
Certain relief provisions are available to REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset tests and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000, and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis.
No independent appraisals will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described above.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain distributions, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
1)
the sum of
a)
90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the dividends paid deduction; and
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b)
90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property, minus
2)
the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income (including original issue discount on any loans) over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if either (i) the distributions are declared before we timely file our U.S. federal income tax return for the year and paid with or before the first regular distribution payment after such declaration; or (ii) the distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified day in any such month, and actually paid before the end of January of the following year. The distributions under clause (i) are taxable to the holders of our common stock in the year in which paid, and the distributions in clause (ii) are treated as paid on December 31 of the prior taxable year. In both instances, these distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the retained portion of such income. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted tax basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain distributions that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior taxable years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “— Taxation of Stockholders” below.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. For example, under the TCJA, we generally will be required to take certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected in our financial statements. This rule may require the accrual of income with respect to certain assets earlier than would be the case under the general U.S. federal income tax rules. Also, we may not deduct recognized capital losses from our “REIT taxable income.” As a result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute taxable income sufficient to avoid U.S. federal corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income or even to meet the 90% distribution requirement. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or, if possible, pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later taxable year, which may be included in our deduction for distributions paid for the earlier taxable year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
To avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We intend to comply with these requirements.
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Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described above in “— Income Tests” and “— Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at the regular U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and trading prices for, our stock.
Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will potentially be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at the regular U.S. federal corporate income rate, nor does the tax apply to sales that qualify for a safe harbor as described in Section 857(b)(6) of the Code.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
We currently hold and anticipate holding direct or indirect interests in one or more partnerships, including the operating partnership. Such non-corporate entities would generally be organized as limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts that would either be disregarded as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We expect that our operating partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our investment in the operating partnership provided the operating partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion should also generally apply to any investment by us in other entities taxable as partnerships for such purposes.
A partnership (that is not a publicly traded partnership taxed as a corporation) is not subject to tax as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, partners are allocated their allocable share of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive any distributions from the partnership. We will be required to take into account our allocable share of the foregoing items for purposes of the various REIT gross income and asset tests, and in the computation of our REIT taxable income and U.S. federal income tax liability. Further, there can be no assurance that distributions from the operating partnership will be sufficient to pay the tax liabilities resulting from an investment in the operating partnership.
We intend that interests in the operating partnership (and any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) will fall within one of the “safe harbors” for the partnership to avoid being classified as a publicly
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traded partnership. However, we reserve the right to not satisfy any safe harbor. Even if a partnership is a publicly traded partnership, it generally will not be treated as a corporation if at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year is from certain sources, which generally include rents from real property and other types of passive income. We believe that our operating partnership will have sufficient qualifying income so that it would be taxed as a partnership, even if it were treated as a publicly traded partnership.
If for any reason the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, and as a result, we would most likely be unable to satisfy the applicable REIT requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws discussed above. In addition, any change in the status of any partnership may be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could incur a tax liability without a related cash distribution. Further, if any partnership were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such partnership would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and the partners of any such partnership would be treated as stockholders, with distributions to such partners being treated as dividends.
Anti-abuse Treasury regulations have been issued under the partnership provisions of the Code that authorize the IRS, in some abusive transactions involving partnerships, to disregard the form of a transaction and recast it as it deems appropriate. The anti-abuse regulations apply where a partnership is utilized in connection with a transaction (or series of related transactions) with a principal purpose of substantially reducing the present value of the partners’ aggregate U.S. federal tax liability in a manner inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions. The anti-abuse regulations contain an example in which a REIT contributes the proceeds of a public offering to a partnership in exchange for a general partnership interest. The limited partners contribute real property assets to the partnership, subject to liabilities that exceed their respective aggregate bases in such property. The example concludes that the use of the partnership is not inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions, and thus, cannot be recast by the IRS. However, the anti-abuse regulations are extraordinarily broad in scope and are applied based on an analysis of all the facts and circumstances. As a result, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not attempt to apply the anti-abuse regulations to the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership). Any such action could potentially jeopardize our qualification as a REIT and materially affect the tax consequences and economic return resulting from an investment in us.
Income Taxation of Partnerships and Their Partners
Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of a partnership’s income and losses among the partners, such allocations may be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. If any allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ economic interests in the partnership. We believe that the allocations of taxable income and loss in the operating partnership’s partnership agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
In some cases, special allocations of net profits or net losses will be required to comply with the U.S. federal income tax principles governing partnership tax allocations. Additionally, pursuant to Code Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to property contributed to the operating partnership in exchange for units must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or loss attributable to the property at the time of contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of the property at the time of contribution. These allocations are designed to eliminate book-tax differences by allocating to contributing partners lower amounts of depreciation deductions and increased taxable income and gain attributable to the contributed property than would ordinarily be the case for economic or book purposes. The application of the principles of Code Section 704(c) in tiered partnership arrangements is not entirely clear. Accordingly, the IRS may assert a different allocation method than the one selected by the operating partnership to cure any book-tax differences. In certain circumstances, we create book-tax differences by adjusting the values of properties for economic or book purposes and generally the rules of Code Section 704(c) would apply to such differences as well.
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For properties contributed to the operating partnership, depreciation deductions are calculated based on the transferor’s tax basis and depreciation method. Because depreciation deductions are based on the transferor’s tax basis in the contributed property, the operating partnership generally would be entitled to less depreciation than if the properties were purchased in a taxable transaction. The burden of lower depreciation generally will fall first on the contributing partner, but also may reduce the depreciation allocated to other partners, including us.
Some expenses incurred in the conduct of the operating partnership’s activities may not be deducted in the year they were paid. To the extent this occurs, the taxable income of the operating partnership may exceed its cash receipts for the year in which the expense is paid. As discussed above, the costs of acquiring properties must generally be recovered through depreciation deductions over a number of years. Prepaid interest and loan fees, and prepaid management fees are other examples of expenses that may not be deducted in the year they were paid.
Partnership Audit Rules
Any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties attributable thereto are generally assessed and collected at the partnership level regardless of changes in composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The partnership audit rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. The partnership audit rules could result in the operating partnership (or any other partnership invested in by the operating partnership) being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these changes and their potential impact on their investment in our common stock.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for taxable U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our common stock. Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to tax-exempt stockholders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock,” below and certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock,” below.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
•
is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
•
is a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
•
is an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
•
any trust if (i) a court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership, including for this purpose any arrangement or entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are
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a partner in a partnership holding shares of our common stock, you are urged to consult with your tax advisors about the consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock by the partnership.
Distributions Generally
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends discussed below, generally will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. Holders as ordinary income. These distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. Holders that are corporations.
Because, as discussed above, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders, our ordinary dividends generally are not eligible for the preferential rate on “qualified dividend income” currently available to most non-corporate taxpayers. However, individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct up to 20% of certain pass-through income, including ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” subject to certain limitations (the “pass-through deduction”). For taxable years before January 1, 2026, the maximum tax rate for U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates is 37%. For taxpayers qualifying for the full pass-through deduction, the effective maximum tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends for taxable years before January 1, 2026 would be 29.6%. To qualify for this deduction, the U.S. Holder receiving such dividends must hold the dividend-paying REIT stock for at least 46 days (taking into account certain special holding period rules) of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend and cannot be under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property.
We may designate a portion of our dividends as eligible for the preferential rate on qualified dividend income, provided that the amount so designated may not exceed that portion of our distributions attributable to:
•
dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as a TRS; and
•
income upon which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax (for example, if we distribute taxable income that we retained and paid tax on in the prior year).
To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Holder. This treatment will reduce the adjusted tax basis that each U.S. Holder has in its shares of our common stock for U.S. federal tax purposes by the amount of the distribution (but not below zero). Distributions in excess of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock will be taxable as capital gains (provided that the shares of our common stock have been held as a capital asset) and will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares of our common stock have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholders on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Capital Gain Distributions
Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends (and undistributed amounts for which we properly make a capital gains designation) will be taxable to U.S. Holders 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. Depending on the period of time we have held the assets which produced these gains, and on certain designations, if any, which we may make, these gains may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. Holders at preferential rates, depending on the nature of the asset giving rise to the gain. Corporate U.S. Holders may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. Holder of shares of our common stock will be treated as portfolio income. As a result, U.S. Holders generally will not be able to apply
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any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. Holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of shares of our common stock and qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholders will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other 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 shares of our common stock, however, will not be treated as investment income under certain circumstances.
Retention of Net Long-Term Capital Gains
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, our net long-term capital gains. If we make this election (a “Capital Gains Designation”), we would pay tax on our retained net long-term capital gains. In addition, to the extent we make a Capital Gains Designation, a U.S. Holder generally would:
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include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls (subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable);
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be deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. Holder’s long-term capital gains;
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receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it;
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increase the adjusted tax basis of its shares of our common stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and
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in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury regulations to be promulgated.
Dispositions of Shares of Our Common Stock
Generally, if you are a U.S. Holder and you sell or dispose of your shares of our common stock, you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property you receive on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the shares of our common stock for tax purposes. This gain or loss will be capital if you have held the shares of our common stock as a capital asset and, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the shares of our common stock for more than one year. However, if you are a U.S. Holder and you recognize loss upon the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock that you have held for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules), the loss you recognize will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent you received distributions from us that were required to be treated as long-term capital gains. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We report to our U.S. Holders of shares of our common stock and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. Holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders of shares of our common stock that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividends on
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and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, unless such dividends or gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our common stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
Our distributions to a U.S. Holder that is a domestic tax-exempt entity generally should not constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”), unless the U.S. Holder borrows funds (or otherwise incurs acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the Code) to acquire or to carry its common shares, or the common shares are otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, that generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.
Notwithstanding the above, a pension trust (i) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code and is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (ii) that owns more than 10% of the value of shares of our common stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (i) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of shares of our common stock or (b) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of shares of our common stock, collectively owns more than 50% of our outstanding shares of our common stock and (ii) we would not have qualified as a REIT without relying upon the “look through” exemption for certain trusts under Section 856(h)(3) of the Code to satisfy the requirement that not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of our common stock is owned by five or fewer individuals. We do not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in shares of our common stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for Non-U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our common stock. As used herein, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is an individual, corporation or estate that is not a U.S. Holder. The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of shares of our common stock are complex. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of an acquisition of shares of our common stock, including tax return filing requirements and the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax treatment of dispositions of interests in, and the receipt of distributions from, us.
Distributions Generally
Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (as hereinafter defined) nor designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by you of a U.S. trade or business. Under some treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs.
Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on a net basis (that is, after allowance for deductions) at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. Holders are subject to tax, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such dividends received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
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We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to Non-U.S. Holders unless:
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a lower treaty rate applies and you provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, as applicable, evidencing eligibility for an exemption from withholding or a reduced treaty rate;
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you provide to us an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business; or
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the distribution is treated as attributable to a sale or exchange of a “U.S. real property interest” (as discussed below).
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to you to the extent that such distributions do not exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our common stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted tax basis of such shares of common stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our common stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such shares of common stock. The tax treatment of this gain is described below. If it cannot be determined at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we expect to treat such distribution as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and we therefore expect to withhold tax on the entire amount of such distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of U.S. Real Property Interests
Except as described below, distributions to a Non-U.S. Holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless (i) the investment in shares of our common stock is treated as effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business, in which case you will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. Holders with respect to such gain, except that a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above, or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to a 30% tax on your capital gains.
Distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of “U.S. real property interests” by us are taxable to a Non-U.S. Holder under special provisions of the Code known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). The term “U.S. real property interests” includes interests in U.S. real property. Under FIRPTA, a distribution attributable to gain from sales of U.S. real property interests is considered effectively connected with a U.S. business of the Non-U.S. Holder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Holders (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals), without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the amount of distribution attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of the U.S. real property interest.
However, any distribution with respect to any class of equity securities which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 21% U.S. withholding tax described above, if you did not own more than 10% of such class of equity securities at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution (the “10% Exception”). We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.
Capital gains distributions by a REIT to “qualified shareholders” meeting certain statutory requirements, including that the stockholders be eligible for treaty benefits and publicly traded, or constitute a foreign partnership or other type of foreign collective investment vehicle, are not subject to FIRPTA. Instead, all such distributions will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and, as a result, Non-U.S. Holders generally would be subject to withholding tax on such distributions in the same manner as they are subject to ordinary dividends.
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“Qualified foreign pension funds” are not subject to the taxes imposed by FIRPTA. Accordingly, capital gains distributions by a REIT to a qualified foreign pension fund are not subject to the rules set forth above. To qualify, a pension fund must be created or organized under the law of a country other than the U.S., and have been established to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (or persons designated by those employees) of one or more employers in consideration for services rendered, and meet other requirements. Stockholders that are non-U.S. pension funds are urged to contact their tax advisors to determine whether they qualify for the exemption to FIRPTA.
Retention of Net Capital Gains
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained capital gains in respect of the shares of common stock held by Non-U.S. Holders generally should be treated in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, you would be able to offset as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability resulting from your proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent your proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds your actual U.S. federal income tax liability.
Sale of Shares of Common Stock
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Holder upon the sale or exchange of shares of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless such shares of common stock constitute a U.S. real property interest under FIRPTA. Shares of our common stock will constitute a U.S. real property interest if at least 50% of our assets are U.S. real property interests. However, even if shares of our common stock constitute U.S. real property interests, if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, FIRPTA will not apply to a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock. A REIT is a qualified investment entity and will be considered domestically controlled if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares of common stock are held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Holders. We cannot assure you that we will be a domestically controlled REIT.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT at the time you sell or exchange shares of our common stock, gain arising from such a sale or exchange would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S. real property interest provided that (i) our common stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE; and (ii) you owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less in value of such class of shares of our common stock throughout the shorter of the period during which you held such shares of common stock or the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange. We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market.
If gain on the sale or exchange of shares of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, you would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. Holder (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals) and the purchaser of the shares of our common stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of shares of our common stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to you if either (i) the investment in shares of our common stock is effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
We will, where required, report to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders, the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipients, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. Payments of dividends made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of
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IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a United States person.
The gross proceeds from the disposition of our common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our common stock outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to such Non-U.S. Holder outside the United States, then the backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, information reporting, but not backup withholding, generally will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if the Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that has specified types of connections with the United States, unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and specified conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. If a Non-U.S. Holder receives payments of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment will be subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless such holder properly provides an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8) certifying that such holder is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption, and the broker does not know or have reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to your particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
Other Tax Considerations
Additional FATCA Withholding
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S.-source dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain non-financial foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Thirty percent withholding under FATCA was scheduled to apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of property that produces U.S.-source dividends beginning on January 1, 2019, but on December 13, 2018, the IRS released proposed regulations that, if finalized in their proposed form, would eliminate the obligation to withhold on gross proceeds. Taxpayers may rely on the provisions in the proposed regulations addressing gross proceeds withholding until final regulations are issued. The rules under FATCA are complex. Holders that hold our common stock through a non-U.S. intermediary or that are Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of FATCA on an investment in our common stock.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial, or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. We cannot predict the long-term effect of any future law changes on REITs and their stockholders. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal tax laws on an investment in our common stock.
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State and Local Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own real property assets located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state and local income and other tax laws on an investment in our common stock.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:
•
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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2021 and July 29, 2021, respectively;
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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2021;
•
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We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (i) on or after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and until we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus or the offering is otherwise terminated. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including exhibits, if they are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents, call us at (972) 200-7100 or submit a written request to NETSTREIT Corp., 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206, Attention: Investor Relations.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at http://www.NETSTREIT.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is
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qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement are available to you on the SEC’s website.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of NETSTREIT Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 (successor), for the period from December 23, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (successor) and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 22, 2019 (predecessor) and the related notes and the financial statement schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon by us for us by Venable LLP. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP and certain U.S. income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Winston & Strawn LLP. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will passed upon for the sales agents and forward purchasers by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
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$250,000,000
NETSTREIT CORP.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
Stifel
Berenberg
BMO Capital Markets
BofA Securities
BTIG
Capital One Securities
Citigroup
Jefferies
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Raymond James
Regions Securities LLC
Scotiabank
Truist Securities
Wells Fargo Securities
Berenberg
BMO Capital Markets
BofA Securities
BTIG
Capital One Securities
Citigroup
Jefferies
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Raymond James
Regions Securities LLC
Scotiabank
Truist Securities
Wells Fargo Securities
September 1, 2021
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth all expenses in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts shown below are estimates:
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | | | | $ | * | | |
| Accountants’ fees and expenses | | | | $ | ** | | |
| Legal fees and expenses | | | | $ | ** | | |
| Printing expenses | | | | $ | ** | | |
| Miscellaneous | | | | $ | ** | | |
| Total | | | | $ | ** | | |
*
Deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).
**
These fees are based on the number and size of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to or in which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party or witness by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received.
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In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and
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a written undertaking, which may be unsecured, by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.
Our charter obligates us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of the director’s or officer’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification to:
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any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
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any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness, in the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.
Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this registration statement on Form S-3
Exhibit Index
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To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i)
Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x), for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time
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shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is a part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned registrants;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants’ annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, Texas on September 1, 2021.
| | | | NETSTREIT CORP. | | |||
| | | | By: | | | /s/ Mark Manheimer Mark Manheimer President and Chief Executive Officer | |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mark Manheimer and Andrew Blocher his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power to each of them to act alone), with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement on Form S-3, and to file the same, with the exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection herewith, including any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | | | Title | | | Date | |
| /s/ Mark Manheimer Mark Manheimer | | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Andrew Blocher Andrew Blocher | | | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer) | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Patricia McBratney Patricia McBratney | | | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Todd Minnis Todd Minnis | | | Chairman of the Board of Directors | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Michael Christodolou Michael Christodolou | | | Director | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Heidi Everett Heidi Everett | | | Director | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Matthew Troxell Matthew Troxell | | | Director | | | September 1, 2021 | |
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| Name | | | Title | | | Date | |
| /s/ Lori Wittman Lori Wittman | | | Director | | | September 1, 2021 | |
| /s/ Robin Zeigler Robin Zeigler | | | Director | | | September 1, 2021 | |
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