Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-124922
PROSPECTUS
Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
53,602 Shares
Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the possible resale from time to time of up to an aggregate of 53,602 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Health Care Property Investors, Inc., a Maryland corporation, that may be issued to holders of up to 26,801 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, if these holders tender their units and we elect to exchange these units for shares of our common stock in lieu of a cash payment. The non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC were issued to affiliates of The Boyer Company, L.C., a Utah limited liability company, in connection with the contribution of real property and improvements to HCPI/Utah, LLC. These holders, as well as certain parties that received non-managing member units from the above mentioned holders pursuant to assignments, are referred to herein as selling holders.
We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the shares of our common stock to the selling holders or the resale of the shares by the selling holders; however, we will acquire membership units of HCPI/Utah, LLC currently held by the selling holders tendered in exchange for shares of our common stock.
Our shares of common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCP.” On May 11, 2005, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $26.12 per share.
You should consider the risks discussed in “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of this prospectus before you invest in our common stock.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED ON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is May 31, 2005
Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
3760 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 300
Long Beach, California 90806
(562) 733-5100
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All references in this prospectus to “HCP” “we,” “us” or “our” mean Health Care Property Investors, Inc., its majority-owned subsidiaries and other entities controlled by Health Care Property Investors, Inc. except where it is clear from the context that the term means only the issuer, Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
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Below are the risks that we believe are material to investors who purchase or own our common stock. In addition to other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should carefully consider the following factors before acquiring the common stock offered by this prospectus.
Risks Related to Our Operators
If our tenants and mortgagors are unable to operate our properties in a manner sufficient to generate income, they may be unable to make rent and loan payments to us.
The healthcare industry is highly competitive and we expect that it may become more competitive in the future. Our tenants and mortgagors are subject to competition from other healthcare providers that provide similar healthcare services, including from newly constructed facilities. The profitability of healthcare facilities depends upon several factors, including the number of physicians using the healthcare facilities or referring patients there, competitive systems of healthcare delivery and the size and composition of the population in the surrounding area. Private, federal and state payment programs, including a reduction in reimbursement by any of them, and the effect of other laws and regulations may also have a significant influence on the revenues and income of the properties. If our tenants and mortgagors are not competitive with other healthcare providers and are unable to generate income, they may be unable to make rent and loan payments to us.
The bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our facility operators could significantly delay our ability to collect unpaid rents or require us to find new operators.
Our financial position and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders may be adversely affected by financial difficulties experienced by any of our major operators, including bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in the business, or in the event any of our major operators do not renew or extend their relationship with us as their lease terms expire.
We are exposed to the risk that our operators may not be able to meet their obligations, which may result in their bankruptcy or insolvency. Although our leases and loans provide us the right to terminate an investment, evict an operator, demand immediate repayment and other remedies, the bankruptcy laws afford certain rights to a party that has filed for bankruptcy or reorganization. An operator in bankruptcy may be able to restrict our ability to collect unpaid rents or interest during the bankruptcy proceeding.
Tenet Healthcare Corporation accounts for a significant percentage of our revenues and is currently experiencing significant legal, financial and regulatory difficulties.
During 2004, Tenet Healthcare Corporation accounted for approximately 12% of our revenues. According to public disclosures, Tenet is experiencing significant legal, financial and regulatory difficulties. We cannot predict with certainty the impact, if any, of the outcome of these uncertainties on our consolidated financial statements. The failure or inability of Tenet to pay its obligations could materially reduce our revenue, net income and cash flows and could have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
Our operators are faced with increased litigation and rising insurance costs that may affect their ability to pay their lease or mortgage payments.
In some states, advocacy groups have been created to monitor the quality of care at healthcare facilities, and these groups have brought litigation against operators. Also, in several instances, private litigation by patients has succeeded in winning very large damage awards for alleged abuses. The effect of this litigation and potential litigation has been to materially increase the costs of monitoring and reporting quality of care compliance incurred by our tenants. In addition, the cost of liability and medical malpractice insurance has increased and may continue to increase so long as the present litigation environment affecting the operations of healthcare facilities continues. Continued cost increases could cause our tenants to be unable to pay their lease or mortgage payments, potentially decreasing our revenue and increasing our collection and litigation costs. Moreover, to the extent we are required to take back the affected facilities, our revenue from those facilities could be reduced or eliminated for an extended period of time.
Risks Related to Real Estate Investment and Our Structure
We rely on external sources of capital to fund future capital needs, and if our access to such capital is difficult or on commercially unreasonable terms, we may not be able to meet maturing commitments or make future investments necessary to grow our business.
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, among other things, we are required to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income each year, and we will be subject to tax to the extent we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders each year. Because of these distribution requirements, we may not be able to fund all future capital needs, including capital needs in connection with acquisitions, from cash retained from operations. As a result, we rely on external sources of capital. If we are unable to obtain needed capital at all or only on unfavorable terms from these sources, we might not be able to make the investments needed to grow our business, or to meet our obligations and commitments as they mature, which could negatively affect the ratings of our debt and even, in extreme circumstances, affect our ability to continue operations. Our access to capital depends upon a number of factors over which we have little or no control, including general market conditions, interest rates, the market’s perception of our growth potential, our current and potential future earnings, and our cash distributions and the market price of the shares of our capital stock.
If we are unable to purchase suitable healthcare facilities at a favorable cost, we will be unable to continue to grow through acquisitions.
The acquisition and financing of healthcare facilities at favorable costs is highly competitive. If we cannot identify and purchase a sufficient quantity of healthcare facilities at favorable prices, or if we are unable to finance such acquisitions on commercially favorable terms, our business will suffer.
Unforeseen costs associated with the acquisition of new properties could reduce our profitability.
Our business strategy contemplates future acquisitions. The acquisitions we make may not prove to be successful. We might encounter unanticipated difficulties and expenditures relating to any acquired properties, including contingent liabilities. We might never realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition, which could adversely affect our profitability.
Since real estate investments are illiquid, we may not be able to sell properties when we desire.
Real estate investments generally cannot be sold quickly. We may not be able to vary our portfolio promptly in response to vacancies or economic conditions. This inability to respond to changes in the performance of our investments could adversely affect our ability to service debt and make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, there are limitations under the federal income tax laws applicable to REITs that may limit our ability to recognize the full economic benefit from a sale of our assets.
Transfers of healthcare facilities generally require regulatory approvals and alternative uses of healthcare facilities are limited.
Because transfers of healthcare facilities may be subject to regulatory approvals not required for transfers of other types of commercial operations and other types of real estate, there may be delays in transferring operations of our facilities to successor tenants or we may be prohibited from transferring operations to a successor tenant. In addition, many of our properties are healthcare facilities that may not be easily adapted to non-healthcare related uses. If we are unable to transfer properties at times opportune to us, our revenue and operations may suffer.
Some potential losses may not be covered by insurance.
We generally require our tenants and mortgagors to secure and maintain comprehensive liability and property insurance that covers us, as well as the tenants or mortgagors, on most of our properties. Some types of losses, however, either may be uninsurable or too expensive to insure against. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property. In such an event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property. We cannot assure you that material losses in excess of insurance proceeds will not occur in the future.
Loss of our tax status as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences to us.
We believe we currently operate and have operated commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1985, in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. For example, in order to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources, and we must satisfy a number of requirements regarding the composition of our assets. Also, we must make distributions to stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable
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income, excluding capital gains. In addition, new legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions may adversely affect our investors or our ability to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes. Although we believe that we have been organized and have operated in such manner, we can give no assurance that we have qualified or will continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes.
If we lose our REIT status, we will face serious tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available to make payments of principal and interest on the debt securities we issue and to make distributions to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT:
| • | we would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates; |
| • | we could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and increased state and local taxes; and |
| • | unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. |
In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be required to make distributions to stockholders.
As a result of all these factors, our failure to qualify as a REIT also could impair our ability to expand our business and raise capital, and could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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 at the SEC’s public reference rooms. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the public reference section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You may inspect information that we file with The New York Stock Exchange at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to the other information we have filed with the SEC. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered a part of this prospectus and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended:
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2005 and April 27, 2005; |
| • | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005; |
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004; |
| • | our Proxy Statement filed on April 8, 2005; and |
| • | the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 10 dated May 7, 1985 (File No. 1-8895), including the amendments dated May 20, 1985 and May 23, 1985, and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description, including the description of amendments to our charter contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2004. |
We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and before we stop offering the securities described in this prospectus. These documents include periodic reports, such as annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
If you are a stockholder, we may have sent you some of the documents incorporated by reference, but you can obtain any of them through us or the SEC. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated by reference the exhibit in this prospectus. Stockholders may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from:
Investor Relations
Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
3760 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 300
Long Beach, California 90806
(562) 733-5100
investorrelations@hcpi.com
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CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement that are not historical factual statements are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this section for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. The statements include, among other things, statements regarding the intent, belief or expectations of us and our officers and can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “should” and other comparable terms or the negative thereof. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward looking oral and written public statements concerning our expected future operations and other developments. You are cautioned that, while forward looking statements reflect our good faith belief and best judgment based upon current information, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors. In addition to the factors set forth in this prospectus and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, you should consider the following:
| • | Legislative, regulatory, or other changes in the healthcare industry at the local, state or federal level which increase the costs of or otherwise affect the operations of our lessees or mortgagors; |
| • | Changes in the reimbursement available to our lessees and mortgagors by governmental or private payors, including changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and the availability and cost of third party insurance coverage; |
| • | Competition for tenants and mortgagors, including with respect to new leases and mortgages and the renewal or rollover of existing leases; |
| • | Availability of suitable healthcare facilities to acquire at a favorable cost of capital and the competition for such acquisition and financing of healthcare facilities; |
| • | The ability of our lessees and mortgagors to operate our properties in a manner sufficient to maintain or increase revenues and to generate sufficient income to make rent and loan payments; |
| • | The financial weakness of operators in the long-term care and assisted living sectors, including the bankruptcies of certain of our tenants, which results in uncertainties in our ability to continue to realize the full benefit of such operators’ leases; |
| • | Changes in national or regional economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and the availability and cost of capital; |
| • | The risk that we will not be able to sell or lease facilities that are currently vacant; |
| • | The potential costs of SB 1953 (seismic safety) compliance with respect to our hospital in Tarzana, California; |
| • | The financial, legal and regulatory difficulties of two of our significant operators, Tenet Healthcare Corporation and HealthSouth Corporation; and |
| • | The potential impact of existing and future litigation matters. |
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward looking events discussed in this prospectus or discussed in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not occur.
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We were organized in 1985 to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or a REIT. We invest directly or through joint ventures in healthcare related real estate located throughout the United States. We commenced business 20 years ago, making us the second oldest REIT specializing in healthcare real estate. Since 1986, the debt rating agencies have rated our debt investment grade. As of April 27, 2005, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s rated our senior debt at Baa2 and BBB+, respectively. The market value of our common stock was approximately $3.45 billion as of May 5, 2005.
As of March 31, 2005, our gross investment in our properties, including investments through joint ventures and mortgage loans, was approximately $3.5 billion. As of March 31, 2005, our portfolio of 525 properties in 43 states consisted of:
| • | 28 hospitals; |
| • | 169 skilled nursing facilities; |
| • | 118 assisted living and continuing care retirement communities; |
| • | 186 medical office buildings; and |
| • | 24 other healthcare facilities. |
Our principal offices are located at 3760 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 300, Long Beach, California 90806, and our telephone number is (562) 733-5100.
We are filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part pursuant to our contractual obligations to the holders named in the section entitled “Selling Holders.” We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of shares of common stock to the selling holders or the resale of the shares by the selling holders; however, we will acquire membership units of HCPI/Utah, LLC currently held by the selling holders tendered in exchange for shares of our common stock. We will also pay registration expenses which we estimate to be approximately $55,000.
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GENERAL
Our authorized capital stock consists of 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. All share numbers set forth in this prospectus have been adjusted as appropriate to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split we effected with respect to our common stock on March 2, 2004. The following description is qualified in all respects by reference to our charter and to our bylaws, as amended and restated, copies of which were filed as exhibits to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
As of May 11, 2005, there were 134,331,875 shares of common stock outstanding. All shares of common stock participate equally in dividends payable to holders of common stock, when and as authorized by our board and declared by HCP, and in net assets available for distribution to holders of common stock on our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of HCP common stockholders. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock. See “Transfer Restrictions, Redemption and Business Combination Provisions.”
All issued and outstanding shares of common stock are, and the common stock offered under this prospectus will be upon issuance, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of our common stock do not have preference, conversion, exchange or preemptive rights. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCP.”
The transfer agent and registrar of our common stock is The Bank of New York.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Under our charter, our board is authorized without further stockholder action to establish and issue, from time to time, up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock of HCP, in one or more series, with such designations, preferences, powers and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, including, but not limited to, dividend rights, dividend rate or rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preferences as shall be stated in the resolution providing for the issue of a series of such stock, adopted, at any time or from time to time, by our board. As of May 11, 2005, HCP had outstanding 4,000,000 shares of 7.25% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and 7,820,000 shares of 7.1% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The material terms of our series E preferred stock and series F preferred stock are described below.
Series E Preferred Stock
Voting Rights. Holders of the series E preferred stock generally do not have any voting rights, except in limited circumstances.
The consent of the holders of series E preferred stock is not required for the taking of any corporate action, including any merger or consolidation involving HCP or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of HCP, regardless of the effect that such merger, consolidation or sale may have upon the rights, preferences or voting power of the holders of the series E preferred stock, except as expressly set forth in the provisions of our charter which relate to the series E preferred stock.
Rank. With respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP, the series E preferred stock ranks:
| • | senior to the common stock of HCP, and to all equity securities issued by HCP ranking junior to the series E preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP; |
| • | on a parity with all equity securities issued by HCP the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the series E preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP; and |
| • | junior to all equity securities issued by HCP the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the series E preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP. See “—Voting Rights” above. |
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The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities, which rank senior to the series E preferred stock prior to conversion.
Dividends. Holders of shares of the series E preferred stock are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our board out of funds of HCP legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential annual cash dividends at the rate of 7.25% of the liquidation preference (equivalent to $1.8125 per annum per share).
Dividends on the series E preferred stock are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of each March, June, September and December or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day.
No dividends may be declared by our board or paid or set apart for payment on the series E preferred stock if the terms of any agreement of HCP, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such a declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach of or default under such an agreement. Likewise, no dividends may be declared by our board or paid or set apart for payment if such declaration or payment is restricted or prohibited by law.
Dividends on the series E preferred stock accrue, however, whether or not HCP has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are declared. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the series E preferred stock do not bear interest and holders of the series E preferred stock are not entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the series E preferred stock is first credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due that remains payable.
No full dividends may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any class or series of preferred stock ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the series E preferred stock, other than a dividend in shares of any class of stock ranking junior to the series E preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and set apart for such payment on the series E preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period. When dividends are not paid in full, or full payment is not so set apart, upon the series E preferred stock and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the series E preferred stock, including the series F preferred stock, all dividends declared upon the series E preferred stock and any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the series E preferred stock are declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of series E preferred stock and such other class or series of preferred stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the series E preferred stock and such other class or series of preferred stock, which cannot include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, bear to each other.
Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative dividends on the series E preferred stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, then, other than the payment of dividends in shares of our common stock or other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the series E preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation:
| • | no dividends may be declared or paid or set aside for payment upon our common stock, or any other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series E preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; |
| • | no other distribution may be declared or made upon our common stock, or any other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series E preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; |
| • | no shares of our common stock, or any other shares of capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series E preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation may be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration by HCP, except by conversion into or exchange for other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to the series E preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation or for the purpose of preserving HCP’s qualification as a REIT, or pursuant to comparable provisions in our charter with respect to other classes or series of capital stock of HCP. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer Relating to Preferred Stock.” |
Liquidation Preferences. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of HCP, the holders of series E preferred stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of HCP legally available for distribution to its stockholders a liquidation preference of $25 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of capital stock of HCP that ranks junior to the series E preferred stock as to liquidation rights.
In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of HCP or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect is given to amounts that would be needed if HCP would be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon
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distribution of holders of shares of stock of HCP whose preferential rights upon distribution are superior to those receiving the distribution.
Maturity; Redemption. The series E preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of HCP. The series E preferred stock is not redeemable prior to September 15, 2008. HCP is entitled, however, to purchase shares of the series E preferred stock in order to preserve its status as a REIT for federal or state income tax purposes at any time. Following September 15, 2008, HCP may, at its option, redeem the series E preferred stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at $25 per share (currently $100,000,000 in the aggregate), plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer Relating to Preferred Stock.”
Series F Preferred Stock
Voting Rights. Holders of the series F preferred stock generally do not have any voting rights, except in limited circumstances.
The consent of the holders of series F preferred stock is not required for the taking of any corporate action, including any merger or consolidation involving HCP or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of HCP, regardless of the effect that such merger, consolidation or sale may have upon the rights, preferences or voting power of the holders of the series F preferred stock, except as expressly set forth in the provisions of our charter which relate to the series F preferred stock.
Rank. With respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP, the series F preferred stock ranks:
| • | senior to the common stock of HCP, and to all equity securities issued by HCP ranking junior to the series F preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP; |
| • | on a parity with the series E preferred stock and all other equity securities issued by HCP the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the series F preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP; and |
| • | junior to all equity securities issued by HCP the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the series F preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of HCP. See “—Voting Rights” above. |
The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities, which rank senior to the series F preferred stock prior to conversion.
Dividends. Holders of shares of the series F preferred stock are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our board out of funds of HCP legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential annual cash dividends at the rate of 7.10% of the liquidation preference (equivalent to $1.775 per annum per share).
Dividends on the series F preferred stock are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of each March, June, September and December or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day.
No dividends may be declared by our board or paid or set apart for payment on the series F preferred stock if the terms of any agreement of HCP, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such a declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach of or default under such an agreement. Likewise, no dividends may be declared by our board or paid or set apart for payment if such declaration or payment is restricted or prohibited by law.
Dividends on the series F preferred stock accrue, however, whether or not HCP has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are declared. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the series F preferred stock do not bear interest and holders of the series F preferred stock are not entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the series F preferred stock is first credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due that remains payable.
No full dividends may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any class or series of preferred stock ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the series F preferred stock, other than a dividend in shares of any class of stock ranking junior to the series F preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and set apart for such payment on the series F preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period. When dividends are not paid in full, or full payment is not so set apart, upon the
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series F preferred stock and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the series F preferred stock, including the series E preferred stock, all dividends declared upon the series F preferred stock and any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the series F preferred stock are declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of series F preferred stock and such other class or series of preferred stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the series F preferred stock and such other class or series of preferred stock, which cannot include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, bear to each other.
Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative dividends on the series F preferred stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, then, other than the payment of dividends in shares of our common stock or other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the series F preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation:
| • | no dividends may be declared or paid or set aside for payment upon our common stock, or any other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series F preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; |
| • | no other distribution may be declared or made upon our common stock, or any other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series F preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; |
| • | no shares of our common stock, or any other shares of capital stock of HCP ranking junior to or on a parity with the series F preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation may be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration by HCP, except by conversion into or exchange for other capital stock of HCP ranking junior to the series F preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation or for the purpose of preserving HCP’s qualification as a REIT, or pursuant to comparable provisions in our charter with respect to other classes or series of capital stock of HCP. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer Relating to Preferred Stock.” |
Liquidation Preferences. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of HCP, the holders of series F preferred stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of HCP legally available for distribution to its stockholders a liquidation preference of $25 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of capital stock of HCP that ranks junior to the series F preferred stock as to liquidation rights.
In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of HCP or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect is given to amounts that would be needed if HCP would be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon distribution of holders of shares of stock of HCP whose preferential rights upon distribution are superior to those receiving the distribution.
Maturity; Redemption. The series F preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of HCP. The series F preferred stock is not redeemable prior to December 3, 2008. HCP is entitled, however, to purchase shares of the series F preferred stock in order to preserve its status as a REIT for federal or state income tax purposes at any time. Following December 3, 2008, HCP may, at its option, redeem the series F preferred stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at $25 per share (currently $195,500,000 in the aggregate), plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer Relating to Preferred Stock.”
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, REDEMPTION AND BUSINESS COMBINATION PROVISIONS
Among other requirements, in order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year. In addition, if we, or an owner of 10% or more of our capital stock, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of one of our tenants (or a tenant of any partnership or limited liability company in which we are a partner or member), the rent received by us (either directly or through the partnership or limited liability company) from the tenant will not be qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests applicable to REITs contained in the Internal Revenue Code. A REIT’s stock must also be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock that are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and continuing to qualify as a REIT. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the
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exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% (by number of shares or value, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of common stock. We refer to the limits described in this paragraph as the “ownership limits.”
The constructive ownership rules under the Internal Revenue Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our common stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our common stock) by an individual or entity, could, nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of our outstanding common stock and thereby subject the common stock to the applicable ownership limit.
Our board of directors may, but in no event will be required to, waive the ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it:
| • | determines that such ownership will not jeopardize our status as a REIT; and |
| • | our board of directors otherwise decides such action would be in our best interest. |
As a condition of such waiver, the board of directors may require an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it and/or undertakings or representations from the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status.
These charter provisions further prohibit:
| • | any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; and |
| • | any person from transferring shares of our common stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution). |
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of common stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to us and 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.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of common stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits or such other limit as permitted by our board of directors, then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect as to that number of shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit. The shares proposed to be transferred will be deemed to have been transferred to, and held by, a trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable organization selected by us. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust.
The trustee shall sell the shares to us or to another person designated by the trustee whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limit.
The trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust:
| • | sell the excess shares to a person or entity who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors, and |
| • | distribute to the prohibited transferee or owner, as applicable, an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the prohibited transferee or owner for the excess shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the last reported sales price reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date) and (2) the sales proceeds received by the trustee for the excess shares. |
The trustee shall be designated by us and shall be unaffiliated with us and any prohibited transferee or owner. Prior to the sale of any excess shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to the excess shares, and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the excess shares.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion,
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| • | to rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited transferee or owner, as applicable, prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and |
| • | to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. |
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the prohibited transferee or owner, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limit or as otherwise permitted by the board of directors, then our charter provides that the transfer of the excess shares will be void.
All certificates representing shares of our common stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
In addition, if our board of directors shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of at least 9.9% of the voting shares of capital stock has or may become concentrated in the hands of one beneficial owner, it shall have the power:
| • | by lot or other means deemed equitable by it to call for the purchase from any stockholder of a number of voting shares sufficient, in the opinion of our board of directors, to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of voting shares of capital stock of the beneficial owner to a level of no more than 9.9% of our outstanding voting shares; and |
| • | to refuse to transfer or issue voting shares of capital stock to any person whose acquisition of such voting shares would, in the opinion of the board of directors, result in the direct or indirect ownership by that person of more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting shares of our capital stock. |
If our board of directors fails to grant an exemption from this 9.9% ownership limitation, then the transfer of shares, options, warrants, or other securities convertible into voting shares that would create a beneficial owner of more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting shares shall be deemed void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall be deemed never to have had an interest in the transferred securities. The purchase price for any voting shares of capital stock so redeemed shall be equal to the fair market value of the shares reflected in the closing sales price for the shares, if then listed on a national securities exchange, or the average of the closing sales prices for the shares if then listed on more than one national securities exchange, or if the shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the latest bid quotation for the shares if then traded over-the-counter, on the last business day immediately preceding the day on which we send notices of such acquisitions, or, if no such closing sales prices or quotations are available, then the purchase price shall be equal to the net asset value of such stock as determined by the board of directors in accordance with the provisions of applicable law. From and after the date fixed for purchase by the board of directors, the holder of any shares so called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such shares, except the right to payment of the purchase price for the shares.
Our charter requires that, except in certain circumstances, business combinations between us and a beneficial holder of 10% or more of our outstanding voting stock, or a related person, must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least 90% of our outstanding voting shares.
A business combination is defined in our charter as:
| • | our merger or consolidation with or into a related person; |
| • | any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition, including without limitation a mortgage or any other security device, of all or any substantial part (as defined below) of our assets (including, without limitation, any voting securities of a subsidiary) to a related person; |
| • | any merger or consolidation of a related person with or into us; |
| • | any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or any substantial part of the assets of a related person to us; |
| • | the issuance of any of our securities (other than by way of pro rata distribution to all stockholders) to a related person; and |
| • | any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described in the definition of business combination. |
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The term “substantial part” means more than 10% of the book value of our total assets as of the end of our most recent fiscal year ending prior to the time the determination is being made.
In addition to the restrictions on business combinations contained in our charter, Maryland law also contains restrictions on business combinations. See “Provisions of Maryland Law and HCP’s Charter and Bylaws—Business Combinations.”
The foregoing provisions of our charter and certain other matters may not be amended without the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting shares.
Certain provisions of Maryland law, our charter and our bylaws, including the foregoing provisions, may have the effect of discouraging unilateral tender offers or other takeover proposals which certain stockholders might deem to be in their interests or in which they might receive a substantial premium. See “Provisions of Maryland Law and HCP’s Charter and Bylaws.” Our board of directors’ authority to issue and establish the terms of currently authorized preferred stock, without stockholder approval, may also have the effect of discouraging takeover attempts. See “Description of Preferred Stock.” The foregoing provisions could also have the effect of insulating current management against the possibility of removal and could, by possibly reducing temporary fluctuations in market price caused by accumulations of shares of common stock, deprive stockholders of opportunities to sell at a temporarily higher market price. However, our board of directors believes that inclusion of the business combination provisions in our charter may help assure fair treatment of stockholders and preserve our assets.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER RELATING TO PREFERRED STOCK
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of preferred stock which are intended to assist HCP in complying with the requirements to maintain its status as a REIT. Subject to limited exceptions, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% (by number or value, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of series E preferred stock or series F preferred stock. Our board of directors may, but in no event is required to, waive the applicable ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it determines that such ownership will not jeopardize HCP’s status as a REIT and our board of directors otherwise decides such action would be in the best interest of HCP. The mechanics for the ownership limits on our preferred stock are similar to the mechanics related to our common stock, as described in “Transfer Restrictions, Redemption and Business Combination Provisions” above.
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PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND
HCP’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following paragraphs summarize provisions of Maryland law and describe our charter and bylaws. This is a summary, and does not completely describe Maryland law, our charter or our bylaws. For a complete description, we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter and our bylaws. We have incorporated by reference our charter and bylaws as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Election of Directors
Under our bylaws, we have ten directors unless increased or decreased by the board of directors or our stockholders. However, this number may not be fewer than three. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the election of directors shall be by a plurality of the votes cast. Holders of common stock have no right to cumulative voting for the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of our directors. A vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the entire board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Other vacancies may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors.
Removal of Directors
Under the terms of our charter and Maryland law, a director of ours may be removed by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our voting stock or by a unanimous vote of all other directors. Our stockholders may elect a successor to fill any vacancy which results from the removal of a director.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
| • | any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or |
| • | an affiliate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| • | 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and |
| • | two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or which are held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s 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 shares. None of these provisions of the Maryland law will apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors of the corporation prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
In addition to the restrictions on business combinations provided under Maryland law, our charter also contains restrictions on business combinations. See “Transfer Restrictions, Redemption and Business Combination Provisions.”
Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares of stock owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter.
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“Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or shares of stock for which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| • | 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. Except as otherwise specified in the statute, a “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares.
Once a person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition has undertaken to pay expenses and satisfied other conditions, the person may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may be able to redeem any or all of the control shares for fair value, except for control shares for which voting rights previously have been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined without regard to the absence of voting rights for 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 control shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition. Some of the limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the exercise of dissenters’ rights do not apply in the context of a control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our charter and bylaws do not provide for any such exemption.
Duties of Directors with Respect to Unsolicited Takeovers
Maryland law provides protection for Maryland corporations against unsolicited takeovers by limiting, among other things, the duties of the directors in unsolicited takeover situations. The duties of directors of Maryland corporations do not require them to (a) accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person seeking to acquire control of the corporation, (b) make a determination under the Maryland business combination or control share acquisition statutes described above, or (c) act or fail to act solely because of the effect the act or failure to act may have on an acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the amount or type of consideration that may be offered or paid to the stockholders in an acquisition. Moreover, under Maryland law the act of a director of a Maryland corporation relating to or affecting an acquisition or potential acquisition of control is not subject to any higher duty or greater scrutiny than is applied to any other act of a director. Maryland law also contains a statutory presumption that an act of a director of a Maryland corporation satisfies the applicable standards of conduct for directors under Maryland law.
Amendments to the Charter
Provisions of our charter on business combinations, the number of directors and certain ownership restrictions may be amended only if approved by our board of directors and by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders on the matter. Other amendments to our charter require approval by our board of directors and approval by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders on the matter.
Amendment to the Bylaws
Provisions of our bylaws on the number of directors and the vote required to amend the bylaws may be amended only by unanimous vote of the board of directors or by the affirmative vote of not less than 90% of all of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders on the matter. Other amendments to our bylaws require the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors or the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders on the matter.
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Dissolution of Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
Our dissolution must be approved by our board of directors by a majority vote of the entire board and by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders on the matter.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business; Procedures of Special Meetings Requested by Stockholders
Our bylaws provide that nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the annual or special meeting of stockholders may be made only:
| • | pursuant to our notice of the meeting; |
| • | by or at the direction of the board of directors; or |
| • | by a stockholder who was a stockholder at the time the notice of meeting was given and is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures, including the minimum time period, described in the bylaws. |
Our bylaws also provide that only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before a special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws provide that our stockholders have the right to call a special meeting only upon the written request of the stockholders holding in the aggregate not less than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the business proposed to be transacted at such meeting.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Charter and Bylaws
The provisions in the charter on removal of directors and business combinations, the business combinations and control share acquisition provisions of Maryland law, the advance notice provisions of our bylaws and the provisions of our bylaws relating to stockholder-requested special meetings may delay, defer or prevent a change of control or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of the common stock might receive a premium for their common stock over the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages. However, a Maryland corporation may not limit liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services. Also, liability resulting from active and deliberate dishonesty may not be eliminated if a final judgment establishes that the dishonesty is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision which limits the liability of directors and officers for money damages to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. This provision does not limit our right or that of our stockholders to obtain equitable relief, such as an injunction or rescission.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination as to the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses before final disposition of a proceeding to:
| • | any present or former director or officer who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity; or |
| • | any individual who, while one of our directors or officers and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity. |
The bylaws authorize us, with the approval of our board of directors, to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to our agents and employees.
Unless limited by a corporation’s charter, Maryland law requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. Our charter does not alter this requirement.
Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against:
| • | judgments; |
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| • | penalties; |
| • | fines; |
| • | settlements; and |
| • | reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities. |
Maryland law does not permit a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers if it is established that:
| • | the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| • | the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| • | in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation. Also, a Maryland corporation generally may not indemnify for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. In either of these cases, a Maryland corporation may indemnify for expenses only if a court so orders.
Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer. First, however, the corporation must receive a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation. The corporation must also receive a written undertaking, either by the director or officer or on his behalf, to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. The termination of any proceeding by conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of any order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the director or officer did not meet the requisite standard of conduct required for indemnification to be permitted.
It is the position of the Commission that indemnification of directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and is unenforceable pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Act.
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of the material United States federal income tax considerations regarding our company and the ownership of our common stock. This summary is based on current law, is for general information only and is not tax advice. The anticipated income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time.
This summary deals only with shares of common stock held as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code). Your tax treatment will vary depending on your particular situation, and this discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to a holder of our common stock in light of his or her personal investment or tax circumstances, or to holders who receive special treatment under the federal income tax laws except to the extent discussed under the headings “—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders” and “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders”. Holders of common stock receiving special treatment include, without limitation:
| • | insurance companies; |
| • | financial institutions, broker-dealers or dealers in securities; |
| • | “S” corporations; |
| • | United States expatriates; |
| • | pension plans and other tax-exempt organizations; |
| • | stockholders holding securities as part of a conversion transaction, or a hedge or hedging transaction (or other risk reduction or constructive sale transaction) or as a position in a straddle for tax purposes; |
| • | foreign entities or individuals who are not citizens or residents of the United States; |
| • | regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; |
| • | persons holding our common stock through partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities; |
| • | United States persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar; and |
| • | persons who are subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. |
In addition, this summary does not purport to deal with aspects of taxation that may be relevant to a limited partner of our operating partnership.
The information in this section is based on:
| • | the Internal Revenue Code; |
| • | current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code; |
| • | the legislative history of the Internal Revenue Code; |
| • | current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service; and |
| • | court decisions; |
in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service except with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations described in this prospectus. Any such change could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this prospectus are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in
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this summary will not be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or will be sustained by a court if so challenged. This summary does not discuss any state, local or foreign tax consequences associated with the acquisition, ownership, sale or other disposition of our common stock or our election to be taxed as a REIT.
You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to you of:
| • | the acquisition, ownership and sale or other disposition of our common stock, including the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences; |
| • | our election to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; and |
| • | potential changes in applicable tax laws. |
Taxation of the Company
General. We elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 1985. We believe we have been organized and have operated in a manner which allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 1985. We currently intend to continue to operate in this manner. However, qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Internal Revenue Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have operated or will continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See the section below entitled “—Failure to Qualify”.
The sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding Treasury Regulations that relate to the qualification and operation of a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following sets forth the material aspects of the sections of the Internal Revenue Code that govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions, Treasury Regulations, and related administrative and judicial interpretations thereof.
Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with this registration of our common stock and our election to be taxed as a REIT. Latham & Watkins LLP has rendered an opinion to us to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1985, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion was based on various assumptions and representations as to factual matters, including representations made by us in a factual certificate provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion was based upon our factual representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Internal Revenue Code which are discussed below, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operation for any particular taxable year have satisfied or will satisfy those requirements. See “—Failure to Qualify.” Further, the anticipated income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to its date.
Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on our net income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” that ordinarily results from investment in a C corporation. A C corporation generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will be required to pay federal income tax, however, as follows:
| • | We will be required to pay tax at regular corporate tax rates on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. |
| • | We may be required to pay the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference under certain circumstances. |
| • | If we have: (a) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” which is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business; or (b) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on this income. Foreclosure property generally is defined as property we acquired through foreclosure or after a default on a loan secured by the property or a lease of the property. |
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| • | We will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income from prohibited transactions. Prohibited transactions are, in general, sales or other taxable dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. |
| • | If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test discussed below, but have otherwise maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be required to pay a tax equal to (a) the greater of (i) the amount by which 75% of our gross income exceeds the amount qualifying under the 75% gross income test and (ii) the amount by which 95% of our gross income (90% for our taxable years ended on or prior to December 31, 2004) exceeds the amount qualifying under the 95% gross income test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
| • | If we fail to satisfy a REIT asset test, as described below, by more than a de minimis amount, due to reasonable cause and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets that caused us to fail such test. |
| • | If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the REIT gross income tests or certain violations of the asset tests described below) and the violation is due to reasonable cause, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
| • | We will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. |
| • | If we acquire any asset from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of the C corporation, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then we will be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that certain elections specified in applicable Treasury Regulations are either made or forgone, by us or by the entity from which the assets are acquired, in each case, depending upon the date such acquisition occurred. |
| • | We will be subject to a 100% tax on any “redetermined rents,” “redetermined deductions” or “excess interest”. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished to any of our tenants by a “taxable REIT subsidiary” of ours. See “—Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries”. Redetermined deductions and excess interest generally represent amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations. |
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
| (1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
| (2) | that issues transferable shares or transferable certificates to evidence its beneficial ownership; |
| (3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code; |
| (4) | that is not a financial institution or an insurance company within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code; |
| (5) | that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons; |
| (6) | not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, including specified entities, during the last half of each taxable year; and |
| (7) | that meets other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions. |
The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than twelve months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), pension funds and other specified tax-exempt entities generally are treated as individuals, except that a “look-through” exception applies with respect to pension funds.
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We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares of capital stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (1) through (7) inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter documents provide for restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of our shares which are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These stock ownership and transfer restrictions are described in “Description of Capital Stock—Transfer Restrictions, Redemption and Business Combination Provisions” and “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer Relating to Preferred Stock”. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next two sentences, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. In addition, if our failure to satisfy the share ownership requirements is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. See “—Failure to Qualify”.
In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to have a calendar taxable year.
Ownership of Interests in Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies. We own and operate one or more properties through partnerships and limited liability companies. Treasury Regulations provide that if we are a partner in a partnership, we will be deemed to own our proportionate share of the assets of the partnership based on our interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% REIT asset test described below. Also, we will be deemed to be entitled to our proportionate share of the income of the partnership. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in our hands for purposes of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. In addition, for these purposes, the assets and items of income of any partnership in which we own a direct or indirect interest include such partnership’s share of assets and items of income of any partnership in which it owns an interest. We have included a brief summary of the rules governing the federal income taxation of partnerships and their partners below in “—Tax Aspects of the Partnerships”. The treatment described above also applies with respect to the ownership of interests in limited liability companies or other entities that are treated as partnerships for tax purposes.
We have direct or indirect control of certain partnerships and limited liability companies and intend to continue to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. We are a limited partner or non-managing member in certain partnerships and limited liability companies. If any such a partnership or limited liability company were to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a REIT income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in a time frame which would allow us to dispose of our interest in the applicable entity or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, unless we were entitled to relief, as described below, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.
Ownership of Interests in Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. We own and operate a number of properties through our wholly-owned subsidiaries that we believe will be treated as “qualified REIT subsidiaries” under the Internal Revenue Code. A corporation will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of its outstanding stock and if we do not elect with the subsidiary to treat it as a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” as described below. A corporation that is a qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation for federal tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit (as the case may be) of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Internal Revenue Code (including all REIT qualification tests). Thus, in applying the federal tax requirements described in this prospectus, the subsidiaries in which we own a 100% interest (other than any taxable REIT subsidiaries) are ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of such subsidiaries are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not required to pay federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary does not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities of any one issuer which constitute more than 10% of the voting power or value of such issuer’s securities or more than 5% of the value of our total assets, as described below in “—Asset Tests”.
Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with the REIT to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary also includes any corporation other than a REIT with respect to which a taxable REIT subsidiary owns securities possessing more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of such corporation. A taxable
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REIT subsidiary generally may engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT, except that a taxable REIT subsidiary may not directly or indirectly operate or manage a lodging or healthcare facility or directly or indirectly provide to any other person (under a franchise, license or otherwise) rights to any brand name under which any lodging or healthcare facility is operated. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to federal income tax, and state and local income tax where applicable, as a regular C corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary may be prevented from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiary’s debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. We currently own interests in several taxable REIT subsidiaries, and may acquire interests in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. As a result, our ownership of securities of our taxable REIT subsidiaries will not be subject to the 5% asset test and 10% asset test described below. See “—Asset Tests”.
Income Tests. We must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT:
| • | First, each taxable year, we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, from (a) certain investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property” and, in some circumstances, interest, or (b) some types of temporary investments; and |
| • | Second, each taxable year, we must derive at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, from the real property investments described above, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. |
For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:
| • | The amount of rent must not be based in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales; |
| • | We, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our capital stock, must not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the interests in the tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that also is our taxable REIT subsidiary, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary are comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “2004 Act”), signed into law by President Bush on October 22, 2004, whether rents paid by a taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the taxable REIT subsidiary is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, under the 2004 Act, if a lease with a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such taxable REIT subsidiary, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is a taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock. The foregoing provisions of the 2004 Act are effective retroactively for our taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000; |
| • | Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, must not be greater than 15% of the total rent we receive under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property;” and |
| • | We generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception, other than through an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue. We may, however, perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. Examples of such services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we may employ an independent contractor to provide customary services, or a taxable REIT subsidiary, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property”. Any amounts we receive from a taxable REIT subsidiary |
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| with respect to the taxable REIT subsidiary’s provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% gross income test. |
We generally do not intend to receive rent which fails to satisfy any of the above conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may have taken and may continue to take actions which fail to satisfy one or more of the above conditions to the extent that we determine, based on the advice of our tax counsel, that those actions will not jeopardize our tax status as a REIT.
Income we receive that is attributable to the rental of parking spaces at our properties will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if any services provided with respect to the parking facilities are performed by independent contractors from whom we derive no revenue, either directly or indirectly, or by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and certain other requirements are met. With the exception of one parking facility we operate, we believe that the income we receive that is attributable to parking facilities meets these tests and, accordingly, will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income we derive from a hedging transaction that is clearly identified as such as specified in the Internal Revenue Code, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, and therefore will be exempt from this test, but only to the extent that the transaction hedges indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or carry real estate. Income from any hedging transaction will, however, be nonqualifying for purposes of the 75% gross income test. The term “hedging transaction,” as used above, generally means any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, by us. To the extent that we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
We believe that the aggregate amount of our nonqualifying income, from all sources, in any taxable year will not exceed the limit on nonqualifying income under the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, we generally may make use of the relief provisions if:
| • | following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the Internal Revenue Service setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be issued; and |
| • | our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. |
For our taxable years ending on or prior to December 31, 2004, we generally may avail ourselves of the relief provisions if:
| • | our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; |
| • | we attach a schedule of the sources of our income to our federal income tax return; and |
| • | any incorrect information on the schedule was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. |
It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the Internal Revenue Service could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in “—Taxation of the Company—General,” even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite our periodic monitoring of our income.
Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that we realize on the sale of property held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Our gain would include any gain realized by our qualified REIT subsidiaries and our share of any gain realized by any of the partnerships or limited liability companies in which we own an interest. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as
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inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. We intend to hold our properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation and to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning our properties. We have made, and may in the future make, occasional sales of the properties consistent with our investment objectives. We do not intend to enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. The Internal Revenue Service may contend, however, that one or more of these sales is subject to the 100% penalty tax.
Like-Kind Exchanges. We have in the past disposed of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Internal Revenue Code, and may continue this practice in the future. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could subject us to federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.
Penalty Tax. Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries to any of our tenants, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Internal Revenue Code.
We believe that, in all instances in which our taxable REIT subsidiaries provide services to our tenants, the fees paid to such taxable REIT subsidiaries for such services are at arm’s-length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe harbor provisions referenced above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the Internal Revenue Service has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the Internal Revenue Service successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s-length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.
Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we also must satisfy four tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets.
First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets, including assets held by our qualified REIT subsidiaries and our allocable share of the assets held by the partnerships and limited liability companies in which we own an interest, must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this test, the term “real estate assets” generally means real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) and shares (or transferable certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, as well as any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of the proceeds of a stock offering or a public debt offering with a term of at least five years, but only for the one-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such proceeds.
Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those securities included in the 75% asset test.
Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class and except for certain investments in other REITs and our qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer except, in the case of the 10% value test, certain “straight debt” securities having specified characteristics. Under the 2004 Act, certain types of securities are disregarded as securities solely for purposes of the 10% value test, including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, under the 2004 Act, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Internal Revenue Code. This provision of the 2004 Act was effective commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005. For years prior to 2001, the 10% limit applies only with respect to voting securities of any issuer and not to the value of the securities of any issuer.
Fourth, not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. The 20% asset test is effective for taxable years ending after December 31, 2000.
We currently own 100% of the outstanding stock of several subsidiaries that have elected, together with us, to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries. So long as these subsidiaries qualify as taxable REIT subsidiaries, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting securities limitation or the 10% value limitation with respect to our ownership of their securities. We may acquire
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securities in other taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. We believe that the aggregate value of our taxable REIT subsidiaries will not exceed 20% of the value of our gross assets. With respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does not qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our ownership of the securities of any such issuer has complied with the 5% value limitation, the 10% voting securities limitation and the 10% value limitation. No independent appraisals have been obtained to support these conclusions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not disagree with our determinations of value. We also own, and may continue to make, loans which must qualify under the “straight debt safe harbor” in order to satisfy the 10% value limitation described above. We believe, based on the advice of our tax counsel, that all of these loans have qualified under this safe harbor. However, there is relatively little authority interpreting this safe harbor and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service would not take a contrary position.
The asset tests described above must be satisfied at the close of each quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or through our partnerships or limited liability companies) acquire securities in the applicable issuer, increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of increasing our interest in a partnership or limited liability company which owns such securities), or acquire other assets. For example, our indirect ownership of securities of an issuer may increase as a result of our capital contributions to a partnership or limited liability company. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy an asset test because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter (including as a result of an increase in our interests in a partnership or limited liability company), we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained and intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. In addition, we intend to take such actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance. With respect to our taxable years ended on or before December 31, 2004, if we failed to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within the 30 day cure period, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.
Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, certain relief provisions may be available to us if we fail to satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30 day cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have met the 5% and 10% REIT asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying assets (i) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, and (ii) we dispose of the nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued. For violations due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect that are in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT under any of the asset tests, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps including (i) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (ii) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets, and (iii) disclosing certain information to the Internal Revenue Service.
Although we expect to satisfy the asset tests described above and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance that we will always be successful or will not require a reduction in our overall interest in an issuer (including in a taxable REIT subsidiary). If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in a timely manner and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we will cease to qualify as a REIT.
Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| • | 90% of our “REIT taxable income”; and |
| • | 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property; minus |
| • | the excess of the sum of specified items of our non-cash income items over 5% of our “REIT taxable income” as described below. |
For these purposes, our “REIT taxable income” is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, and any like-kind exchanges that are later determined to be taxable.
In addition, if we dispose of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C corporation, within the ten-year period following our acquisition of such asset, we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the after-tax gain, if any, we recognized on the disposition, to the extent that gain does not exceed the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset on the date we acquired the asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset on the date we acquired the asset.
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We must pay these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if they are declared before we timely file our tax return for that year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment following their declarations. Except as provided below, these distributions are taxable to our stockholders, other than tax-exempt entities, in the year in which paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of our 90% distribution requirement. The amount distributed must not be preferential. To avoid being preferential, every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates. We believe we have made, and intend to continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements.
We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the receipt of income and payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. If these timing differences occur, we may need to borrow funds or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements.
Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which we may include in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest to the Internal Revenue Service based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
In addition, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent the amounts we actually distribute for a calendar year (or in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end of January immediately following such year) are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for such year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and capital gain net income on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.
Distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, which are paid to our stockholders by the end of January immediately following that year, will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having been paid on December 31 of the prior year.
Failure to Qualify
Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, specified cure provisions are available to us in the event that we violate a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would otherwise result in our failure to qualify as a REIT. These cure provisions reduce the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause and instead generally require the payment of a monetary penalty. See “Taxation of the Company—General.” If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply, we will be required to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, and we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a result, we anticipate that our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all distributions to our stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. In this event, subject to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Tax Aspects of the Partnerships
General. We own, directly or indirectly, interests in various partnerships and limited liability companies which are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes and may own interests in additional partnerships and limited liability companies in the future. Our ownership interests in such partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations. These special tax considerations include, for example, the possibility that the Internal Revenue Service might
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challenge the status of one or more of the partnerships or limited liability companies in which we own an interest as partnerships or disregarded entities, as opposed to associations taxable as corporations, for federal income tax purposes. If a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest, or one or more of its subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies, were treated as an association, it would be taxable as a corporation and would therefore be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, and could prevent us from satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income tests. See “—Taxation of the Company—Asset Tests” and “—Taxation of the Company—Income Tests.” This, in turn, would prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify” for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests. In addition, a change in the tax status of one or more of the partnerships or limited liability companies in which we own an interest might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash distributions.
Treasury Regulations that apply for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 1997, provide that a domestic business entity not otherwise organized as a corporation (an “eligible entity”) may elect to be taxed as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes. Unless it elects otherwise, an eligible entity in existence prior to January 1, 1997, will have the same classification for federal income tax purposes that it claimed under the entity classification Treasury Regulations in effect prior to this date. In addition, an eligible entity which did not exist or did not claim a classification prior to January 1, 1997, will be classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes unless it elects otherwise. All of the partnerships and limited liability companies in which we own an interest intend to claim classification as partnerships or disregarded entities under these Treasury Regulations. As a result, we believe that these partnerships and limited liability companies will be classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes
Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. A partnership or limited liability company agreement generally will determine the allocation of income and losses among partners or members. These allocations, however, will be disregarded for tax purposes if they do not comply with the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the related Treasury Regulations. Generally, Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the related Treasury Regulations require that partnership and limited liability company allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners and members. If an allocation is not recognized for federal income tax purposes, the relevant item will be reallocated according to the partners’ or members’ interests in the partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners or members with respect to such item. The allocations of taxable income and loss in each of the partnerships and limited liability companies in which we own an interest are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations.
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties. Under Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership or limited liability company in exchange for an interest in the partnership or limited liability company must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner or member is charged with the unrealized gain or benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution. These allocations are solely for federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners or members. Some of the partnerships and/or limited liability companies in which we own an interest were formed by way of contributions of appreciated property. The relevant partnership and/or limited liability company agreements require that allocations be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This could cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if the contributed properties were acquired in a cash purchase, and could cause us to be allocated taxable gain upon a sale of the contributed properties in excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale. These adjustments could make it more difficult for us to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders Generally
When we use the term “U.S. stockholder,” we mean a holder of shares of our common stock who, for federal income tax purposes:
| • | is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| • | is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity treated as a corporation or partnership for federal income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof or in the District of Columbia unless, in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, Treasury Regulations provide otherwise; |
| • | is an estate the income of which is subject to federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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| • | is a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in the Treasury Regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to this date that elect to continue to be treated as United States persons, shall also be considered U.S. stockholders. |
If you hold shares of our common stock and are not a U.S. stockholder, you are a “non-U.S. stockholder”. See “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders” below.
Distributions Generally. As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends discussed below, will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. stockholders as, in general, ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations. As a REIT, dividends by us of our ordinary income generally will not qualify as “qualified dividend income” eligible to be taxed in the case of individuals at capital gain rates. See “—Tax Rates” below.
To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. stockholder. This treatment will reduce the adjusted tax basis which each U.S. stockholder has in its shares of stock for tax purposes by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gains, and will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. U.S. stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to taxable U.S. stockholders as gains from the sale or disposition of a capital asset, to the extent that such gains do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. Depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains, and on certain designations, if any, which we may make, these gains may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders at a 15% or 25% rate. U.S. stockholders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. stockholder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of stock and qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by the Company, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
Retention of Net Capital Gains. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, a U.S. stockholder generally would:
| • | include its pro rata share of our undistributed net capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable; |
| • | be deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. stockholder’s long-term capital gains; |
| • | receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it; |
| • | increase the adjusted basis of its common stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and |
| • | in the case of a U.S. stockholder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service. |
Dispositions of Our Common Stock. If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of its shares of our common stock, it will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and its adjusted basis in the shares for tax purposes. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if it has held the common stock for more than one year. In general, if a U.S. stockholder recognizes loss
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upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent the stockholder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.
Tax Rates
The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for (1) capital gains, including “capital gain dividends,” has generally been reduced to 15% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate) and (2) “qualified dividend income” has generally been reduced to 15%. In general, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the reduced tax rate on corporate dividends, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and the REIT’s dividends are attributable to dividends received from taxable corporations (such as its taxable REIT subsidiaries), to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if it distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year) or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends”. Although these tax rate changes do not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable treatment of regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals to consider stock of other corporations that pay dividends to be more attractive relative to the stock of REITs. The presently applicable provisions of the federal income tax laws relating to the 15% tax rate are currently scheduled to “sunset” or revert back to the provisions of prior law effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, at which time the capital gains tax rate will be increased to 20% and the rate applicable to dividends will be increased to the tax rate then applicable to ordinary income.
Backup Withholding
We report to our U.S. stockholders and the Internal Revenue Service the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder’s federal income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status. See “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders”.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of shares generally will not be unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt stockholder, except as described below. This income or gain will be unrelated business taxable income, however, if a tax-exempt stockholder holds its shares as “debt-financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code or if the shares are used in a trade or business of the tax-exempt stockholder. Generally, debt-financed property is property the acquisition or holding of which was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder.
For tax-exempt stockholders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a “pension-held REIT” may be treated as unrelated business taxable income as to some trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a “pension-held REIT” if it is able to satisfy the “not closely held” requirement without relying on the “look-through” exception with respect to certain trusts. As a result of limitations on the transfer and ownership of stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and as a result, the tax treatment described in this paragraph should be inapplicable to our stockholders. However, because our stock will be publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The preceding discussion does not address the rules governing federal income taxation of the ownership and disposition of our common stock by persons that are non-U.S. stockholders. When we use the term “non-U.S. stockholder” we mean stockholders who are not U.S. stockholders as described above under “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders Generally”. In general, non-U.S.
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stockholders may be subject to special tax withholding requirements on distributions from us and with respect to their sale or other disposition of our common stock, except to the extent reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the non-U.S. stockholder’s country. A non-U.S. stockholder who is a stockholder of record and is eligible for reduction or elimination of withholding must file an appropriate form with us in order to claim such treatment. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the federal income tax consequences to them of an acquisition of shares of our common stock, including the federal income tax treatment of dispositions of interests in and the receipt of distributions from us.
Other Tax Consequences
We may be required to pay tax in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we transact business, and our stockholders may be required to pay tax in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which they reside. Our state and local tax treatment may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. In addition, a stockholder’s state and local tax treatment may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our shares.
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“Selling holders” are those persons who may receive the up to 53,602 shares of our common stock subject to this registration statement upon the exchange of non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC. The number of shares on the following table represents the number of shares of common stock beneficially held by the selling holders as of May 5, 2005, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that the selling holders may sell pursuant to this prospectus and the aggregate number of shares of our common stock and the percentage of our outstanding shares of common stock that each of the selling holders would beneficially hold following the exchange of the non-managing member units they hold and the completion of this offering. As of the date of this prospectus, the adjustment factor, which determines the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exchange of a non-managing member unit of HCPI/Utah, LLC, is 2.0; the table assumes that no further change in the adjustment factor will have occurred since the date of this prospectus. A further change in the adjustment factor, and a corresponding change in the number of shares that may be sold by the selling holders pursuant to this prospectus, will occur if we declare a dividend on our common stock payable in common stock, split or subdivide our common stock or effect a reverse stock split or combine our common stock into a smaller number of shares.
The selling holders named below may from time to time offer the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus:
| Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Common Offered |
Common Stock Following the Offering |
||||||||||
| Name |
Shares |
Percent |
||||||||||
| Boyer Desert Springs, L.C. |
337,230 | (4) | 12,154 | 325,076 | * | |||||||
| Amarillo Bell Associates |
58,378 | (5)(6) | 36,016 | (6) | 22,362 | * | ||||||
| H. Lewis Swain, as Trustee of the Lewis Swain Family Trust |
1,560 | (7) | 1,560 | 0 | * | |||||||
| Lynn L. Summerhays |
1,560 | (8) | 1,560 | 0 | * | |||||||
| Steven B. Ostler |
32,064 | (9) | 334 | 31,730 | * | |||||||
| The Boyer Company, L.C. |
2,529,094 | (10) | 938 | 2,528,156 | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| RLC Real Estate, LLC |
73,668 | (11) | 1,040 | 72,628 | * | |||||||
| Merrill Lynch Bank USA |
2,085,768 | (12) | 36,016 | (6)(12) | 2,049,752 | 1.5 | % | |||||
| Total |
3,033,554 | (13) | 53,602 | (13) | 2,979,952 | (13) | 2.2 | % | ||||
| * | Represents less than 1% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock. |
| (1) | Based on information available to us as of May 5, 2005. |
| (2) | Assumes the selling holder exchanges all of the non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC and HCPI/Utah II, LLC beneficially owned by it for shares of our common stock. Also assumes that no transactions with respect to our common stock or the non-managing member units occur other than the exchange or the exchange and the offering, as applicable. |
| (3) | Contemplates the sale of all of the common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus. |
| (4) | Includes 12,154 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 6,077 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC and 325,076 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of an additional 162,538 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement. |
| (5) | Includes 36,016 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 18,008 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC and 22,362 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of an additional 11,181 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement. |
| (6) | Pursuant to two Loan Management Account Agreements both dated as of March 1, 2005 (one agreement among Merrill Lynch Bank USA, Gardner Property Holdings, L.C., and certain affiliates of Gardner Property Holdings, L.C., and another agreement among Merrill Lynch Bank USA, The Boyer Company, L.C., and certain affiliates of The Boyer Company, L.C.) 29,189 non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC convertible into 58,378 shares of the Company’s common stock owned by Amarillo Bell Associates have been pledged to Merrill Lynch Bank USA as security for loans to Gardner Property Holdings, L.C. and The Boyer Company, L.C. Upon |
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| default or demand under either of the loans, Merrill Lynch Bank USA may be entitled to exchange the pledged units for the Company’s common stock and become a selling holder in the prospectus. Merrill Lynch Bank USA does not own of record any non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC as of the date of this prospectus. |
| (7) | Includes 1,560 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 780 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC. |
| (8) | Includes 1,560 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 780 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC. |
| (9) | Includes 334 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 167 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC and 21,050 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of an additional 10,525 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement, and 10,680 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 5,340 non-managing member units in HCPI/ Utah II, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement. |
| (10) | Includes 938 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 469 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, 1,053,934 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of an additional 526,957 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement and 1,474,222 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 737,111 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah II, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement. Other than the 938 shares of common stock offered hereby issuable upon the conversion of non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC and 16,098 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah II, LLC held of record by the stockholder directly, all non-managing member units of HCPI Utah, LLC and HCPI Utah II, LLC are held of record by limited partnerships or limited liability companies of which the stockholder is the managing partner or managing member and over which the stockholder has voting and dispositive power. |
| (11) | Includes 1,040 shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus issuable upon the conversion of 520 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC and 58,330 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of an additional 29,165 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement and 14,298 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 7,149 non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah II, LLC, subject to a previously-filed registration statement. |
| (12) | As of the date of this Prospectus, Merrill Lynch Bank USA does not own of record any of the Company’s common stock or any non-managing member units of HCPI/Utah, LLC or HCPI/Utah II, LLC. However, upon default or demand under either of the loans described in footnote 6, Merrill Lynch Bank USA may be entitled to exchange 519,519 pledged non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah, LLC, and 523,365 pledged non-managing member units in HCPI/Utah II, LLC for an aggregate of 2,085,768 shares of the Company’s common stock. |
| (13) | The non–managing member units pledged under the agreements described in footnote 7 and the shares of common stock into which such units are exchangeable are not included in the total number of non-managing member units/shares. |
The operating agreement provides that the selling holders may transfer their non-managing member units. Such transferees of the non-managing members’ units may also be selling holders under this prospectus. We will file one or more supplemental prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act or, if required, one or more post-effective amendments to this registration statement, to describe the required information regarding any additional selling holder. We will also file one or more supplemental prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act or, if required, one or more post-effective amendments to this registration statement, to describe any material arrangements for the distribution of the shares when such arrangements are entered into by the selling holders and any broker-dealers that participate in the distribution of shares of our common stock.
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to an aggregate of 53,602 shares by the selling holders.
We have registered the shares for sale to provide the holders of non-managing member units with freely tradable securities, but registration of the shares does not necessarily mean that any of the shares will be offered or sold by the holders of non-managing member units.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling holders, but we have agreed to pay the following expenses, estimated to be $50,000, for the registration of the shares:
| • | all registration and filing fees; |
| • | fees and expenses for complying with securities or blue sky laws; |
| • | fees and expenses incurred in connection with listing our common stock on each securities exchange on which our similar securities issued are then listed; and |
| • | fees and expenses of our legal counsel, accountants and other experts we retain in connection with the registration. |
We have no obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of our common stock. We also have no obligation to pay any out-of-pocket expenses of the selling holders, or the agents who manage their accounts, or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the common stock.
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Shares of our common stock may be sold from time to time to purchasers directly by the selling holders. Alternatively, the selling holders may from time to time offer the shares through dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of commissions from the selling holders and the purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agent. The sale of the shares by the selling holders may be effected from time to time in one or more negotiated transactions at negotiated prices or in transactions on any exchange or automated quotation system on which the securities may be listed or quoted. The selling holders and any dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of shares of our common stock may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on the sale of shares of our common stock by them and any commissions received by any such dealers or agents might be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the Securities Act.
In connection with distribution of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus:
| • | the selling holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, |
| • | the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the position they assume with the selling holders, |
| • | the selling holders may sell the common stock short and deliver the common stock to close out these short positions, |
| • | the selling holders may write non-traded options, |
| • | the selling holders may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the shares to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer the shares, |
| • | the selling holders may sell the shares pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration, and |
| • | the selling holders may also loan or pledge the shares to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the shares so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged shares. |
Persons participating in the distribution of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock. The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of common stock in the market and to the activities of the selling holders.
In order to comply with the securities laws of various states, the shares of our common stock will not be sold in a particular state unless the shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
The validity of the shares of our common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, the description of material federal income tax consequences contained in this prospectus under the heading “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” is based upon the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP. In rendering this opinion, Latham & Watkins LLP will assume the accuracy of an opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, as to certain matters of Maryland law.
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Health Care Property Investors, Inc. appearing in Health Care Property Investors, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004, and Health Care Property Investors, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedule, and management’s assessment have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
33
53,602 Shares
Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained in this document or in documents that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the shares of common stock offered. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities to any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is correct on any date after the date on the prospectus, even though this prospectus is delivered or shares are sold pursuant to this prospectus on a later date.
May 31, 2005