CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities |
|
Amount to be |
|
Proposed Maximum |
|
Proposed Maximum |
|
Amount of |
| |||
2.25% Senior Notes due 2024 |
|
$ |
530,650,000 |
|
99.448 |
% |
$ |
527,720,812 |
|
$ |
61,162.84 |
|
(1) 500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2.25% Senior Notes due 2024 will be issued. The $532,200,000 Amount to be Registered is based on the January 12, 2016 euro/U.S. $ rate of exchange of 1.00/U.S. $1.06.
(2) The filing fee is calculated in accordance with Rules 457(o) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-214510
(to prospectus dated November 8, 2016)
500,000,000
WPC Eurobond B.V.
2.250% Senior Notes due 2024
Fully, Unconditionally and Irrevocably Guaranteed by
W. P. Carey Inc.
Interest payable on July 19
WPC Eurobond B.V. (the Issuer) is offering 500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.250% Senior Notes due 2024 (the notes). The notes will be issued in book-entry form only, in minimum denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuer will pay interest annually in arrears on July 19 of each year, beginning on July 19, 2017. The notes will mature on July 19, 2024. However, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem the notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the applicable redemption price described in this prospectus supplement under the caption Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeOptional redemption. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will rank equally in right of payment with all of its other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed (the guarantee) on a senior unsecured basis by W. P. Carey Inc., the indirect parent company of the Issuer (the Company). The Companys guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with its other senior unsecured indebtedness and guarantees.
Investing in the notes involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in the notes, you should carefully read the information under the caption Risk factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Neither the SEC nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
|
Public offering price(1) |
|
Underwriting discount |
|
Proceeds, before |
| |||
Per note |
|
99.448 |
% |
0.475 |
% |
98.973 |
% | |||
Total |
|
|
497,240,000 |
|
|
2,375,000 |
|
|
494,865,000 |
|
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from January 19, 2017, if settlement occurs after that date.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Application has been made for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange plc (ISE) and traded on the Global Exchange Market (GEM) of the ISE. The listing application will be subject to approval by the ISE. If such a listing is obtained, we have no obligation to maintain such listing, and we may delist the notes at any time.
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form under the New Safekeeping Structure (the NSS) through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (Euroclear) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (Clearstream) (together, Euroclear and Clearstream are sometimes referred to herein as the ICSDs), on or about January 19, 2017 which is the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement cycle being referred to as T+5). Upon issuance, the notes will be represented by a global note in registered form (the Global Note), which is expected to be deposited with a common safekeeper (Common Safekeeper) for Euroclear and Clearstream and registered in the name of a nominee of the Common Safekeeper.
The notes are intended to be held in a manner which will allow for Eurosystem eligibility. This means that the notes are intended upon issue to be deposited with an ICSD as Common Safekeeper and does not necessarily mean that the notes will be recognized as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intra-day credit operations by the Eurosystem either upon issue or at any or all times during their life. Such recognition will depend upon satisfaction of the Eurosystem eligibility criteria.
|
Joint Book-Running Managers |
|
J.P. Morgan |
BofA Merrill Lynch |
Wells Fargo Securities |
|
Senior Co-Manager |
|
|
Stifel |
|
|
Co-Managers |
|
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
Capital One Securities |
US Bancorp |
BMO Capital Markets |
The date of this prospectus supplement is January 17, 2017.
|
Page |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
|
S-1 | |
S-2 | |
S-4 | |
S-6 | |
S-9 | |
S-17 | |
S-19 | |
S-21 | |
S-22 | |
S-23 | |
S-24 | |
S-35 | |
S-41 | |
S-42 | |
S-45 | |
S-45 | |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
S-45 |
S-47 | |
|
|
PROSPECTUS |
|
1 | |
2 | |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
2 |
4 | |
5 | |
5 | |
5 | |
6 | |
12 | |
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS |
12 |
12 | |
13 | |
DESCRIPTION OF WPC FINANCE DEBT SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEE |
24 |
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK |
39 |
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO HOLDERS OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES |
55 |
59 | |
60 | |
60 | |
60 |
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus or the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of such documents or such other dates as may be specified herein or therein. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) and prospects may have changed since those respective dates.
About this prospectus supplement
We are providing information to you about this offering in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes certain terms of the notes and the related guarantee and the offer and sale of the notes and the related guarantee. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to the notes, the related guarantee, or this offering. If there is a conflict between the description of the notes, the related guarantee, or this offering in this prospectus supplement and that provided in the accompanying prospectus, the description in this prospectus supplement shall control.
Any information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference herein or therein will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that a statement subsequently contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, in any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering, or in any document we file with the SEC under or pursuant to the Exchange Act, that is also incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering, together with the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as described under the caption Where you can find more information; Incorporation by reference beginning on page S-45 of this prospectus supplement. You should not consider any information contained or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide, to be investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountants and other advisors for investment, accounting, legal, tax and related advice regarding an investment in the notes. We are not making any representation to you regarding the legality of an investment in the notes by you under applicable investment or similar laws.
Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise specified, references in this prospectus supplement to W. P. Carey, we, us and our refer, collectively, to W. P. Carey Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including WPC Eurobond B.V.; references to the Company refer only to W. P. Carey Inc., and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and references to the Issuer refer only to WPC Eurobond B.V., and not to its parent or subsidiaries or affiliates.
References in this prospectus supplement to $, dollars, USD and U.S. dollars are to the currency of the United States of America; and references to and euro are to the single currency introduced at the third stage of the European Monetary Union pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES, J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC (IN THIS CAPACITY, THE STABILIZING MANAGER) (OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON ITS BEHALF) MAY OVER-ALLOT NOTES OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WITH A VIEW TO SUPPORTING THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES AT A LEVEL HIGHER THAN THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL. HOWEVER, STABILIZATION MAY NOT NECESSARILY OCCUR. ANY STABILIZATION ACTION MAY BEGIN ON OR AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH ADEQUATE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE FINAL TERMS OF THE OFFER OF THE NOTES IS MADE, AND, IF BEGUN, MAY CEASE AT ANY TIME, BUT IT MUST END NO LATER THAN THE EARLIER OF (I) 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE OF THE NOTES AND (II) 60 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE ALLOTMENT OF THE NOTES. ANY STABILIZATION ACTION OR OVER-ALLOTMENT
COMMENCED MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND RULES.
None of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus (i) is a prospectus for the purposes of the European Unions Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU) as implemented in member states of the European Economic Area or (ii) has been reviewed by the Central Bank of Ireland.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute listing particulars (the Listing Particulars) for the purposes of listing on the GEM. The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Application has been made for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the ISE and traded on the GEM (which is not a regulated market for the purposes of Directive 2004/39/EC, or MiFID) of the ISE. If such listing is obtained, we have no obligation to maintain such listing, and we may delist the notes at any time.
In the United Kingdom, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus is for distribution only to, and is only directed at, persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and fall within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, (the Financial Promotion Order), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Financial Promotion Order or (iii) are persons to whom they may otherwise lawfully be communicated under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus are directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus relate is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference herein and therein contain statements that are based on our current expectations, our estimates and forecasts, our projections about our future performance, our expectations for our business, our beliefs and our managements assumptions and other matters, and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: capital markets; tenant credit quality; the general economic outlook; our expected range of AFFO; our corporate strategy; our capital structure; our portfolio lease terms; our international exposure and acquisition volume, including the effects of the United Kingdoms referendum approving an exit from the European Union; our expectations about tenant bankruptcies and interest coverage; our future economic performance and results, including our underlying assumptions regarding occupancy rate, credit ratings and possible new acquisitions and dispositions by us and for our series of non-traded publicly registered investment programs (the Managed Programs); the Managed Programs, including their earnings; our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a real estate investment trust (REIT); the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements or guidance; the amount and timing of any future dividends; our existing or future leverage and debt service obligations; our ability to sell shares under our at-the-market program and the use of any proceeds from that program; our future prospects for growth; our projected assets under management; our future capital expenditure levels; our future financing transactions; our estimates of growth; and our plans to fund our future liquidity needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words believe, project, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, strategy, plan, may, should, will, would, will be, will continue, will likely result and similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.
The information under the caption Risk factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement; in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016; as well as any additional information and risks that we disclose in reports that we have filed (since the filing of such reports, in each instance) with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus; and other similar statements contained in or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf, identify important factors with respect to forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect us. Should any known or unknown risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, those developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects.
In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference herein and therein will in fact transpire. Moreover, because we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, new risk factors are likely to emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, potential investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of future results. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
The following summary highlights information more fully described elsewhere or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. Before making a decision to invest in the notes and the related guarantee, you should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement, including the matters set forth under the caption Risk factors; the accompanying prospectus; any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering; and the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
The Issuer
WPC Eurobond B.V. is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of W. P. Carey Inc. and was formed for the sole purpose of issuing debt obligations. WPC Eurobond B.V. is a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands on October 14, 2016, with its corporate seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and office address at Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands, registered with the Trade Register under number 67078028. The Issuer is and will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company at all times. The relationship between the Issuer and the Company is governed by the respective constituent documents of the Issuer and the Company and the applicable laws of the Netherlands and the state of Maryland.
The Company
W. P. Carey Inc. was incorporated on February 15, 2012 as a Maryland corporation (registration number D14517007). W. P. Carey Inc. will fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes offered hereby when due and payable. The Company is a corporation incorporated under the laws of Maryland.
Overview
W. P. Carey is an internally-managed REIT and a leading global owner and manager of commercial properties, primarily net-leased to companies on a long-term basis. As of September 30, 2016, we owned a diversified global investment portfolio that included full or partial ownership interests in 910 net-leased properties with an occupancy rate of 99.1% and a weighted average remaining lease term of 9.4 years.
Our owned real estate portfolio is diversified by property type, tenant, geographic location and tenant industry. It is comprised primarily of single-tenant industrial, warehouse, office and retail facilities that are essential to our corporate tenants operations. We have 222 corporate tenants that operate in a wide variety of business sectors, providing additional diversification to the portfolio. As of September 30, 2016, approximately two-thirds of our contractual minimum annualized base rent (ABR) was from properties located in the United States and approximately one-third was from properties located outside the United States, primarily in Western and Northern Europe. Our European portfolio consisted of 357 net-leased properties located in 12 countries, with the largest concentrations in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Finland.
Most of our net-leases specify a base rent with scheduled rent increases (either fixed or tied to inflation) and require the tenant to pay substantially all of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property. We endeavor to mitigate risk with respect to changes in tenant credit quality and the likelihood of lease renewal by actively managing our real estate portfolio.
In addition to the lease revenues from our owned real estate portfolio, we earn fee revenue by advising a series of non-traded publicly registered investment programs (the Managed Programs) through our investment management platform. As of September 30, 2016, we managed approximately $12.2 billion of total assets on behalf of the Managed Programs.
Recent developments
Capital markets
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we utilized our At-the-Market (ATM) offering program to issue 1,249,836 shares of common stock, at a weighted-average price of $68.52 per share, for net proceeds of approximately $84 million.
On September 7, 2016, we priced $350.0 million of 4.250% USD denominated senior unsecured notes, due October 1, 2026. The offering closed on September 12, 2016 and generated total net proceeds of approximately $346.0 million. The majority of net proceeds from the offering were used to repay amounts outstanding under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver.
In December 2016, we notified the lenders under our Senior Unsecured Credit Facility of our intention to exercise our final extension option for the $250 million Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Term Loan. The extended maturity date is anticipated to be January 31, 2018. Separately, we are also currently in the process of negotiating an amendment to our existing $1.75 billion Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. The amended facility is expected to set forth several new terms, including extending the maturity of both our Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Term Loan and our Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver.
Investment activity
In the second quarter of 2016, we acquired (i) a 49-property industrial portfolio, leased to a single tenant, and (ii) three private preparatory schools, leased to a single tenant, totaling 4.7 million square feet in aggregate, for an aggregate purchase price of $386 million. The assets are all unencumbered, with a weighted average lease term of approximately 22 years. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2016, we acquired a 14-property portfolio consisting primarily of industrial assets based in the United States, Canada and Mexico, leased to a single tenant for 20 years. The 2.4 million square foot portfolio had an aggregate purchase price of approximately $145 million and the leases were denominated wholly in U.S. dollars. Since January 1, 2014, we have completed unencumbered acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2 billion.(1)
Disposition activity
In the third quarter of 2016, we disposed of four properties for approximately $219 million, including $202 million of office asset dispositions. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we disposed of 20 properties for an aggregate gross sales price of approximately $154 million, bringing 2016 gross disposition proceeds to approximately $635 million. The majority of dispositions during the fourth quarter related to the sale of the European-based Carrefour portfolio, comprised of 14 warehouse assets for 105 million.(1)
Managed Programs
In July 2016, Carey European Student Housing Fund I, L.P., a limited partnership that develops, owns and operates student housing properties and similar investments in Europe, commenced fundraising through our investment management platform. The fundraising has been conducted through a private placement offering, with an initial aggregate offering of $100.0 million and a maximum offering of $150.0 million.
On May 4, 2016, we filed a registration statement with the SEC for Corporate Property Associates 19Global Incorporated (CPA 19), a diversified non-traded REIT, for a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of up to $2.0 billion, which includes $500.0 million in shares of common stock allocated to CPA 19s distribution reinvestment plan. The registration statement is subject to review by the SEC and state securities regulators, so there can be no assurances as to whether or when the related offering will commence or be completed.
(1) 2016 transactions exclude build-to-suits, expansions, redevelopments and property swaps.
The following summary contains basic information about the notes and related guarantee and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the notes and related guarantee, please refer to the sections entitled Supplemental description of the notes and guarantee in this prospectus supplement and Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the Guarantee in the accompanying prospectus.
Issuer |
|
WPC Eurobond B.V. |
Guarantor |
|
W. P. Carey Inc. |
Securities offered |
|
500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.250% Senior Notes due 2024. |
ISIN and Common Code |
|
ISIN: XS 1533928971 Common Code: 153392897 |
Stated maturity date |
|
The notes will mature on July 19, 2024, unless redeemed prior to such date. |
Interest rate |
|
2.250% per year, accruing from January 19, 2017. |
Interest payment dates |
|
July 19 of each year, beginning on July 19, 2017. |
Guarantee |
|
All payments on the notes, including principal and interest, will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Company. |
Optional redemption |
|
The notes will be redeemable, at the Issuers sole option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, in each case prior to May 19, 2024 (two months prior to the stated maturity date of the notes), for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (ii) a make-whole amount, plus, in each case, unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeOptional redemption in this prospectus supplement. |
|
|
In addition, at any time on or after May 19, 2024 (two months prior to the stated maturity date of the notes), the notes will be redeemable, at the Issuers sole option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, for cash, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption. |
Use of proceeds |
|
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately 493.4 million, or $522.1 million based on the euro/Dollar exchange rate as of January 11, 2017 (see Currency conversion). We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to reduce amounts outstanding under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver, to fund potential future acquisitions and mortgage repayments, and for general corporate purposes. As of January 9, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver, which matures on January 31, 2018, was approximately $631 million, which included Euro borrowings of 272 million; such borrowings bore interest at approximately 1.3% per annum. See Use of proceeds in this prospectus supplement. |
Restrictive covenants |
|
The indenture contains covenants that require the Company to maintain at all times a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt and limit the Company from incurring secured and unsecured indebtedness. However, those covenants are subject to significant exceptions. In addition, the ability of the Issuer and the Company to consummate a merger, consolidation or a transfer of all or substantially all of their respective consolidated assets to another person is limited unless certain conditions are satisfied. For additional information, see Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeCertain covenants in this prospectus supplement and Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteeMerger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets in the accompanying prospectus. |
Ranking |
|
The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuers other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The Issuer presently has no indebtedness outstanding. |
Further issuances |
|
The Issuer may, from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, increase the principal amount of the notes and issue such additional debt securities, in which case any additional debt securities so issued will have the same form and terms (other than the date of issuance, public offering price and, under certain circumstances, the date from which interest thereon will begin to accrue and the initial interest payment date), and will carry the same right to receive accrued and unpaid interest, as the notes and such additional debt securities will form a single series of debt securities under the indenture with the notes. |
Additional amounts |
|
Subject to certain exceptions and limitations set forth herein, the Issuer or the Company, as applicable, will pay to a holder who is not a United States person (as defined below) additional amounts on the notes as are necessary so that the net payment by us or the paying agent of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the notes, after withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future tax, duty, assessment or governmental charge of whatever nature imposed or levied by the Netherlands or the United States or any taxing authority thereof or therein, as applicable, will not be less than the amount provided in the notes to be then due and payable. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteePayment of additional amounts in this prospectus supplement. |
Redemption for tax reasons |
|
The Issuer may redeem all, but not less than all, of the notes in the event of certain changes in the tax laws of the Netherlands or the United States or any taxing authority thereof or therein, as applicable, that would obligate the Issuer or the Company to pay additional amounts as described above. This redemption would be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeRedemption for tax reasons in this prospectus supplement. |
Currency of payments |
|
All payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the notes, including any payments made upon any redemption of the notes, will be made in euro. If the euro is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, or if the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of the notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to us or so used. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeIssuance in euro in this prospectus supplement. |
Denominations |
|
The Issuer will issue the notes in minimum denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will be represented on issue by the Global Note and will be delivered to the Common Safekeeper. |
Listing |
|
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Application has been made for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the ISE and traded on the GEM of the ISE. If such a listing is obtained, we have no obligation to maintain such listing and may delist the notes at any time. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes after this offering is completed, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time without notice to, or the consent of, noteholders. |
Book-entry form |
|
The notes will be issued in the form of a permanent global note in registered form (the Global Note) intended to be held under the NSS. The Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Common Safekeeper for Clearstream and Euroclear and issued to and registered in the name of a nominee of the Common Safekeeper. Except as set forth below, the Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the ICSDs. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the Global Note directly through an ICSD if they have an account with an ICSD or indirectly through organizations which have accounts with the ICSDs. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeBook-entry procedures, delivery and form in this prospectus supplement. |
Eurosystem eligibility |
|
The notes are intended to be held in a manner that will allow for Eurosystem eligibility. This means that the notes are intended upon issue to be deposited with an ICSD as Common Safekeeper and does not necessarily mean that the notes will be recognized as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intra-day credit operations by the Eurosystem, either upon issue or at any or all times during their life. Such recognition will depend upon satisfaction of the Eurosystem eligibility criteria. |
Risk factors |
|
You should carefully read the Risk factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and in the reports we file with the SEC, as well as all other information, in each case included and incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making a decision to invest in the notes. |
Trustee |
|
U.S. Bank National Association |
Paying Agent |
|
Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch |
Transfer Agent |
|
U.S. Bank National Association |
Registrar |
|
U.S. Bank National Association |
Governing law |
|
State of New York |
In addition to the risks incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, which have been filed with the SEC, and the other information included or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before you decide to invest in the notes. The risks and uncertainties included or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are those that we currently believe may materially affect our company. Additional risks not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects. The realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects, as well as our ability to service our indebtedness, including the notes. In addition, the market price of your notes could be adversely affected, potentially significantly, and you could lose all or a substantial part of your investment in the notes.
The Issuer is a finance company and investors should therefore consider the financial position and liquidity of the Company rather than that of the Issuer.
The main purpose of the Issuer is to act as a finance company for the Company and its other subsidiaries. As such, the Issuers main activity is to borrow funds and lend those funds to the Company and its other subsidiaries. The Issuers ability to pay interest and repay principal in respect of its borrowings depends upon the financial position and liquidity of the Company and its other subsidiaries. Therefore, investors should consider the financial position and liquidity of the Company rather than that of the Issuer.
We may not be able to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes and the guarantee, and our existing debt obligations.
The Issuer has approximately 2.0 million of equity and no significant assets, other than, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the application of the proceeds thereof, an approximately 493.4 million receivable from the Company. As a result, its ability to make required payments on the notes depends on the ability of the Company and its other subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow and their ability to pay amounts due to the Issuer under the intercompany receivable, or alternatively the ability to contribute additional funds to the Issuer. Such contributions may be restricted by, among other things, the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, the Companys other outstanding indebtedness (including its senior unsecured notes) and applicable laws and regulations. See We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes and the guarantee.
If we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to pay the principal amount at maturity of the notes, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as a refinancing of the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance the notes.
The notes will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company. As of September 30, 2016, we had indebtedness and other liabilities of approximately $5.0 billion outstanding. Our level of indebtedness and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences to holders of the notes, including the following:
· our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our debt service obligations with respect to the notes and the guarantee and our other indebtedness, which would enable lenders and other debtholders to accelerate the maturity of their indebtedness, or may be insufficient to fund other important business uses after meeting such obligations;
· we may violate restrictive covenants in our debt agreements, which would entitle lenders and other debtholders to accelerate the maturity of their indebtedness;
· debt service requirements and financial covenants relating to our indebtedness may limit our ability to maintain our REIT qualification;
· we may be unable to hedge our debt, counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under any of our hedge agreements, such agreements may not effectively hedge interest rate or currency fluctuation risk, and, upon the expiration of any of our hedge agreements, we would be exposed to then-existing market rates of interest or currency exchange rates and future rate volatility;
· we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or earlier acceleration, if applicable, or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness or otherwise be generally unfavorable;
· because a portion of our debt bears interest at variable rates, increases in interest rates could materially increase our interest expense;
· we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on disadvantageous terms;
· upon any default on our secured indebtedness, the lenders may foreclose on our properties or our interests in the entities that own the properties that secure such indebtedness and receive an assignment of rents and leases; and
· we may be unable to raise additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to capitalize upon acquisition opportunities or meet operational needs.
If any one of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects, as well as our ability to satisfy all of our debt obligations, including those under the notes, could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, foreclosures could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, a circumstance that could hinder the Companys ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
The notes will be effectively subordinated to any of our secured debt.
The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuers other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes are not secured by any of our assets and would be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. Prior to the issuance of the notes, the Issuer had no secured indebtedness outstanding.
The guarantee will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of the Companys other subsidiaries and effectively subordinated to the Companys secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
The Companys guarantee will be a senior unsecured obligation of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of its other senior unsecured indebtedness (including its outstanding senior unsecured notes, which are effectively junior in right of payment to all of the Companys secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness). The guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all of the Companys secured indebtedness that is secured by the Companys assets to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.9 billion of secured indebtedness outstanding. Under the terms of our debt agreements, we may incur indebtedness if we are in compliance with certain financial ratios and other requirements at the time of its incurrence. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to us, the holders of any secured indebtedness will be entitled to proceed directly against the collateral that secures the secured indebtedness. Therefore, such collateral will not be available for satisfaction of any amounts owed under our unsecured indebtedness, including the notes, until such secured indebtedness is satisfied in full.
The Companys guarantee (and its outstanding senior unsecured notes) will also be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, whether secured or unsecured, and any preferred equity of the Companys other subsidiaries, which is important since the Company has no significant operations or assets other than its equity interests in its subsidiaries. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to any of the Companys subsidiaries, the Company, as a common equity owner of such subsidiary, will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiarys creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred equity holders. Therefore, holders of the Companys debt, including the guarantee, will be subject to the prior payment
of these claims. As of September 30, 2016, the Companys subsidiaries (not including the Issuer) had approximately $1.9 billion of secured indebtedness outstanding and no preferred equity.
Furthermore, while the indentures governing the notes and the Companys outstanding senior unsecured notes limit the ability of the Companys subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness in the future, the indentures do not prohibit the Companys subsidiaries from incurring such indebtedness if we are in compliance with certain financial ratios and other requirements at the time of its incurrence.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes and the guarantee.
Our ability to meet all of our debt service obligations (including those under the notes and the guarantee), to refinance our indebtedness (including the notes), and to fund our operations, working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures and other business uses, depends on our ability to generate sufficient cash flow in the future. To a certain extent, our cash flow is subject to general economic, industry, financial, competitive, operating, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future sources of cash will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes, or to fund our other business uses. Furthermore, if we incur additional indebtedness in connection with future acquisitions or development projects, or for any other purpose, our debt service obligations could increase significantly and our ability to meet those obligations could depend, in large part, on the returns from such acquisitions or projects, as to which no assurance can be given.
We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the notes, at or prior to maturity. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness or obtain additional financing will depend on, among other things:
· our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects and market conditions at the time; and
· restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness.
As a result, we may not be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the notes, or obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all.
If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, and additional borrowings or refinancings are not available to us, we may be unable to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes. As a result, we would be forced to take other actions to meet those obligations, such as selling properties, raising equity or delaying capital expenditures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to effect any of these actions on favorable terms, or at all.
We may still incur significantly more indebtedness in the future, which would exacerbate any or all of the risks described herein.
We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the agreements governing our indebtedness do, and the indenture governing the notes will, limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and, under certain circumstances, debt incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. To the extent that we incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, the risks associated with our substantial leverage described herein, including our inability to meet all of our debt service obligations, including those under the notes and the guarantee, would be exacerbated.
Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require holders of notes to return payments received from guarantors.
Under U.S. federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee, such as the guarantee by the Company in respect of the notes, could be voided, or claims in respect of a guarantee could be subordinated to all other debts of a
guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:
· received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the guarantee;
· was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence of the guarantee;
· was engaged in a business or transaction for which the guarantors remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
· intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay those debts as they mature.
In addition, any payment by that guarantor pursuant to its guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the guarantor, or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the guarantor.
The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:
· the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;
· the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they became absolute and mature; or
· it could not pay its debts as they become due.
A court might also void such guarantee, without regard to the above factors, if it found that a guarantor entered into its guarantee with actual or deemed intent to hinder, delay, or defraud its creditors.
A court would likely find that a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee unless it benefited directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes. If a court voided such guarantee, holders of the notes would no longer have a claim against such guarantor or the benefit of the assets of such guarantor constituting collateral that purportedly secured such guarantee. In addition, the court might direct holders of the notes to repay any amounts already received from a guarantor. If the court were to void the guaranty of the Company, we cannot assure you that funds would be available to pay the notes from us or from any other source.
The indenture governing the notes will contain restrictive covenants that restrict our ability to expand or fully pursue our business strategies.
The indenture governing the notes will contain financial and operating covenants that, among other things, will restrict the ability of the Issuer and the Company to take specific actions, even if they believe them to be in their respective best interest, including (subject to various exceptions) restrictions on the ability of the Issuer and the Company to consummate a merger, consolidation or a transfer of all or substantially all of their respective consolidated assets to another person.
In addition, our current debt agreements require us to meet specified financial ratios and the indenture governing the notes will require us to limit the amount of our total debt and the amount of our secured debt before incurring new debt, to maintain at all times a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt and to meet a debt service coverage ratio before incurring new debt. These covenants may restrict our ability to expand or fully pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these and other provisions of our debt agreements may be affected by changes in our operating and financial performance, changes in general business and economic conditions, adverse regulatory developments or other events beyond our control. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our indebtedness, which could result in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness and potentially other indebtedness. If any of our indebtedness is accelerated prior to maturity, we may not be able to repay such indebtedness or refinance such indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all.
If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained for the notes, you may not be able to resell them on favorable terms when desired, or at all.
Application has been made for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the ISE and traded on the GEM of the ISE. The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Accordingly, even if the notes are listed, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will ever develop for the notes or, if one develops, that it will be maintained. Further, while the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes after this offering is completed, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time without notice to, or the consent of, noteholders. The lack of an active trading market could adversely affect your ability to sell the notes when desired, or at all, and the price at which you may be able to sell the notes. The liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future market prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates; our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects; the market for similar securities; and overall conditions in the securities markets, and may be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in these factors. It is possible that the market for the notes will be subject to disruptions that may have a negative effect on noteholders, regardless of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO or prospects.
The market price of the notes may be volatile.
The market price of the notes may be highly volatile and be subject to wide fluctuations. The market price of the notes may fluctuate as a result of factors that are beyond our control or unrelated to our historical and projected business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects. It is impossible to assure investors that the market price of the notes will not fall in the future, and it may be difficult for investors to resell the notes at prices they find attractive, or at all.
Volatility and disruption in capital markets could materially and adversely impact us.
The capital markets may experience extreme volatility and disruption, which could make it more difficult to raise capital. If we cannot access capital or if we cannot access capital upon favorable terms, we may be required to liquidate one or more investments in properties at times that may not permit us to realize the maximum return on those investments, which could also result in adverse tax consequences to us and adversely affect our ability to capitalize on acquisition opportunities and meet operational needs. Moreover, market turmoil could lead to an increased lack of consumer confidence and widespread reduction of business activity generally, which may materially and adversely impact us, including our ability to acquire and dispose of properties.
An increase in interest rates could result in a decrease in the market price of the notes.
In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate generally decline in value. Consequently, if you purchase these notes and market interest rates increase, the market price of the notes is likely to decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.
An adverse action to our credit ratings could have a materially adverse effect on us and the market price of the notes.
The credit ratings assigned to the notes could change based upon, among other things, our historical and projected business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects. These ratings are subject to ongoing evaluation by credit rating agencies and we cannot assure you that any rating will not be changed or withdrawn by a rating agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances warrant. Moreover, these credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the notes or any other securities. If any of the credit rating agencies that have rated the notes downgrades or lowers its credit rating, or if any credit rating agency indicates that it has placed any such rating on a so-called watch list for a possible downgrading or lowering or otherwise indicates that its outlook for that rating is negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the notes and our costs and availability of capital, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on us and on our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations, including those under the notes, and to make dividend payments on the Companys common stock.
The Issuer is a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands. Judgments rendered by a court in the United States will not be directly enforced by the Netherlands courts.
As the Issuer is a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, and there is no treaty between the United States and the Netherlands providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards in civic and
commercial matters), a judgment rendered by a court in the United States will not be directly enforced by the Netherlands courts. However, if a person has obtained a final and conclusive judgment for the payment of money based on civil liability rendered by a U.S. court that is enforceable in the United States (a foreign judgment) and files such claim with the competent Netherlands court, the Netherlands court will generally give binding effect to the foreign judgment insofar as it finds that the jurisdiction of the U.S. court has been based on grounds that are internationally acceptable and that proper legal procedures have been observed and unless the foreign judgment contravenes Netherlands public policy.
Insolvency laws of jurisdictions outside of the United States may preclude holders of the notes from recovering payments due on the notes.
The Issuer is organized under the laws of The Netherlands. The insolvency laws of The Netherlands may not be as favorable to your interests as creditors as the laws of the United States or other jurisdictions with which you may be familiar.
Holders of the notes will receive payments solely in euro except under the limited circumstances provided herein.
All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be made in euro except under the limited circumstances provided herein. See Currency conversion. In addition, any additional amounts, as described in Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteePayment of additional amounts and Currency conversion in this prospectus supplement, will be made in euro. We, the underwriters, the trustee and the paying agent with respect to the notes will not be obligated to convert, or to assist any registered owner or beneficial owner of the notes in converting, any payments of interest, principal, redemption price or any additional amounts made with respect to the notes into U.S. dollars or any other currency.
An investment in the notes by a purchaser whose home currency is not the euro entails significant risks.
An investment in securities that are denominated and payable in a currency other than the currency of the country in which the purchaser is resident or the currency in which the purchaser primarily conducts its business or activities (in each case, the home currency) entails significant risks not associated with securities denominated and payable in the home currency. Accordingly, an investment in the notes by a purchaser whose home currency is not the euro entails significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant changes in rates of exchange between the noteholders home currency and the euro and the possibility of the imposition or subsequent modification of foreign exchange controls. These risks generally depend on factors over which we have no control, such as economic, financial and political events, as well as the supply of and demand for the relevant currencies. In recent years, rates of exchange between the euro and certain currencies, including the U.S. dollar, have been highly volatile and noteholders should be aware that such volatility may continue in the future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have occurred in the past, however, are not necessarily indicative of fluctuations in the rate that may occur during the term of the notes. Depreciation of the euro against a noteholders home currency would result in a decrease in the effective yield of the notes below its coupon rate and, in certain circumstances, could result in a loss to the noteholder.
If, as permitted by the notes, we make payments in U.S. dollars when we are unable to obtain euro, you will be exposed to significant risks if your home currency is not U.S. dollars.
If the euro is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, or if the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of the notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to us or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the then most recently available market exchange rate for euro. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeIssuance in euro. Any payment in respect of the notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the notes. If your home currency is not U.S. dollars, any such payment will expose you to the significant risks described above under An investment in the notes by a purchaser whose home currency is not the euro entails significant risks.
In a lawsuit for payment on the notes, a noteholder may bear currency exchange risk.
The notes and the guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, and a lawsuit for payment on the notes may be heard in a state or federal court in New York state. A New York state statute presently in effect, but subject to amendment, would require a New York state court hearing such a lawsuit to render its decision or award in euro. The judgment entered on that award, however, will be denominated in U.S. dollars and converted at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of the judgments entry. Consequently, in a lawsuit for payment on the notes, investors would bear currency exchange risk until a New York state court judgment is entered, which could be a significant period of time. A federal court sitting in New York with diversity jurisdiction over a dispute arising in connection with the notes would be expected to apply the foregoing New York law.
In courts outside of New York, noteholders may not be able to obtain a judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars. For example, a judgment for money in an action based on the notes in many other U.S. federal or state courts ordinarily would be enforced in the United States only in U.S. dollars. The date used to determine the rate of conversion of euro into U.S. dollars would depend upon various factors, including which court renders the judgment.
Noteholders are exposed to the consequences of denomination of a minimum specified denomination plus a higher integral multiple.
The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. As is the case with any issue of notes that have a denomination consisting of a minimum specified denomination plus a higher integral multiple of another smaller amount, it is possible that the notes may be traded in amounts in excess of 100,000 (or its equivalent) that are not integral multiples of 1,000 (or its equivalent). In such case, a noteholder who, as a result of trading such amounts, holds a principal amount of less than the minimum specified denomination may not receive a definitive note in respect of such holding (should definitive notes be printed) and would need to purchase a principal amount of notes such that its holding amounts to the minimum specified denomination.
Your investment has various U.S. federal income tax risks.
Although the provisions of the Code generally relevant to an investment in the notes are described in Additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations in this prospectus supplement and Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relevant to Holders of Our Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus, we urge you to consult your tax advisor concerning the effects of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws on you with regard to an investment in the notes.
Trading in the clearing systems is subject to minimum denomination requirements.
The terms of the notes provide that notes will be issued with a minimum denomination of 100,000 and multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. It is possible that the clearing systems may process trades which could result in amounts being held in denominations smaller than the minimum denominations. If definitive notes are required to be issued in relation to such notes in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Global Note, a holder who does not have the minimum denomination or any integral multiple of 1,000 in excess thereof in its account with the relevant clearing system at the relevant time may not receive all of its entitlement in the form of definitive notes unless and until such time as its holding satisfies the minimum denomination requirement.
The Global Note is held by or on behalf of Euroclear and Clearstream and, therefore, investors will have to rely on their procedures for transfer, payment and communication with us.
The notes will be represented by a Global Note which will be held under the NSS with a Common Safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream. Except in certain limited circumstances described in the Global Note, investors will not be entitled to receive definitive notes in exchange for interests in the Global Note. While the notes are represented by the Global Note, investors will be able to trade their beneficial interests only through Euroclear and Clearstream.
We will discharge our payment obligations under the notes by making payments to or to the order of the Common Safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream for distribution to their accountholders. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream to receive payments under the notes. We have no responsibility or liability for the records
relating to, or payments made in respect of, beneficial interests in the Global Note.
Holders of beneficial interests in the Global Note will not have a direct right to vote in respect of the notes. Instead, such holders will be permitted to act directly only to the extent that they are enabled in accordance with the procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream to appoint appropriate proxies.
As of September 30, 2016, our total owned real estate portfolio comprised full or partial ownership interests in 910 properties totalling approximately 91.8 million square feet, substantially all of which were net-leased to 222 tenants, with an occupancy rate of 99.1%. As of that same date, our European owned real estate portfolio comprised full or partial ownership interests in 357 properties totalling approximately 27.9 million square feet, substantially all of which were net-leased to 52 tenants, with an occupancy rate of 99.1%. The weighted average remaining lease terms for our total owned portfolio and our European portfolio were 9.4 years and 10.4 years, respectively. W. P. Carey, including Corporate Property Associates 17 Global Incorporated and Corporate Property Associates 18 Global Incorporated (together, the CPA® REITs) that are part of its Managed Programs, has purchased approximately $2.5 billion of net-lease assets in Europe since January 1, 2014. The CPA® REITs European ABR, excluding operating properties, was approximately 42% of their total ABR as of September 30, 2016.
Geographic diversification
Information regarding the geographic diversification of our net-leased properties as of September 30, 2016 is set forth below:
In thousands, except percentages. Pro rata(1).
|
|
Total net-lease portfolio |
|
Unencumbered net-lease portfolio(2) |
| ||||||||||||||
|
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
| ||
United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
South |
|
$ |
126,286 |
|
18.5 |
% |
17,543 |
|
19.1 |
% |
$ |
64,694 |
|
19.1 |
% |
9,798 |
|
20.6 |
% |
East |
|
121,390 |
|
17.8 |
% |
16,678 |
|
18.2 |
% |
49,599 |
|
14.5 |
% |
7,520 |
|
15.7 |
% | ||
West |
|
104,083 |
|
15.1 |
% |
10,902 |
|
11.9 |
% |
34,178 |
|
10.0 |
% |
4,027 |
|
8.4 |
% | ||
Midwest |
|
81,266 |
|
11.8 |
% |
13,304 |
|
14.5 |
% |
36,394 |
|
10.6 |
% |
6,129 |
|
13.0 |
% | ||
United States |
|
$ |
433,025 |
|
63.2 |
% |
58,427 |
|
63.7 |
% |
$ |
184,865 |
|
54.2 |
% |
27,474 |
|
57.7 |
% |
International |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Germany |
|
$ |
59,991 |
|
8.7 |
% |
7,131 |
|
7.8 |
% |
$ |
33,325 |
|
9.8 |
% |
3,937 |
|
8.3 |
% |
France |
|
41,962 |
|
6.1 |
% |
7,619 |
|
8.3 |
% |
15,029 |
|
4.4 |
% |
2,965 |
|
6.2 |
% | ||
United Kingdom |
|
33,395 |
|
4.9 |
% |
2,681 |
|
2.9 |
% |
31,034 |
|
9.1 |
% |
2,356 |
|
4.9 |
% | ||
Spain |
|
28,326 |
|
4.1 |
% |
2,927 |
|
3.2 |
% |
28,326 |
|
8.3 |
% |
2,927 |
|
6.1 |
% | ||
Finland |
|
19,807 |
|
2.9 |
% |
1,588 |
|
1.7 |
% |
6,993 |
|
2.1 |
% |
640 |
|
1.3 |
% | ||
Poland |
|
17,113 |
|
2.5 |
% |
2,189 |
|
2.4 |
% |
1,893 |
|
0.6 |
% |
362 |
|
0.8 |
% | ||
Other(3) |
|
30,484 |
|
4.4 |
% |
3,778 |
|
4.1 |
% |
22,756 |
|
6.7 |
% |
2,705 |
|
5.7 |
% | ||
Europe |
|
$ |
231,078 |
|
33.7 |
% |
27,913 |
|
30.4 |
% |
$ |
139,356 |
|
40.9 |
% |
15,892 |
|
33.4 |
% |
Non-European countries(4) |
|
21,206 |
|
3.1 |
% |
5,502 |
|
6.0 |
% |
16,284 |
|
4.8 |
% |
4,278 |
|
9.0 |
% | ||
International |
|
$ |
252,284 |
|
36.8 |
% |
33,415 |
|
36.3 |
% |
$ |
155,640 |
|
45.8 |
% |
20,170 |
|
42.3 |
% |
Total |
|
$ |
685,309 |
|
100.0 |
% |
91,842 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
340,505 |
|
100.0 |
% |
47,644 |
|
100.0 |
% |
(1) This section contains certain metrics prepared under the pro rata consolidation method, as defined in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
(2) Represents properties unencumbered by mortgage debt.
(3) Total net-lease portfolio includes assets in: Netherlands, Norway, Hungary, Austria, Sweden and Belgium. Unencumbered net-lease portfolio includes assets in: Netherlands, Norway, Austria and Sweden.
(4) Total net-lease portfolio includes assets in: Australia, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico and Japan. Unencumbered net-lease portfolio includes assets in: Australia, Canada and Mexico.
Property type diversification
Information regarding the property diversification of our net-leased properties as of September 30, 2016 is set forth below:
In thousands, except percentages. Pro rata(1).
|
|
Total net-lease portfolio |
|
Unencumbered net-lease portfolio(2) |
| |||||||||||||||
Property type |
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
| |||
U.S. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Industrial |
|
$ |
138,142 |
|
20.2 |
% |
28,103 |
|
30.6 |
% |
$ |
61,177 |
|
18.0 |
% |
13,587 |
|
28.5 |
% | |
Office |
|
101,148 |
|
14.8 |
% |
6,221 |
|
6.8 |
% |
37,082 |
|
10.9 |
% |
2,756 |
|
5.8 |
% | |||
Warehouse |
|
68,600 |
|
10.0 |
% |
13,987 |
|
15.2 |
% |
22,527 |
|
6.6 |
% |
5,147 |
|
10.8 |
% | |||
Retail |
|
27,489 |
|
4.0 |
% |
2,248 |
|
2.5 |
% |
10,623 |
|
3.1 |
% |
1,040 |
|
2.2 |
% | |||
Self Storage |
|
31,853 |
|
4.6 |
% |
3,535 |
|
3.9 |
% |
31,853 |
|
9.3 |
% |
3,535 |
|
7.4 |
% | |||
Other Properties(3) |
|
65,793 |
|
9.6 |
% |
4,333 |
|
4.7 |
% |
21,603 |
|
6.3 |
% |
1,409 |
|
3.0 |
% | |||
U.S. Total |
|
$ |
433,025 |
|
63.2 |
% |
58,427 |
|
63.7 |
% |
$ |
184,865 |
|
54.2 |
% |
27,474 |
|
57.7 |
% | |
International |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Industrial |
|
$ |
51,776 |
|
7.6 |
% |
|
9,932 |
|
10.8 |
% |
$ |
41,497 |
|
12.2 |
% |
7,965 |
|
16.7 |
% |
Office |
|
69,918 |
|
10.2 |
% |
5,413 |
|
5.9 |
% |
45,680 |
|
13.5 |
% |
3,892 |
|
8.2 |
% | |||
Warehouse |
|
51,347 |
|
7.5 |
% |
10,412 |
|
11.3 |
% |
24,241 |
|
7.1 |
% |
4,585 |
|
9.6 |
% | |||
Retail |
|
79,243 |
|
11.5 |
% |
7,658 |
|
8.3 |
% |
44,222 |
|
13.0 |
% |
3,728 |
|
7.8 |
% | |||
Self Storage |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% | |||
Other Properties |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% | |||
International Total |
|
$ |
252,284 |
|
36.8 |
% |
33,415 |
|
36.3 |
% |
$ |
155,640 |
|
45.8 |
% |
20,170 |
|
42.3 |
% | |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Industrial |
|
$ |
189,918 |
|
27.8 |
% |
38,035 |
|
41.4 |
% |
$ |
102,674 |
|
30.2 |
% |
21,552 |
|
45.2 |
% | |
Office |
|
171,066 |
|
25.0 |
% |
11,634 |
|
12.7 |
% |
82,762 |
|
24.4 |
% |
6,648 |
|
14.0 |
% | |||
Warehouse |
|
119,947 |
|
17.5 |
% |
24,399 |
|
26.5 |
% |
46,768 |
|
13.7 |
% |
9,732 |
|
20.4 |
% | |||
Retail |
|
106,732 |
|
15.5 |
% |
9,906 |
|
10.8 |
% |
54,845 |
|
16.1 |
% |
4,768 |
|
10.0 |
% | |||
Self Storage |
|
31,853 |
|
4.6 |
% |
3,535 |
|
3.9 |
% |
31,853 |
|
9.3 |
% |
3,535 |
|
7.4 |
% | |||
Other Properties(3) |
|
65,793 |
|
9.6 |
% |
4,333 |
|
4.7 |
% |
21,603 |
|
6.3 |
% |
1,409 |
|
3.0 |
% | |||
Total |
|
$ |
685,309 |
|
100.0 |
% |
91,842 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
340,505 |
|
100.0 |
% |
47,644 |
|
100.0 |
% | |
(1) This section contains certain metrics prepared under the pro rata consolidation method, as defined in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
(2) Represents properties unencumbered by mortgage debt.
(3) Includes ABR from tenants within the following property types: education facility, hotel, theater, sports facility and residential facilities.
Rent escalations
Information regarding the contractual rent escalations in the leases relating to our net-leased properties as of September 30, 2016 is set forth below:
In thousands, except percentages. Pro rata(1).
|
|
Total net-lease portfolio |
|
Unencumbered net-lease portfolio(2) |
| ||||||||||||||||
Rent adjustment measure |
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
|
ABR |
|
Percent |
|
Square |
|
Percent |
| ||||
(Uncapped) CPI |
|
$ |
289,685 |
|
42.3 |
% |
36,275 |
|
39.5 |
% |
$ |
141,147 |
|
41.5 |
% |
16,822 |
|
35.3 |
% | ||
Fixed |
|
198,212 |
|
28.9 |
% |
30,022 |
|
32.6 |
% |
108,923 |
|
32.0 |
% |
17,323 |
|
36.4 |
% | ||||
CPI-based |
|
162,518 |
|
23.7 |
% |
22,147 |
|
24.1 |
% |
78,699 |
|
23.1 |
% |
11,873 |
|
24.9 |
% | ||||
Other(3) |
|
28,225 |
|
4.1 |
% |
1,981 |
|
2.2 |
% |
9,622 |
|
2.8 |
% |
835 |
|
1.8 |
% | ||||
None |
|
6,669 |
|
1.0 |
% |
612 |
|
0.7 |
% |
2,114 |
|
0.6 |
% |
248 |
|
0.5 |
% | ||||
Vacant |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
805 |
|
0.9 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
543 |
|
1.1 |
% | ||||
Total |
|
$ |
685,309 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
91,842 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
340,505 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
47,644 |
|
100.0 |
% |
(1) This section contains certain metrics prepared under the pro rata consolidation method, as defined in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
(2) Represents properties unencumbered by mortgage debt.
(3) Represents leases with participating rent provisions.
Since achieving an initial investment grade rating from S&P Global Ratings and Moodys Investors Service, Inc. in 2014, we have generally repaid all maturing mortgages and purchased all new acquisitions unencumbered. As of December 31, 2013, our unencumbered ABR was $153.0 million, which was 23% of total ABR, and total consolidated mortgage debt was $3.1 billion, or 35.9% of gross assets (pro forma for our acquisition of Corporate Property Associates 16Global Incorporated on January 31, 2014). As of September 30, 2016, our unencumbered ABR was $341.0 million, which was approximately 50% of total ABR, and total consolidated mortgage debt was $1.9 billion, or 21.6% of gross assets.
Information regarding our debt maturities as of September 30, 2016 is set forth below and includes our pro rata share of our consolidated debt and debt incurred by our unconsolidated joint ventures:
Dollars in thousands. Pro rata(1)
|
|
Real estate |
|
Debt |
| |||||||||||
Year of maturity |
|
Number of |
|
ABR(2) |
|
Weighted |
|
Balloon |
|
Total |
|
Percent |
| |||
Non-Recourse Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Remaining 2016 |
|
63 |
|
$ |
13,300 |
|
3.5 |
% |
$ |
74,976 |
|
$ |
75,581 |
|
1.7 |
% |
2017 |
|
86 |
|
78,748 |
|
5.2 |
% |
477,828 |
|
487,229 |
|
11.2 |
% | |||
2018 |
|
35 |
|
51,231 |
|
3.6 |
% |
266,219 |
|
280,743 |
|
6.5 |
% | |||
2019 |
|
11 |
|
16,990 |
|
6.1 |
% |
51,450 |
|
61,198 |
|
1.4 |
% | |||
2020 |
|
21 |
|
34,437 |
|
5.2 |
% |
176,012 |
|
213,192 |
|
4.9 |
% | |||
2021 |
|
14 |
|
24,575 |
|
5.5 |
% |
106,361 |
|
128,639 |
|
3.0 |
% | |||
2022 |
|
30 |
|
42,245 |
|
5.1 |
% |
201,957 |
|
245,937 |
|
5.7 |
% | |||
2023 |
|
26 |
|
36,525 |
|
5.2 |
% |
91,087 |
|
151,123 |
|
3.5 |
% | |||
2024 |
|
22 |
|
20,408 |
|
5.9 |
% |
3,444 |
|
63,877 |
|
1.5 |
% | |||
2025 |
|
13 |
|
14,001 |
|
5.0 |
% |
47,942 |
|
86,208 |
|
2.0 |
% | |||
Thereafter |
|
8 |
|
12,344 |
|
6.4 |
% |
18,992 |
|
57,731 |
|
1.3 |
% | |||
Total Pro Rata Non-Recourse Debt |
|
329 |
|
|
$344,804 |
|
5.0 |
% |
|
$1,516,268 |
|
|
$1,851,458 |
|
42.7 |
% |
Recourse Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Senior Unsecured Notes (due Jan 20, 2023) |
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
558,050 |
|
|
| |||
Senior Unsecured Notes (due April 1, 2024) |
|
|
|
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
| |||
Senior Unsecured Notes (due Feb 3, 2025) |
|
|
|
|
|
4.0 |
% |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
| |||
Senior Unsecured Notes (due October 1, 2026) |
|
|
|
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Senior Unsecured Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
|
$1,858,050 |
|
42.8 |
% | ||
Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver (maturity: January 31, 2018)(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
378,358 |
|
8.7 |
% | |||
Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityTerm Loan (maturity: January 31, 2017)(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
250,000 |
|
5.8 |
% | |||
Total Recourse Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
|
$2,486,408 |
|
57.3 |
% | ||
Total Pro Rata Debt Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
|
$4,337,866 |
|
100.0 |
% |
(1) This section contains certain metrics prepared under the pro rata consolidation method, as defined in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
(2) Represents the number of properties and ABR associated with the debt that is maturing in each respective year.
(3) The Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver and Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityTerm Loan bear interest at variable rates; additionally, a limited portion of our non-recourse debt bears interest at variable rates, a majority of which is hedged or capped.
(4) Total outstanding balance excludes unamortized discount, net totaling $8.4 million and unamortized deferred financing costs totaling $14.6 million as of September 30, 2016.
(5) Availability under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver was $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2016. The Company has an option to extend the maturity date of the Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver by one year.
(6) The Company has notified the lenders under the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Term Loan of its intention to exercise the final extension option, which the Company anticipates will extend the maturity to January 31, 2018.
Information regarding our debt by currency as of September 30, 2016 is set forth below and includes our pro rata share of our consolidated debt and debt incurred by our unconsolidated joint ventures:
Dollars in thousands. Pro rata(1).
|
|
USD |
|
EUR |
|
Other Currencies (2) |
|
Total |
| ||||||||||||
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Weighted - |
|
Outstanding |
|
Weighted - |
|
Outstanding |
|
Weighted - |
|
Total |
|
Weighted - |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Fixed |
|
$ |
1,066,783 |
|
|
|
$ |
366,320 |
|
|
|
$ |
35,428 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,468,531 |
|
|
|
Variable |
|
171,776 |
|
|
|
211,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
382,927 |
|
|
| ||||
Total Pro Rata Non-Recourse Debt |
|
$ |
1,238,559 |
|
5.6 |
% |
$ |
577,471 |
|
3.8 |
% |
$ |
35,428 |
|
5.7 |
% |
$ |
1,851,458 |
|
5.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Recourse Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Fixed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Senior Unsecured Notes, net |
|
$ |
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
558,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,858,050 |
|
|
| |
Variable: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Revolver |
|
|
|
|
|
378,358 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
378,358 |
|
|
| ||||
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Term Loan |
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
| ||||
Total Recourse Debt |
|
$ |
1,550,000 |
|
3.9 |
% |
$ |
936,408 |
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,486,408 |
|
3.0 |
% | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Total Pro Rata Debt Outstanding (3) |
|
$ |
2,788,559 |
|
4.6 |
% |
$ |
1,513,879 |
|
2.4 |
% |
$ |
35,428 |
|
5.7 |
% |
$ |
4,337,866 |
|
3.8 |
% |
(1) This section contains certain metrics prepared under the pro rata consolidation method, as defined in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.
(2) Other currencies include debt denominated in Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht.
(3) Excludes unamortized discount, net totaling $8.4 million and unamortized deferred financing costs totaling $14.6 million as of September 30, 2016.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the notes, including any payments made upon any redemption of the notes, will be payable in euro. If the euro is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, or if the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of the notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to us or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euro. See Supplemental description of the notes and guaranteeIssuance in euro. Any payment in respect of the notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the notes.
Investors will be subject to foreign exchange risks as to payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the notes that may have important economic and tax consequences to them. See Risk factors. You should consult your own financial and legal advisors as to the risks involved in an investment in the notes.
On January 11, 2017, the euro/U.S. dollar rate of exchange was 1.00/U.S.$1.0582, as reported by Bloomberg.
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately 493.4 million, or $522.1 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of January 11, 2017 (see Currency conversion).
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to reduce amounts outstanding under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver, to fund potential future acquisitions and mortgage repayments, and for general corporate purposes. As of January 9, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver, which matures on January 31, 2018, was approximately $631 million, which included Euro borrowings of 272 million; such borrowings bore interest at approximately 1.3% per annum.
Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver and will receive their proportionate share of the net proceeds from this offering used to reduce such indebtedness. See Underwriting (Conflicts of interest)Conflicts of interest.
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, the term earnings is the amount resulting from adding (i) pre-tax income from continuing operations, (ii) fixed charges, (iii) distributed income of equity investments and (iv) amortization of capitalized interest; reduced by (a) equity in earnings of equity method investments and (b) pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests that have not incurred fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of (i) interest expensed and capitalized; (ii) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness; and (iii) an estimate of the interest within rental expense.
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
Years ended December 31, |
| ||||||||
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
|
2.53 |
|
2.10 |
|
2.24 |
|
1.74 |
|
2.45 |
|
8.95 |
|
Supplemental description of the notes and guarantee
The following summary of certain terms of the notes and related guarantee supplements and, to the extent inconsistent, replaces the description in the accompanying prospectus of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities and related guarantee, to which description reference is hereby made. The following summary of certain provisions of the notes, the guarantee and the indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual provisions of the notes and the indenture. Certain terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the accompanying prospectus, the indenture or the notes, as the case may be. You can find definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this description under Certain CovenantsDefinitions.
General
The notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of November 8, 2016 (the base indenture), by and among the Issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the trustee), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture to be dated as of January 19, 2017 (together with the base indenture, the indenture), by and among the Issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and the trustee. You may request copies of the indenture and the form of the notes from the Issuer or the Company.
The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuers other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The Issuer presently has no indebtedness outstanding. The notes will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Company. See Guarantee.
The notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of 500 million. The Issuer may, from time to time, without notice to or the consent of any note holders, create and issue additional debt securities having the same terms as the notes in all respects, except for the issue date, public offering price and, under certain circumstances, the date from which interest begins to accrue and the first payment of interest thereon, provided that (i) such issuance complies with the covenants described below under Certain covenants and (ii) any additional debt securities must be fungible with the previously outstanding notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additional debt securities issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series of debt securities under the indenture with, the notes. The notes and any additional debt securities will rank equally and ratably in right of payment and will be treated as a single series of debt securities for all purposes under the indenture.
The notes will be issued only in fully-registered, book-entry form, in minimum denominations of 100,000, and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. The book-entry system is described under Book-entry procedures, delivery and form below and in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteeBook-Entry Procedures, Delivery and Form. The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes under the indenture, regardless of its beneficial ownership.
The terms of the notes will provide that the Issuer is permitted to withhold from interest payments and payments upon the maturity or earlier redemption of notes any amounts it is required to withhold by law. For example, non-U.S. holders of notes may, under some circumstances, be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments of interest on such notes. See Additional material U.S. federal income tax considerationsU.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders.
Except as described in this prospectus supplement under the caption Certain covenants and in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteeMerger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets, the indenture will not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of the Issuer and the Company to incur indebtedness or substantially reduce or eliminate its consolidated assets.
Accordingly, the Issuers ability to service its indebtedness (including the notes) could be materially and adversely affected in the future. The Issuer or one of its affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time purchase notes in the open market, by tender at any price or by private agreement. Any notes so purchased may not be reissued or resold and will be canceled promptly.
Guarantee
The Company will fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee to each holder and the trustee the full and punctual payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes, when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by acceleration or otherwise, including any additional amounts required to be paid in connection with certain taxes as described herein. Any obligation of the Company to make a payment may be satisfied by causing the Issuer to make such payment.
The guarantee will be a senior unsecured obligation of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Companys other senior unsecured indebtedness and guarantees from time to time outstanding and structurally subordinated to all of the indebtedness and other liabilities, whether secured or unsecured, and any preferred equity of the Companys other subsidiaries and effectively subordinated to all of the Companys indebtedness that is secured by the Companys assets to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
See also in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the Guarantee.
Issuance in euro
Initial noteholders will be required to pay for the notes in euro, and principal, premium, if any, and interest payments in respect of the notes will be payable in euro. If the euro is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control or the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency for the settlement of transactions by public institutions within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of the notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to us or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted to U.S. dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate (as defined below) on the second business day before that payment is due, or if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate on or before the date that payment is due. Any payment in respect of the notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under the indenture. Neither the trustee nor the paying agent shall be responsible for obtaining exchange rates, effecting conversions or otherwise handling re-denominations. See Risk factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement.
Market Exchange Rate means the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of euro as certified for customs purposes (or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Noteholders will be subject to foreign exchange risks as to payments of principal and interest that may have important economic and tax consequences to them. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement.
Interest
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 2.250% per year from, and including, January 19, 2017 or the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, as the case may be, and will be payable annually in arrears on July 19 of each year, beginning on July 19, 2017 (each, an interest payment date). Interest on the notes will be payable at the office or agency maintained for such purpose in London, initially the corporate trust office of the paying agent, or by electronic means, in euro. The interest payable on notes in global form registered in the name of a nominee of the Common Safekeeper will be made in immediately available funds to the ICSDs or to the nominee of the Common Safekeeper, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. If any of the notes are no longer represented by Global Notes, payment of interest on the notes in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of an ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA) (as defined in the rulebook of International Capital Markets Association) day count convention.
If any interest payment date, the stated maturity date or any redemption date is not a business day, which for purposes of the notes, means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, (i) which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York or London are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close and (ii) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the TARGET2 system) or any successor thereto, is open, the payment
otherwise required to be made on such date will be made on the next business day without any additional payment as a result of such delay.
Principal and maturity
The notes will mature on July 19, 2024 (the stated maturity date), unless redeemed prior to such date. The principal of and premium, if any, and interest on each note payable at maturity or earlier redemption will be paid against presentation and surrender of the note at the office or agency maintained for such purpose in London, initially the corporate trust office of the paying agent, or by electronic means, in euro. The principal of each note in global form registered in the name of a nominee of the Common Safekeeper will be made in the same manner as set out in Interest above. The notes will not be entitled to the benefits of, or be subject to, any sinking fund.
Optional redemption
The notes will be redeemable, at the Issuers sole option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, in each case prior to May 19, 2024 (two months prior to the stated maturity date of the notes), for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of unpaid interest accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA) (as defined in the rulebook of the International Capital Markets Association)) at the Comparable Government Bond Rate plus 0.350%, plus, in each case, unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption.
In addition, at any time on or after May 19, 2024 (two months prior to the stated maturity date of the notes), the notes will be redeemable, at the Issuers sole option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, for cash, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest will be payable to holders of the notes on the regular record date applicable to an interest payment date falling on or before a redemption date.
The notes are also subject to redemption prior to maturity if certain events occur involving Netherlands or United States taxation. If any of these special tax events do occur, the notes may be redeemed at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption. See Redemption for tax reasons.
The following definitions will apply with respect to the foregoing:
Comparable Government Bond means, in relation to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation, at the discretion of an Independent Investment Banker, a German government bond whose maturity is closest to the maturity of the notes to be redeemed, or if the Independent Investment Banker in its discretion determines that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such Independent Investment Banker may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by such Independent Investment Banker, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate.
Comparable Government Bond Rate means the price, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, with 0.0005 being rounded upwards), at which the gross redemption yield on the notes to be redeemed, if they were to be purchased at such price on the third business day prior to the date fixed for redemption, would be equal to the gross redemption yield on such business day of the Comparable Government Bond on the basis of the middle market price of the Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such business day as determined by an Independent Investment Banker.
Independent Investment Banker means each of J.P. Morgan Securities plc and Merrill Lynch International and their respective successors, or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Government Bond, an independent investment banking institution of international standing appointed by the Issuer.
In order to exercise its right of optional redemption, the Issuer (or, at the Issuers request, the paying agent on its
behalf) must transmit a notice of redemption to each holder of notes to be redeemed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Such notice of redemption shall specify the principal amount of notes to be redeemed, the CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code numbers of the notes to be redeemed, the redemption date, the redemption price, the place or places of payment and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such notes. Once notice of redemption is delivered to holders, the notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. On or prior to the redemption date, the Issuer or the Company, as applicable, will deposit with the trustee or the paying agent an amount of money sufficient, as determined by the Issuer, to redeem on the redemption date all the notes so called for redemption at the redemption price.
Unless there is a default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or any portion of the notes called for redemption from and including the redemption date.
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the trustee, upon prior notice from the Issuer, will select the notes to be redeemed, which, in the case of notes in book-entry form, will be in accordance with the procedures of the applicable depositary or common safekeeper. The trustee may select notes and portions of notes in amounts of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof.
Payment of additional amounts
All payments in respect of the notes will be made by the Issuer or the Company, as applicable, without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature, imposed or levied by the Netherlands or the United States or any taxing authority thereof or therein, as applicable, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. If such withholding or deduction is required by law, the Issuer or the Company, as applicable, will pay to a holder who is not a United States person such additional amounts (additional amounts) on the notes as are necessary in order that the net payment by us or a paying agent of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the notes to such holder, after such withholding or deduction, will not be less than the amount provided in the notes to be then due and payable, subject to the exceptions referred to in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteePayment of Additional Amounts.
As used under this caption Payment of additional amounts and under the caption Redemption for tax reasons, the term United States means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision thereof), and the term United States person means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, including an entity treated as a corporation for Unites States income tax purposes; or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source. Except as described in this prospectus supplement under the caption Issuance in euro, any payments of additional amounts will be in euro.
Redemption for tax reasons
If, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of the Netherlands or the United States or any taxing authority thereof or therein, as applicable, or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the date of the issuance of the notes, we become or, based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by us, will become obligated to pay additional amounts as described above in Payment of additional amounts, then the Issuer may redeem the notes, in whole, but not in part, at 100% of the principal amount thereof together with unpaid interest as described in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteeRedemption for Tax Reasons.
Certain covenants
Limitation on the incurrence of debt
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of all of its and its Subsidiaries outstanding Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) is greater than 60% of its and its Subsidiaries Total Asset Value.
As of September 30, 2016, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Companys and its Subsidiaries outstanding Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) was 42.8% of its and its Subsidiaries Total Asset Value.
Limitation on the incurrence of secured debt
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt (including, without limitation, Acquired Debt) secured by any Lien on any of its or any of its Subsidiaries property or assets if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of all of its and its Subsidiaries outstanding Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) secured by a Lien on any of its or its Subsidiaries property or assets is greater than 40% of its and its Subsidiaries Total Asset Value.
As of September 30, 2016, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Companys and its Subsidiaries outstanding Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) secured by a Lien on any of its or its Subsidiaries property or assets was 18.7% of its and its Subsidiaries Total Asset Value.
Limitation on the incurrence of debt based on consolidated EBITDA to annual debt service charge
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Annual Debt Service Charge (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) for the period consisting of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such Debt is to be incurred (for which consolidated financial statements have been filed with the SEC on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as the case may be, or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) shall have been less than 1.5:1, calculated on the following assumptions:
· such Debt and any other Debt (including, without limitation, Acquired Debt) incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four consecutive fiscal quarterly period had been incurred, and the application of the proceeds from such Debt (including to repay or retire other Debt) had occurred, on the first day of such period;
· the repayment or retirement of any other Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four consecutive fiscal quarterly period had occurred on the first day of such period (except that, in making this computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility, line of credit or similar facility will be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period); and
· in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets with a fair market value in excess of $1.0 million since the first day of such four consecutive fiscal quarterly period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale or otherwise, such acquisition or disposition had occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation.
If the Debt giving rise to the need to make the calculation described above or any other Debt incurred after the first day of the relevant four-quarter period bears interest at a floating rate, then, for purposes of calculating the Annual Debt Service Charge, the interest rate on such Debt will be computed on a pro forma basis by applying the average daily rate which would have been in effect during the entire such four consecutive fiscal quarterly period to the greater of the amount of such Debt outstanding at the end of such period or the average amount of such Debt outstanding during such period.
As of September 30, 2016, the Companys ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Annual Debt Service Charge (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) was 4.1:1.
Maintenance of unencumbered asset value
The Company will not have at any time Total Unencumbered Asset Value of less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all of its and its Subsidiaries outstanding Unsecured Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP).
As of September 30, 2016, the Companys Total Unencumbered Asset Value was 194.7% of the aggregate principal amount of all of its and its Subsidiaries outstanding Unsecured Debt (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP).
Definitions
As used in the indenture, the following terms have the respective meanings specified below:
Acquired Debt means Debt of a person:
· existing at the time such person is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; or
· assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the acquisition of assets from such person.
Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired person is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or the date of the related acquisition, as the case may be.
Annual Debt Service Charge means, for any period, the interest expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis for such period (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP).
Capitalization Rate means 7.50%.
Consolidated EBITDA means the Net Income (Loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis for the applicable period, plus (a) the sum of the following amounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis for such period (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to the extent included in the determination of such Net Income (Loss): (i) depreciation expense, (ii) amortization expense and other non-cash charges, (iii) interest expense, (iv) income tax expense, (v) extraordinary losses and other non-recurring charges (and other losses on asset sales not otherwise included in extraordinary losses and other non-recurring charges), (vi) non-controlling interests, and (vii) adjustments as a result of the straight lining of rents, less (b) extraordinary gains (including, without limitation, gains on asset sales and gains resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, in each case not otherwise included in extraordinary gains) of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis for such period (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to the extent included in the determination of such Net Income (Loss).
Debt means, any indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of:
· borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, loan agreements or similar instruments;
· indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned by the Company or any Subsidiary, but only to the extent of the lesser of
· the amount of indebtedness so secured, and
· the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof) of the property subject to such Lien;
· reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
· any lease of property by the Company or any Subsidiary as lessee which is required to be reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP,
and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any non-contingent obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), Debt of the types referred to above of another person other than the Company or any Subsidiary (it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary whenever such person shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States of America, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
Lease means a lease, license, concession agreement or other agreement providing for the use or occupancy of any portion of any Project, including all amendments, supplements, modifications and assignments thereof and all side letters or side agreements relating thereto.
Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, charge, pledge, security interest, security agreement or other encumbrance of any kind.
Managed REIT means a REIT managed or advised by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Management Contract means a management contract or advisory agreement under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides management and advisory services to a third party, consisting of management of properties or provision of advisory services on property acquisition and dispositions, equity and debt placements and related transactional matters.
Management Revenues means, for any period, an amount equal to the aggregate sum of revenues for such period earned by the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis from providing management and advisory services under Management Contracts (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP), including asset management revenue, performance revenue, structuring revenue, advisors participation in cash flow (if any), interest income or any revenue earned as stipulated in a Management Contract and booked for financial reporting purposes, and distributions received for such period related to the ownership of equity in managed funds and Managed REITs but excluding revenue related to reimbursed costs; provided, however, that Management Revenues shall exclude any revenues earned under Management Contracts, or distributions received, by the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis from a current Subsidiary that has not been a Subsidiary for the entirety of such period.
Net Income (Loss) means the aggregate of net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis for the applicable period (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP).
Project means any office, industrial/manufacturing facility, educational facility, retail facility, distribution/warehouse facility, assembly or production facility, hotel, day care center, storage facility, health care/hospital facility, restaurant, radio or TV station, broadcasting/communication facility (including any transmission facility), any combination of any of the foregoing, or any
land to be developed into any one or more of the foregoing pursuant to a written agreement with respect to such land for a transaction involving a Lease (or franchise agreement, in the case of a hotel), in each case owned, directly or indirectly, by any of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
Property EBITDA means, for any period, an amount equal to Consolidated EBITDA plus corporate level general and administrative expenses less Management Revenues.
REIT means a domestic trust or corporation that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the provisions of Sections 856 et seq. of the Code.
Subsidiary means any person (as defined in the indenture but excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company and/or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company, as the case may be, that is consolidated in the financial statements of the Company in accordance with GAAP and any other persons that are consolidated with the Company for purposes of GAAP; provided, however, that calculations with respect to a current Subsidiary that has not been a Subsidiary for the entire period covered by such calculation applicable to the notes will be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Subsidiary was a Subsidiary as of the first day of such period. For the purposes of this definition, voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests means stock or interests having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers (or similar members of the governing body of such person), as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
Total Asset Value means, as of any date, the sum of, without duplication:
· in respect of Projects owned or ground-leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries for at least four fiscal quarters (whether or not the applicable Subsidiary of the Company has been a Subsidiary of the Company for at least four fiscal quarters), the Property EBITDA (excluding any EBITDA attributable to investments in unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities) for such Projects for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters divided by the Capitalization Rate;
· in respect of Projects owned or ground-leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries for less than four fiscal quarters, the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of such Projects and related intangibles, before depreciation and amortization, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and
· for all other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, excluding accounts receivable and intangible assets, the value as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Total Unencumbered Asset Value means, as of any date, the sum of, without duplication:
· in respect of Projects owned or ground-leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries for at least four fiscal quarters (whether or not the applicable Subsidiary of the Company has been a Subsidiary of the Company for at least four fiscal quarters) and which are not subject to a Lien, the Property EBITDA (excluding any EBITDA attributable to investments in unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities) for such Projects for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters divided by the Capitalization Rate;
· in respect of Projects owned or ground-leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries for less than four fiscal quarters and which are not subject to a Lien, the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of such Projects and related intangibles, before depreciation and amortization, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and
· for all other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not subject to a Lien, excluding accounts receivable and intangible assets, the value as determined in accordance with GAAP; all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, all investments in unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Total Unencumbered Asset Value.
Unsecured Debt means Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is not secured by a Lien on any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Defeasance
The notes will be subject to legal defeasance and covenant defeasance as set forth in the indenture and described in Description of WPC Finance Debt Securities and the GuaranteeDischarge, Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance in the accompanying prospectus. For purposes of the notes, Government Obligations means securities denominated in euro that are (i) direct obligations of the Federal Republic of Germany, the payments of which are supported by the full faith and credit of the German government or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Republic of Germany the timely payments of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the German government.
Trustee
U.S. Bank National Association will initially act as the trustee, registrar and transfer agent for the notes, in each instance, subject to replacement upon certain events specified in the indenture. Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, will act as paying agent for the notes, subject to replacement upon certain events specified in the indenture.
Book-entry procedures, delivery and form
We have obtained the information in this section from sources that we believe to be reliable. We take no responsibility for an accurate portrayal of this information. In addition, the description in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear as they are currently in effect. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time.
Global clearance and settlement
We will issue the notes in the form of permanent, registered securities in global form (the Global Note). The notes, when issued in global form, are intended to be eligible to be pledged as collateral in European central banking and monetary operations and to be held under the NSS. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a Common Safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream and issued to and registered in the name of a nominee of the Common Safekeeper. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the ICSDs. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the global securities directly through an ICSD if they have an account with an ICSD or indirectly through organizations which have accounts with the ICSDs.
The ICSDs hold securities of institutions that have accounts with the ICSDs (participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among their participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The ICSDs participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may include the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the ICSDs book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (indirect participants) that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.
We expect that pursuant to procedures established by the ICDSs, upon the deposit of the global securities with the Common Safekeeper, the ICSDs will credit, on their book-entry registration and transfer systems, the interest in the notes represented by such global securities to the accounts of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters of the notes. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the ICSDs (with respect to participants interests) and such participants and indirect participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities other than participants). The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global securities.
So long as the nominee of the Common Safekeeper is the registered holder and owner of the global securities, such nominee will be considered the sole legal owner and holder of the notes evidenced by the global certificates for all purposes of such notes. Except as set forth below as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global certificates, you will not be entitled to have the notes represented by the global securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes in definitive form and will not be considered to be the owner or holder of any notes under the global securities. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global securities desires to take any action that the nominee of the Common Safekeeper, as the holder of the global securities, is entitled to take, the Common Safekeeper will authorize the participants to take such action, and that the participants will authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
All payments on notes represented by the global securities registered in the name of the nominee of the Common Safekeeper and held by the Common Safekeeper will be made to the ICSDs or the nominee of the Common Safekeeper, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global securities.
We expect that the ICSDs, upon receipt of any payment on the global securities, will credit participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on the records of the ICSDs. We also expect that payments by participants or indirect participants to owners of beneficial interest in the global securities held through such participants or indirect participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants or indirect participants. We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global securities for any notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between the ICSDs and their participants or indirect participants or the relationship between such participants or indirect participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities owning through such participants or indirect participants.
Although the ICSDs customarily operate the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global securities among participants or indirect participants of the ICSDs, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the performance by either ICSD or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
Certificated note
If:
· the Issuer or the Company has been notified that Euroclear or Clearstream (or any additional or alternative clearing system approved by the Issuer the Company, the trustee, the registrar and the paying agent on behalf of which the Global Note may be held) has been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holidays, statutory or otherwise) or has announced an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so; or
· an event of default in respect of the notes has occurred and is continuing and the registrar has received a request from Euroclear or Clearstream;
then, upon surrender by an ICSD of the Global Note, certificated notes will be issued to each person that the ICSD identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by the global note. Upon the issuance of certificated notes, the registrar is required to register the certificated notes in the name of that person or persons, or their nominee, and cause the certificated notes to be delivered thereto.
None of the Issuer, the Company or the trustee will be liable for any delay by an ICSD or any participant or indirect participant in the ICSD in identifying the beneficial owners of the related notes and each of those persons may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the ICSD for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the notes to be issued.
Eurosystem eligibility
The notes are intended to be held in a manner which would allow for Eurosystem eligibility. This means that the notes are intended upon issue to be deposited with one of the ICSDs as Common Safekeeper, and registered in the name of a nominee of one of the ICSDs acting as Common Safekeeper, and does not necessarily mean that the notes will be recognized as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intraday credit operations by the Eurosystem either upon issue or at any or all times during their life. Such recognition will depend upon the European Central Bank being satisfied that Eurosystem eligibility criteria have been met.
Additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations
General
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the notes. This discussion is for Holders (as defined below) that hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not purport to discuss all U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to the individual circumstances of Holders in special tax situations, including but not limited to banks, insurance companies, other financial institutions, certain former citizens or residents of the United States, tax-exempt organizations, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, brokers, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, mutual funds, regulated investment companies, REITs, S corporations, estates and trusts, a person subject to alternative minimum tax, a U.S. expatriate, Holders that hold the notes as part of a hedge, straddle, or an integrated or conversion transaction, or U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or are partnerships or other pass-through entities. In all cases, prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning, and disposing of notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction. In addition, this summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is for general information only and is not tax advice for any particular Holder. Additionally, this summary does not address U.S. federal estate and gift tax consequences of holding the notes, the alternative minimum tax, or the tax laws of any state, locality or other political subdivision of the United States or other countries or jurisdictions.
As we use the term, a U.S. person means any of the following:
· an individual who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a citizen or resident of the United States;
· a corporation (or other entity treated 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;
· an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation without regard to its source; or
· a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and at least one U.S. person has authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, that were treated as U.S. persons within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code before that date may have in effect an election to continue to be treated as U.S. persons
in each case, whose status as a U.S. Holder is not overridden by an applicable tax treaty.
U.S. Holder means a U.S. person that beneficially owns a note. Non-U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of a note that is an individual, a corporation, an estate, or a trust that is not a U.S. person. Holder means either a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder.
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds notes, the treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the particular partner and the activities of the partnership. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as such) holds notes, the partnership and its partners should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes.
The discussion below is based upon the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement and any of which may at any time be repealed, revoked or modified or subject to differing interpretations, potentially retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
The summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences set out below is for general information only. Prospective Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning, and disposing of notes, including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign, and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws
Certain contingent payments
In certain circumstances, we may redeem the notes at times earlier than the final maturity. In addition, in certain circumstances, we may be required to pay additional amounts to Non-U.S. Holders in respect of U.S. tax withholding or deductions. The possibility of such redemptions or the payment of such additional amounts may implicate the provisions of U.S. Treasury regulations relating to contingent payment debt instruments. Under the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, however, the possibility of redemption of the notes or the payment of additional amounts will not affect the amount, timing or character of income recognized by a Holder with respect to the notes if, as of the date the notes are issued, there is only a remote chance that we will redeem the notes or otherwise pay additional amounts on the notes, or certain other exceptions apply. We intend to take the position that the contingencies associated with any redemption or the payment of any additional amounts should not cause the notes to be subject to the contingent payment debt instrument rules. Our determination is binding on a Holder unless such Holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and if the IRS were to successfully challenge this determination, a Holder might be required to accrue interest income at a higher rate than the stated interest rate on the notes, and to treat as ordinary income any gain realized on the taxable disposition of a note. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. Prospective Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application to the notes of the contingent payment debt instrument rules and the consequences thereof.
U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders
Payments of interest and principal
Payments of stated interest on the notes generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time that such payments are received or accrued, in accordance with such U.S. Holders usual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Stated interest paid in euro will be included in a U.S. Holders gross income in an amount equal to the U.S. dollar value of euro regardless of whether such euro are converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, a U.S. Holder that uses the cash method of tax accounting will determine such U.S. dollar value using the spot rate of exchange on the date of receipt. A cash method U.S. Holder generally will not realize foreign currency gain or loss on the receipt of the interest payment but may have foreign currency gain or loss attributable to the actual disposition of euro received. Generally, a U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of tax accounting will determine the U.S. dollar value of accrued interest income using the average rate of exchange for the accrual period (or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the average rate for the partial period within each taxable year). Alternatively, an accrual basis U.S. Holder may make an election (which must be applied consistently to all debt instruments from year-to-year and cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS) to translate accrued interest income at the spot rate of exchange on the last day of the accrual period (or the last day of the portion of the accrual period within each taxable year in the case of a partial accrual period) or, if the date of receipt is within five business days of the last day of the interest accrual period, the spot rate on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on the receipt of an interest payment if the exchange rate in effect on the date payment is received differs from the rate used in translating the accrual of that interest. The amount of foreign currency gain or loss to be recognized by such U.S. Holder will be an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the euro interest payment determined on the basis of the spot rate on the date of receipt and the U.S. dollar value of the interest income that has accrued during the accrual period (as determined above), regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to U.S. dollars. This foreign currency gain or loss will be ordinary income or loss and generally will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income or expense.
Any payments of principal on the notes will be made in euro. With respect to payments of principal on a note, a U.S. Holder will recognize foreign exchange gain or loss measured by the difference between the U.S. dollar equivalent of the principal payment received (translated at the spot rate on the date such payment is received) and the U.S. dollar equivalent of such amount translated at the spot rate in effect on the date such U.S. Holder acquired the note.
Original issue discount
It is expected that the issue price of the notes will equal the stated principal amount of the notes or the notes will be issued with no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount (OID) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
OID is treated as de minimis for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is less than 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity of the notes. If the notes are in fact issued at a greater than a de minimis OID or are treated as having been issued with OID under the U.S. Treasury regulations, then generally, the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of the notes offered hereunder (generally equal to their principal amount as of the date of original issuance plus all interest other than qualified stated interest payments payable prior to or at maturity) over their original issue price (in this case, the initial offering price at which a substantial amount of the notes offered hereunder are sold to the public) will constitute OID. A Holder must include OID in income over the term of the notes under a constant yield method. In general, OID must be included in income in advance of the receipt of the cash representing that income.
OID on a note will be determined for any accrual period in euro and then translated into U.S. dollars, in the same manner as interest income accrued by a U.S. Holder on the accrual basis, as described above. Upon receipt of a payment attributable to OID (an OID payment), a U.S. Holder generally will recognize ordinary gain or loss with respect to each OID payment (including, upon the sale of a note, the receipt of proceeds attributable to OID previously included in income) equal to the U.S. dollar value of such OID payment (determined by translating euro received at the spot rate for such foreign currency on the date such payment is received), minus the U.S. dollar value of the accrued OID previously included in income by such holder with respect to such OID payment (determined in the same manner as for accrued interest). For these purposes, all receipts on a note with OID will be viewed: (i) first, as the receipt of any stated interest payments called for under the terms of the note; (ii) second, as receipts of previously accrued OID (to the extent thereof), with such receipts attributed to the earliest accrual period in which OID has accrued and to which prior receipts have not been attributed; and (iii) third, as the receipt of principal.
Sale, exchange and redemption of notes
When a U.S. Holder sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of a note in a taxable transaction, including by retirement or redemption, such U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the disposition or retirement (not including any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) and the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the amount paid for the note, increased by the amount of any OID (if any) included in the U.S. Holders income with respect to the note. If a U.S. Holder purchases a note with euro, then the U.S. dollar cost of such investment generally will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase calculated at the spot rate of exchange on that date.
The amount realized upon the disposition of a note generally will be the U.S. dollar value of the amount received on the date of the disposition calculated at the spot rate of exchange on that date; however, if the note is traded on an established securities market, a cash basis U.S. Holder (and, if it so elects, an accrual basis U.S. Holder) should determine the U.S. dollar value of the cost of or amount received on the note, as applicable, by translating the amount paid or received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the purchase or disposition, as applicable. The election available to accrual basis U.S. Holders in respect of the purchase and disposition of notes traded on an established securities market must be applied consistently from year-to-year and cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS. Subject to the foreign currency rules discussed below, any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a note will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the note was held by the U.S. Holder for more than one year.
Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss to the extent that the gain or loss is attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the period in which the U.S. Holder held such note. Such foreign currency gain or loss will equal the difference between: (a) the U.S. dollar value of the U.S. Holders euro sale price for the note calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and (b) the U.S. dollar value of the U.S. Holders euro purchase price for the note calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of purchase of the note. If the note is traded on an established securities market, with respect to a cash
basis U.S. Holder (and, if it so elects, an accrual basis U.S. Holder), such foreign currency gain or loss will equal the difference between: (i) the U.S. dollar value of the U.S. Holders euro sale price for the note calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the disposition and (ii) the U.S. dollar value of the U.S. Holders euro purchase price for the note calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the purchase of the note. The realization of any foreign currency gain or loss, including foreign currency gain or loss with respect to amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid stated interest, will be limited to the amount of overall gain or loss realized on the disposition of the notes.
Exchange of amounts in other than U.S. dollars
The tax basis in euro received as interest on a note will be the U.S. dollar value of the euro determined at the spot rate in effect on the date the euro is received. The tax basis in euro received on the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of a note will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the euro, determined at the time of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition. If the notes traded on an established securities market, a cash basis U.S. holder (or, upon election, an accrual basis U.S. holder) will determine the U.S. dollar value of the euro by translating the euro received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition. Accordingly, in such case, no foreign currency exchange gain or loss will result from currency fluctuations between the trade date and settlement date of a sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of foreign currency (including its exchange for U.S. dollars or its use to purchase notes) will be ordinary income or loss.
Net investment income
A tax of 3.8% is imposed on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates. Among other items, net investment income generally includes gross income from interest and net gain attributable to the disposition of certain property, less certain deductions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation in their particular circumstances.
U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders
The U.S. federal tax classification of the Issuer as a disregarded entity of a U.S. person
Because the Issuer is treated as a disregarded entity whose sole owner is the Company, the Company would be treated as the issuer of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Issuer is and will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company at all times.
Interest
The notes are intended to be treated as notes issued in registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Payments of interest (including accrual of OID, if any) on a note held by a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal income tax withheld at source, unless:
· such Non-U.S. Holder meets the requirements for the portfolio interest exemption for Non-U.S. Holders described below;
· such Non-U.S. Holder meets the requirements for a reduced rate of or exemption from withholding under a tax treaty or other statutory exemption (e.g., Section 892 of the Code); or
· the interest is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by such Non-U.S. Holder within the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder provides the required certification on IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form).
In some circumstances, you may be able to claim amounts that are withheld as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability.
Portfolio interest exemption for non-U.S. holders
Payments of interest on a note held by a Non-U.S. Holder that are not effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (or if an income tax treaty applies, are not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder) generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding taxes if the following conditions are satisfied:
· the person otherwise required to withhold (the Withholding Agent) receives, in the manner provided by U.S. tax authorities, a certification that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person. A Non-U.S. Holder may provide this certification either (a) by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other documentation as may be prescribed by U.S. tax authorities, (b) by holding its note directly through a qualified intermediary and certain conditions are satisfied or (c) if a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the note on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to the Withholding Agent under penalties of perjury that it, or the financial institution between it and the Non-U.S. Holder, has received from the Non-U.S. Holder a statement, under penalties of perjury, that such holder is not a United States person and provides the Withholding Agent with a copy of such statement. The appropriate documentation must be effective as to the interest and be provided prior to the payment of such interest. If a change in circumstances makes any information on such documentation incorrect, then the Non-U.S. Holder must report the change within 30 days and provide new documentation.
· the Non-U.S. Holder (1) is not a bank that receives payments on the notes that are described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) is not a 10-percent shareholder within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of the Code, and (3) is not a controlled foreign corporation related to us within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
Payments of interest on a note held by a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder) may be exempt from U.S. federal withholding taxes, provided the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly completed Form W-8ECI (or successor form) to the Withholding Agent. Although exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, such payments may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at graduated rates as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation, may also be subject to U.S. federal branch profits tax.
Sale, exchange and redemption of notes
Generally, Non-U.S. Holders will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note (other than amounts attributable to accrued interest) unless:
· such Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition and meets certain conditions;
· such Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to certain provisions of U.S. federal income tax law applicable to certain expatriates; or
· the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such Non-U.S. Holder, and if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder.
If any gain realized on a taxable disposition of a note is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Holder (and if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), such payments may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at graduated rates as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation, such gain may also be subject to U.S. federal branch profits tax.
Information reporting and backup withholding
Payments of interest (including accrual of OID, if any) on notes held by non-exempt U.S. Holders are required to be reported to the IRS and the U.S. Holders. Payments of interest (including accrual of OID, if any) on notes held by Non-U.S. Holders generally will be reported to the IRS and the Non-U.S. Holders.
Backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at the applicable rate may apply to payments made on the notes and payments of proceeds from the sale of a note. Backup withholding will apply to such payments to beneficial owners who are not exempt recipients and that fail to provide certain identifying information, such as their taxpayer identification number, in the manner required. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, while certain entities and Non-U.S. Holders who certify their status as such are exempt recipients.
If a Holder (other than an exempt recipient) sells a note before the stated maturity to (or through) certain brokers, the broker must report the sale to the IRS and the Holder unless, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder, the Non-U.S. Holder certifies that it is not a U.S. person (and certain other conditions are met). The broker may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the applicable rate on the entire sale price unless such Holder provides certain information and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder, the Non-U.S. Holder certifies that it is not a U.S. person (and certain other conditions are met).
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Holder would be allowed as a refund or credit against such Holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely provided to the IRS.
FATCA withholding
Pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (FATCA), and subject to certain limitations, withholding tax of 30% will be imposed on interest paid on the notes and on the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes paid to (i) a foreign financial institution (as the beneficial owner or as an intermediary for the beneficial owner), unless such institution (a) enters into, and is in compliance with, a withholding and information reporting agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution or (b) is a resident in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the United States in relation to such withholding and information reporting and the financial institution complies with the related information reporting requirements of such country; or (ii) a foreign entity that is not a financial institution (as the beneficial owner or as an intermediary for the beneficial owner), unless such entity certifies certain information regarding its direct and indirect U.S. owners. Under applicable Treasury regulations and guidance, this withholding obligation currently applies to payments of interest on the notes, and will apply to gross proceeds from redemption of payment of principal on the sale or other disposition of the notes paid after December 31, 2018. The requirements under FATCA may be modified by an intergovernmental treaty an IGA) between the United States and another country, such as the IGA between the United States and the Netherlands. Each investor is encouraged to consult with its tax advisor regarding the implications of this legislation and any applicable IGA on their investment in a note.
Certain aspects of Dutch taxation
General
The following describes in general the principal Dutch tax consequences under current domestic laws of the acquisition, holding, redemption and disposal of the notes. This description of certain Dutch tax consequences is for general information only and does not purport to be exhaustive. It is not tax advice for any particular Holder and is not tailored to the specific situation of any Holder in particular, whether it be an individual or a corporate entity, and applies irrespective of whether the Holder is resident in the Netherlands, European Union, a tax treaty jurisdiction (such as the United States of America) or otherwise.
In all cases, prospective investors should consult their own professional advisor with respect to the Dutch tax consequences of an investment in and earning income from the notes. The Dutch tax treatment of income in the hands of a Dutch resident Holder may differ significantly depending on the specific situation, capacity or nexus to the Netherlands of such Holder. In particular, Dutch corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting), personal income tax (inkomstenbelasting) and gift and inheritance tax (schenk- en erfbelasting) may be due depending on such capacity, situation or nexus.
Withholding tax
No Netherlands withholding tax should be due upon payments on the notes.
Other taxes and duties
No Netherlands Value Added Tax, capital duty, registration tax, customs duty, transfer tax, stamp duty or any other similar levy, tax or duty, should be due in the Netherlands by a Holder in respect of or in connection with the subscription, issue, placement, allotment or delivery of notes.
Underwriting (Conflicts of interest)
We have entered into an underwriting agreement relating to the notes with the underwriters named below, for whom J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Merrill Lynch International and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited are acting as representatives. Subject to certain conditions, the Issuer has agreed to sell to the underwriters and each underwriter has severally, and not jointly, agreed to purchase the amount of notes indicated in the following table.
Underwriter |
|
Principal amount |
| |
J.P. Morgan Securities plc |
|
|
135,000,000 |
|
Merrill Lynch International |
|
103,750,000 |
| |
Wells Fargo Securities International Limited |
|
103,750,000 |
| |
Stifel, Nicolaus Europe Limited |
|
45,000,000 |
| |
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
|
40,000,000 |
| |
Capital One Securities, Inc. |
|
25,000,000 |
| |
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. |
|
25,000,000 |
| |
Bank of Montreal, London Branch |
|
22,500,000 |
| |
Total |
|
|
500,000,000 |
|
The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the notes being offered, if any are taken. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they are required to make in respect thereof.
Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. After the notes are released for sale, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.
The notes will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Application has been made for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the ISE and traded on the GEM of the ISE (which is not a regulated marked for the purposes of MiFID). If such a listing is obtained, we have no obligation to maintain such listing, and we may delist the notes at any time. Even if the notes are listed, no assurance can be given that a trading market for the notes will develop or be maintained. If an active trading market does not develop for the notes, noteholders may not be able to resell them at all or at prices acceptable to them. Although the underwriters for this offering have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes after completion of the offering, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute Listing Particulars for the purposes of listing on the GEM.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of notes than they are required to purchase in this offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while this offering is in progress.
These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
We have agreed that we will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by us having a term of more than one year until one day after settlement of the notes without the prior written consent of the representatives.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately 1.5 million, or $1.6 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of January 11, 2017 (see Currency conversion) and will be payable by us.
It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about January 19, 2017, which is the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement cycle being referred to as T+5). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes prior to the third business day preceding the closing date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+5, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement. Purchasers of the notes who wish to trade the notes prior to the third business day preceding the closing date should consult their own advisors.
Other relationships
The underwriters and their respective 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.
Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their 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 account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Some of the underwriters or their affiliates have lending relationships with us. Certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain others may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters or their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions that consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Conflicts of interest
Affiliates of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch International, Wells Fargo Securities International Limited, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and Bank of Montreal, London Branch, each of whom is an underwriter of this offering, are lenders under the Companys Senior Unsecured Credit FacilityRevolver and will receive their proportionate share of the net proceeds from this offering used to reduce such indebtedness. Due to the fact that such underwriters have an interest in the successful completion of this offering beyond the underwriting discount they will receive, a conflict of interest exists. Nonetheless, in accordance with Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary in connection with this offering because, as a REIT, we are excluded from that requirement.
An affiliate of Stifel, Nicolaus Europe Limited may pay an unaffiliated entity or its affiliate, who is also a lender under our credit facility, a fee in connection with this offering.
Notice to prospective investors in the United Kingdom
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000, as amended (the FSMA)) in connection with the issue or sale of any notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply the Issuer or the Company.
All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Notice to prospective investors in Switzerland
We have not and will not register with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 of the Federal Act on Collective Investment Scheme of 23 June 2006, as amended (CISA), and accordingly the notes being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not and will not be approved, and may not be licenseable, with FINMA. Therefore, the notes have not been authorized for distribution by FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 CISA and the notes offered hereby may not be offered to the public (as this term is defined in Article 3 CISA) in or from Switzerland. The notes may solely be offered to qualified investors, as this term is defined in Article 10 CISA, and in the circumstances set out in Article 3 of the Ordinance on Collective Investment Scheme of 22 November 2006, as amended (CISO), such that there is no public offer. Investors, however, do not benefit from protection under CISA or CISO or supervision by FINMA. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other materials relating to the notes are strictly personal and confidential to each offeree and do not constitute an offer to any other person. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used by those qualified investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offer described herein and may neither directly or indirectly be distributed or made available to any person or entity other than its recipients. They may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in Switzerland or from Switzerland. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an issue prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to Article 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations. We have not applied for a listing of the notes on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated securities market in Switzerland, and consequently, the information presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus does not necessarily comply with the information standards set out in the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The validity of the notes offered hereby and certain other legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by DLA Piper Nederland N.V. and DLA Piper LLP (US). Sidley Austin LLP will act as counsel for the underwriters.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) of W. P. Carey Inc. and the financial statements of Corporate Property Associates 16Global Incorporated, all of which are incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of W. P. Carey Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Where you can find more information; Incorporation by reference
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we have filed with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may request copies of these documents, upon payment of a copying fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public on our website at http://www.wpcarey.com. However, the contents of our website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. If a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the filed copy of the contract or document.
As described in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference, we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus specified documents that we have filed or may file with the SEC prior to the termination of this offering. However, notwithstanding anything in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to the contrary, no document, exhibit or information, or any portion thereof, that we have furnished or may in the future furnish to (rather than file with) the SEC shall be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below, all of which have been previously filed with the SEC:
· our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed on March 2, 2015 and as amended on March 17, 2015;
· our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 5, 2016, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed on August 4, 2016 and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, filed on November 3, 2016;
· the information in our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016 that is incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the information in our Definitive Additional Materials on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016; and
· our Current Reports on Form 8-K (excluding any information furnished therein) filed on January 22, 2016, February 10, 2016, April 4, 2016, June 22, 2016, September 8, 2016, September 12, 2016, September 21, 2016, September 22, 2016, October 11, 2016 and December 9, 2016.
Supplemental listing and general information
As disclosed in About this prospectus supplement herein, application has been made to the ISE for the notes to be admitted to the Official List of the ISE and traded on the GEM of the ISE. This prospectus supplement dated January 17, 2017 must be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated November 8, 2016. The prospectus and the prospectus supplement together comprise the Listing Particulars for the purposes of this application and have been approved by the ISE. For the avoidance of doubt, the Listing Particulars do not comprise a prospectus for the purposes of the EU Prospectus Directive and has not been reviewed or approved by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The Issuer accepts responsibility for the information contained in the Listing Particulars. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Issuer (which has taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), such information is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Administrative, management and supervisory bodies
Directors of the Issuer
The directors of the Issuer and their respective business addresses and their principal occupations are:
Name |
|
Business Address |
|
Principal Occupation |
Ramses van Toor |
|
Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
|
Tax Manager |
Jay Henning |
|
Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
|
Accountant |
Gosse Zeilstra |
|
Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
|
Compliance Professional |
Thomas Elling Zacharias |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Gregory Mark Butchart |
|
Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
|
Asset Manager |
There are no material conflicts of interest or material potential conflicts of interest between the private interests of the directors and the management team, and their duties to the Issuer.
Directors of the Company
The directors of the Company and their respective business addresses and their principal occupations are:
Name |
|
Business Address |
|
Principal Occupation |
Benjamin H. Griswold, IV |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Mary M. VanDeWeghe |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Mark J. DeCesaris |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Mark A. Alexander |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Nathaniel S. Coolidge |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Retired |
Peter J. Farrell |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Axel K. A. Hansing |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Name |
|
Business Address |
|
Principal Occupation |
Jean Hoysradt |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Dr. Richard C. Marston |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Professor |
Chris Niehaus |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
Nick J. M. van Ommen |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Retired |
Hon. Reginald Winssinger |
|
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States |
|
Business Executive |
There are no material conflicts of interest or material potential conflicts of interest between the private interests of the directors and the management team, and their duties to the Company.
Auditors
The financial year-end of the Issuer and the Company is December 31. The independent auditors of the Company are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, United States. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is an independent registered public accounting firm.
Material contracts
The Issuer has not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of its business. The Company has entered into the material contracts from time to time as set forth on the exhibit indexes to its (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016; (ii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (filed with the SEC on May 5, 2016), for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016), and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016); and (iii) Current Reports on Form 8-K (filed with the SEC on January 22, 2016, February 10, 2016, April 4, 2016, June 22, 2016, September 7, 2016, September 12, 2016, September 21, 2016, September 22, 2016, October 11, 2016 and December 9, 2016).
Legal and arbitration proceedings
Except as set forth in Part I, Item 3Legal Proceedings of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company is not, and has not during the previous 12 months, been involved in any governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings that would have a significant effect on the Companys consolidated financial position or profitability, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any such governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings involving the Company pending or threatened.
The Issuer is not, and has not since incorporation, been involved in any governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings that may have, or have had in the recent past, a significant effect on the Issuers financial position or profitability nor, as far as the Issuer is aware, is any such governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings involving the Issuer pending or threatened.
No material adverse change
Except as set forth in Part I, Item 1BusinessNarrative Description of Business, Part I, Item 1ARisk Factors, Part I, Item 3Legal Proceedings, Part II, Item 7Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II, Item 8Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016; and except as set forth in Prospectus supplement summary, Risk factors and Our portfolio in this prospectus supplement, there has been no material adverse change in the Companys prospects since December 31, 2015 (the date to which the Companys most current audited financial statements have been prepared) and there has been no significant change in the Companys financial or trading position since September 30, 2016 (the last day of the most
recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been incorporated by reference herein).
Financial statements incorporated by reference
Each of the following documents containing financial statement of the Company has been filed with the ISE and is incorporated by reference into the Listing Particulars:
(1) Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015 and as amended on March 17, 2015); and for the year ended December 31, 2015 (filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016); and
(2) Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (filed with the SEC on May 5, 2016); for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016); and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016).
Documents available for inspection
For as long as the notes are listed on the Official List and admitted to trading on the GEM, copies of the following documents will be available for inspection in electronic form (through the SECs EDGAR site or on the website of the Company) or at the principal offices of the Company located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, United States:
(a) Deed of Incorporation of the Issuer;
(b) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company;
(c) the Indenture (including the Guarantee); and
(d) the audited financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015.
Authorization of issuance
The issuance of the notes was authorized by the board of directors of the Issuer by resolutions passed prior to the date of delivery of the notes.
ISIN and Common codes
The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for the notes is as indicated below: XS 1533928971
The Common Code for the notes is as indicated below: 153392897
Listing agent
Walkers Listing Services Limited is acting solely in its capacity as listing agent for the Issuer (and not on its own behalf) in connection with the application for admission of the notes to the Official List of the ISE and to trading on its GEM.
PROSPECTUS
W. P. CAREY INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Unit
Warrants
Debt Securities
Guarantee of Debt Securities
WPC EUROBOND B.V.
Debt Securities
(fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by W. P. Carey Inc.)
W. P. Carey Inc. may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer, issue and sell (i) shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share (Common Stock), (ii) one or more series of our preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (Preferred Stock, and together with the Common Stock, the Capital Stock), (iii) depositary shares, which may represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular class or series of our Preferred Stock (the Depositary Shares), (iv) stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units (collectively, the Purchase Agreements), (v) warrants (Warrants), (vi) debt securities (Company Debt Securities), and (vii) a guarantee (Guarantee) of debt securities offered and sold by WPC Eurobond B.V. (WPC Finance) (the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Purchase Agreements, Warrants, Company Debt Securities and any such Guarantee, collectively, the Company Securities). One or more of the Company Securities, including but not limited to the Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants and Company Debt Securities, may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other Company Securities. WPC Finance may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer, issue and sell securities (WPC Finance Debt Securities, and collectively with the Company Debt Securities, the Debt Securities, and collectively with the Company Securities, the Securities). Any WPC Finance Debt Securities will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by W. P. Carey Inc., as described in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to the Securities. When we decide to offer the Securities, we will prepare a prospectus supplement describing the offering and the particular terms of the Securities that we are selling, which terms will include, among other things, (i) in the case of Common Stock, any public offering price, (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title and stated value, any distribution, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering price, (iii) in the case of Depositary Shares, the fractional Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary Share and the applicable terms of the Preferred Stock, (iv) in the case of Purchase Agreements, the particular combination of Securities constituting any Purchase Agreement, (v) in the case of Warrants, the exercise price and other specific terms of the Warrants, including a description of the underlying Security, (vi) in the case of Debt Securities, the particular terms of the Debt Securities, which will include, among other things, the specific title of the Debt Securities, the aggregate amount of the offering and the offering price, and the denominations in which the Debt Securities may be offered, and (vii) in the case of any Guarantee, the particular terms of such Guarantee.
The applicable prospectus supplement also will contain information, where applicable, about the material United States federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities covered by such prospectus supplement, not contained in this prospectus. In addition, such specific terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to assist in maintaining our status as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) for federal income tax purposes. You should read carefully this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you make your investment decision.
Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE), under the symbol WPC. On November 7, 2016, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $58.80 per share.
The Securities may be offered directly by us, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in a prospectus supplement or other offering materials. See Plan of Distribution beginning on page 59. No Securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such Securities.
Investing in our Securities involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, in the documents incorporated by reference and in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any Securities unless it is accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is November 8, 2016
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to W. P. Carey, we, us and our refer, collectively, to W. P. Carey Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including WPC Eurobond B.V.; references to the Company refer only to W. P. Carey Inc., and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and references to the WPC Finance refer only to WPC Eurobond B.V., and not to its parent or subsidiaries or affiliates.
We have not authorized any person to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offering, other than those contained or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been so authorized. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date hereof, that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date, or that any information incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated. by reference herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) as a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). By using an automatic shelf registration statement, we may, at any time and from time to time, sell the Securities described in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement in one or more offerings. The exhibits to the registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the Securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference beginning on page 2.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we sell Securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of those Securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus and the additional information described under the heading Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference beginning on page 2.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and therein contain statements that are based on our current expectations, our estimates and forecasts, our projections about our future performance, our expectations for our business, our beliefs and our managements assumptions and other matters, and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding capital markets; tenant credit quality; the general economic outlook; our expected range of adjusted funds from operations (AFFO); our corporate strategy; our capital structure; our portfolio lease terms; our international exposure and acquisition volume, including the effects of the United Kingdoms referendum approving an exit from the European Union; our expectations about tenant bankruptcies and interest coverage; our future economic performance and results, including our underlying assumptions regarding occupancy rate, credit ratings and possible new acquisitions and dispositions by us and for our series of non-traded publicly registered investment programs (the Managed Programs); the Managed Programs, including their earnings; our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT; the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements or guidance; the amount and timing of any future dividends; our existing or future leverage and debt service obligations; our ability to sell shares under our at-the-market program and the use of any proceeds from that program; our future prospects for growth; our projected assets under management; our future capital expenditure levels; our future financing transactions; our estimates of growth; and our plans to fund our future liquidity needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words believe, project, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, strategy, plan, may, should, will, would, will be, will continue, will likely result and similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.
The cautionary statements under the caption Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, as well as any additional information and risks that we disclose in reports that we have filed (since the filing of such reports, in each instance), with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus and other similar statements contained in or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf, identify important factors with respect to forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect us. Should any known or unknown risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, those developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects.
In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference herein and therein will in fact transpire. Moreover, because we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, new risk factors are likely to emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, potential investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of future results. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with these requirements, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public on our website at http://www.wpcarey.com. However, the contents of our website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have filed this prospectus with the SEC as part of a registration statement on Form S-3. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement.
We incorporate by reference certain information from filings with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and any information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or, if applicable, the accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other document we subsequently file with the SEC that also is incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus, modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by W. P. Carey with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of Securities described in this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any documents, portions of documents, exhibits or other information that is deemed to have been furnished to and not filed with the SEC:
W. P. Carey SEC Filings (File No. 001-13779) |
|
Period and/or Date Filed |
Annual Report of W. P. Carey on Form 10-K |
|
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2014, filed on March 2, 2015 (and as amended on March 17, 2015) and Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016 |
Current Reports on Form 8-K |
|
Filed on the following dates: January 22, 2016, February 10, 2016, April 4, 2016, June 22, 2016, September 7, 2016, September 12, 2016, September 21, 2016, September 22, 2016, and October 11, 2016 |
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A |
|
Filed on April 28, 2016 |
Definitive Additional Materials on Schedule 14A |
|
Filed on April 28, 2016 |
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q |
|
For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 5, 2016; for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed on August 4, 2016 and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, filed on November 3, 2016 |
You may request a copy of any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
W. P. Carey Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
50 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10020
Tel: 212-492-1100
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.
W. P. Carey Inc.
W. P. Carey is an internally-managed REIT and a leading global owner and manager of commercial properties, primarily net leased to companies on a long-term basis. As of September 30, 2016, we owned a diversified global investment portfolio that included full or partial ownership interests in 910 net-leased properties and a weighted average remaining lease term of 9.4 years.
Our owned real estate portfolio is diversified by property type, tenant, geographic location and tenant industry. It is comprised primarily of single-tenant industrial, warehouse, office and retail facilities that are essential to our corporate tenants operations. We have 222 corporate tenants that operate in a wide variety of business sectors, providing additional diversification to the portfolio. As of September 30, 2016, approximately two-thirds of our contractual minimum annualized base rent was from properties located in the United States and approximately one-third was from properties located outside the United States, primarily in Western and Northern Europe. Our European portfolio consisted of 357 net leased properties located in 12 countries, with the largest concentrations in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Finland.
Most of our net leases specify a base rent with scheduled rent increases (either fixed or tied to inflation) and require the tenant to pay substantially all of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property. We actively manage our real estate portfolio to try to mitigate risk with respect to changes in tenant credit quality and the likelihood of lease renewal.
In addition to the lease revenues from our owned real estate portfolio, we earn fee revenue by advising the Managed Programs through our investment management business. As of September 30, 2016, we managed approximately $12.2 billion of total assets on behalf of the Managed Programs.
Our shares of Common Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol WPC. Headquartered in New York, we also have offices in Amsterdam, Dallas and London. At September 30, 2016, we employed 283 individuals globally. Our principal executive offices are located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020. Our telephone number is (212) 492-1100. Investors can find press releases, financial filings and other information about us on our website at http://www.wpcarey.com. However, the contents of our website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
WPC Eurobond B.V.
WPC Finance is an indirect, 100%-owned subsidiary of the Company. Its telephone number is +31 (0)20 333 1450. WPC Finance is a finance subsidiary and currently has no assets, operations, revenues or cash flows, other than those relating to the issuance of the WPC Finance Debt Securities being registered that are guaranteed by the Company. WPC Finance is incorporated under Dutch law as a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid), with its corporate seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and office address at Strawinskylaan 741, Tower C, 7th Floor, 1077 XX Amsterdam, the Netherlands, registered with the Trade Register under number 67078028.
Investing in our Securities involves risks. In evaluating an investment in our Securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such Securities. The risks and uncertainties included or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus are those that we currently believe may materially affect our company. Additional risks not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects. The realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, AFFO and prospects as well as our ability to service our existing and future indebtedness. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered Securities. Please also refer to the section above entitled Forward Looking Statements.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities offered by us for working capital and other general business purposes, which may include, among other things, the repayment, redemption or refinancing of all or a portion of any indebtedness or other securities outstanding at a particular time, acquisitions, investments, share repurchases and capital expenditures. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from the sale of securities in an applicable prospectus supplement. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade Securities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, the term earnings is the amount resulting from adding (i) pre-tax income from continuing operations, (ii) fixed charges, (iii) distributed income of equity investments, and (iv) amortization of capitalized interest, reduced by (i) equity in earnings of equity method investments and (ii) pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests that have not incurred fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of (i) interest expensed and capitalized, (ii) amortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, and (iii) an estimate of the interest within rental expense.
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Nine months |
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Years ended December 31, |
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2016 |
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2015 |
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2014 |
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2013 |
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2012 |
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2011 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
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2.53 |
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2.10 |
|
2.24 |
|
1.74 |
|
2.45 |
|
8.95 |
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The following contains a summary of certain material provisions of the W. P. Careys Articles of Amendment and Restatement (as amended, the Charter) and W. P. Careys Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended, the Bylaws) relating to the shares of our Common Stock that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The following description of the shares of Common Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Charter and Bylaws.
General
Our Charter provides that we have authority to issue 500,000,000 shares of Capital Stock, consisting of 450,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share. A majority of our entire board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend our Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of our capital stock or the number of shares of our capital stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.
Common Stock
Subject to the provisions of our Charter restricting the transfer and ownership of shares of our stock, each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including one vote for each director to be elected in the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of shares of our stock, the holders of our Common Stock possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election (and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors).
In accordance with Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporations charter. Our Charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to approve such matters, except that any amendment to the sections of the Charter concerning the removal of directors, restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares, and the voting requirements for the amendment of such provisions must be declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Maryland law permits the merger of a 90% or more owned subsidiary with or into its parent without stockholder approval provided (i) the charter of the successor is not amended other than in certain minor respects and (ii) the contract rights of any stock of the successor issued in the merger in exchange for stock of the other corporation are identical to the contract rights of the stock for which it is exchanged. Also, because Maryland law may not require the stockholders of a parent corporation to approve a merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary entity, including where a substantial number of operating assets are held by the subsidiary, as in our situation, our subsidiaries may be able to merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets without a vote of our stockholders.
Holders of shares of our Common Stock are entitled to receive distributions paid ratably on the Common Stock if and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of distributions. They also are 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 has been made for all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights in respect of distributions or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of any other class or series of our stock that we may subsequently classify or reclassify, and to the provisions of our Charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock.
Holders of shares of our Common Stock generally have no appraisal, preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our Securities, except as may be provided under the terms of any class or series of stock that we may subsequently classify or reclassify. Subject to the restrictions on transfer and ownership of stock contained in our Charter and the rights of any other class or series of stock that we may subsequently classify or reclassify, each share of Common Stock has equal distribution, liquidation and other rights.
We may offer additional shares of our Common Stock for sale, in which case, we will describe the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock offered and the offering price or prices of the shares in a prospectus supplement.
Preferred Stock; Power to Reclassify Shares of Our Stock
Our Charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock and to reclassify any previously classified, but unissued, shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock into one or more classes or series of stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of any class or series of stock, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and our Charter to fix the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock, in all cases, subject to the restrictions on transfer and ownership set forth in our Charter. Therefore, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for you or otherwise be in your best interests.
We may sell shares of Preferred Stock in one or more class or series. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the specific designation; the aggregate number of shares offered; the dividend rate or manner of calculating the dividend rate; the dividend periods or manner of calculating the dividend periods; the ranking of the shares of the series with respect to dividends; liquidation and dissolution; the stated value of the shares of the series; the voting rights of the shares of the series; if any, whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable; whether and on what terms we can redeem the shares of the series; whether we will list the shares of Preferred Stock on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the class or series of Preferred Stock.
Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the power (i) to amend our Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of our stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue, (ii) to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock and (iii) to classify unissued shares of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock or reclassify any previously classified, but unissued, shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock into other classes or series of stock, and thereafter to issue the classified or reclassified shares of stock. We believe this ability provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series of stock, as well as our Common Stock, are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders (unless stockholder action is required by applicable law, or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed, or the terms of any classes or series of stock that we may subsequently classify or reclassify). Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for you or otherwise be in your best interests.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our Charter provides that our board of directors may decide whether it is in the best interests of our company to qualify and maintain status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the Code). In order to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our shares of stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined by the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of any taxable year. Neither the requirement to be held by 100 or more persons or the provision disallowing ownership by five or fewer individuals apply to the first taxable year of a REIT.
To help us qualify as a REIT, among other purposes, our Charter, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our stock that a person may own, subject to certain exceptions. Our Charter provides that generally no person may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, either (i) more than 7.9% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate outstanding shares of our stock excluding any outstanding shares of our stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes, or (ii) more than 7.9% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate outstanding shares of our Common Stock, excluding any outstanding shares of Common Stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes.
Our Charter also prohibits any person from (i) beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code; (ii) transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons; (iii) beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would cause us to own, directly or indirectly; 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of our company (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by us); (iv) beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would cause any independent contractor to not be treated as such under Section 856(d)(3) of the Code; or (v) beneficially or constructively owning shares of stock that will otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. Any person who (i) acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or (ii) who would have owned shares of our stock that resulted in a transfer of shares to a charitable trust (as described below), will be required to (A) give written notice immediately to us, or in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, to give at least 15 days prior written
notice to us, and (B) provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our status as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT or that compliance is no longer required for us to qualify as a REIT.
Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a person from the above ownership limits and the restrictions described in clauses (iii) and (iv) above. However, the board of directors may not grant an exemption to any person unless the board of directors obtains such representations, covenants and undertakings as the board of directors may deem appropriate in order to determine that granting the exemption would not result in losing our status as a REIT. As a condition of granting the exemption, our board of directors may require a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the board of directors in its sole discretion, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.
Our board of directors may increase or decrease the Common Stock ownership limit and/or the aggregate stock ownership limit so long as the change would not result in five or fewer persons beneficially owning more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock. Any decrease in the Common Stock ownership limit and/or the aggregate stock ownership limit shall not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limits, until such time as such persons percentage ownership of stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limits. Absent an exemption from the ownership limits, any further acquisition of shares of our stock by such person will be in violation of the ownership limits, unless and until such persons percentage ownership of stock falls below the ownership limit (in which case such person may acquire shares up to such ownership limits).
Pursuant to our Charter, if any transfer of our shares of stock occurs that, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares of stock in excess, or in violation, of the above ownership limitations or restrictions on transfer (a Prohibited Owner), then that number of shares of stock, the beneficial or constructive ownership of which would otherwise cause such person to violate the ownership limitations or restrictions on transfer (rounded up to the nearest whole share), will be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary and the Prohibited Owner will not acquire any rights in such shares. This automatic transfer will be considered effective as of the close of business on the business day before the violative transfer. If the transfer to the charitable trust would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then the transfer of that number of shares of stock that would otherwise cause any person to violate the above limitations will be null and void. Shares of stock held in the charitable trust will continue to constitute issued and outstanding shares of our stock. The Prohibited Owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the charitable trust, will have no rights to distributions and will not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the charitable trust. The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by us and must be unaffiliated with us or any Prohibited Owner and will have all voting rights and rights to distributions with respect to the shares of stock held in the charitable trust, and these rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the trusts charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid before our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee will be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the trusts charitable beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner will have no voting rights with respect to shares of stock held in the charitable trust, and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee, the trustee, in its sole discretion, will have the authority to:
· rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to our discovery that such shares have been transferred to the trustee; and
· recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the trusts beneficiary.
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of stock have been transferred to the charitable trust, and unless we buy the shares first as described below, the trustee will sell the shares of stock held in the charitable trust to a person, designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations in our Charter. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the charitable beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner will receive the lesser of:
· the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust (for example, in the case of a gift or devise), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust; and
· the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the charitable trust (less any commission and other expenses of a sale).
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 sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the
Prohibited Owner will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, before our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the charitable trust, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then:
· such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust; and
· to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that the Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive as described above, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of stock held in the charitable trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:
· the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a gift or devise, the market price at the time of the gift or devise); and
· the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept such offer.
We 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. We may pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares of stock held in the charitable trust. Upon such a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate, the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any distributions held by the trustee will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
All certificates, if any, representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in value 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 shares of our stock that the owner beneficially owns, and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must also provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the owners beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with our ownership limitations. In addition, each of our stockholders, whether or not an owner of 5% or more of our stock, must, upon demand, provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure our compliance with the ownership restrictions in our Charter.
The ownership and transfer limitations in our Charter could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of us that might involve a premium price for holders of our stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Business Combinations
Maryland law prohibits business combinations between us and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or transfer of equity securities, liquidation plan or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as:
· any person or entity who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock; or
· an affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then-outstanding stock.
A person is not an interested stockholder if our board of directors approves the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder in advance. However, in approving a transaction, our board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by our board of directors.
After the five-year prohibition and in addition to any vote otherwise required by Maryland law and our Charter, any business combination between us and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least:
· 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our then-outstanding shares of voting stock; and
· two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our voting stock, other than stock held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or stock held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its stock.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors, by resolution, has exempted any business combinations between us and any person who is an existing, or becomes in the future an, interested stockholder. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and any such person. As a result, such persons may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interest of our stockholders, without compliance with the super-majority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute. Additionally, this resolution may be altered, revoked or repealed in whole or in part at any time and we may opt back into the business combination provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL). If this resolution is revoked or repealed, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that holders of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights, except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror or by officers or by employees who are also our directors are excluded from the shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock currently owned by the acquiring person, or in respect of which the acquiring person is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiring person to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
· one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
· one-third or more but less than a majority; or
· a majority or more of all voting power.
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions. A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel our board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of the demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, we may present the question of the voting rights of the shares at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the stockholders meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver the statement required by Maryland law, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, we may redeem any or all of the control shares for fair value, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares were considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition. The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if we are a party to the transaction, nor does it apply to acquisitions approved by or exempted by our Charter or Bylaws.
Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our stock and, consequently, the control share acquisition statute will not apply to us unless our board of directors later amends our Bylaws to modify or eliminate this provision, which it may do without stockholder approval, and which it may make effective prospectively or retrospectively.
Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with (i) a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and (ii) at least three independent directors, to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
· a classified board;
· a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;
· a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of directors;
· a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred; and
· a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
In our Charter, we have elected under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL that vacancies on our board of directors be filled only by the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. In January 2015, our board of directors resolved to opt out of Section 3-803 of the MGCL, permitting our directors to elect a classified board pursuant to Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL. Consistent with the MGCL, we filed Articles Supplementary to our Charter relating to this resolution with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on January 27, 2015. Any amendment or repeal of this resolution must be approved in the same manner as an amendment to our Charter.
Through provisions in our Charter and Bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL, we (i) require the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors for the removal of any director from the board of directors, (ii) vest in the board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (iii) provide that unless called by the Chairman of our board of directors, our President, our Chief Executive Officer or our board of directors, a special meeting of stockholders may only be called by our Secretary upon the written request of (and satisfaction of certain procedural and information requirements by) the stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on any matter that may be properly considered at the meeting.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is Computershare Investor Services.
Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock
The listing requirements of the NYSE, which applies so long as our shares of Common Stock are listed on the NYSE, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then-outstanding voting power or then-outstanding number of shares of our Common Stock.
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 (such 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 a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences.
Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. 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 of 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.
In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the particular combination of Securities constituting any Depositary Shares and any other specific terms.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
The following summarizes the general terms of stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that we may issue. The particular terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units that we offer will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This description is subject to the stock purchase contracts, and any collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units.
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock at a future date or dates. We may fix the consideration per share of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock at the time we issue the stock purchase contracts, or the consideration may be determined by referring to a specific formula stated in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue the stock purchase contracts separately or as part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and Company Debt Securities, preferred securities, Warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, which secure the holders obligations to purchase the Common Stock or Preferred Stock under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner.
In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the particular combination of Securities constituting any Purchase Agreement and any other specific terms.
We may issue separately, or together with shares of our Preferred Stock or Common Stock offered by any prospectus supplement, Warrants for the purchase of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock. The Warrants may be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, and may be represented by certificates evidencing the Warrants, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of Warrants.
The following summaries of certain provisions of the Warrants are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of any related Warrant agreement and Warrant certificate, which will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the Warrants in respect to which this prospectus is being delivered including, where applicable, the following:
· the title of the Warrants;
· the aggregate number of the Warrants;
· the price or prices at which the Warrants will be issued;
· the designation, terms and number of shares of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the Warrants;
· the designation and terms of the Securities, if any, with which the Warrants are issued and the number of the Warrants issued with each such offered Security;
· the date, if any, on and after which the Warrants and related shares of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock with which the Warrants are issued will be separately transferable;
· the price (or manner of calculation of the price) at which each share of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be purchased upon exercise of the Warrant;
· the date on which the right to exercise the Warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;
· the minimum or maximum amount of the Warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
· information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
· a discussion of material federal income tax considerations; and
· any other terms of the Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the Warrants.
The exercise of any Warrants will be subject to, and limited by, the transfer and ownership restrictions in our Charter. See Description of Capital Stock Restriction on Ownership and Transfer.
We may sell Warrants to purchase our Common Stock or Preferred Stock. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the Warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any Warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying Securities or their cash value.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY DEBT SECURITIES
The Company Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture, to be entered into between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. References herein to the Company Indenture refer to such indenture and references to the Trustee in this Description of Company Debt Securities refer to such trustee or any other trustee for any particular series of Company Debt Securities issued under the Company Indenture. The terms of the Company Debt Securities of any series will be those specified in or pursuant to the Company Indenture and in the applicable Company Debt Securities of that series and those made part of the Company Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act).
The following description of Company Debt Securities describes general terms and provisions of the series of Company Debt Securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. When the Company Debt Securities of a particular series are offered for sale, the specific terms of such Company Debt Securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any terms of such Company Debt Securities described in a prospectus supplement are inconsistent with any of the terms of the Company Debt Securities generally described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus.
The following description of selected provisions of the Company Indenture and the Company Debt Securities is not complete, and the description of selected terms of the Company Debt Securities of a particular series included in the applicable prospectus supplement also will not be complete. You should review the form of the Company Indenture and the form of the applicable Company Debt Securities, which forms have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as exhibits to documents that have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To obtain a copy of the form of the Company Indenture or the form of the applicable Company Debt Securities, see Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference in this prospectus. The following description of Company Debt Securities and the description of the Company Debt Securities of a particular series in the applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the Company Indenture and the applicable Company Debt Securities, which provisions, including defined terms, are, or will be, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and to those made part of the Company Indenture by the Trust
Indenture Act. Capitalized terms used but not defined in the following description shall have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Company Indenture or, if applicable, the Company Debt Securities.
The Company Debt Securities will be obligations solely of the Company and will not be obligations of, or directly or indirectly guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries or any other entity. Accordingly, the Company Debt Securities are structurally subordinated to the liabilities of, and any preferred equity in, its subsidiaries and, as a result, the Companys right to participate as a common equity holder of a subsidiary in any distribution of assets of such subsidiary upon such subsidiarys liquidation or otherwise, and thus the ability of the holders of the Company Debt Securities to benefit from such distribution, is junior to creditors and any preferred equity holders of such subsidiary, except to the extent that any claims the Company may have as a creditor or preferred equity holder of such subsidiary are recognized. The Company may also guarantee obligations of its direct or indirect subsidiaries. Any liability the Company may have for its subsidiaries obligations could reduce its assets that are available to satisfy its direct creditors, including holders of the Company Debt Securities. In addition, the Company Debt Securities will rank junior to the Companys secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral security securing the same.
General
The Company Debt Securities will constitute the unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank on parity in right of payment among themselves and with all of the Companys other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Company may issue an unlimited principal amount of the Company Debt Securities under the Company Indenture. The Company Indenture provides that the Company Debt Securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that may be authorized from time to time by the Company. Please read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the Company Debt Securities of the particular series being offered thereby for selected terms of such Company Debt Securities, including, without limitation, where applicable:
· the title of such series of the Company Debt Securities;
· the aggregate principal amount of the Company Debt Securities of such series and any limit thereon;
· the date or dates on which the Company will pay the principal of, and premium, if any, on, the Company Debt Securities of such series, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such date or dates;
· the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the Company Debt Securities of such series will bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such rate or rates;
· the basis used to calculate interest, if any, on the Company Debt Securities of such series if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
· the date or dates, if any, from which interest on the Company Debt Securities of such series will accrue, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such date or dates;
· the date or dates, if any, on which interest on the Company Debt Securities of such series will be payable and the record dates for any such payment of interest;
· the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company is required to, or may, at its option, redeem the Company Debt Securities of such series;
· the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company will be required to repurchase the Company Debt Securities of such series at the option of holders of the Company Debt Securities of such series;
· the terms of any sinking fund or analogous provision applicable to the Company Debt Securities of such series;
· the portion of the principal amount of the Company Debt Securities of such series payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, if other than the full principal amount;
· the authorized denominations in which the Company Debt Securities of such series will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
· the place or places where (i) amounts due on the Company Debt Securities of such series will be payable, (ii) the Company Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer and exchange and (iii) notices or demands to or upon the Company or the Trustee in respect of the Company Debt Securities of such series or the Company Indenture may be served, if different than the corporate trust office of the Trustee;
· if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which purchases of, and payments on, the Company Debt Securities of such series must be made;
· whether the amount of payments due on the Company Debt Securities of such series may be determined with reference to an index, formula, or other method or methods (any of those Company Debt Securities being referred to as Indexed Securities) and the manner used to determine those amounts;
· any addition to, modification of, or deletion of, any covenant or Event of Default (as defined below) with respect to the Company Debt Securities of such series;
· the identity of the depositary for the global Company Debt Securities if other than The Depository Trust Company and the terms of the depositary arrangement if other than as specified below;
· the circumstances under which the Company will pay additional amounts on the Company Debt Securities of such series in respect of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge (Additional Amounts) and whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Company Debt Securities rather than pay the Additional Amounts; and
· any other terms of the Company Debt Securities of such series.
As used in this prospectus, references to the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Company Debt Securities of a series include Additional Amounts, if any, payable on the Company Debt Securities of such series in that context.
The Company may issue the Company Debt Securities as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of any original issue discount security, the amount payable to the holder upon acceleration will be determined in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Important federal income tax and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms of the Company Debt Securities of any series may be inconsistent with the terms of the Company Debt Securities of any other series. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company may, without the consent of, or notice to, the holders of the Company Debt Securities of any series, reopen an existing series of the Company Debt Securities and issue additional Company Debt Securities of that series.
Other than to the extent provided in - Merger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets below or to the extent provided with respect to the Company Debt Securities of a particular series and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company Indenture will not contain any provisions that would limit the Companys ability to incur indebtedness or to substantially reduce or eliminate its consolidated assets or that would afford holders of the Company Debt Securities protection in the event of:
· a recapitalization or other highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Company, any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or its management;
· a change of control involving the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; or
· a reorganization, restructuring, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
Accordingly, the Companys ability to service its indebtedness (including the Company Debt Securities) could be materially and adversely affected in the future.
Registration, Transfer, Payment and Paying Agent
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of the Company Debt Securities will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company Debt Securities will be payable and may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange at an office of the Company or an agent of the Company in The City of New York. However, the Company, at its option, may make payments of interest on any interest payment date for a Company Debt Security by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to receive that payment or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.
Any interest not punctually paid, or duly provided for, on any interest payment date with respect to the Company Debt Securities of any series will forthwith cease to be payable to the holders of those Company Debt Securities on the applicable regular record date and may be paid to the persons in whose names those Company Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on a special record